Fancy a shimmy or a foxtrot in the Riverina? Pack your Fedora and feathered finery, and head to Leeton from July 10–12, where the Australian Art Deco Festival brings the Jazz Age roaring back to life.
When the Australian Art Deco Festival rolls around, Leeton trades its quiet rural rhythms for feathers, fine suits, jazz and the exuberance of the interwar years. Over three lively days, the town fills with flappers, vintage cars and the kind of swank you would expect at a Great Gatsby party.
The festival is Australia’s largest celebration of the Art Deco era, drawing visitors from across the country for a weekend of music, fashion, design and community spirit. At its heart, the festival celebrates Leeton’s architectural heritage and the community that brings it to life.
Dress up in 1920s fashion and immerse yourself in the High Rollers Casino
Shaped in part by Walter and Marion Burley Griffin’s draft plans, Leeton has one of the most cohesive collections of Art Deco buildings in regional Australia. Landmarks such as the Roxy Community Theatre – a striking 1930s cinema with neon-lit flair – and the Leeton Museum and Art Gallery anchor the experience, giving visitors a tangible connection to the optimism and design ambition of the 1920s and ’30s.
This is not a festival that you observe. It is one you step into.
Feathered headpieces, cloche hats, shimmering dresses, tailored suits and suspenders transform the streets into a living stage. Locals and visitors alike embrace the look, blurring the line between performers and audience.
The 2026 program, as in previous years, is expected to be broad and lively. Think hot jazz and swing performances, vintage car displays, bustling markets, and a calendar of workshops and talks that explore everything from Deco design to cocktail-making techniques. Walking tours are also a highlight, guiding guests through Leeton’s streets while unpacking the stories behind its architecture and the broader cultural context of the era.
Signature events elevate the festival into something truly memorable. Glamorous evenings such as the gala dinner and casino-style nights invite guests to indulge in the decadence of the period. These are not low-key affairs. Jazz bands play late, champagne flows, and the dance floor fills with couples fox-trotting, guests doing the Charleston and the occasional move that would have scandalised polite company.
Food and drink are part of the pleasure, too. The festival embraces the social rituals of the Art Deco era, and that means long brunches, elegant high teas, and cocktail soirées, all while showcasing the best of the Riverina’s produce.
It’s a reminder that Art Deco was not just a visual aesthetic, but a lifestyle defined by indulgence, optimism and a love of gathering.
What gives the Australian Art Deco Festival its special appeal is its setting. Unlike city-based events, Leeton offers an experience that feels personal and whole-of-town. From shopfronts dressed in period style to community members volunteering, performing and hosting events, the entire town joins in.
There’s also a deeper cultural layer underpinning the festivities. The festival also acknowledges its place on Wiradyuri Country, recognising the Traditional Custodians and their ongoing connection to the land. That grounding gives the weekend added depth, placing the celebration within a much longer and richer continuum of Australian history.
Ultimately, the Australian Art Deco Festival in Leeton is more than a nostalgic throwback. It’s a celebration of creativity, community and the enduring pull of bold design, music and boundless optimism. For a few winter days in 2026, Leeton becomes a place where the past feels vivid, playful and very much alive.
In the words of Velma Kelly in All that Jazz from the musical Chicago: C’mon babe, why don’t we paint the town? And all that jazz. I’m gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down. And all that jazz. Start the car, I know a whoopee spot, where the gin is cold, but the piano’s hot. And all, that…. jazz….
Loving the sound of the Australian Art Deco Festival? To read more about the fascinating history of Leeton, click here.
Rex flies to Narrandera-Leeton. Book your tickets here and check out the route map below.
