Spring-time is in full swing with lots of family festivals, Diwali events and Halloween-themed activities happening around the state. Here’s some of what’s on this week:
- Garden lovers can enjoy a twilight tour of the Government House gardens on 14 October.
- The Needlework Tapestry Guild of Victoria is holding its annual exhibition in Box Hill from 14-20 October showcasing a stunning array of needlework artistry.
- The 29th Greek Film Festival is on 14-27 October.
- The Monash Rescue Ready Community Safety Expo is on in Notting Hill on 14 October.
- The Aussie Bird Count is back from 14-20 October. Take part by observing and counting the birds that live near you – whether that’s in your garden, the local park, a beach or even your town centre.
- The South Melbourne Market is shining a spotlight on some of the incredible local producers and growers this state has to offer with A Victorian Affair from 16-26 October.
- 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 until 16 October at ACMI.
- 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
- The Mildura Show is on 17-19 October.
- Join the local small business community along with more than 25 exhibitors at the Stonnington Small Business Festival on 17 October at the Malvern Town Hall.
- The Melbourne Boat Show is back on from October 17–20 at Docklands!
- The NGO International Film Festival is on 18-28 October 2024
- The Queenscliffe Literary Festival is on from 18-27 October.
- The 9th annual Patchewollock Music Festival is on 18-20 October
- The Melbourne International Jazz Festival returns 18—27 October 2024
- Garden lovers can enjoy a tour of the Government House gardens on 18 October.
- Silvers Circus will be in Wallan from 18-27 October.
- The Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway’s October public running day is on 20 October.
- The Australian Motorbike Grand Prix returns to Phillip Island from 18-20 October.
- The Proudly Wyndham Business Expo is on 18 October 2024 at Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing.
- The Noble Park Community Centre Art Show is on 18-20 October.
- From 18 October to 3 November Metartworld is hosting a variety of Halloween-themed activities for 2024 that promise a spooky and artistic experience.
- Celebrate 40 years of Beechworth Bakery at the Beechworth Bakery Street Festival on 19 October
- The Three Peaks Festival on 19 October is Dunkeld’s annual market at the foothills of the Grampians, showcasing local fare, food and wine.
- Visit Hanging Rock Winery to experience the Art in the Vines Sculpture Exhibition from 19 October to 30 April 2025 and wander a trail of discovery, glass-in-hand, through this extraordinary exhibition of contemporary outdoor sculpture.
- The Same Page art book fair, focusing on innovative independent publishers and small-scale local imprints returns for 2024. The fair will be held at Gertrude Contemporary in Preston over the weekend of 19–20 October
- The Australian Plant Society’s Ballarat and District Plant Show is on 19 October.
- The Big Vegan Market is back for its Christmas edition for 2024 at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton on 19-20 October with over 150 vendors.
- The Hume Diwali Mela 2024 is taking place at Anzac Park in Cragieburn on 19 October.
- Prepare to relive classic summer festival vibes like the good old days when Hotter Than Hell returns. Kick it old school on 19 October at The York on Lilydale in Mt Evelyn with Regurgitator, Unwritten Law, Jebediah, Little Birdy and Adalita.
- Try out the newly created Casey Fields fitness trails at a Walktober event at Cranbourne East on 19 October.
- Welcome to Thornbury’s 5th annual Chicken Nugget Festival is on 19 October.
- The Mornington Peninsula Record Fair is on at the Hastings Club on 19 October.
- Halloween at Ballarat’s Kryal Castle is on 19 and 20 October. All participants will receive a free trick or treat bag, and then you can follow the trail, solve ridiculous riddles, and challenge yourself in some of his ghoulish, gruesome experiments to collect some tasty treats!
- There’s a candlelight Halloween-themed concert combining classical music with a spooky ambiance at Fitzroy Town Hall on Saturday 19 October.
- Melbourne Museum celebrates Children’s Week from 19-27 October with a jam-packed program created especially for little learners.
- The City of Kingston’s all-ages, family-friendly Spring Fair is back for 2024 with a jam-packed day of fun, food, live entertainment and more, on 19 October at Keeley Park in Clayton South.
- St Mark’s Church annual Egyptian Cultural Festival is happening in Preston on 19 October.
