Shinju Matsuri, Broome’s unique cultural festival, has been delighting audiences since 1970. Reviving memories of its pearling history when South Sea pearls attracted tourists from far and wide; Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Koepangers Indonesians and Filipino people all became integral parts of Broome alongside local Aboriginals as neighbours and neighbors.
Shinju Matsuri
Shinju Matsuri – Japanese for “Festival of the Pearl” – celebrates Broome’s remarkable multi-cultural heritage. Established as a pearling hub during its golden age in the late 1800s, Broome became home to fortune seekers from across the globe who introduced their rich cultural diversity which ultimately formed its present form.
Experience a vibrant blend of tastes and cultures over ten days at Shinju Matsuri 2019’s exciting program of community, dining and art events – from the high-spirited awakening of Sammy the Dragon at the Opening Ceremony, all the way through to its vibrant Festival Finale with Pigrim Brothers performing live! Don’t miss this spectacular festival experience!
Shinju Matsuri offers an unforgettable culinary experience for every palate. Delight in exquisite dishes prepared by local chefs using only the freshest local ingredients – everything from indigenous, Chinese and Malay cuisine. Or visit Chinatown Feast – an intimate starlit Hawkers Market offering diverse flavours along with exciting cultural entertainment by both Kimberley artists and touring performers!
The Floating Lantern Matsuri is an extraordinary event open to everyone. Purchase a lantern kit and decorate it to send out your personal message or simply join in the floating procession down Cable Beach as night falls over Cable Bay.
There is also a range of activities for kids to get involved with, from dance schools and school groups to performing arts – you can even learn how to make a traditional Japanese lantern from scratch! And all this fun stuff is FREE!
Shinju Matsuri Art Awards are one of the highlights of this 10-day festival program. This year’s competition is larger than ever, so be sure to vote for your favourite at Town Beach Festival Finale and you may just get lucky enough! Winners will be revealed on Sunday 1st September.
Taste of Broome
Broome’s idyllic white beaches, milky blue waters, staircase to the moon and spectacular sandstone formations make this coastal destination one of Australia’s must-sees. Not only is Broome famous for its picturesque scenery and sunsets; its Indigenous culture also draws visitors here – in particular through volunteer-run Shinju Matsuri events that celebrate and share this part of Western Australia’s rich history and cultural heritage with local residents.
Festival programs at this festival feature gourmet dining experiences, family-oriented events and premium experience tickets such as the Floating Lantern Matsuri. Additionally, there is a host of community-centric and free events to attend!
At the opening ceremony, visitors can witness a spectacular dance performance and film highlighting Broome’s sandstone formations. Following this impressive opening event, grab your picnic rug and food from one of many local food vendors on-site before sitting back to take in this visual feast for all five senses!
2024’s program will feature the inaugural Cable Beach Sunset Cocktail Party, where guests can sip cocktails while listening to some of the best local musicians perform live. There will also be an evening of Japanese music at Floating Lantern Matsuri; ticket holders for this ticketed event gain entry to a Floating Lantern Festival Hub where one lantern kit per person can be collected as well as canapes from local food trucks.
Pearl Meat Cook Off, an exciting culinary competition between Kimberley chefs, is another highly anticipated event. You can sample and vote for your favourite dishes!
Visit the Broome Cup for an elegant affair at the Broome Turf Club and dress to impress. Bet on thundering horses racing towards the finish line against an exquisite red pindan soil backdrop of Broome.
Are you curious to gain more knowledge of Broome’s local Aboriginal history and culture? Book in for a tour with Bart Pigram of Narlijia Tours who hails from Broome’s Yawuru community and was established Narlijia Tours in 2015. His passion lies in sharing this rich narrative in ways that are accessible for everyone.
Broome Markets
At the Courthouse Markets you’ll find everything from breakfast bao buns to boab tree necklaces – both locally produced and handcrafted items galore! Held every Saturday and Sunday during dry season (May to October), these vibrant markets are located within Broome Courthouse Gardens, featuring over 100 unique stalls.
Find delicious starlit feast at Chinatown Feast on August 21. This hawker-style dining event features Kimberley’s finest food vendors with live roving entertainment throughout the evening. Another Festival favorite, Pearl Meat Cook Off will also return to Pearl Luggers in Chinatown – this competition sees chefs from different communities competing to be named 2024 Pearl Meat Cook Off Champion.
The Festival Finale brings the Shinju Matsuri to an exciting conclusion with an afternoon and evening of performances showcasing Broome’s energy, talent, and exuberance as an artistic community. It offers an opportunity for residents of Broome to come together in celebrating what makes their town unique.
Shinju Matsuri hosts many culturally significant activities throughout Kimberley, from exhibitions, workshops and gigs at venues all over town to an Art Trail that gives local artists an opportunity to showcase their works at various locations around town.
Broome’s natural phenomenon, “The Staircase to the Moon”, is something to experience for yourself on every visit. Happening twice monthly at Roebuck Bay, this breathtaking natural event features a stunning full moon rising over tidal flats. Also on offer during these visits are lively markets featuring designers, specialty producers and traders; tasty local cuisine; engaging live performances while you roam colourful stalls at Town Beach Reserve.
As part of Shinju Matsuri Festival, multiple local markets will join forces to promote themselves as part of Markets of Broome initiative. According to Laura Biasillo of Agricultural Economic Development Specialist Laura Biasillo’s Office, this collaboration will make planning trips easier while encouraging more people to support local farmers.
Jetty to Jetty
Broome offers an abundance of indigenous ceremonies, music concerts and art festivals – from traditional Australian dance to contemporary fusion music performances – making this Western Australian town an unparalleled travel experience.
Broome’s pearling heritage is an integral part of its cultural identity. At its peak, an array of cultures lived together within one pearling village: Japanese, Chinese, Malaysians and Koepangers cohabited alongside Aboriginal people for this long and exciting industry. Each year the Shinju Matsuri festival rekindles that excitement by paying homage to this time through food, dance and storytelling!
The Jetty to Jetty event is designed to highlight Broome’s diverse history and culture. Held annually in June, visitors can discover its varied past through a self-guided walk or run along Yawuru’s Jetty to Jetty Trail; thirteen sites along Roebuck Bay foreshore will be highlighted along its course allowing guests to experience all that Broome has to offer in terms of pearling history.
This event is perfect for families, with a fun run, free kayak and paddleboard rental and special race for children. There will be entertainment and cultural activities as well as food trucks from local producers – it’s the perfect opportunity to discover why so many people love this town so much!
If you prefer more active pursuits, the Coogee Jetty to Jetty Swim may be the ideal event. Open to swimmers of all levels–beginners to experienced–this ocean swim offers something for all swimmers in Western Australia, and offers one of the safest ocean swims thanks to a lifeguard team and patrol boat presence.
A jetty is an artificial structure built at the edge of a harbor, lake or river to enable boats to access and leave the water. Jettys may be composed of wood or concrete construction with access ramps or stairs leading into the water for access by vessels. A jetty may also help mitigate unpredictable shifting sands by providing stable platform on which boats may moor themselves to docks instead.