Everything you need to know to apply and participate
Take the stage at the National Multicultural Festival and share your story with hundreds of thousands. A vibrant celebration of culture in all its forms, the festival welcomes performances from traditional to contemporary—where every performer belongs.
We welcome expressions of interest from a wide range of genres—music, dance, song, spoken word, performance art, roving performers, and ceremonial presentations.
Professional and Volunteer applications closed at 3pm on Tuesday 28 July 2026. Expressions of interest are being accepted for our waitlist. If a space becomes available, we will review waitlisted applications and contact selected applicants directly. Please note that, due to the high level of interest, we are unable to provide updates on waitlist status and will only contact applicants who are offered a place.
Categories
Performance
From music, bands, and choirs to dance, spoken word, roving performances, and ceremonies—this is your chance to captivate a live audience and celebrate culture through performance.
Workshop
Engage festival‑goers in hands-on cultural experiences, sharing your skills or traditions in arts, music, dance, spoken word, theatre, cultural demonstrations, yoga, martial arts or meditation.
Cooking demonstration
Parade participation
Join one of the festival’s most vibrant highlights. Represent your community with colour, music and dance, and delight the crowd with costumes, movement and joyful energy.
Cultural showcase
Visual art
Tips for applying
1. Prepare a complete and clear application
- Ensure your application includes all required performance and contact details.
- Clearly describe your act and what audiences can expect to see or experience.
- Provide promotional materials to help showcase your performance.
- Confirm your availability across the festival dates.
- Be clear about your technical needs and list any equipment, sound, lighting or staging requirements.
- Provide examples of your work, including video if required.
2. Align with festival values
- The festival is family-friendly, so all content must be suitable for general audiences. Performances will be assessed using Australian Classification ratings to ensure appropriate scheduling and content.
- Your performance should reflect and support the festival’s values of collaboration, diversity, inclusion and respect, and spirit of celebration.
3. Be authentic and engaging
- Share your personal or cultural story—audiences love to connect with performers on a deeper level.
- Highlight how your performance contributes to cultural exchange and community pride.
4. Apply early and ask for help
- Submit your application before the deadline to ensure consideration.
- If you're unfamiliar with the process or need assistance (e.g. translation, tech support), reach out to the festival team—help is available.
5. Promote your involvement
- Once accepted, share your participation on social media and community channels.
- Use official hashtags and tag the festival to help build excitement and visibility.
Tips for applying
1. Prepare a complete and clear application
- Ensure your application includes all required performance and contact details.
- Clearly describe your act and what audiences can expect to see or experience.
- Provide promotional materials to help showcase your performance.
- Confirm your availability across the festival dates.
- Be clear about your technical needs and list any equipment, sound, lighting or staging requirements.
- Provide examples of your work, including video if required.
2. Align with festival values
- The festival is family-friendly, so all content must be suitable for general audiences. Performances will be assessed using Australian Classification ratings to ensure appropriate scheduling and content.
- Your performance should reflect and support the festival’s values of collaboration, diversity, inclusion and respect, and spirit of celebration.
3. Be authentic and engaging
- Share your personal or cultural story—audiences love to connect with performers on a deeper level.
- Highlight how your performance contributes to cultural exchange and community pride.
4. Apply early and ask for help
- Submit your application before the deadline to ensure consideration.
- If you're unfamiliar with the process or need assistance (e.g. translation, tech support), reach out to the festival team—help is available.
5. Promote your involvement
- Once accepted, share your participation on social media and community channels.
- Use official hashtags and tag the festival to help build excitement and visibility.