A handy little guide to some of the best entertainment coming your way this month.
Okay, campers, rise and shine as this February marks thirty years since the release of Groundhog Day.
Okay, campers, rise and shine as this February marks thirty years since the release of Groundhog Day.
Okay, campers, rise and shine as this February marks thirty years since the release of Groundhog Day.
Okay, campers, rise and shine as this February marks thirty years since the release of Groundhog Day.
Watch out for these regional Victorian festivals. They’re doozies… plus a few Melbourne events for good measure.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
National Sustainable Living Festival
Melbourne – February 1-28
Nurture nature, and nature nurtures us all
The story of the National Sustainable Living Festival dates back to 1998 when a group of like-minded individuals gathered in the regional township of Musk. While it has certainly grown, its message remains one of fostering positive change while learning more sustainable ways of living. Hop online and browse their range of in-person and online events.
More information on the National Sustainable Living Festival can be found here.
Ballarat Frolic Festival
Ballarat – February 9-12
101 ways to frolic
Running since 2017, the Ballarat Frolic Festival is Ballarat’s Pride Festival. Run twice yearly, the summer event is their ‘light’ festival, while their winter program (the ‘dark’ festival) is known as Frolic Dark Rainbow. Helping make LGBTIQA+ people feel visible, connected and proud, 2023 events include Ballarat Rainbow Coffee, the Festival Launch and Frolic Art Show, Frolic Cabaret, Ace Board Games, Frolic Warehouse Pride Party, Frolic Bush Walk, Frolic History tour and much more.
More through frolicfestival.org
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Rock Ballarat
Civic Hall, Ballarat Showgrounds, Armstrong Street, Ballarat – February 10-12
Put your glad rags on
Show off your dance moves at Rock Ballarat, a rock and roll and rockabilly festival where you’re gonna rock around the clock tonight. The program includes dance lessons and dance competitions, a vintage market, car show and music from Mad Cow and The Linelockers.
More through rockballarat.com.au
Music by the Springs
Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel, Hepburn Springs – February 10-12
Feed the soul
Curated by Stewart Kelly, Music by the Springs is a celebration of chamber music, fine dining and wine. 2023 performers include Peter Clark (violin), Simon Cobcroft (cello), Blair Harris (cello), Caroline Henbest (viola), Stewart Kelly (piano), Elizabeth Layton (violin), Chris Moore (viola), Michael Petruccelli (tenor), Lucy Warren (violin) and Timothy Young (piano).
More through musicbythesprings.com.au
Lighthouse Party
PLBC Point Lonsdale Lighthouse, Point Lonsdale – February 11
Light up your life
The Point Lonsdale Boardriders Club hosts an all-Aussie line-up under the shadow of the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. Gather your mates and enjoy the sounds of Bad//Dreems, The Mirrors, Gut Health, Tilly VW, Birdpop, Carly (Liquid Sessions) and Matteo.
More through eventbrite.com.au
NinchFest
St Andrew’s Beach Recreation Club, Mornington Peninsula – February 10 & 11
The stacked 2023 lineup features a who’s who of Australian and international talent, including first Nations hip hop icon Birdz, surf-rockers The Grogans, celebrated singer-songwriter William Crighton, Australian turntable champion DJ Dexter (formerly of The Avalanches), psych-garage outfit Nice Biscuit, five-piece power-pop act The Prize, country music cosmonaut Freya Josephine Hollick and more.
Tickets to NinchFest 6 are on sale now via trybooking.com (free entry for kids under 13).
Birdz, The Grogans and more announced for Mornington Peninsula’s beachside festival NinchFest 2023
Hello Sunshine
Caribbean Gardens, Scoresby – February 11
While it’s still warm out there, the grounds of Melbourne are home to many a killer music festival. Hello Sunshine is a brand-new festival happening in the suburbs of Melbourne, at the site of the former Caribbean Gardens. It’ll feature a collection of the best music in Australia at the moment, involved artists are 360, Amy Shark, The Cat Empire, and many more.
Check out the rest of the line-up here.
Town Folk Festival
Various, Castlemaine – February 11
The talk of the town
Sixteen artists will come together for Town Folk Festival, a little piece of joy spread across The Bridge Hotel beer garden, Cornish Street, Shedshaker Brewery and Boomtown Winery. Your line-up is Big Scary, Danika, Emma Russack & Lachlan Denton, Felicity Cripps Band, Folk Bitch Trio, Hannah Blackburn, Hannah Cameron, Hannah McKittrick, Jade Imagine, Maple Glider, Mimi Gilbert, Parvyn, Phoebe Go, The Maes, The ReChords and Workhorse.
