Each January the Central West town of Parkes — better known for its giant radio telescope, “The Dish” — reinvents itself as the Elvis capital of the southern hemisphere. Tens of thousands of fans, half of them in rhinestone jumpsuits, pour in for five days of tribute concerts, look-alike competitions, markets and the famous Elvis Express train from Sydney. The 2027 festival runs 6–10 January 2027, themed “Elvis on Tour”.
The experience
More than 200 events fill the town — free street performances and gospel services alongside ticketed headline concerts — timed around the anniversary of Elvis’s January birthday. The whole town leans in: shopfronts, cafes and the main drag go full Vegas.
Getting there
Parkes is about 4.5 hours west of Sydney in the Central West. The heritage Elvis Express train runs from Sydney for the festival, and accommodation books out a year ahead — plan early. Pair it with the Parkes Observatory (The Dish) and a Central West road trip.
