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Victoria hosts a number of music festivals throughout the year. From jazz to rock, blues to dance, many musical genres are covered at these typically outdoor events.
Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival
November. A 4 day grass-roots music festival with live performances by over a hundred artists at various venues, family-friendly concerts and workshops.
Location: Bendigo
www.bendigoblues.com
Brunswick Music Festival
March. Celebrating the richness which immigration has brought to the community, the festival showcases music from around the world with performances by local and international artists. A highlight of the festival is the Sydney Road street party where 800 metres of the street is turned into a free multicultural fiesta of music, dance, food and market stalls.
Location: Brunswick
www.brunswickmusicfestival.com.au
Bruthen Blues & Arts Festival
February. A family-friendly festival showcasing live rhythm and blues music. There are also workshops, garage sales and street stalls.
Location: Bruthen
www.bruthenblues.com.au
Castlemaine Jazz Festival
June. Over 60 acts showcasing a range of jazz styles will perform at various venues in Castlemaine, including on a tourist steam train. There are also jam sessions and master classes.
Location: Castlemaine
www.castlemainejazzfestival.com.au
CresFest
April. Enjoy a weekend of folk and roots music at across venues in Creswick. As well as scheduled concerts by Australian and international performers, visitors are invited to learn new skills at workshops that cover singing, dancing and playing music.
Location: Creswick
www.cresfest.com.au
Horsham Country Music Festival
March / April. Held on the banks of the Wimmera River, the festival features country music, dancing an entertainment
Location: Horsham
www.horshamcountrymusic.com.au
Inverloch Jazz Festival
March. Held each year across the Labour Day long weekend, this festival features entertainment from around 80 bands, a Saturday morning street parade and a Monday picnic day with music, local produce and food stalls
Location: Inverloch
www.inverlochjazzfestival.com
Jailhouse Rock Festival
March. A 1950s and 1960s rock & roll festival with live bands, displays of hotrods and classic cars
Location: Ararat
www.facebook.com/JailhouseRockFestival
Marysville Music Weekend
November. A weekend of traditional and contemporary music with more than 40 artist performances, workshops and a range of events. This jazz, blues, country and folk music festival is set against the beautiful backdrop of the charming town of Marysville.
Location: Marysville
www.marysvillemusicweekend.com
Melbourne International Jazz Festival
October. Melbourne's streets, concert halls, clubs, bars and galleries host local and international modern masters of jazz. As well as the headliners, there are plenty of free events and child-friendly shows. The festival's aim is to make Melbourne a world-class destination for jazz.
Location: Melbourne CBD
www.melbournejazz.com
Mildura Wentworth Country Music Festival
September / October. Australia's biggest showcase of independent country music entertainers with all-day entertainment at central venues
Location: Mildura
www.mildurawentworthmusicfestival.com
Mornington Winter Music Festival
June. Held during the King's Birthday long weekend, Mornington's street corners, bars, restaurants and parks will come alive with the sounds of a diverse range of highly accomplished artists performing modern jazz, traditional jazz, blues and other music genres. There are also art displays, a craft market, dinner shows, buskers and roving performers.
Location: Mornington
www.morningtonmusicfestival.com.au
Mount Beauty Music Festival
April / May. A major entertainment event featuring many varieties of music from over 100 performers. There are also food stalls and a craft/produce market for both festival patrons and visitors.
Location: Mount Beauty
www.musicfestival.org.au
Paynesville Music Festival
February. Enjoy jazz, rock, swing bands and country music at various venues around Paynesville. Free music can be enjoyed on the lawns overlooking McMillan Strait while bands play on a floating stage.
Location: Paynesville
www.paynesvillemusicfestival.com.au
Peninsula Summer Music Festival
January. A superb group of local and international artists perform at venues within the wine growing areas of the Mornington Peninsula. Modelled on a European-style summer festival, the diverse music offerings during this 10 day event include jazz, opera, contemporary and world music.
www.peninsulafestival.com.au
Port Fairy Folk Festival
March. This festival is a vibrant and exciting cultural celebration with hundreds of artists performing concerts, workshops and shows at many venues throughout the town. There are also market stalls, buskers and street events.
Location: Port Fairy
www.portfairyfolkfestival.com
Port Fairy Jazz Festival
February. Over 100 acts perform at several venues in Port Fairy across this weekend of mainstream and traditional jazz music.
Location: Port Fairy
www.portfairyjazz.com.au
Port Fairy Spring Music Festival
October. Port Fairy comes alive for a weekend of exciting and magical music, showcasing the talents of Australian singers, musicians and performers
Location: Port Fairy
www.portfairyspringfest.com.au
Queenscliff Music Festival
November. This festival features an eclectic mix of Australian artists coming to Queenscliff from around the country, plus entertainment for the whole family
Location: Queenscliff
www.qmf.net.au
Riverboats Music Festival
February. A unique festival experience with live music on the banks of the Murray River
Location: Echuca
www.riverboatsmusic.com.au
Sounds of Summer
March / April. Enjoy performances by local and national musicians at this music festival which is held at the Inverloch Recreation Reserve. The family friendly festival has been curated to attract people of all ages and there is local festival food and wine to enjoy.
Location: Inverloch
www.inverlochsoundsofsummer.com.au
Wangaratta Jazz & Blues Festival
October / November. A festival of jazz and blues featuring performances by hundreds of local and international artists from rising stars to jazz greats. Attracting over 25,000 visitors, it offers seriously good jazz in a relaxed place.
Location: Wangaratta
www.wangarattajazz.com
Winter Blues Festival
July. A free weekend of music with bands performing in the streets, bars, restaurants and venues throughout the historic port
Location: Echuca
www.winterblues.com.au