A handy little guide to some of the best entertainment coming your way this month.
The Labour Day weekend approaches, and there are those that may have an eye on a little getaway for the long weekend. As far as public holidays go, Victoria will celebrate 14 in 2023. That’s not too shabby. Cambodia, however, celebrated 29 in 2019 according to worldpopulationreview.com. The same site has Mexico recognising just seven annually.
We just hope you don’t come down with something as the long weekend approaches that requires an extra-long weekend. There is a lot of stuff going around, you know.
We hope you enjoy these regional Victorian festivals (plus a couple of Melbourne events) as much as your day off…
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
ChillOut Festival
Daylesford – March 9-13
Chilling out since 1997
Australia’s largest queer country pride festival is back after selling out in 2022. Events include Mary! Disco, Speed Dating, Comedy @ The Convent, Betel Boy Neon Party, Tina Del Twist Lets Loose, Fountain of Youth, Splish Splash and Lavandaze. Guests include Kate Miller-Heidke, Drag Race Down Under’s Art Simone, Nate Byrne and Rudy Jean Rigg.
More through chilloutfestival.com.au
Port Fairy Folk Festival
Port Fairy – March 10-13
Good folk for good folk
The Port Fairy Folk Festival is a festival that makes you feel at home. Your line-up includes international acts Arlo McKinley, Billy Bragg, The Burning Hell, Early James, Eilen Jewell, Eric Bibb, Grace Petrie, Mary Coughlan, Niamh Regan and Vieux Farka Touré. Your local line-up includes 19-Twenty, Andrei O’Connor, Anna Smyrk, The Badloves, Claymore, Etta Lane, Folk Bitch Trio, Grigoryan Brothers, Josh Pyke, Kim Churchill, Radical Son, Ruby McKenna, Sally Seltmann and The Waifs.
More through portfairyfolkfestival.com
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Pitch Music & Arts
Moyston – March 10-14
Everyone is pitching in
Enter the world of Pitch Music & Arts and its sonic soundscapes and curated art selections. Your line-up includes ABSOLUTE., AK Sports, Ben UFO, Bertie, Club Angel, DAWS, DJ EZ, EFFY, Fatima Yamaha, HALFQUEEN, Helena Hauff, I. JORDAN, Jaguar, Juicy Romance, Kalyani, Kim Ann Foxman, Leon Vynehall, Mano Le Tough, Mildlife, NLV, OVERMONO, Peach, Pretty Girl, Roi Perez, SWIM, Soju Gang and Tinlicker.
More through pitchfestival.com.au
Applefest
Harcourt – March 11
It pays for itself after the sixteenth visit
There are few fruits as tasty and satisfying to eat than the apple. Two stages will host a variety of activities at Applefest, including an apple pie eating competition, belly dancers, community awards and music from the likes of Eliza Hull and the Australian Women’s Choir. You also have stuff for the kids, an art show and a market with fresh local produce and goods. And don’t forget about the cider.
More through applefest.harcourt.vic.au
Coastal Jam
Rosebud Village Green, Mornington Peninsula – March 11 & Cunningham Pier, Geelong – March 12
Where the jam is spread thick
You can never have enough jam. Ziggy Alberts, Hockey Dad, Bag Raiders and Latifa Tee will perform at both Coastal Jams. Your Mornington Peninsula extras are The Terrys, Spacey Space, Sunday Honey and Velvet Bloom. Your Geelong extras are Rochelle Jordan, Tom Santa, Dean Turnley and Coco & Ayres.
More through coastaljam.com.au
Holi Festival
Ron Barassi Senior Park, Docklands – March 11 & 12
Filling the streets with colour
Holi is an ancient Hindu tradition that celebrates the love and eternity of Radha-Krishna. A popular ‘Festival of Colours’, attendees can embrace two days of culture, colours, food, song and dance as Holi Festival celebrates unity in diversity and good over evil.
More through holifestivalmelbourne.com.au
Lost Trades Fair
Bendigo Racecourse, Bendigo – March 11 & 12
Build it for life
More than 150 artisan makers will showcase their craft at this year’s Lost Trades Festival. Be inspired by the craftsmanship of blacksmiths, toolmakers, silversmiths, clockmakers, weavers, woodworkers, instrument makers, sign writers, potters, leather workers and tailors. Be entertained by the music throughout the day. Be well fed with scrumptious food.
More through losttradesfair.com.au
Ballarat Begonia Festival
Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Ballarat – March 11-13
A blooming good day
Did you know Begonias were first discovered by French botanist and monk Charles Plumier and named for 18th century governor of Santa Domingo (now Dominican Republic) Michel Begon? Established in 1953, the Ballarat Begonia Festival celebrates Ballarat’s colourful natural assets. Hosting the rarest collection in the Southern Hemisphere, more than 500 varieties of begonias will be showcased.
