A handy little guide to some of the best entertainment coming your way this month
And we’re off and running in the second half of the year. January – gone. February – gone. March and April, too. May and June have loved us and left us. So, was the first half of your 2022 satisfactory? Or was it as disappointing as accidentally stepping in a puddle? As disappointing as when your takeaway fork breaks? As disappointing as an empty toilet roll when it’s too late? As disappointing as KFC chips without salt?
We hope the second half of your 2022 is as fulfilling as the festivals on offer this month.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Melbourne Magic Festival
Various venues around Melbourne and surrounds – Until July 9
Every little thing they do is magic
More than 130 performances of 30 different shows will take place through the Melbourne Magic Festival’s run. Fans of Penn & Teller: Fool Us may recognise some faces, with some ‘Foolers’ among the festival’s line-up. Workshops will also feature.
More through melbournemagicfestival.com
Maldon in Winter
Maldon – Until July 10
Discover your dark side
Designated “Australia’s first notable town”, Maldon leans into winter with a feast of music, theatre, poetry and markets. Goldfields Gothic is at the heart of it all, a celebration of the dark side of the goldfields with a performance from darkwave/post-punk outfit Ikon, dark poetry readings and the Phoenix Burlesque Troupe.
More through maldon.org.au
East Gippsland Winter Festival
East Gippsland – Until July 10
Discover the treasures of East Gippsland
The East Gippsland Winter Festival is set to light up Victoria’s east with more than 80 spectacular events over three weeks.
From a Laneway Party to fine dining experiences, there’s tons of events on over the three weeks – including free lantern-making workshops, cultural ceremonies and experiences led by traditional Indigenous owners, long lunches that showcase local produce and nature activities such as bush walks, yoga and meditation.
More here.
View this post on Instagram
Adventure Park Winter Glow
Adventure Park, Geelong – Until July 10
Everyone needs an adventure
Coming out even bigger than last year’s event, Winter Glow is a perfect treat for the school holidays. There will be more snow, rides and light installations, as well as larger fire-twirling and ice sculpture displays, than the sold-out 2021 event.
Tickets here.
Glow – Bendigo After Dark
Rosalind Park, Bendigo – Until July 17
The world lights up when the sun goes down
Through using the latest in lighting effects, technology and creativity, Bendigo’s Rosalind Park will offer a gorgeous sensory experience every night until July 17. Featuring an illuminated Acknowledge of Country, Glow is a representation of all things Bendigo, including a stunning near-600-hundred lantern display celebrating the city’s rich Chinese heritage.
More through bendigoregion.com.au
Ballarat Winter Festival
Ballarat – Until July 17
Walking in a winter wonderland
Come celebrate the city’s signature season through unique events, activities and offerings. Highlights include the Winter Wonderlights, the Pop-Up Ice Rink and the Kryal Castle show, Knights of Fire and Show Queen Neva.
More through visitballarat.com.au
View this post on Instagram
Leaps and Bounds
City of Yarra – Until July 24
High on the hill
Beginning as a way to keep the musical fires burning throughout winter, Leaps and Bounds celebrates the home-grown music world. With something for all ages and budgets, events include Winter Spin, a collection of Record Store Day parties; RAH! RAH! #2.2, a feminist punk rock retrospective; Power to You, a showcase of some of Melbourne’s up-and-coming artists with a focus on female-driven heavier acts; and RocKwiz Live.
More through lbmf.com.au
NAIDOC Week
Across Australia – July 3-10
Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
Held in the first week of July, NAIDOC Week is a celebration and recognition of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
More through naidoc.org.au
Melbourne Tartan Festival
Melbourne – July 3-28
Pure dead brilliant
A celebration of Scottish culture, the Melbourne Tartan festival is haggis-packed with a historical tour and exhibition, a Scottish Connections CBD walking tour, whisky tasting, a haggis supper, music, dance, author talks and much more. Highlights include The Victorian Pipers Association Championships and the Victorian Scottish Dancing Members Association 61st Commonwealth Championships.
More through melbournetartanfestival.com.au
Cake, Bake & Sweets Show
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre – July 8-10
Sweet as sugar
Enjoy three days of celebrity meet and greets, live demos, workshops and masterclasses. Oh, and sampling the tasty treats. And be sure to bring your shopping bag, as you’ll be able to pick up all kinds of ingredients and gadgets for the kitchen.
More through cakebakeandsweets.com
View this post on Instagram
Eureka Arms & Militaria Fair
Ballarat Equestrian Centre, Mount Rowan – July 9 & 10
Looks like the spider caught himself a couple of flies
More than 200 tables and displays will showcase an assortment of antique and modern arms, medals, knives, swords, badges, uniforms, collectable ammo, security equipment, books, memorabilia and much more.
More through ballaratarms.com.au
Mildura Writers Festival
Mildura – July 14-17
La-a-la la-la, they’ve got the book
Max Allen, Larissa Behrendt, Anna Clark, Gerald Diffey, Reg Dodd, Melinda Hinkson, Yumna Kassab, Anne Keeney, Stuart Kells, Malcolm McKinnon, Krissy Kneen, Clare Wright and Sam Morley are among the guests at Mildura’s four-day festival celebrating the written word.
More through mildurawritersfestival.com
Winter Sounds
Daylesford – July 15-17
Discover your new sound
Historic churches, gold-rush buildings, village halls and art-deco theatres will play host to a weekend of intimate performances in Daylesford and the surrounding hills. Performers include Emma Donovan & the Putbacks, Fenn Wilson, Cash Savage & the Last Drinks, Blake Scott, Harmony Byrne, C.W. Stoneking, The Luke Sinclair Set, Freya Josephine Hollick and Jazzparty.
