Footy is over but there’s much more to life in Victoria than that. School holidays are in their second week too. There’s lots happening around Melbourne and regional Victoria. Here’s what’s on this week:
- Grab your binoculars and get ready for a wild adventure at Greensborough Plaza from 30 September to 6 October and enjoy up close encounters with animatronics, jungle face painting and safari-themed craft.
- The Melbourne Fringe Festival is back for 2024, with events across the city from 1-20 October.
- The Victorian Seniors Festival runs from 1-31 October with thousands of opportunities for senior Victorians to take part in free and low-cost events.
- The Elmore Field Days will take place over 1-3 October.
- Jointhe State Library on 1 October for Salon After D’Arc: Letters and Diaries with host Jacinta Parsons, and get a glimpse into the private lives and minds of creatives
- Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria have present Melbourne’s ground-breaking Disability-led arts initiative Alter State, taking place across the city from 2 – 13 October.
- Bring the kids along to a free community toy swap at The Edge at Fed Square on 2 October, to exchange up to six (lightly) used toys for new-to-you items. A sustainable way to refresh your kids’ toy boxes. Registrations required.
- Join Pidapipa Gelaterio and Julia Busuttil Nishamura for a book signing and free bougatsa giveaway at Fitzroy Laboratorio on Wednesday 2 October, from 5pm to 7pm!
- Drop in with your family for Green Hat Loose Parts Day at Strathdon House in Forest Hill on 3 October and build and explore with recycled objects in this hands-on activity. Fun for all ages – pack a picnic and enjoy the day
- The Other Film Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a program championing Deaf and Disabled-led and authored work. The festival is part of Alter State and runs from 3 – 16 October at ACMI.
- The Melbourne Caravan and Camping Leisurefest is on 4-6 October at Sandown Racecourse.
- The Seymour Show will be on 4-5 October.
- The Box Hill Art Group’s annual exhibition will be held 4-6 October.
- The Swan Hill Show is on 4-5 October.
- The River Folk Festival returns in 2024 on 4-6 October with another incredible weekend of music hosted across multiple venues and stages throughout the Warburton township.
- Join in an interactive screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Lido Cinema in Hawthorn or the Classic Cinema in Elsternwick on 4 October.
- Monster Fest returns to Cinema Nova on 4 October – a celebration of all that is weird and wonderful in the international cult cinema palette including horror, science fiction, fantasy, dark drama, black comedy, animation, and more.
- There’s a free magic show at Ivanhoe Plaza on 4 October.
- The Bellarine Railway’s Day Out With Thomas is on 5-6 October.
- The famous Heathcote Food and Wine Festival returns for 2024 on 5-6 October.
- The Great Stupa of Universal Compassio at Myers flat near Bendigo is holding its annual free, fun family friendly Vegecarian Festival on 5 October – all about loving food, loving animals and loving life.
- The Heritage Machinery Festival in Alexandra is on 5-6 October
- The St Arnaud Show is on 5-6 October.
- Enjoy a fun family event on 5 October at the award-winning Warrnambool Multicultural Festival.
- Melbourne International Games Week returns for the 10th year from 5-13 October.
- The Gluten Free Expo at MCEC on 5-6 October is the largest 100% Gluten-Free Event in Victoria!
- Discover the latest designer dresses, stunning jewelry, exquisite gift hampers, and luxurious home decor – all fit for a royal woman at Lights and Delights: a Royal Indian Exhibition at Huntingdale Golf Club on 5 October.
- The famous Bridge Road Brewers Oktoberfest is coming to Melbourne making its debut at the East Brunswick brewery on 5 October.
- Join Academy Award-winning animator Adam Elliot at a special Q&A screening for his new stop-motion feature Memoir of a Snail, at Classic Cinemas in Elsternwick on 5 October.
- The Taste of Egypt Community Festival is on in St Albans on 5 October.
- The Pregnancy Baby and Childrens Expo returns to MCEC on 5-6 October.
- The Melbourne Italian Festa is on at the Royal Exhibition Building and Museum Plaza in Carlton on 5-6 October.
- Join Cricket Australia at Federation Square on Saturday 5 October from 3-6pm for Cricket’s Fan Festival – a free afternoon of fun as they celebrate a huge summer of cricket! The event will feature appearances from cricket superstars Glenn Maxwell, Hasrat Gill, and Will Sutherland, with a special appearance by former Pakistan captain Younus Khan.
- The Bonsai Society of Victoria is celebrating 50 years of hosting its Bonsai Show at the Box Hill Town Hall on 5-6 October.
- The 2024 Melbourne Royal Show runs until 6 October.
- The Sweat vs Steam run event in Echuca Moama is a unique race where people try to race against a paddle steamer. Its on 6 October.
- Celebrate spring on 6 October with tours of the charming garden at La Trobe’s Cottage.
- The first annual Diamond Creek Show and Shine Car Show is happening on 6 October.
- The Kids+ Kites Festival on 6 October is a Geelong based community event bringing together people of all abilities for a fun, accessible, and inclusive day.
- The Narre Warren Psychic and Wellbeing Expo is on 6 October.
- Celebrate mental health and wellbeing with Art of the Minds during National Mental Health Week on the Surf Coast from 6-23 October.
- St Anne’s Winery and Maddingley Botanical invite you to Sip & Bloom: a perfect Spring day out in Myrniong on 6 October where nature’s best, stunning wines and great vibes come together.
- The Koo Wee Rup Fire Brigade Open Day is on Sunday 6 October.
- The Mernda CFA Open Day is on Sunday 6 October.
- The Girgarre Open Gardens Festival is on 6 October.
- The George Pentland Botanical Gardens in Frankston are being transformed into a magical realm of light and wonder until 6 October 2024, visitors can immerse themselves in an illuminated sculpture walk at Magic by Moonlight, featuring more than 400 light installations and 30,000 light bulbs.
- Bring your family and friends to help celebrate Dame Olivia Newton-John’s incredible legacy, while raising funds to support the vital work of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre at Olivia’s Walk For Wellness on 6 October.
- Immerse yourself in Indonesian culture at Festival Indonesia 2024 on 6 October at Argyle Square in Carlton.
- Victoria Seniors Festival Celebration Day on 6 October will see the entire precinct of Fed Square comes to life with music, dance and workshops performed by mainly older artists sharing their passion and talents across the Main Square, Riverside Stage and The Edge.
- These school holidays, Chadstone is hosting a special pop-up Hello Kitty Cafe to celebrate 50 years of everyone’s favorite feline.
- Experience Disney’s Beauty and the Beast the Musical like never before as you immerse yourself in Beast’s Enchanted Garden at Eastland these school holidays until 6 October.
- Circus Royale is at Fountain Gate in Narre Warren until 13 October.
- Silvers Circus is at the Burvale Hotel in Nunawading until 13 October.
- The Fringe Flavours Night Market is home to incredible food, unique specialty shopping, and spectacular live entertainment. Partnering with Melbourne Fringe Festival, this event is happening every Wednesday night 5pm to 10pm until 16 October, at Queen Victoria Market
- Check out Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition showcasing a collection of more than 200 real-life images, unique in the way that they exude the charming and eccentric aesthetic of acclaimed film director, Wes Anderson.
- A free exhibition at ACMI celebrating the world conquering video game Untitled Goose Game – which was made locally in Victoria will run until 16 February 2025.