One way to spend your winter weekends with family and friends is to drop by local festivals. Aside from creating a sense of community, many of these events promote local talent and industry. Plus, you get to enjoy lots of delicious food. From delectable desserts to succulent dishes made from the freshest local produce, you’re sure to satisfy your cravings for winter warmers and comfort food. Check out the list below for some of the events you should check out:

Brisbane Times Good Food Month

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Don’t worry if you’ve missed the opening event. The Brisbane Times Good Food Month ends on the 9th of August, so you still have time to catch up. From five-course dinners to food writing seminars, this food festival is your top source of what’s hot in the food and dining industry. As the sun sets, head to the night noodle markets at the Cultural Forecourt in South Bank. From July 22 to August 2, Asian food stalls will offer bowls of ramen and pho, along with gyoza and yakitori sticks oozing with taste bud-tickling flavours.

Melbourne Winter Masterpieces (July 16 – Nov 1)

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If you’re a big fan of classic art, you’ll definitely enjoy the pieces featured at the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces. This year’s exhibit includes 400+ artworks from Catherine the Great’s personal collection. Thirty-four years in the making, you shouldn’t miss this exhibit if you want to see up close several highly prized works by Rubens, Velasquez, and Rembrandt. Dutch and Flemish art are also showcased, with the list including masterpieces by Snyders and Van Dyck.

Australian Festival of Chamber Music (July 31 – Aug 8)

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Featuring the best local talents and musical artists, you’ll get your dose of classical performances at the Australian Festival of Chamber music. String quartets, ensembles, and concerts that feature performances from some of the most talented musicians from the country will keep you hooked from start to finish. This festival is the perfect event to check out if you’re looking for a romantic evening with your significant other. A tropical winter setting provides the perfect background as you enjoy beautiful performances and mingle with other fans of chamber music.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (July 31 – Aug 2)

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The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is a three-day event that will be held at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal. A springboard for emerging artists, this fair will highlight the talents of First Nation visual artists in Queensland. Art exhibits, songs, dance performances, workshops, talks, short films, and fashion shows will feature unique stories from the First Nations communities. If you want to learn more about Australia’s rich heritage, support the local community, or simply spend the next weekend shopping for indigenous artworks, drop by at this art fair before it ends.

When planning your next trip, make sure to include these festivals in your itinerary. If you need to fly out to get to these festivals, the tickets will definitely be worth it. Plus, you can always save money on transportation by booking for a cheap airport parking. This way, you’ll have more money to spend on event tickets, artworks, and lots of good food at the festivals.