Events You Need to Know About This June
This month’s top events, plus a sneak peek at what’s on in July.
VIC
State of Origin Game 1
6 June | Melbourne Cricket Ground
The 2018 Origin series kicks off on neutral turf when Queensland and NSW face off at the MCG in front of a crowd of thousands.
Verve
21-30 June | Arts Centre Melbourne
This three-act dance performance showcases some of the diverse talents at The Australian Ballet, with works by choreographers Tim Harbour (Filigree and Shadow), Alice Topp (Aurum) and Stephen Baynes (Constant Variants).
MoMA at NGV
9 June-7 October | National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Some 200 works spanning 130 years – by the likes of Dalí, Van Gogh, Pollock, Warhol and Lichtenstein – are making the trip to Melbourne from New York’s famed Museum of Modern Art.
Melbourne International Jazz Festival
1-10 June | Various venues, Melbourne
The 21st year of this star-studded festival features artists such as trumpeter James Morrison, who will be performing as part of supergroup The Others with pianist Paul Grabowsky and Spiderbait’s Kram on drums.
Wayne Brady
21-24 June | The Palms at Crown, Melbourne
Fresh from performing leading roles in Kinky Boots on Broadway and Hamilton in Chicago, the Whose Line is it Anyway? improv comedy favourite will bring the laughs to Melbourne as part of his Australian tour.
Next Month: Pink
7 and 16-28 July, 28-29 August | Rod Laver Arena
Pop icon Pink returns to Australia for the first time since her huge 2013 tour, The Truth About Love (still the bestselling tour Down Under by a solo female artist), to support her latest album, Beautiful Trauma.
Next Month: Winter Wine Festival
28 July | Myer Mural Hall
Lap up the stunning Art Deco scene of Myer Mural Hall while sipping on over 200 types of award-winning wine, Champagne and spirits from your own, complimentary Riedel wine glass.
NSW
Winter Wine Festival
23 June | Sydney Town Hall
Sample over 200 different drops - from wine to spirits - at this festival while jazz tunes serenade you in the soaring Town Hall surrounds.
Wallabies vs Ireland
23 June | Allianz Stadium, Sydney
After clashing in Brisbane and Melbourne, our Wallabies and the visiting boys in green will finish off their three-test tour in Sydney to determine who will take home the coveted Lansdowne Cup.
Lucia di Lammermoor
28 June-27 July | Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Australian Jessica Pratt makes her Sydney Opera House debut as a woman on the brink of madness in Gaetano Donizetti’s tragedy – the same role that made Joan Sutherland an international star.
Dark Emu
14 June-14 July | Sydney Opera House 
Following the success of 2017’s Bennelong, Bangarra’s artistic director, Stephen Page, is back with a series of contemporary dance stories inspired by the life cycles of Australian flora and fauna.
Sydney Film Festival
6-17 June | Various venues, Sydney 
The 65th incarnation of the festival will screen more than 200 films from a variety of genres and countries, including Australian films West of Sunshine and Jirga as well as Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist, a documentary about the life of British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.
21st Biennale of Sydney
Until 11 June | Various venues, Sydney 
This is your last chance to witness the incredible artistic expression on show at this year’s Biennale, with works based on the theme Superposition: Equilibrium and Engagement.
Next Month: Céline Dion
27-28 July | Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
The five-time Grammy- and two-time Academy Award-winning singer returns to Australia with a set list packed with hits, including Because You Loved Me, Beauty and the Beast and, of course, My Heart Will Go On.
ACT
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow
16 June | Canberra Theatre Centre
After making Melburnians laugh for close to a month, a slimmed-down version of the festival hits the road for a tour of the country. First stop: the nation’s capital, with London-born comic Bob Franklin taking on the role of MC.
Picasso: The Vollard Suite
9 June-24 September | National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
The NGA is one of the few institutions in the world to hold the full set of 100 intaglio prints created by Picasso in the 1930s and is exhibiting them for the first time in Canberra since 1998.
