Submit an event for listing on these pages

Last minute hotel bookings

The White Hat Guide to Art & Music Festivals in Melbourne & Victoria

See also:

• Markets & events seeking stallholders &/or entertainers
• Stallholders & entertainers seeking markets and events
• Supplies for stallholders & market organisers
• Selected stalls & products in Melbourne & Victorian markets

Public Art There is much public art to be seen on the streets at any time of day as well as in many public buildings. More information on public art in Melbourne. In addition, public bodies such as the City of Melbourne sponsor temporary artworks and installations in laneways and public spaces. - Free

St Kilda Festival A large annual festival with an emphasis on free entertainment and bands. Sunday 12th February is Festival Sunday. 4th to 12th February 2012 St Kilda - Enquiries: (03) 9209 6777

Toorak Village Festival of Sculpture For the entire month of may, Toorak Village businesses will display 99 contemporary sculptures in their windows and bolted to the pavements along Toorak Road. Take your time surveying the sculptures as well as the shops. Please enjoy 'a decade of sculpture' and take advantage of the warm hospitality of the traders in the village. Catalogues are available from any of the shops in the village and all sculptures are for sale. Toorak Village is between Wallace Ave and Grange Rd, just east of Williams Rd. Simply catch the no 8 tram from Federation Square, along Toorak Road to stop no 35. 1st to 31st May 2012 (tbc) Toorak Village - Enquiries: 0419 005 052

Country Victoria

 

Bairnsdale Country Music Festival Please note that the Bairnsdale Country Music Festival, formerly held at Easter, no longer exists -

Phillip Island Jazz Festival Three days of Red Hot Traditional Jazz. 19th November 7.30 to 10.30pm 20th November 11am to 11pm 21st November 10am to 5pm Bass Room, All Seasons Eco Resort, Phillip Island Tourist Rd, Cowes - (Mel ref 633 C7) prices to be advised Enquiries: 0417 416 300

TarraWarra Festival The Australian Chamber Orchestra performs three intimate concerts over one weekend at the stunning TarraWarra Museum of Art, an hour from Melbourne. 12noon, Saturday 3rd March 2012 - Concert featuring Bach’s A minor Violin Concerto and Grieg’s Holberg Suite. 6pm, Saturday 3rd March 2012 - Concert featuring Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.4 and Pachelbel’s Canon. 7.45pm, Saturday 3rd March 2012 - Gala Dinner with Musicians  $220 per head, includes 3 courses and matching TarraWarra Estate wines. Book at TarraWarra Estate Restaurant on (03) 5957 3510 11am, Sunday 4th March 2012 - Masterclass by Richard Tognetti 3pm, Sunday 4th March 2012 - Concert featuring music by Rameau, Debussy, Paganini and Prokofiev. Ticket Booking Package: $240 for 3 concerts Individual concerts: $90 Master class: $20 Or call ACO Box Office on 1800 444 444 3rd & 4th March 2012 TarraWarra Museum of Art, 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Healesville - Buy tickets direct from ACO here

Inverloch Jazz Festival Over 80 bands covering all styles of Jazz. 4 major venues all in close proximity. Festival highlights the Street Parade and Monday's Picnic in the Park with great jazz combined with a wide range of food stalls together with local wineries and breweries having their products available. More information at Inverloch Jazz. 10th to 12th March 2012 ? Inverloch - Enquiries: 0409 220 864

Moe's Yallourn Jazz Festival Jazz, food, wine, family entertainment and the Jazz Picnic Race Day. 10th to 12th March 2012 ? Moe - Enquiries: (03) 5147 3516

Woodend Winter Arts Festival The Woodend Winter Arts Festival showcases music, literature and the visual arts in intimate historical venues over three pleasurable days. 9th to 11th June 2012 (tbc) Woodend - Enquiries: (03) 9842 9740

The Pyramid Rock Festival A popular rock and pop music festival 30 Dec 2012 - 1 Jan 2013 (tbc) Phillip Island -

The Falls Festival An annual festival of rock and pop music on farmland near Lorne. 30 Dec 2012 - 1 Jan 2013 (tbc) Lorne - Enquiries: 1900 931 335

