Margaret River puts on its party pants for 10 weeks of summer fun

Margaret River holds more festivals and wine events than just about any wine region in Australia. 

Next up: Margaret River Summer of Wine, a festival featuring a program of more than 50 winery events and pop-ups, kicking off on Thursday. 

Now in its second year, the event spans small artisan producers to iconic estates. 

The program includes outdoor films in vineyards, live-music picnics, pop-up markets, helicopter joyrides, family-friendly carnivals and wine celebrations.

“Margaret River Summer of Wine is a relaxed festival created by our wineries, with events that reflect how the locals love to spend summer in our stunning coastal region," said Margaret River Wine Association CEO Amanda Whiteland. 

"Start your day at the beach, and when the sun’s too bright or the sea breeze is in, enjoy a glass of wine, art, film, music and local produce with a sunset at one of our wineries.” 

This year’s Margaret River Summer of Wine festival runs from December 18 through to March 1, 2026.

“Margaret River has always been popular between Christmas and New Year," says Whiteland. "January and February are also abuzz with the arrival of our international vintage crews. 

"Two of the signature Summer of Wine events - Open Vineyards Weekend (Jan 24-26) and the Vintage Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony (Jan 29) - invite the public to experience the culture, anticipation and adrenalin of harvest.” 

The full program is available at margaretriver.wine/summerofwine.

Several vineyards that are not usually open to the public will be visitable during Open Vineyards Weekend, with pop-up cellar doors and winemaker-cooked barbecues. 

Almost 40 nights of outdoor films will take place at Cape Mentelle with dumplings, wine and treats while Perth Opera Voices will pair musical classics from the Golden Age of Hollywood with oysters and chardonnay at Domaine Naturaliste. 

One of Margaret River’s most popular sunset wine sessions, Vino Paradiso at Cherubino Wines returns as a series of six events.