More through wintersounds.com.au
View this post on Instagram
Bendigo Queer Film Festival
Bendigo Cinemas – July 15-17
Find a friend in a film
The Bendigo Queer Film Festival will open with the Danish animated documentary Flee, which won the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Documentary section at Sundance. Other highlights include the BQFF International Short Film Festival and a Sunday morning breakfast special with Adam Richard.
More through bendigoqueerfilmfestival.com.au
Dinosaur Festival Ballarat
Ballarat – July 15-17
It’s going to be Dino-mite
More than 18 animatronic dinosaurs will be on display in an indoor and outdoor educational exhibition. There will also be various amusement rides and dinosaur-themed activities. Free tickets for public school children will be available, but note that children will be required to be in proper uniform and the offer is available on the Friday only on a first come, first served basis.
More through dinofestivalaustralia.com
Australian Sheep & Wool Show
Bendigo Showgrounds – July 15-17
It’s a slamb dunk
The largest event of its type in the world, the Australian Sheep & Wool Show salutes the mighty sheep. Highlights include the Bendigo Festival of Lamb, Women in Wool and the Australian wool fashion parades. You also have sheep competitions, shearing and much, much more.
More through sheepshow.com
Bastille Day
Melbourne – July 16 & 17
Bien s’amuser
French summer combines with Australian winter as the French-Australian community celebrates France’s national day, Bastille Day.
More through bastilledaymelbourne.com
Mould
The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne – July 22-24
The cheese is old and mouldy
A collaborative affair between Bruny Island Cheese Co cheesemaker Nick Haddow and the organisers of Pinot Palooza, Mould is a festival dedicated to one of life’s greatest food joys: cheese.
More through mouldcheesefestival.com
View this post on Instagram
Blobfish Festival
Meat Market, North Melbourne – July 23
A celebration of strange beers
Australia’s first festival dedicated to sour, funky and wild in the beer world. Features 19 breweries from New Zealand and Australia plus food and entertainment, punters are set to sip a diverse range of sours, saisons, barrel-aged brews, fruity concoctions and rare small-batch runs from the likes of NZ’s Garage Project, Sydney’s Wildflower Brewing & Blending, Tasmania’s Van Dieman Brewing, and Ballarat-based sour darlings Dollar Bill Brewing.
More through Moshtix.
Outlaw Winter Wonderland
Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon – July 23
Yoo-hoo, I’ll make ya famous
A celebration of country, roots and Americana music with an Australian flavour, Outlaw Winter Wonderland welcomes Brooke Taylor & the Poison Spitting Gin Queens, Matt Joe Gow, Smith & Western Jury, Duncan Phillips and Stefanie Duzel. There will also be an Outlaw winter market, comfort food specials and drinks. $5 from every ticket will be donated to the Macedon CFA.
More through macedonrailwayhotel.com.au
BB&RMF Showcase/Fundraiser
The Vine, Bendigo – July 24
Chase the blues away
Lining up for the first showcase/fundraiser since 2020 will be Jay Howie, Flora, Funk Junkies, Charlie Bedford, Bootleg Blues Band with Nardia Rose & Justin Yap, Maria McCarthy Trio, The Rattlers, Alister Turrill, Georgia Rodgers and Grim Fawkner.
More through bendigobluesandroots.com.au
View this post on Instagram
Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour
Village Cinemas, Geelong – July 27; Astor Theatre, Melbourne – July 28; and Peninsula Theatre, Rosebud – July 30
All guts, all glory
Through a series of films celebrating women in adventure, the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour aims to connect like-minded women while building a community of supportive adventurous women.
More through gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au
Echuca Moama Winter Blues Festival
Echuca Moama – July 28-31
The blues tells a story
After a couple of cancellations, the blues is back. The line-up includes 19 Twenty, Aaron Pollock, Andrew Farrell Piano Wizard, Benny James, Bill Barber, Broderick Smith, Collard Greens & Gravy, Creek Band, Electric Blues Collective, Fools, Frank Sultana, Dan Dinnen, Geoff Achison, The Lachy Doley Group, Heavy Medicine, Ian Collard, Julian James, Jarrod Shaw, Jesse Redwing, Jules Boult, Kelly Auty with Extraordinary Gentlemen, Kings and Associates, Lloyd Spiegel, McNamMarr, Nadia, Nick Charles, Paul Buchanan’s Voodoo Preachers, Pete Cornelius Band, Phil Para, Rambal, Rattlin’ Bones Blackwood, Sammy Owens, Shane Pacey Trio, Spoonful, Stormhorse, Sweet Felicia and The Hoodoo Men.
More through winterblues.com.au
Apollo Bay WORDfest
Mechanics Hall, Apollo Bay – July 28-30
They’ve got a way with words
Whether you are a casual Wordle player or a proud logophile, WORDfest is there for anyone who finds joy in words.
More through apollobaywordfest.com
Poco Film Festival
Regent Cinemas, Ballarat – July 30
See you on the big screen
An initiative of Ballarat-based creative agency Mass Motion, the inaugural Poco is a festival for film lovers by film lovers. An online festival will be running simultaneously via Festivee.
More through pocofilmfest.com.au
View this post on Instagram
Top Dog Film Festival
Peninsula Cinemas, Rosebud – July 30 & Astor Theatre, Melbourne – July 31
There’s a good boy
The Top Dog Film Festival was launched in 2017 as a way to showcase the special bond between humans and their canine friends through independent films.
More through topdogfilmfestival.com.au