Forthcoming Events These events are ones which have run in the past and we expect to run in the future. As yet we do not have confirmed details, dates and contact details. To be informed of those details when they become available you can subscribe to our newsletter "Great things to do in Melbourne". Brunswick Music Festival A festival in various venues centred around Sydney Road Brunswick featuring folk, roots & world music. March 2012 ? Sydney Road, Brunswick - Enquiries: (03) 9388 1460 The Gertrude St Projection Festival A Festival week of projected media along Gertrude St, Fitzroy Melbourne. The street becomes a free walk, ride, drive through outdoor gallery at night. 20 sites will project moving, still and installation work where you least expect it. July 2012 ? Gertrude Street, Fitzroy - State of Design An annual design event in Victoria with large numbers of events and exhibitions scattered across Victoria. July 2012 ? Various venues in Melbourne - Art at Burnley Harbour An outdoor undercover art exhibition presenting contemporary painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, ceramics and sculpture, creating a showcase of works by both established and emerging artists. Refreshments are available and tables & chairs are placed throughout the precinct for the public to sit and enjoy the artworks. 8am to 8pm (6pm close on Sunday) December 2012 ? Burnley Harbour, Richmond - (Mel ref 58 F1) Enquiries: (03) 9428 0568 Melbourne International Jazz Festival Melbourne International Jazz Festival - full details at Melbourne International Jazz Festival. June 2012 ? - Melbourne International Festival of Brass An international festival initiated in 2003 and featuring a series of workshops. Further information at Melbourne International Festival of Brass. September 2012 ? Various venues around Melbourne - High Street Northcote Music Festival Featuring a wide range of bands and performers. September 2012 ? - Free Whittlesea Country Music Festival Although Whittlesea is closer to the centre of Melbourne than many established suburbs, it can legitimately claim to be 'country'. White Hat has attended this festival in the past and found it to be great fun with country music buskers along the main streets, rigs on show and lots of family activities. February 2012 ? Whittlesea - Globe To Globe - World Music Festival Globe to Globe World Music Festival is proudly presented by Kingston City Council and supported by the Victorian Multicultural Commission. Promoting peace, harmony and cultural diversity through music, dance and exotic cuisines, this much-loved festival has become one of Victoria’s premier world music events and attracts more than 20,000 people over the two days. View a large scrolling panorama of the Globe to Globe Festival in a new window (Large file) January 2012 ? Namatjira Park, Springs Rd, Clayton South - (Mel ref 79 A4) Enquiries: (03) 9581 4754 Bless Your Big Blak Arts Festival Celebrating indigenous culture. September 2012 ? Various locations in the City of Port Phillip - Enquiries: (03) 9209 6777 Hume Winter Music Festival The Hume Winter Music Festival brings together different cultures for a taste of diversity. Start the journey with a magical evening of French, English, Spanish and Italian singing while enjoying a delicious 3 course meal. Or enjoy the sweet sounds of the Dinicu Chamber Orchestra at the beautifully historic Westmeadows Hall. August 2012 ? Hume - Enquiries: (03) 9205 2200 Boite Winter Festival Concerts of world music. September 2012 ? Various locations in Fitzroy - Enquiries: (03) 9417 3550 Country Victoria Maldon Folk Festival Featuring Australian performers from Victoria and interstate, workshops, laid back sessions, small chalkboard venues and street busking plus the inevitable ‘campfire’ get-togethers. November 2012 ? Maldon - Enquiries: (03) 5475 2569 Queenscliff Music Festival A large popular music festival with 10 stages and 200 perforrmances over 3 days. Featuring exclusive shows by 70s icons through to award winning Australian artists as well as emerging talent. "The Queenscliff Music Festival is like a Big Day Out for Baby Boomers" Richard Clapton November 2012 ? Queenscliff - Enquiries: (03) 5258 4816 Bruthen Blues and Arts Festival Relax at East Gippsland's only Blues and Arts Festival, held in picturesque Bruthen village. The Bruthen Blues Festival is held in and around the Township of Bruthen. The festival includes a streeet market on Saturday and