Perth Festival 2026 program begins at various venues across Perth curated by artistic director Anna Reece

Securing Ed Sheeran’s tick of programming approval during his concert at Optus Stadium on the weekend was the icing on the Perth Festival 2026 cake for artistic director Anna Reece as the festival opens February 6.

The shoutout came care of Irish band Beoga joining Sheeran onstage during his show, known globally for the band’s own music but having also collaborated on songs Galway Girl and Nancy Mulligan from the English singer songwriter’s 2017 album ÷ (Divide).

Sheeran spruiked Beoga’s upcoming gig at Casa Musica, a program of free concerts at Perth Festival’s East Perth Power Station hub, alongside ticketed Main Stage acts and First Nations artwork illuminating the venue’s façade in Boorloo Contemporary.

Trailblazing Gold Coast six-piece alt-rock band Selve, led by Jabirr Jabirr frontman Loki Liddle, kicks off Casa Musica performances February 6, while other venues across Perth present theatre and dance to cabaret, classical music and film.

“Ed Sheeran’s paying attention,” Reece said.

“I’m particularly excited about some of the acts that we do have who are playing for free, and I think that’s probably the big thing that I want Perth to remember, is that over a third of the program is free.

“STRUT Dance is taking over the middle of the city in Forrest Place with incredible dance at Perth Moves, and we have Casa Musica, while the Boorloo Bridge has this fantastic new art installation as part of Boorloo Contemporary with beautiful animations about the river and Heirisson Island and the kind of culture and country of that site.

“I’m really ready for Perth to light up in yellow, and for us all to just enjoy. It’s absolutely the best time of year in Perth.”

This year’s event features 13 Perth Festival commissions, 28 world premieres and seven Australian premieres over 23 days, showcasing art from 413 West Australian and 144 international artists.

Acts added to Reece’s curated program since its October launch include King Stingray set for the East Perth Power Station Main Stage and The Tiger Lillies at Perth Town Hall’s The Embassy.

“I really like to curate the festival thinking about the concept, ‘You do you’,” Reece said.

“Perth Festival isn’t about staying in one lane or in one scene. It can move from a mosh pit to a meditative experience, from really brutal beauty to late night mischief, and it gives you all these options to mix all of that up in one evening. It’s taking a stroll along our rivers or venturing into the theatre for hidden gems.

“These days, we all kind of lie in bed at night doom scrolling and see pretty heavy things that are going on in the world. I would just love to lie in bed during February, after getting back from a late night at the festival, and see Instagram flooded with our city, and see it flooded with art.”

Perth Festival is on February 6 to March 1. Program and tickets at fringeworld.com.au.