More through ballaratbegoniafestival.com
Golden Plains
Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, Meredith – March 11-13
Golden years, whop-whop-whop
A purpose-built wonderland greets you at this galaxy, far, far at home. Your line-up is Bikini Kill, Four Tet, Carly Rae Jepsen, Mdou Moctar, Soul II Soul, Angel Olsen, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Brian Jackson, Overmono (live), Earthless, Rochelle Jordan, Methyl Ethel, Kokoroko, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Stiff Richards, Armand Hammer, Soichi Terada, Mo’ju, Rick Wilhite, Freya Josephine Hollick, Jennifer Loveless, E Fishpool, Mulalo, Delivery, DJ Kiti and EXEK.
More through goldenplains.com.au
Cultural Diversity Week
Victoria-wide – March 11-21
Strength lies in differences
Victoria is home to 290 languages and more than 300 ancestries. Cultural Diversity Week is a celebration of this. This year’s theme is Our Past. Our Future: Celebrating and reflecting on the contributions of Victoria’s multicultural communities, so be sure to keep tabs on what is taking place within your community.
More through multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au
Autumn Blues
Bacchus Marsh Racecourse, Bacchus Marsh – March 12
A cure for the blues
Blues by name, blues by nature, Autumn Blues is a one-day blues fest with all the usual goodies of market stalls, food trucks and a licensed area. Your line-up is Wayne Jury, Hey Gringo, Kelly Auty Band, Andrew Borg, Anna Scionti Band and Checkerboard Lounge.
More through eventbrite.com.au
Ocean Grove Acoustic Festival
The Pavilion, Ocean Grove Park – March 12
Australia’s only acoustic music festival
The Pavilion’s superb concert stage will bring remarkable acoustic talent from across the region including The Kite Machine, Famous Will Band, Hassall, Peter Paul and Marion, The King’s Poet and The Von Robertson.
More here.
Ocean Film Festival
Village Cinemas, Geelong – March 15 & Capitol Cinema, Warrnambool – March 16
Wish I was ocean size
The Ocean Film Festival aims to do more than merely entertain. They wish to inspire you to explore, respect, enjoy and protect our oceans.
More through oceanfilmfestivalaustralia.com.au
a day on the green with Rod Stewart & Cyndi Lauper
Mt Duneed Estate, Waurn Ponds – March 17
Sing-alongs aplenty
With more than 250 million in album sales, Rod Stewart is one of the best-selling artists of all time. Cyndi Lauper had four top-five Billboard Hot 100 hits with her debut album. Bring something for your throat as you’ll be singing all night long. They will be joined by Jon Stevens.
More through mtduneedestate.com.au
Aireys Inlet Music Festival
Aireys Inlet – March 17-19
Open up your hearts to Aireys Inlet
In 2022, the Aireys Inlet Open Mic Festival transitioned to a ticketed festival in order to pay artists what they deserved. In 2023, they want the festival to be the best yet. Ella Hooper headlines this year’s event and will perform new material as well as the Killing Heidi hits that have been rocking the airwaves for decades. Other performers include Rocket Science, Andy Golledge, Bones and Jones, Belair Lip Bombs, Foggy Notion, Immy Owusu, Forever Son, Sin City, Zoe Fox & the Rocket Clocks, Beachniks, Queen of Hearts, Dear Buffalo, De Porsal and Matt Bourke & the Delusional Drunks.
More through aireysinlet.com.au
Ella Hooper leads stacked Aireys Inlet Music Festival lineup for March
Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival
Eaglehawk – March 17-19
A splash of colour in any garden
Following a three-year gap, The Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival returns with a fresh look for its 50th anniversary. As well as the bright and beautiful Dahlia show, events include Sunday Family Day, Skips Slalom Skate Challenge, Canterbury Park Fair and a Street Parade. It’s a program bursting at the seams.
More through eaglehawkfestivals.com.au
Castlemaine Fringe
Castlemaine – March 17 through April 2
Life gets exciting on the fringe
The Art Windows Trail and the huge street party Reactivate are among the many wonderful, colourful and thoroughly entertaining events at this year’s Castlemaine Fringe. The festival theme in 2023 is THRIVE.
More through castlemainefringe.org.au
Bendigo Pride Festival
Bendigo – March 17 through April 2
Coming together
A community-initiated event that celebrates, explores and promotes diversity and inclusion, the Bendigo Pride Festival continues to grow. Enjoy such events as the Queer Country Art Exhibition, the always popular Bendigo Queer Film Festival, Bent Broadway Bendigo, Glamaganza Ball and Pride in the Park.
More through bendigopridefestival.com.au
The Herb and Chilli Festival
Wandin, Yarra Valley – March 18 & 19
There’s something for all
This March, for the eleventh year running, Melbournites will have the chance to celebrate these flavours in all of their zesty glory at the Herb and Chilli Festival. From growing them in the garden to plating them up, the festival explores all aspects of the zingy aromatics.
Head to their website here
Bendigo Craft Beer & Cider Fest
Bendigo Racecourse, Bendigo – March 18
A froth or two and some bands-a-roo
You can’t have too much of a good thing, especially when it comes to craft beer and cider. More than 100 craft beers and ciders are on the menu, not to mention plenty of food trucks catering for all tastes. There will be stuff for the kids and some cracking music, too.
