Looking for something to do over the Labor Day long weekend? There’s plenty to choose from across Melbourne and Victoria: here are 40 events or experiences to consider.
1. Catch Wicked at the Regent Theatre
The Broadway blockbuster musical Wicked has just flown into Melbourne’s Emerald City at the Regent Theatre following a successful run in Sydney.
2. Go see a one act play at the Butterfly Club
The Butterfly Club’s One Act Play Festival is a celebration of exceptional works in a single act, featuring six original titles to captivate and inspire and runs until 23 March.
3. Attend a unicorn festival at Kryal Castle
A magical way to spend the Labour Day long weekend, the much-adored Unicorn Festival is returning to Kryal Castle in Ballarat from Saturday 9 March to Monday 11 March.
4. Immerse yourself in French cinema
The Alliance Française French Film Festival returns for its 35th year from Wednesday 6 March to Tuesday 2 April.
5. Celebrate at the annual Moomba Festival
The annual free Moomba festival returns over the March long weekend from 7-11 March bringing a carnival atmosphere, live music, rides, the annual parade and spectacles like the Birdman Rally.
6. See the iconic work of acclaimed photographer Steve McCurry
ICON – an exhibition of photos by acclaimed photographer Steve McCurry is on at Seaworks in Williamstown until 19 May.
7. Get inspiration for outdoor living
.The Mornington Outdoor Living Caravan Expo is on at the Mornington Racecourse on 8-11 March.
8. Celebrate maritime heritage at a wooden boat festival
The Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong celebrates wooden boats of all kinds, including tall ships smf will take place over 9-11 March at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club.
9. Wonder at enchanting illuminations
As the sun goes down, Wyndham Park in Werribeewill be LIT from 8-24 March for 13 spectacular and twinkling evenings with all new installations!
10. Chill out at a picnic with live music in Sale
The Sale Music Festival “Picnic on the Green” is a free community event for the whole family at the Port of Sale on 10 March.
11. Attend a steam festival in Scoresby
Scoresby Steamfest is 9-11 March will showcase magnificent steam vehicles, provide miniature railway and tractor rides, demonstrate vintage industrial steam and diesel engines operating and more.
12. See Melbourne Museum’s blockbuster Titanic exhibition
More than 200 artefacts from the Titanic at the Melbourne Museum’s Titanic: The Artefacts Exhibition, running until 30 April.
13. Head to Taradale for the Mineral Springs Festival
Recognised as one of the best family attractions in Central Victoria, the Taradale Mineral Springs Festival on 10 March will enable visitors to can fine wine, diverse cuisine, arts, crafts, a classic car show, spinning wheel, a huge raffle and entertainment for the whole family.
14. Experience the thrills of the Tyabb Airshow
Experience aviation at its best with aircraft from 1928 to modern day, including lots of static displays at Tyabb Airshow on 10 March.
15. Enjoy mussels and jazz at the South Melbourne Market
The Port Phillip Mussel & Jazz Festival is back, returning to the South Melbourne Market on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March 2024. This beloved two-day seafood street party promises to delight festival-goers with a plethora of tasty treats from succulent mollusc dishes to the soulful sounds of Melbourne’s finest jazz and soul musicians.
16. Get a unique perspective on our world at the BBC Earth Experience
Take a majestic 360-degree audio visual journey and explore iconic landscapes and connect with mesmerising animals from around the world at the BBC Earth Experience, on until 28 April.
17. Spend a day at the Red Hill Show
The Red Hill Show on Saturday 9 March is the only event of its kind on the Mornington Peninsula… where the entertainment, exhibitions, demonstrations and animals are always top class.
18. Experience the colour of the Docklands Holi Festival
The Holi Festival is all about the joyful and colorful throwing of powdered colors. Join the crowd in an epic colour battle at Docklands on 9-10 March.
19. Explore the night sky at a star party
Explore the night sky with the Astronomical Society of Victoria at the Messier Star Party in Hamilton on 9-10 March.
20. Indulge in a cider festival
The full complement of Napoleone and Louis ciders will be on pour – apple, pear, and rosé, as well as guest international ciders, local beer, wine, fresh juices and soft drinks – at the Napoleone Cider Festival in Coldstream on 9 March.