More through townfolkfestival.com
Laneway Festival
Melbourne – February 11
Come on, pick a lane
For the first time since 2020, the Laneway Festival will open up its loving arms. Your line-up is Haim (exclusive), Joji (exclusive), Phoebe Bridgers, Finneas, Fontaines D.C, Fred Again.., Girl in Red, Slowthai, Turnstile, 100 Gecs, Chaos in the CBD, Knucks, Mallrat, Ross from Friends, The Beths, Yard Act, Adam Newling, The Backseat Lovers, Harvey Sutherland, Jacoténe, jamesjamesjames, Logic1000, Sycco, Tasman Keith and The Lazy Eyes.
More through lanewayfestival.com
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Pyrenees Hideout Festival
Goldfields Recreation Reserve, Beaufort – February 11
They’ll hide, you seek
Enjoy a family-friendly day of tunes, market and food stalls, children’s rides, a licensed bar and entertainment. Your line-up is Daryl Braithwaite, Kasey Chambers, The Black Sorrows and Travis Collins, along with local legend Freya Josephine Hollick.
More through visitpyrenees.com.au
Echo Beach
Collingwood Children’s Farm, Abbotsford – February 11
Echo, echo, echo
The biggest Echo yet will ring out across two stages with plenty of good vibrations. Your line-up is Adriana, Andras B2B Bell Towers (Rim Boys), Bria, Castro and Nemo, Colette, Jex Opolis, Mahalla, Mayurashka, Mike Who B2B Lauren Hansom, Pet$ and Tornado Wallace.
More through eventbrite.com.au
Festival of the Photocopier
Meat Market, North Melbourne – February 11 & 12
Copy that, good buddy
In what is considered to be one of the largest, if not the largest, zine fair in the Southern Hemisphere, the Festival of the Photocopier welcomes more than 200 zine stalls across its two-day event. Entry is free, with zines available for purchase direct from the artist.
More through eventbrite.com.au
Bollywood Music Festival
Academic Lawn, Bundoora – February 17
The joy of music
Australia’s first open-air live Bollywood music festival welcomes Parmish Verma, Suryaveer, Sagar Tiwari, Hiten Panwar, Shivib, Electric Korma, Mehul Panwar and Nikunj.
More through eventbrite.com.au
Riverboats Music Festival
Echuca – February 17-19
A festival among the river red gums
Staged in the twin towns of Echuca-Moama, this award-winning festival has become a favourite on the music lover’s calendar. Your line-up is Alice Skye, Andy Golledge Band, Bones & Jones, Bud Rokesky, C.W. Stoneking & His Primitive Horn Orchestra, Felix Riebl, Katy Steele, Marlon Williams, The Rolling Stones Revue featuring Adalita, Phil Jamieson & Tex Perkins, Spiderbait, Tami Neilson, Thornbird, Watty Thompson, The Whitlams and Wilsn. Your MC for the day is Brian Nankervis.
More through riverboatsmusic.com.au
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Baroque Horse Festival
Kryal Castle, Ballarat – February 18
Horsing around is encouraged
Bred in the Carthusian monasteries, the Baroque horse was a breed that rose to prominence during the Middle Ages that became popular with nobles, royalty and the wealthy. Enjoy displays from Andalusians, Lusitanos, Warlanders and Friesians, as well as the popular Grand Parade.
More through globetrotting.com.au
The Meeniyan Garlic Festival
Meeniyan Reserve and Meeniyan Hall, Meeniyan – February 18
BYO breath mint
Featuring the inaugural Australian Garlic Awards and boasting more than two tonnes of garlic, the festival will showcase 15 garlic growers from across Victoria for locals and out-of-towners to taste and enjoy. To a mix of live music, cooking shows, free activities and entertainment, the festival will centre on the Festival Kitchen and The Gippsland Wine Academy to showcase the Gippsland region.
For more, head here.
Ballarat Beer Festival
Zoo Drive Lake, Wendouree – February 18
There’s a cold one waiting for you
You’ll have more beers and ciders than you know what to do with. You can also enjoy regional wines, food trucks, activities (including ones especially for the kids) and live music. Your line-up is Libby Steele Band, Michael Meeking Band, Blues Roulette featuring Kelly Auty, Mick Daley & the Corporate Raiders, Spoonful and Dallas Crane.