More through bendigocraftbeerfestival.com.au
Roo Fest
The Kangaroo Hotel, Maldon – March 18
A rootin’, tootin’ good time
Roo Fest is a monthly event where folk and roots music takes centre stage. Hosted by Graeme Fletcher and Mandy Connell, this month’s event will be headlined by Bendigo’s soul rockin’, psychedelic folkin’ outfit Featherhead.
More through eventbrite.com.au
Castlemaine Idyll
lot19, Castlemaine – March 18
The stage is yours
For more than a decade, Castlemaine Idyll has been unearthing local talent while acting as the annual fundraiser for the lot19 art space. A celebrity judging panel and first-class band will be on hand as a supportive crowd gets behind entrants. This year’s theme is SHINE.
More through lot19art.com
Castlemaine Idyll 2023: Castlemaine’s annual talent contest returns
Ballan Autumn Festival
Ballan – March 19
Holding out for a hero
Celebrating Ballan’s local culture, creativity and community, the Ballan Autumn Festival is in disguise in 2023. It’s a superhero theme where festival-goers are encouraged to dress up. Maybe your superhero wears a cape. Maybe they fight fires. Maybe they’re a neighbour or family member. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, after all. Enjoy a day of entertainment, a street parade, market stalls and the annual pet show.
More through ballanautumnfestival.com.au
Knotfest Melbourne
Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne – March 24
An immersive, unforgettable, ‘dark carnival experience
Headlined by Slipknot, the hugely stacked festival line-up includes the likes of Parkway Drive, Megadeth, Trivium, Northlane and more.
Stay up to date on all things Knotfest here.
Jerkfest XIII
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong – March 25
The jerk store called
Jerkfest has been uniting jerks through sweet music since 2015. Your line-up is Essendon Airport, EXEK, Terry, R.M.F.C., Optic Nerve, YL Hooi, Gee Tee, G2G, Geld, The Vacant Lot, Vintage Crop, Modal Melodies, LOU, Phil & the Tiles, Mug, Cloud Ice 9, Red Hell, Zelkova, The Toads, The Patersons, The Judges and Parsnip DJs.
More through barwonclub.com.au
Clunes Booktown Festival
Clunes – March 25 & 26
A good book is easy to find
Clunes Booktown is a celebration of the book, not only the writing and reading, but the making, illustrating, publishing and retailing. Authors and conversationalists include Tony Birch, Aileen Morton Robinson, Jefa Greenaway, Jacinta Parsons, Ponch Hawkes, Sophie Cunningham, Miles Allinson, Emily Bitto, Emma Viskic, Vikki Petraitis, Jock Serong, Chris Flynn, Nova Weetman, Nina Kenwood, Alice Boyle, Jan Henderson, Janice Simpson, Candice Fox, Michael Cathcart and Nathan Curnow
More through clunesbooktown.com.au
Bendigo Sustainability Festival
Garden for the Future, White Hills – March 26
Many hands make life work
The Bendigo Sustainability Group formed in 2007 as a way for like-minded individuals to help create a more sustainable future. And the Bendigo Sustainability Festival is the perfect platform to spread the message to as many people as possible through displaying and promoting products, programs, reads and services. Your keynote speaker is environmental educator, presenter, speaker and author, Sophie Thomson.
More through bsg.org.au
Ricotta Festival
That’s Amore Cheese, Thomastown – March 26
Relax and take it cheesy
Australia’s only ricotta festival is back for its third year. Fresh, hot ricotta will be served straight from the vat, while other tasty bites include gnocchi sorrentina, porchetta rolls, sausages, burrata, pizza, twisted potatoes, gelato and cannoli. A jungle gym and petting zoo will help keep the kids busy.
More through thatsamorecheese.com.au
Deans Marsh Festival
Deans Marsh Memorial Reserve, Deans Marsh – March 26
Enjoy small town hospitality
Deans Marsh Festival is now 25 years strong, a little slice of festival heaven located a touch more than 20km from Lorne. Enjoy a sunny day of market stalls, local music, entertainment, food, wine, competitions and more.
More through deansmarsh.org.au
CresFest
Creswick – March 31 through April 2
A big tick for Creswick
Nestled between Daylesford and Ballarat, Creswick is home to the blues and roots festival CresFest. Your line-up includes Natalie and Brittany Haas, Kutcha Edwards, White & Matthews, Charm of Finches, Ami Williamson, Kavisha Mazzella, Weeping Willows, Austral, Bush Gothic, Monique Clare, The Maggie Carty Band, Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers, Headphone Jones, Archer, Fred Smith, Greg Champion and Lucy Wise.
More through cresfest.com.au
Meadow
Bambra – March 31 through April 2
For the well-being of well beings
So, you want a festival with no overlapping set times? Welcome to Meadow. Your line-up is Kurt Vile & the Violators, Black Midi, Jen Cloher, Kucka, Cash Savage & the Last Drinks, Big Scary, Loods, Daine, RONA., Agung Mango, Allysha Joy, Our Carlson, Ayebatonye, Mirasia, Ruby Gill, Sunfruits, Gena Rose Bruce, Komang, Setwun, Delivery, Chief Chung, Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice, Workhorse, Way Dynamic, Wildfire Manwurrk, Tamara & the Dreams and The Bloody Norahs.
More through meadowmf.com