21. See thousands of waterlilies at a lush water garden
Spanning more than 50,000 square metres, the Blue Lotus Water Garden is a seasonal garden at Yarra Junction containing over 40 different ponds, lakes and water features. You can see it this year until 14 April.
22. Attend the Newport Workshops open days
Join Steamrail Victoria and experience 135 Years of Melbourne’s History at Newport Workshops open days on 9-11 March. See what the volunteers do behind the scenes and get up close and personal with heritage locomotives and carriages.
23. Join in a global feast
Bunjil Place’s annual Global Flavour Feast is on 9 March – a day/night global food event bringing together the City of Casey’s most beloved food trucks, serving up a mouth watering array of our local cultural flavours.
24. Head to a rodeo in the high country
Nestled in the heart of the High Country below Mt Buller, the Merrijig Rodeo on 9 March is an action-packed event couldn’t be set in a more picturesque location.
25. Celebrate all things apple related in Harcourt
The 2024 Harcourt Applefest is on Saturday 9 March at James Park in Harcourt – a community celebration of fresh produce, authentic creations and local talent.
26. Attend a reptile and amphibian expo
The Victorian Herpetological Society’s 2024 Reptile and Amphibian Expo is on at the Victoria Pavilion at the Melbourne Showgrounds on 9 March.
27. Search for gold and compete for prizes in Wedderburn
The Minelab Wedderburn Detector Jamboree is on 9 March with participants competing for great prizes in the token hunt and gold panning competitions.
28. Enjoy a great family day out at the Yarraville Festival
Since 1981, The Yarraville Festival has been an integral Westside tradition, uniting the Inner West community to foster pride and inclusiveness. This annual event blends creative artists, designers, artisan stalls, activities, and gourmet delights, creating a vibrant community spirit. This year it is on 10 March.
29. Relax in a vineyard with great wine and good music
Join Campbells Winery in Rutherglen over the March long weekend for its Autumn Graze event – a relaxed day of wine, food and live music on both 9 and 10 March.
30. Get immersed in an exhibition at ACMI
Catch the immersive digital experience Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Natureat ACMI until 14 April.
31. Join in Ballarat’s annual Begonia Festival
The free Begonia Festival offers live music, captivating performances, delicious food and drinks, bustling markets, appearances by celebrities, family-friendly activities, engaging workshops, and, of course, the beautiful Begonias and garden displays, all long weekend from 9-11 March.
32. Make passata at a passata party
Common Ground Project at Freshwater Creek is holding a Passata Party on 9 March – a casual afternoon event making passata after harvesting some tomatoes and enjoying the farm.
33. Go along to the second weekend of the Brunswick Music Festival
The Brunswick Music Festival is on until 11 March – a celebration of people, place, culture, and music,
34. Discover lost trades
The Lost Trades Fair at the Bendigo Racecourse 9-10 March celebrates craftsmanship, skilled manual work, ancient arts, heritage crafts, rare trades and the knowledge passed down through generations. Tools, traditions, techniques and trades secrets are shared and on show.
35. See the NGV’s massive free exhibition
NGV Triennial 2023 is a powerful snapshot of the world today, captured through the work of over 100 artists, designers, and collectives at the forefront of global contemporary practice. Until 7 April.
36. Relive Groundhog Day again…or even for the first time
Tim Minchin’s Groundhog Day: The Musical is playing at the Princess Theatre until 7 April.
37. Attend the iconic Port Fairy Folk Festival
The picturesque, historic seaside township of Port Fairy is the place to be during the Labour Day long weekend as the Port Fairy Folk Festival from 8-11 March presents the finest artists from around the world in a four-day celebration of music, community and culture.
38. See one of more than photo 100 exhibitions
PHOTO Australia – the International Festival of Photography is massive event with more than 100 free exhibitions at galleries and unexpected venues around Melbourne and Victoria unti 24 March.
39. Celebrate queer country pride in Daylesford
The Chill Out Festival is Australia’s premier regional LGBTQIA+ pride event, held annually in Daylesford. This year you can catch the massive lineup of events from 7-11 March.
40. Do the time warp at Rocky Horror
The iconic Rock ‘N’ Roll musical The Rocky Horror Show is back and stars Australian superstar Jason Donovan as he reprises his role of Frank N Furter for the 2024 season. At the Athenaeum until 17 March.