More through ballaratbeerfestival.com.au
Now & Again
Werribee Racecourse, Werribee – February 18
Here we go again
Much like menus at restaurants, less is more when it comes to music festivals. Now and Again features 14 performers, across two stages, representing the best in local music. There’s music from legends like Becca Hatch, Peach PRC, and Casey Leaver, and on the other end, there’s music from Tones and I, Gang of Youths, and headliners Empire of The Sun.
Find out more about tickets by heading here.
Gang of Youths and Empire of the Sun lead Werribee’s Now & Again Festival 2023
Geelong Jazz Soirees
Geelong Botanic Gardens, Geelong – February 18 & 25
Dig it, hip cats
More than 1600 jazz lovers turned out to 2022’s soirees, and so we find ourselves with another jumpin’ jazz program. Your performers are Wayne Jury on February 4, Des Camm Jazz Band on February 18 and Soul Sister Swing on February 25.
More through callumwatson.com.au
St Kilda Festival
St Kilda – February 18 & 19
Free free free
One of Melbourne’s festival staples is the St Kilda Festival, hitting Melbourne many times of the years. It’s a free event, showcasing a selection of our most talented artists. You’ll be able to experience music from Peptalk, Guthrie, Emma Volard, Hoodoo Gurus, Confidence Man, and many many more. Of course the fun doesn’t end there, you can dice into food, market stalls, dancing, activations, and lots more.
Find out more here.
Piknic Electronik
Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne – February 19
It’s that time of the year again when the best performers in the world of electronic music grace the iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl for a months long celebration of the genre. February’s incarnation will feature music from Reinier Zonneveld, Kiki Solvej, Rory Marshall, Paul Abad, Lisa May, Emanni, Dagu, and Acid Baby.
Find out more here.
a day on the green with Sting
Mt Duneed Estate, Waurn Ponds – February 25
Enjoy it with every breath you take
Sting returns to the a day on the green stage as part of his ‘My Songs’ tour. As the name suggests, the 17-time Grammy winner will perform his most loved songs, backed by a first-class band. He will be joined by his son, Joe Sumner, as well as James Reyne.
More through mtduneedestate.com.au
The chief of The Police: Sting to swarm Mt Duneed Estate for A Day On The Green
Prosecco Festival
Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford – February 25
Pour me a drop
Meet growers, winemakers and importers as you sample more than thirty proseccos at the sixth annual prosecco festival. An array of Italian and local food will be made available, including gluten-free and vegan options. Each ticket comes with a tulip-shaped Plumm sparkling wine glass, a festival program and tote bag.
More through abbotsfordconvent.com.au
Down South Festival
The Star of the West, Port Fairy – February 25
Jump up, jump up, and get down
Presented by independent live music collective YEAH NAHHH, Down South will have you on your feet from the outset. Your line-up is Bad//Dreems, Civic, C.O.F.F.I.N, Future Suck, SO.Crates, Queenie, Blowers, Eyeroll, Grond, Convict Class, Bluestone River Band, Lisztomania and Whipwerm.
More through downsouthfest.com.au
Bad//Dreems, C.O.F.F.I.N lead one-day Port Fairy festival Down South 2023
Red Hot Summer Tour
Bendigo Jockey Club, Ascot – February 25
Hotter than Hades
Packed full of Aussie talent, festivals don’t come much hotter than this one. Your line-up is Paul Kelly, Bernard Fanning, Missy Higgins, Mark Seymour, Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley.
More through redhotsummertour.com.au
Friend in Me Family Fun Day
Geelong Racecourse, Geelong – February 25
You’ve got a friend in me
Friend in Me is an Australian charity that promotes social inclusion and acceptance in all children through a variety of workshops, events and online programs. This is their signature fundraising event. Roving entertainment and food trucks will help fuel a day of fun where children can laugh, dance and create lifelong memories.
More through friendinme.org.au
Pako Festa
Pakington Street, Geelong on February 25
The besta festa
Victoria’s largest celebration of cultural diversity has been going strong since 1983, and as they hit their forties their zest is as strong as ever. While the Street Parade continues to be a favourite, this year will see the Elements of Culture Photographic Project take place. Three years in the making, the tribute represents more than thirty communities that have made Pako Festa what it is over its four-decade life.
More through pakofesta.com.au
Geelong’s annual multicultural festival Pako Festa is coming back to Pakington Street in 2023
Festival of Colours
Torquay Front Beach Foreshore, Torquay – February 26
Throw your hands in the air like you just don’t care
Come celebrate the human spirit by throwing coloured powder in the air with family, friends and strangers. Organised by the Hare Krishna Valley, the day also features live music, meditation, fortune telling, face painting and more. A delicious selection of vegetarian food and snacks will also be available.
More through festivalofcolours.com.au
