St Kilda Festival is back and better than ever from 18 – 19 February, featuring First Peoples First on the Saturday and then a return to huge crowds on the Sunday.
Australia’s most popular and iconic free music festival, St Kilda Festival, is returning in 2023 for its 42nd year.
Presented by City of Port Phillip, the festival will take place over two days on both 18 and 19 February across its beloved traditional location on the St Kilda Foreshore and its surrounds. The Saturday of the festival – First Peoples First – will showcase a huge lineup of First Peoples’ talent, followed by the traditional Big Festival Sunday.
St Kilda Festival 2023
- Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 February 2023
- Full program to be announced on 18 January
- St Kilda Foreshore and surrounds, St Kilda
- stkildafestival.com.au for more info
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First Peoples First day will feature Christine Anu headlining a lineup of feature artists programmed by the Archie Roach Foundation, including a tribute to the late Uncle Archie, who played St Kilda Festival 13 times, making him the festival’s most-appeared artist.
Headliners for Big Festival Sunday include Hoodoo Gurus and Confidence Man, with more than 50 additional acts to be announced on 18 January.
Also returning for 2023 on the Sunday is the highly-regarded New Music Competition, which recognises the importance of promoting and providing a platform for emerging musicians. From the top 10 entrants who’ll be performing on the New Music Stage in Fitzroy Street, the crowd favourite will take home a $5,000 cash prize, as well as an invitation to perform at the St Kilda Festival Main Stage in 2024.
Multiple stages will take over St Kilda for Big Festival Sunday, including the O’Donnell Gardens Stage with dedicated family programming, workshops and activations. The best of Australian live music will be showcased at the Main Stage on South Beach Reserve, as well as the Triangle Stage, Catani Gardens Stage, and the new Locals Stage at Acland Plaza.
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Roving performers and buskers will entertain throughout the precinct. The Festival has placed a bigger commitment on improving accessibility for audiences and aims to provide a more inclusive experience.
Acting Mayor of Port Phillip, Cr Andrew Bond says: “The 2023 Festival will return to its traditional format, with the foreshore and surrounds coming alive with local live music and entertainment. We can’t wait to welcome crowds back for this fantastic celebration of Australian music in beautiful beachside St Kilda.”
St Kilda Festival Lead Sullivan Patten said: “St Kilda Festival will once again celebrate this country’s talented and eclectic music makers, as well as bringing families, festival lovers and the community together for an unforgettable experience.”
St Kilda Festival’s diverse program features live Australian music, dance performances, workshops, sports demonstrations, community group activities, food and market stalls, extended business trading, roving entertainment and a dedicated family-friendly stage.
Renowned as one of Australia’s largest and longest-running free music and cultural event, the festival brings significant economic benefits to St Kilda while celebrating and promoting Australian talent. The festival has seen many formats since its inception more than 40 years ago, regularly attracting more than 400,000 visitors to the foreshore.
For the latest info, follow St Kilda Festival on Instagram above or head to the website here.