SA
Family Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic
22-24 June | Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Calling all Disney diehards! Be transported into the magical world of Disney when some of its most beloved characters lace up their skates and take to the ice.
Adelaide Cabaret Festival
8-23 June | Various venues, Adelaide
This year’s line-up includes Broadway’s legendary Patti LuPone, Aussie ’70s pop sensation Mark Holden and Amber Martin’s Janis Joplin tribute, along with Australian theatre favourites Nancye Hayes and Todd McKenney.
Next Month: The Sleeping Beauty
6-12 July | Adelaide Festival Centre
Prepare to be mesmerised by Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet score, breathtaking costumes and spectacular fairytale sets in a season exclusive to Adelaide.
WA
Comedy Joel Creasey
8-9 June | Astor Theatre, Perth
Fresh from co-hosting SBS’s coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, Perth-raised comedian Joel Creasey returns home for a stop on his Blonde Bombshell tour.
Truffle Kerfuffle
22-24 June | Fonty’s Pool, Manjimup
A popular event on the gourmet calendar, this weekend festival includes truffle-hunting, wine-tasting and camping under the stars – and there’s always the chance to make friends with a truffle dog.
Next Month: Katy Perry
24-25 July | Perth Arena
Perth is the first stop for pop superstar Perry, who’s bringing Witness: The Tour to our shores. Expect pyrotechnics, mind-blowing choreography and... animal ears.
QLD
Winter Wine Festival
30 June | Old Government House
The stately building of Government House plays host to your quaffing of hundreds of award-winning wines, spirits and Champagnes, with the talented winemakers also circulating for a chat .
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
12-24 June | QPAC, Brisbane
The National Theatre of Great Britain’s acclaimed production of Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel lands in Brisbane after playing to packed houses in Melbourne.
Neil Finn
30 June | Home of the Arts, Surfers Paradise
A full orchestra will join the Crowded House frontman under the stars for a musical odyssey covering his recent album, Out of Silence, and his stellar career.
Lano & Woodley
5-17 June | Brisbane Powerhouse
The comic duo are back together and on tour with their new show, Fly, a tribute to flight pioneers the Wright brothers.
Next Month Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
From 13 July | QPAC, Brisbane
The bio-jukebox musical continues its acclaimed run around the country, now heading north to entertain Carole King fans with more than 20 of the singer’s hits.
NT
Barunga Festival
8-10 June | Barunga
Marking the 30th anniversary of the Barunga Statement calling for Aboriginal rights, this event celebrates the best of the Territory through music, sport and culture.
Next Month: Darwin Lions’ Beer Can Regatta
22 July | Mindil Beach, Darwin
Run since 1974, this popular race practises recycling with a twist, turning cans and milk bottles into inventive, seaworthy vessels.
TAS
Dark Mofo
7-24 June | Various venues, Hobart
Mark the winter solstice in the company of thousands when Mona’s festival returns with an expanded program. Among the highlights are performances by Laurie Anderson, St. Vincent, and Archie Roach and Tiddas, as well as Matthew Schreiber’s light installation, Leviathan.
Ian Moss
22 June; 23 June | Wrest Point Showroom, Hobart; Country Club Showroom, Launceston
Australian music legend Ian Moss and his band kick off their national theatre tour in Hobart this month. Expect some of the songwriter’s biggest hits from his Cold Chisel days and solo career.
Festival of Voices
29 June-15 July | Various venues, Hobart
Attracting more than 30,000 visitors over its two-week run, the FoV continues to grow every year. The free Big Sing Bonfire event at Salamanca Place can’t be missed, quite literally – if you’re within earshot, you’ll hear up to 5000 people joining together in song.
Next month: Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest
13-15 July | Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, Grove
If you haven’t got around to wassailing under any apple trees lately, let this colourful festival be your excuse. With plenty of music, folklore, food and cider, it’s the perfect way to spend a winter weekend. 
Top image: Bangarra/Daniel Boud
SEE ALSO: 18 of the World’s Most Iconic Road Trips
