Celebrating Australia Day 2016 in London is, of course, the duty of every true-blue Aussie expat in the capital.
Some prefer to kick back, perhaps take in a great Australian flick. Others enjoy a bit of a giggle with some top Aussie comedy while a bunch of us like to really fire up the green and gold, go all-out on the flags and infalatables, bellowing out the Hottest 100 or our favourite classic Aussie songs as we soak in patriotic fervor and homegrown beer.
Whatever your preference, there’s a rippa London Australia Day event just perfect for you to celebrate the Lucky Country with your mates.
These are our selection of the best Australia Day 2016 events in London.
Laying claim to London’s biggest Australia Day party, Belushi’s are once again getting their Down Under on for an epic encounter.
With the Triple J Hottest 100 from 1pm and Oz rock classics pumpin’ loud, the best Aussie Parmy Burger this side of the Southern Cross, plus Australian sport on the big screen tellies, it’s sure to be a rowdy one!
Date: Tuesday, 26th January 2016 (from midday)
Location: London Bridge & Shepherd’s Bush venues
Cost: FREE entry
See: Belushi’s website: Australia Day
Cricket, beer, kangaroo and The Castle… what more could you want on Australia Day?!
Things get cranking early this year at Jetlag Sports Bar with live coverage of the Australia v India T20 from 8:30am welcoming in a long Oz Day haul. Feast on banana pancakes or full English for breaky, then tuck in to kangaroo skewers and proper Aussie burgers at lunch when the Hottest 100 get’s going, all while catching the Australian Open tennis on the big screens.
Upstairs, the camera rolls from early on right through till late for Jetlag’s famed Australia Day Movie Marathon. First up is The Castle, then Muriel’s Wedding followed by Priscilla Queen of the Desert, with Strictly Ballroom finishing off the evening.
The drinks menu this year includes Little Creatures, James Boags and Coopers all 20% off for the whole day. Plus, there’s a special list of Aussie cocktails to explore and great wines tickle the palate.
Date: Tuesday, 26th January 2016 (from 8:30am)
Location: Jetlag Sports Bar. 125 Cleveland Street, London W1T 6QB
See: Jetlag website – Australia Day
Join Aussie icon Nick Hardcastle for a fun-filled afternoon of outstanding Australian talent. Part cabaret, part chat show… totally entertaining! Australian Business presents AusDay in the Apartment. London’s (un)official Australia Day event.
Along with its sister show ‘Sunday in the Apartment’, AusDay has played host to great Aussies like Dame Edna Everage, Human Nature, Tim Minchin, Megan Washington, Tania Doko, Ray Meagher, Genevieve Lemon, Caroline O’Connor, Belle Roscoe plus loads more.
The line up’s a secret but we promise you’ll be impressed and inspired by these talented Aussies.
Date: Sunday, 24th January 2016 (doors at 1:45pm)
Location: 6-7 Great Newport St, London WC2H 7JB
Cost: £35
See: AustralianBusiness.co.uk website
Comedy Carnival’s Oz Day Show hosts some of Australia’s top comedy exports to the UK. The 2016 edition features Time Out Comedy Award winner Felicity Ward, the manic and dark John Robertson, token Aussie (Kiwi) Javier Jarquin and entertaining Aussie Pete Jonas as MC.
The Australia Day line up of comedy starts at 8pm and goes until 10pm. Tickets start from £14 in advance for the show and after party. After the show, stay for Bar Rumba’s fantastic club night featuring Triple J’s hottest 100 and classic hits until 3am.
Date: Tuesday, 26th January 2016 (from 8pm)
Location: Bar Rumba: 36 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7EP
Cost: Tickets from £14
See: Comedy Carnival website