Melbourne CBD - events & festivals
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African Music & Cultural Festival
December. The largest annual African festival in Australia is held at Federation Square. Enjoy vibrant music, dancing, diverse arts, fashion shows, cultural performances and authentic African food at this free event.
www.africanmusicfestival.com.au
Antipodes Festival
February. This annual celebration of Greek culture is held along Lonsdale Street between Swanston Street and Russell Street. Over the weekend there are stages with free entertainment, pop-up bars, Greek street food, cooking demonstrations, craft stalls, dancing lessons and plenty of childrens activities.
www.antipodesfestival.com.au
Australian Open
January. International tennis stars produce grand slam action as they battle for the coveted Australian Open title - one of only four Grand Slam tournaments played in the world each year. Played at Melbourne Park over 14 days, there is a colourful and vibrant atmosphere with live music and entertainment. There are also exhibition matches, a big screen set up outside for people to watch matches live on the lawns, childrens activities and the banks of the Yarra River at Birrarung Marr will be lined with food stalls and bars.
www.ausopen.com
Good Beer Week
May. Good Beer Week celebrates all that is good about beer. There's hundreds of events during this festival at various venues throughout Melbourne and Victoria, showcasing some of the best local and international brewers. Enjoy fine food, great beers, music and entertainment.
www.goodbeerweek.com.au
Melbourne Chinese Lunar Year Festival
January / February. Melbourne will come alive with vibrant festivities including spectacular lighting displays, firecrackers, live cultural performances, dragon processions and food sampling. This cohesive cultural experience welcomes people from all backgrounds to come together and celebrate.
www.melbournechinatownassociation.com.au
Melbourne Day
August. Celebrate Melbourne's birthday on 30th August which commemorates the landing of settlers on the north bank of the Yarra River aboard the Enterprize in 1835. A range of events are held including an official flag raising ceremony, a rock concert, a regatta at Victoria Harbour and a Melbourne Day lunch.
www.melbourneday.com.au
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
March. Experience and celebrate a world of gastronomy and wine at hundreds of vibrant events staged in Melbourne and throughout Victoria. Showcasing the best of Australian food and wine, there are outdoor food stalls, wine tasting, high teas, meals prepared by acclaimed chefs, cooking classes, demonstrations, and the signature event The World's Longest Lunch.
www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Melbourne Fringe Festival
September / October. The Melbourne Fringe Festival encompasses performances by independent artists, both emerging and established. Work presented is often original, provocative and imaginative, and ranges from theatre, to comedy, dance, music, cabaret, circus and visual arts. The festival is held across various venues around the city.
www.melbournefringe.com.au
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
March / April. This is one of the biggest comedy festivals in the world and takes over Australia's comedy capital of Melbourne. It features a plethora of stand up comedians, theatre and cabaret shows, family-friendly acts, street performances, film and the visual arts. The Melbourne Town Hall is converted into a huge comedy hub and there are also performances held at other city centre and suburban venues.
www.comedyfestival.com.au
Melbourne International Film Festival
July / August. An 18 day festival held at several city venues that showcases some of the best new films from Australia and around the world. There are also movie talks, tributes, discussion programs and acting masterclasses.
www.miff.com.au
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.
www.melbournejazz.com
Melbourne Latin Summer Festival
January. Head to Kings Domain and immerse yourself in the music, culture, art, flavours and passion of Latin America. Musicians will perform styles including samba, tango, salsa and cumbia. Food stalls will offer a large range of street food which showcases the best of Latin America and there will be a fully licensed bar serving cocktails and drinks.
www.melbournelatinsummerfestival.com
Moomba Festival
March. Moomba has been held across the Labour Day weekend since 1955 and is Australia's largest community festival. Based around Birrarung Marr, Alexandra Gardens and the Yarra River, it includes free entertainment, carnival rides, childrens activities, fireworks, food stalls and water-based demonstrations and events on the river including the Birdman Rally. The iconic Moomba Parade consists of a lively procession of floats and performers as they make their way through the picturesque gardens of Kings Domain on Monday.
moomba.melbourne.vic.gov.au
Open House Melbourne
July. Open House Melbourne is a winter weekend event where the doors to over 150 buildings, homes and venues in Melbourne's city centre and surrounding suburbs are opened to the general public for free and informative tours. The buildings visitors can tour include churches, court houses, universities, town halls, theatres, museums, libraries, galleries, colleges, government buildings, laboratories, residential towers and historic homes.
www.openhousemelbourne.org
Polish Festival
November. Celebrate Polish culture and Melbourne's cultural diversity at Federation Square. There are stalls of Polish culinary treats and goods, live music and dance performances, craft demonstrations and interactive activities.
www.polishfestival.com.au
Rising
May / June. A festival of art, music, ceremony, culture and food in Melbourne's city centre and inner suburbs.
www.rising.melbourne