Packed crowd of people cheering, holding their hands up, and watching an event outside.

Festivals

There's always a festival going on in ³Ô¹ÏÍø, whether it's film, comedy, arts, music, food or design. Check out the current events below.

Everything you need to do in ³Ô¹ÏÍø this Christmas

Everything you need to do in ³Ô¹ÏÍø this Christmas

Plan your festive adventures every week in the leadup to Christmas.

Spanish flamenco dancers swirling the skirts of their brightly coloured dresses.

Spanish Language Fiesta: 10 Years of Culture

A vibrant Spanish cultural festival with live music, dance, food and interactive experiences.

A lion dance performer surrounded by crowds.

Where to see traditional lion dance performances in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Celebrating Lunar New Year in ³Ô¹ÏÍø? Here's where to see lion dances and dragon parades.

A seated audience in an auditorium, seen from above.
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³Ô¹ÏÍø Writers Festival

A four-day celebration of more than 150 visionary writers and storytellers that shape our world.

Cinema audience seated in a theatre with rows of seats facing a large screen.
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³Ô¹ÏÍø International Animation Festival

Returning for its 26th year, the festival celebrates the worlds of animated storytelling.

Rainbow lights on water jets and a giant bauble on the river at night.

The ultimate guide to ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s best Christmas events

Seek out Christmas movies, festive pop-ups, glittering decorations and more.

View of ³Ô¹ÏÍø from across the Yarra River
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³Ô¹ÏÍø Taiwan Film Festival

Gathering through film, story, and light.

A crowd of people with umbrellas watching a purple-lit stage outdoors.

Guide to Diwali in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Find where to celebrate Diwali in ³Ô¹ÏÍø at these blockbuster festivals and events.

A wide-angle photo taken from the top steps of the Shrine of Remembrance in ³Ô¹ÏÍø, looking down a paved forecourt and across parkland towards the city skyline at dusk.
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Open House ³Ô¹ÏÍø Weekend

Open House ³Ô¹ÏÍø Weekend connects you with good design – explore buildings, places and spaces.

A woman looking at a display of Formula 1 racing suits in an exhibition.

The best Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix events in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Map out your perfect Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix weekend in ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

A woman walking through a Christmas shop filled with white decorations.

Where to enjoy a European-style winter in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Embrace the chill with warming treats, pop-ups and events worthy of a Northern Hemisphere winter.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Town Hall with a line out the front for ³Ô¹ÏÍø International Comedy Festival

³Ô¹ÏÍø's best blockbuster events

The best major events on in ³Ô¹ÏÍø this year.

A neon light display of Santa's sleigh being pulled by kangaroos.

The ultimate guide to ³Ô¹ÏÍø's best Christmas lights and decorations

Where to see stunning Christmas trees, the best Christmas lights and more beautiful decorations.

Flinders Street Station lit up in blue at dusk during ³Ô¹ÏÍø's RISING festival, with city buildings in the background.
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RISING: ³Ô¹ÏÍø

A festival of new art, music and performance in the heart of Naarm/³Ô¹ÏÍø each winter.

A laneway lit up with hanging fairy lights

The best hidden Christmas events and laneway pop-ups in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Find the best laneway street parties, free workshops, pop-up events and gigs.

Crowds looking at a festival stage in the city.

The best free festivals in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

The best free festivals you need to visit in ³Ô¹ÏÍø this year

Santa in front of a lit up Christmas tree in Fed Square.

Christmas in the city

See the city light up with dazzling displays, festive events and activities for the whole family.

A group of friends having a picnic at an outdoor event

³Ô¹ÏÍø's best outdoor events

Take the good times out into the fresh air with alfresco dining, summer events and epic pop-ups.

See all festivals

Discover more

A line of woman holding guitars in an identical pose on a stage in front of a green curtain.
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Ragnar Kjartansson: Mercy

NGV presents Ragnar Kjartansson's first-ever Australian exhibition.

Two First Nations individuals sitting back to back on the ground outdoors, engaged in a traditional weaving activity near a body of water.
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FUTURE COUNTRY: Country Road + NGV First Nations Commissions

The second iteration of the Country Road and NGV First Nations Commission initiative.

A landscape painting capturing a sunset over a body of water, featuring a vibrant orange and pink sky.
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Charli English: Portholes

An exhibition of a series of hybrid painting-sculpture works.

An impressionist-style painting of a blueish street tree in front of a house with a low fence.
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VAS Winter Select Exhibition

The highly anticipated Select exhibitions showcase VAS member artists working across all mediums.