Each year in Australia, there are five Opal Festivals. The annual celebration of Australian Opal starts with the Coober Pedy Opal Festival in Coober Pedy, South Australia in June. Next up is the Winton Opal Festival in Winton, Queensland toward the beginning of July. Then the Yowah Opal Festival in Yowah, Queensland in mid July, and then the Lightning Ridge Opal and Gem Festival in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales at the end of July. Lastly is the Australian Opal Exhibition in Surfers Paradise, Queensland late July/early August.

See below for 2024 dates, information and links to each of the festivals.

Coober Pedy Opal Festival

Date: TBD

Coober Pedy, SA

https://opalfestival.com.au/

The Coober Pedy Opal Festival is the largest community event in Coober Pedy and is held annually to celebrate the vibrant and culturally diverse community, opal and mining. It is usually on the third weekend of June, but no date has been released yet for 2024.

Winton Opal Festival

12 & 13 July 2024

Elderslie St.

Winton, QLD

https://qboa.com.au/

https://www.experiencewinton.com.au/events/event/34/winton-opal-festival-2023

Whether looking for rough parcels, cut stones or jewellery, you will find it all at the Winton Opal Festival. The festival showcases beautiful boulder opal from the Queensland opal fields. The Festival also includes the Queen of Gems Jewellery Design Awards held at the acclaimed Waltzing Matlida Centre.

Yowah Opal Festival

19-21 July 2024

Harlequin Drive

Yowah, QLD

https://www.yowahfestival.com/

Opals, gems and much, much more. The festival also includes the Yowah Designer Jewellery Competition.

Lightning Ridge Opal and Gem Festival

24-27 July 2024

Agate St.

Lightning Ridge, NSW

https://lightningridgeopalfestival.com.au/

The Lightning Ridge Opal & Gem Festival is a 4 day event held at the end of July each year. The Opal Festival includes the Opal Queen Ball, Opal & Gem Expo, IOJDAA Trade Show, and IOJDAA Jewellery Competition. The event attracts approximately 4000 people over the four days, and is the largest on the Australian opal events circuit.

Australian Opal Exhibition

31 July – 1 August 2024

QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Ave.

Surfers Paradise, QLD

https://www.austopalexpo.com.au/

An opportunity to view an extensive display of Australian opal and opal jewellery. The Australian Opal Exhibition is a trade only exhibition for the sale of Australian opal and jewellery featuring Australian opal only.