Key dates on the Broome social, festival and fun calendar for 2023

Broome Mardi Gras February 18 - March 6,  2023

BROOME PRIDE events are create to promote social inclusion across the entire community which encourages greater unity, cohesion and equality further supporting our vision of "ONE COMMUNITY". Events are not exclusive to LGBT+ events as we wish to promote inclusiveness across the entire community spectrum and promote a safe space for all.

Broome Pride Key Dates  2023

8 February - Broome Mardi Gras Launch Party
22 February - Drag Makeup Workshop 
25 February - Paint your inner Queen (Paint n Sip)
1 March - Drag Bingo
2 March - Mardi Gras Cabaret
3 March - Mardi Gras Cabaret
4 March - Mardi Gras Breakfast
4 March - Mardi Gras Dance Party
4 March - Drag Queen Story Time
5 March - Big Splash Boat Party
6 March - Mardi Gras Buzz Regatta 18 Feb – 6 March - Frock Ya Shop (Window dressing competition for local business

Cable Beach Polo  Deferred until 2024

The pristine sands of Broome's iconic Cable Beach ignite when Australia's only multi-day beach polo tournament is played in May each year.

"A polo handicap is your passport to the world." So said Winston Churchill and it holds true for the Cable Beach Polo tournaments, held annually since 2010.

The tournaments have featured leading polo players from New Zealand, Argentina, Colombia, India and Australia, vying for glory across two days of thrilling beach polo action that culminate in an international clash.

A polo arena bordering the sparkling azure waters of the Indian ocean, bikini-clad spectators and Broome's spectacular setting sun signal the end of each day's play.

This extraordinary sporting spectacle is free to watch picnic-style from the sand, but there is also an option to purchase tickets to the Cable Beach Polo VIP Marquee or the Polo Beach Bar and mingle in barefoot elegance with the players and new friends from around the globe.

Broome Race Round  3 June - 19 August 2023

The Broome Turf Club is carved out of bushland at picturesque Gantheaume Point, just a stone's throw from world-famous Cable Beach. This idyllic location perched on the Broome peninsula is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and benefits from the constant cool breezes which are a welcome relief in the hot and humid climate of the Kimberley.

Competitive thoroughbred horse racing and an eclectic mix of entertainment ensure a fun and exciting day enjoyed by all. The never fail perfect "dry season" Broome weather adds to the ambiance of this unique location.

Race Day 1: Saturday 3 June
Race Day 2: Saturday 10 June
Race Day 3: Sunday 25 June
Race Day 4: Saturday 1 July
Race Day 5: Sunday 16 July
Race Day 6: Friday 28 July
Race Day 7: Kimberley Cup Saturday 5 August
Race Day 8: Ladies Day Tuesday 15 August
Race Day 9: Broome Cup Saturday 19  August

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Broome Fringe 2 - 11 June 2023

Celebrating Broome’s grassroots creative community

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Corrugated Lines TBA 2023

The festival is a collaborative effort between Backroom Press Inc, Broome Public Library, Magabala Books and other community organisations.

Shinju Matsuri  26 August to 10 September 2023

The annual Shinju Matsuri (Japanese for "Festival of the Pearl") originated from three cultural festivals – Japanese Obon Matsuri, Malaysian Hari Merdeka, Independence Day from British rule in 1957, and the Chinese Hang Seng. Shinju Matsuri rekindles the excitement and romance of Broome's early days of being a world-renowned producer of South Sea Pearls when the Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Koepangers, Filipino and Europeans flocked to Broome from the late 1800's to be a part of this prosperity. This unique multicultural population of pearl industry workers joined with the local Aboriginal people and Europeans to work on up to 400 Pearling Luggers that sailed out of Broome.

Broome's people and businesses have given generously to show their love of Broome over the 48 year life of the Festival and is a testament to the character and culture of this special place. The volunteer Board of Shinju Matsuri is driven by the community and sees the festival as an opportunity to re-educate and inform the community of the cultural heritage of Broome.  Ensuring that education and information is passed on to young people and new arrivals will assure that Broome's unique and diverse identity is acknowledged and remembered through the generations.

Shinju Matsuri will tempt your senses with an exciting whirlwind of colour, sound, taste and smell as the community shares this beautiful locale with the world and the people who call it home.

Key dates 

Opening Ceremony: Saturday 26 August

Floating Lanterns: Sunday 3rd September

Sunset Longtable:  Saturday 9 September

Closing Ceremony: Sunday 10 September

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StairCase to the Moon 2023: March to November (March to September better than Oct - Nov)

Broome's greatest natural phenomenon takes place along the Roebuck Bay foreshore. Its an amazing visual reminder of the force of the moon's gravitational effects on the giant Kimberley tides. Join thousands of people who gather to watch the full moon rise up over the mudflats of Roebuck Bay, leaving a giant golden staircase in it rising path.

March 2023

Wednesday 8th - 6.50pm
Thursday 9th - 7.23pm        
Friday 21st - 7.57pm

April 2023

Friday 7th - 6.34pm
Saturday 8th - 7.13pm
Sunday 9th - 7.58pm

May 2023

Saturday 6th - 5.53pm
Sunday 7th - 6.42pm
Monday 8th - 7.37pm

June 2023

Monday 5th - 6.26pm    
Tuesday 6th - 7.31pm  
Wednesday 7th - 8.38pm

July 2023

Tuesday 4th - 6.20pm
Wednesday 5th - 7.29pm
Thursday 6th - 8.35pm

August 2023

Wednesday 2nd - 6.15pm
Thursday 3rd - 7.21pm
Friday 4th - 8.23pm

August / September 2023

Thursday 31st - 6.03pm 
Friday 1st - 7.05pm 
Saturday 2nd - 8.05pm

September / October 2023

Saturday 30th - 6.45pm
Sunday 1st - 7.45pm
Monday 2nd - 8.45pm

Late October  2023

Sunday 29th - 6.26pm
Monday 30th - 7.28pm
Tuesday 31st - 8.29pm