- The Watergardens Community Fun Day is on 19 October in Taylors Lakes
- The first Rochester Sips and Sounds Street Festival is taking place on Saturday 19 October, bringing music, food entertainment and fun to the heart of Rochy.
- Experience the best of the Grampians region at Grampians Vine and Vibes, a highlight of the Grampians Fine Wine Festival 19 October.
- Join in a picnic at CERES Joe’s Market Garden to take part in the Aussie Bird Count and get to know the beautiful birds of the Merri Creek on 19 October.
- Unleash your inner artist with Champainting at Eastland’s Paint & Sip event featuring Zonzo Limoncello, where creativity blends with a taste of Italy on 19 October.
- Ezistreat in North Melbourne is hosting an Oktoberfest Family Day on 19 October.
- Fire-lit landscapes, unique light installations and smoky food will be at the heart of Sovereign Hill‘s new after-dark Food, Fire and Light Festival in Ballarat until 19 October.
- Rhythms of The World brings the world to the Yarra Valley through music, storytelling, dance and food on 20 October.
- The Vintage and Modern Toy Fair is on at Malvern Town Hall on 20 October.
- Enjoy 2.5 kilometres of garage sale at the 12th Anniversary Rossmoyne Rummage on 20 October when residents along the length of Rossmoyne Street in Thornbury, from High Street to Darebin Creek will set up garage sales in their front yards.
- Experience the vibrant colours, lively rhythms, and tantalizing flavours of India right in the heart of Melbourne at the Queen Vic Market’s annual Indian Festival on 20 October.
- The Wonthaggi Psychic and Wellbeing Expo is on 20 October.
- The Maffra Makers Market is on 20 October.
- The All For Kids Market, Melbourne’s biggest baby and kids market, is on in Thomastown on 20 October.
- The Rutherglen Show is on 20 October.
- The Whorouly Village Fair is on 20 October.
- Run Maroondah is happening in Heathmont on 20 October. Dress up in fun, bright activewear for the 1.2km kids, 5km run or walk, 10km run or 15km run. All athletic abilities welcome. Run Maroondah | Maroondah City Council
- The Main Street Mornington Festival is celebrating its 26th year this Sunday 20 October 2024 – a free family friendly event showcasing local talent, wine, beer, gin, cider, food and produce, retail, crafts, kids’ activities and more!
- Step into the enchanting world of Kathak with the Melbourne Kathak Festival in Nunawading on 20 October. This festival showcases Kathak, an Indian classical dance form, while amalgamating with Hindustani and Western classical music.
- Join in a day of vibrant music, local flavours, and a strong community spirit at Eltham Green Grooves on 20 October.
- Are your kids curious about worm farms? Would they like to learn about composting, pickling vegetables, or planting seeds? Then head along to the Children’s Mini Food Fair at Edendale Community Environment Farm in Eltham on Sunday 20 October.
- The Nillumbik Pet Expo is back with a jam-packed family fun day on Sunday 20 October 2024 10am to 4pm at Marngrook Oval in Diamond Creek.
- Camberwell is set to come alive with Kylie and Dannii Day, a celebration of the Minogue sisters and their strong ties to the area. The event will take place on Sunday, 20 October from 8am to 12pm at the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market.
- The Scoresby Fire Station family open day is on 20 October.
- Taste the best of the Otways in one place at the Otways Producers Festival on 20 October in Colac. Enjoy locally-grown food, drinks, flowers and fibre with live music, demonstrations, market stalls and informative speakers.
- The Melbourne Fringe Festival continues with events across the city from 1-20 October.
- Monsterfest – a celebration of all that is weird and wonderful in the international cult cinema palette – horror, science fiction, fantasy, dark drama, black comedy, animation and more is on at Cinema Nova in Carlton until 22 October.
- Celebrate mental health and wellbeing with Art of the Minds during National Mental Health Week on the Surf Coast until 23 October.
Discover the captivating story of Melbourne’s iconic Arts Centre, at a limited-edition tour of the architectural, art and interior design highlights of Melbourne’s Theatres Building as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. The tours will take place until 9 November 2024. - Medieval to Metal: The Art and Evolution of the Guitar makes its way to the Art Gallery of Ballarat until 2 February 2025. In this Australian exclusive, experience 40 guitars on loan from the National Guitar Museum (USA), alongside more than 100 spectacular works of art,
