We’re sure you feel it too. After years of *gestures broadly at everything*, we need this summer to be the best one ever. Live arts, big festivals and major international tours are kicking off again, bringing life back to our dormant cities and bringing us all back together.

To celebrate, Guardian Australia’s arts writers and critics based all around the country are curating only the best in performing arts, live music, festivals and visual arts hitting every capital city (with a few regional treats thrown in). Ever-evolving – and focused on December, January and February – we’ve got you covered for free and ticketed events.

We’ll be updating this regularly, but some tickets will get snapped up, so get in quick. Also: there are a bunch of family-friendly events here, but if your kids are sensitive or squeamish, check the full details before you book.