Melbourne hosts major festivals throughout the year, including Moomba in March, the Comedy Festival in autumn, and the Melbourne Cup Carnival in November.
This guide lists all major annual festivals in Melbourne for 2026, including confirmed dates, locations, and what to expect.
Contents
- 1 Major Melbourne Festivals in 2026 (Quick List)
- 2 January Festivals
- 3 Let Them Eat Cake Festival
- 4 Australian Open
- 5 Midsumma Festival
- 6 February Festivals
- 7 Lunar New Year Festival
- 8 St Kilda Festival
- 9 March Festivals
- 10 Moomba Festival
- 11 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
- 12 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
- 13 Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- 14 April Festivals
- 15 Melbourne Queer Film Festival
- 16 Good Beer Week
- 17 May Festivals
- 18 Melbourne Writers Festival
- 19 Melbourne Knowledge Week
- 20 June Festivals
- 21 RISING Festival
- 22 Melbourne International Jazz Festival
- 23 July Festivals
- 24 Firelight Festival
- 25 August Festivals
- 26 Melbourne International Film Festival
- 27 Melbourne International Games Week
- 28 September Festivals
- 29 Melbourne Fringe Festival
- 30 AFL Grand Final Week
- 31 October Festivals
- 32 PAX Australia
- 33 November Festivals
- 34 Melbourne Cup Carnival
- 35 Melbourne Music Week
- 36 December Festivals
- 37 Melbourne Christmas Festival
- 38 New Year’s Eve Fireworks
- 39 Which Melbourne Festivals Should You Prioritise?
- 40 Planning Your Visit
Major Melbourne Festivals in 2026 (Quick List)
- Australian Open — January 12 – February 1
- Midsumma Festival — January 18 – February 8
- St Kilda Festival — February 14–15
- Moomba Festival — March 5–9
- Melbourne Food & Wine Festival — March 20–29
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival — March 25 – April 19
- RISING Festival — May 27 – June 8
- Melbourne International Film Festival — August 6–23
- Melbourne Cup Carnival — November 3 (Cup Day)
I have spent years going to Melbourne’s festivals, sometimes with my kids, sometimes dragging my husband along, and sometimes going solo. The city’s calendar is genuinely one of the best in Australia, and 2026 has a few updates worth knowing about.
January Festivals
Let Them Eat Cake Festival
2026 Date: January 1
Location: Coburg Velodrome
An all-day electronic music festival on New Year’s Day with art installations, food, and live sets. The move to Coburg makes it easier to access compared to previous years.
Australian Open
2026 Dates: January 12 – February 1
Location: Melbourne Park & Federation Square
One of Melbourne’s biggest sporting events, running nearly three weeks. Even without tickets, Federation Square offers free viewing zones, food, and live atmosphere.
Midsumma Festival
2026 Dates: January 18 – February 8
Location: Various venues
Melbourne’s major LGBTQIA+ festival with over 250 events. Highlights include the Carnival, Pride March, and Victoria’s Pride Street Party.
February Festivals
Lunar New Year Festival
2026 Date: February 22
Location: Chinatown
Dragon dances, fireworks, and food stalls transform Chinatown into one of the most vibrant celebrations of the year.
St Kilda Festival
2026 Dates: February 14–15
Location: St Kilda Beach
Australia’s largest free music festival with live stages, food trucks, and beachside concerts.
March Festivals
Moomba Festival
2026 Dates: March 5–9
Location: Melbourne CBD & Birrarung Marr
Melbourne’s biggest free festival featuring parades, fireworks, carnival rides, and the Birdman Rally.
Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
2026 Dates: March 12–15
Location: Albert Park
One of the biggest events on Melbourne’s calendar with racing, entertainment zones, and huge crowds.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
2026 Dates: March 20–29
A 10-day celebration with hundreds of food events, including the famous World’s Longest Lunch.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2026 Dates: March 25 – April 19
One of the largest comedy festivals globally, featuring hundreds of shows across the city.
April Festivals
Melbourne Queer Film Festival
2026 Dates: Early to mid-April (TBC)
Australia’s longest-running LGBTQIA+ film festival showcases diverse stories and cinema.
Good Beer Week
2026 Dates: Late April (TBC)
A city-wide celebration of craft beer with tastings, pairings, and brewery events.
May Festivals
Melbourne Writers Festival
2026 Dates: May 7–10
A major literary event featuring authors, talks, and workshops across Melbourne.
Melbourne Knowledge Week
2026 Dates: Early May (TBC)
Focused on innovation, design, and technology with talks and interactive experiences.
June Festivals
RISING Festival
2026 Dates: May 27 – June 8
A major arts and culture festival combining music, installations, and performances.
Melbourne International Jazz Festival
2026 Dates: June (TBC)
Live jazz performances across theatres, bars, and unique venues.
July Festivals
Firelight Festival
2026 Dates: Late July (TBC)
Docklands comes alive with fire shows, light displays, and winter experiences.
August Festivals
Melbourne International Film Festival
2026 Dates: August 6–23
One of the world’s oldest film festivals, showcasing international and local films.
Melbourne International Games Week
2026 Dates: Late August (TBC)
Australia’s biggest gaming event including PAX Australia.
September Festivals
Melbourne Fringe Festival
2026 Dates: September (TBC)
Independent arts festival featuring theatre, comedy, and experimental performances.
AFL Grand Final Week
2026 Dates: Late September
One of Melbourne’s biggest sporting events with parades and city-wide celebrations.
October Festivals
PAX Australia
2026 Dates: October (TBC)
The largest gaming convention in the Southern Hemisphere.
November Festivals
Melbourne Cup Carnival
2026 Dates: First week of November
A week-long racing and fashion event culminating in Melbourne Cup Day.
Melbourne Music Week
2026 Dates: November (TBC)
Pop-up music events across Melbourne’s venues and hidden spaces.
December Festivals
Melbourne Christmas Festival
2026 Dates: December
Christmas lights, markets, and festive installations across the CBD.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
2026 Date: December 31
Fireworks displays across the city marking the end of the year.
Which Melbourne Festivals Should You Prioritise?
If you are visiting Melbourne for the first time, Moomba, the Comedy Festival, and the Melbourne Cup Carnival are the most popular.
Food lovers should prioritise the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, while arts and culture visitors should consider RISING and Fringe.
Planning Your Visit
To explore more events, see our Melbourne events guide or check Melbourne concerts for upcoming shows.