Sunday. There is no 'Entry Fee' to the festival, but certain events have an entry cost at the venue. February 2012 ? Bruthen - (Mel ref 629 B4) Enquiries: (03) 5157 5243 Grampians Jazz Festival Featuring musicians from throughout Australia in both indoor and outdoor venues. February 2012 ? Halls Gap - Enquiries: (03) 5572 2116 Bunyip Country Music Festival An annual event celebrating country music. Full details at Bunyip Country Music Festival. February 2012 ? Bunyip Recreation Reserve, Bunyip - (Mel ref 612 T6) Enquiries: (03) 5629 5388 Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields A festival of fine music in historic venues. Artistic director Sergio de Pieri. January 2012 ? Ballarat and district - Enquiries: (03) 5333 1195 Korumburra Buskers Festival Buskers can enter prize categories that will be judged on stages provided. Entrants will be judged in the morning down the main street and winners will have an opportunity for a major prize. Winners will perform in the evening alongside local band In Sol Inside. There will be Primary and Secondary School categories and powered outlets are provided. 8am to 2pm - main street ; 3pm to 9pm - Coal Creek; Free morning, gold coin donation down at Coal Creek November 2012 ? Commercial Street, Railway precinct and Coal Creek, Korumburra - Free admission Enquiries: (03) 5658 1849 Deni Play on the Plains & Ute Muster A country music festival as well as a ute muster, drovers camp and other entertainment. October 2012 ? Deniliquin (NSW) - (Mel ref 621 G2) Enquiries: (03) 5881 3388 Shepparton Country Music Festival A celbration of country music and bush poetry. February 2012 ? Maude Street, Mall, Shepparton - Enquiries: (03) 5821 3124 Earthbeat Mildura Wentworth Music Festival This event (previously known as the Sunraysia Jazz and Wine Festival) features traditional and mainstream jazz in a variety of venues and wineries in the Mildura area. November 2012 ? Mildura - Enquiries: (03) 5021 2122 Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival A festival with visual arts, music, performaing arts and other events. March 2012 ? Mildura & environs - Enquiries: (03) 5023 1930 The Port Fairy Spring Music Festival A festival featuring classical and contemporary music. October 2012 ? Port Fairy - Enquiries: (03) 5568 3030 Winter Blues Festival Echuca Busking, live street theatre and community entertainment. July 2012 ? Echuca - Enquiries: (03) 5480 1333 JAWS (Jazz, Art, Wine & Seafood) Festival Jazz, local wines & seafood. April 2012 ? Queenscliff - Enquiries: (03) 5258 3097 Mildura Country Music Festival Australia's third largest country music festival with tons of free entertainment. September 2012 ? Mildura - Enquiries: 1800 039 043 Kilmore Celtic Festival Kilmore presents a weekend of Celtic celebration, focussing on the traditions of Celtic music and dance with a street market highlighting the best of Celtic wares. Following the Friday night ceilidh and Welcome Session, Saturday offers 13 hours of non-stop live Celtic music in three main heated venues in close proximity ensuring the weather is never a problem. June 2012 ? Kilmore - (Mel ref 610 L9) Enquiries: (03) 5781 1711 South Grampians Promenade of Sacred Music Performances of sacred music by both local and professional musicians in historic churches and other venues in the Hamilton and Southern Grampians region. White Hat stumbled across this festival several years ago while travelling through the region and found it a real delight. April 2012 ? Hamilton and townships in the Southern Grampians - Port Fairy Folk Festival Workshops, concerts and stalls. The Port Fairy Folk Festival usually sells out well in advance, so White Hat advises that you should book early. March 2012 ? >Port Fairy - Enquiries: (03) 5568 2227 Wangaratta Festival of Jazz Australia's premier jazz event featuring a wide array of jazz and blues styles. Includes the Black Tie Jazz Ball, Free Stage, National Jazz Awards and Cup Eve Concert. October 2012 ? Wangaratta - Ticket sales: 1800 801 065 Red Hill Country Music Festival Sunny Cowgirls headline the exciting line up of country artists, Hot Rod Show, Ute Muster, Food & Market Stalls, Linedancing & children's rides. Pack the family, the esky & the shade and come along and enjoy this great family day out organised by Mt. Eliza Lions with all profits going to charity. Gates open 8am. Music from 9am till 6pm. January 2012 ? Red Hill Showgrounds - (Mel ref 190 J3) Adults $25. Pensioners $20. 