Plein Air Down Under Outdoor Painting Festival 2026

Plein Air Down Under, Australia’s largest outdoor painting festival, is held around Mandurah’s cultural precinct, the historic town of Pinjarra and the wider Peel Region. The incredible weekend of creativity features awards and prizes, free art activities for all ages, Feature Artist Masterclasses and painting demonstrations, youth involvement and two art exhibitions.

Festivities commence from 22 September, see below for the Festival Weekend program:

Saturday, 26 September 2026
presented by Ray White Mandurah
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre

From 9am – Witness magic as artists paint throughout Mandurah’s CBD, Dolphin Quay Marina and the Venetian canals.

11am-3pm – Bring the family along for an afternoon of spectacular art! Mandjar Square will come alive with live music, free art activities for all ages, have-a-go watercolour activity for grown-ups, and various junior art activities in the Young Painters Zone.

1pm – Free Oil Painting demonstration with Leon Holmes 

2.30pm – Professional development workshop (registrations required) with international feature artist Greg Barnes (USA) (link). While you’re there, check out the Spirit of the Landscape Exhibition.

From 6pm – enjoy a Feature Artist panel discussion inside ManPAC.

Sunday, 27 September 2026

Edenvale Heritage Precinct and Town Centre, Pinjarra

10am-4pm – Enjoy a day in Pinjarra as the Plein Air Down Under artists paint around the Edenvale Heritage Precinct and town centre. Live music, Feature Artist painting demonstrations, free art activities for all ages and the Peel Maker’s Market.

Monday 28 September

Mandjar Square & Mandurah Performing Arts Centre

8.30am-1pm – Flex your artistic skills at the two-hour Quick Draw (link) painting activity! With registrations opening at 8.30am and painting commencing at 10am, this event is open to the public and the perfect opportunity to give painting a try. All ages welcome, registration required.
1.30pm onwards – Wrap up your outdoor painting festival experience by visiting the Plein Air Down Under exhibition in ManPAC, viewing the Award Ceremony and maybe buying some artwork for yourself!

For more information on the full Plein Air Down Under program, visit pleinairdownunder.com

Location – Various locations

Dates and times – Festivities from Tuesday, 22 September-Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Tickets – Some events require bookings, see Plein Air Down Under website for more information

Accessibility – wheelchair accessible, accessible toilet nearby

Acknowledgements – this event is presented by Mandurah Plein Air Artists Inc. as part of Mandurah Arts Festival 2026.