14 & under free Enquiries: 0414 697 214 Horsham Country Music Festival A major country music festival with both local artists and special guests. March 2012 ? Horsham - Enquiries: (03) 5381 1995 Between the Bays Music Festival The Between the Bays Music Festival combines a festival of rock & pop music with a showcase for local foods & wines. March 2012 ? Penbank School, Rickards Road, Moorooduc - Legacy of the Lindsays An annual celebration of the artisitc culture of Creswick including the contributions of the Lindsay family (although White Hat notes that Creswick in an earlier period was not always anxious to celebrate the works of Norman Lindsay) April 2012 ? Creswick - Laneway Festival An annual commercial music festival. The first Australian version of this festival started in Melbourne but is now in the process of spreading across Australia. It features bands and DJs and tickets are typically over $100. January 2012 ? Brisbane - Grampians Art Trail Artworks on display at 14 locations in the Grampians region. Easter 2012 ? Grampians region - Enquiries: (03) 5358 8700 Ballarat International Foto Biennale With photographs from across Australia and around the world together with a host of exhibitions and events the Ballarat Foto Biennale is the largest photography event in the Southern Hemisphere. Full information at Ballarat Foto Biennale< September 2013 ? Various locations in Ballarat - Echuca Country Music Festival Special Country Music Clubs Promotion showcasing local talent. 16 great venues all free admission. April 2012 ? 16 great venues at Echuca / Moama - Free admission to all venues Enquiries: (03) 9513 4890 Colac Country Music Festival Truck & Ute Show A festival featuring country music and showcasing trucks and utes. (The ute was invented not far from Colac). Bring a picnic or sample the wares at the food stalls. February 2012 ? Colac Showgrounds, Colac East - Enquiries:(03) 5232 2428 or 5231 3017 Mortlake Buskers Festival Food and craft stalls plus buskers competing in the Australian Busking Championships. March 2012 ? Market Square, Mortlake - Enquiries: (03) 5599 2216 Brisbane Festival The Brisbane Festival features acclaimed international and Australian artists and productions, free outdoor events, home grown productions and the cutting edge and offbeat event in theatres, galleries, parks and public spaces. It includes dance, theatre, opera, classical music, visual arts, circus, sideshow and contemporary music in both free and ticketed events. September 2012 ? - Apollo Bay Music Festival This festival with a large number of performers features, rock, jazz, blues, indie, world and classical music. April 2012 ? Apollo Bay - Castlemaine State Festival A major biennial festival featuring visual arts, music, dance and a range of entertainments. April 2013 ? Castlemaine - Enquiries: (03) 5472 3733 Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival A long established festival with a wide range of events and activities. March 2012 ? Eaglehawk - Enquiries: (03) 5446 9098 Yackandandah Folk Festival Featuring local and national talent together with a buskers competition, farmers' market, food and stalls. March 2012 ? Yackandandah - (Mel ref 622 E7) Enquiries: (02) 6027 1431 Ararat Jail House Rock Festival A music festival with a hot rods, classic cars and rock&roll. March 2012 ? Ararat - SheppARTon Festival SheppARTon Festival is a ten day festival that celebrates the diversity and "common ground" of the community with theatre, song, dance and visual arts. March 2012 ? Shepparton - Enquiries: (03) 5832 9501 Wandong Country Music Festival The Wandong country music festival and ute show is a great day for the whole family, apart from the fantastic entertainment, browse the market stalls, great food and drinks available, or enter your ute in the show. Plenty of off street parking available, just 50 mins north along the Hume hwy from Melb. See you all there. Don't forget your hats.Full details at Wandong Country Music Festival. March 2012 ? LB Davern Reserve, Dry Creek Crescent, Wadong - Enquiries: 0418 508 116 Horsham Art Is . . . Horsham's Art Is… Festival with a different theme each year. March 2012 ? Horsham - These events are ones which have run in the past and we expect to run in the future. As yet we do not have confirmed details, dates and contact details. To be informed of those details when they become available you can subscribe to our newsletter "Great things to do in Melbourne".