Arts & Culture
Lights & Music
Arts & Culture
Sips, Bites & Sights
Calling all bookworms, art aficionados and culture vultures—regional Victoria is calling, and it’s bringing the heat in all the right ways. From multi-sensory exhibitions and avant-garde performances to thought-provoking talks and creative workshops, the state’s arts calendar is packed with Australia’s best and brightest. Read on for all the event details, and where to eat, stay and play while you're there.
Upcoming Events
There’s something special about regional Victoria—it’s where creativity, community and culture collide in the most unexpected ways. The events scene out here is thriving, and every trip feels like a new story waiting to unfold. It’s the best kind of getaway—one that feeds your soul.
Lights & Music
Festival season is officially here. Find your new favourite international artist or catch a live set from a local favourite, or dance the night away under soaring coastal skies. With a stacked calendar of light and music festivals lighting up regional Victoria, the season’s never looked (or sounded) so good. Read on for all the event details, and where to eat, stay and play while you're there.
Upcoming Events
Mildura
28 NOVEMBER 2025
Nostalgia will peak as Lenny Kravitz, joined by special guests Jet, hits Mildura Sporting Precinct on Friday, November 28th.
The icon behind hits like American Woman and Are You Gonna Go My Way is bringing his acclaimed Blue Electric Light tour down under. While he’s playing major cities, Lenny knows there’s nothing like a regional summer road trip.
Make a weekend of it—stay at a riverside holiday park or BYO accommodation and camp at a river beach.
With the gig on Friday night, you’ll have Saturday to sip and graze along the regional winery trail, like Monak Wine Co’s underground cellar door. Don’t forget a handmade cannoli from The Italian Mildura on your way home Sunday.
Lenny Kravitz In Mildura
Sips, Bites & Sights
Ready to kick back with a crisp vino, graze on seasonal eats, and grab a front-row seats to the sunny season’s most iconic moments? Read on for all the event details to get around in regional Victoria, and where to eat, stay and play while you're there.
Upcoming Events
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Navarone Farrell
Melbourne Editor
Queenscliff Music Festival
Queenscliff
28–30 NOVEMBER 2025
Ready to trade traffic jams for toe-tapping tunes under coastal skies? The Queencliff Music Festival is back with its annual festival, running from 28 to 30 November.
Taking over the picturesque Princess Park with stunning views of Port Phillip Bay, expect three days of live tunes. local bites and family-friendly fun.
With a big weekend of grooving ahead, make sure your digs are extra luxe, and book into the Lon Retreat & Spa—with mineral water-fed soaking tubs, steam rooms and breathtaking views of the ocean. Then, before you hit the stage, feast on baked scallops and crispy calamari at Tarra on the Waterfront. You might be wrecked after three days of dancing, but make sure to take a stroll along the historic high street and browse galleries, boutiques and op shops at least once before you go.
Beyond The Valley
Midwest Victoria
28 DECEMBER 2025–1 JANUARY 2026
Nothing’s worse than no plans on New Year’s Eve. And there’s no time like now to act on last year’s resolution to get organised.
The humble multi-day camping festival is sadly a dying breed in 2025, so see the year out in proper (read: dusty) style at Barunah Plains, 90 minutes from Melbourne. Enjoy five days of dancing, camping and art with around 30,000 of your nearest and dearest. Stock up on supplies and your last proper coffee at Moriac General Store before heading to the festivities.
Beyond The Valley is celebrating its 10th birthday this year. While the lineup isn’t out yet, expect something big. After five days of grooving, refuel with a life-giving parma and pint at The Batesford Hotel.
Ready to get out there? Head to
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River Lights
Swan HILL
11 - 13th july 2025
Get ready, River Lights is back in Swan Hill, and it’s bigger, brighter, and downright more dazzling than ever. Returning for its third glowing year during the July school holidays, this magical event will once again transform the Pioneer Settlement into a wonderland of light, story, and sparkle. Think history meets high-tech, with a sprinkle of small-town charm and a whole lot of wow.
For 10 epic nights, the Little Murray River will shimmer with colour, as light installations and immersive storytelling whisk you through time. It’s heritage, but make it electric. This all-ages spectacular is lighting up winter nights—and our hearts.
You'll need to keep your energy levels high, so grab a classic country pie to go at Swan Hill Bakehouse, or spend a slow morning dining on the Murray at Spoons Riverside.
BOOK NOW >
River Lights
Swan HILL
11 - 13th july 2025
Get ready, River Lights is back in Swan Hill, and it’s bigger, brighter, and downright more dazzling than ever. Returning for its third glowing year during the July school holidays, this magical event will once again transform the Pioneer Settlement into a wonderland of light, story, and sparkle. Think history meets high-tech, with a sprinkle of small-town charm and a whole lot of wow.
For 10 epic nights, the Little Murray River will shimmer with colour, as light installations and immersive storytelling whisk you through time. It’s heritage, but make it electric. This all-ages spectacular is lighting up winter nights—and our hearts.
You'll need to keep your energy levels high, so grab a classic country pie to go at Swan Hill Bakehouse, or spend a slow morning dining on the Murray at Spoons Riverside.
BOOK NOW >
River Lights
Swan HILL
11 - 13th july 2025
Get ready, River Lights is back in Swan Hill, and it’s bigger, brighter, and downright more dazzling than ever. Returning for its third glowing year during the July school holidays, this magical event will once again transform the Pioneer Settlement into a wonderland of light, story, and sparkle. Think history meets high-tech, with a sprinkle of small-town charm and a whole lot of wow.
For 10 epic nights, the Little Murray River will shimmer with colour, as light installations and immersive storytelling whisk you through time. It’s heritage, but make it electric. This all-ages spectacular is lighting up winter nights—and our hearts.
You'll need to keep your energy levels high, so grab a classic country pie to go at Swan Hill Bakehouse, or spend a slow morning dining on the Murray at Spoons Riverside.
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BOOK NOW >
Mildura Fringe Festival
The Murray
30 October–16 November 2025
Fringe is coming to Mildura, bringing two weeks of theatre, circus and quirky live performance to the banks of the Murray. Alongside a stacked lineup, the festival grounds will transform into a vibrant playground with food trucks, late-night DJ sets and even a fire show to top it all off. It’s the perfect excuse to finally get that houseboat trip out of the group chat. Book with All Seasons Houseboats and snooze, swim, canoe, fish or explore your way down the river—all from your own floating digs. While you’re in citrus country, swing by Orange World, and be sure to book a table at Stefano’s for a rustic Italian feast you won’t forget.
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Graze The Day
Timboon Amphitheatre, Eastern Maar Country
22 November 2025
Graze The Day is set to return for its second year in the Timboon Amphitheatre on beautiful Eastern Maar Country this summer. A celebration of artisan makers and creators from the Great Ocean Road region, you’ll have the chance to sample wine, beer and gin from the surrounding area, as well as indulge in a few scoops from local heroes Timboon Fine Ice Cream. Make a weekend of it with a stay at one of three unique Timboon Tiny Homes, nestled among native bushland overlooking Power Creek. Drop into Schulz Organic Creamery & Cafe for lunch on Sunday. One of their toasties or cheese platters pair perfectly with a glass of fresh full cream milk straight from the dairy. Doesn’t get much fresher than that.
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Lenny Kravitz In Mildura
MILDURA
28 NOVEMBER 2025
Nostalgia will peak as Lenny Kravitz, joined by special guests Jet, hits Mildura Sporting Precinct on Friday, November 28th.
The icon behind hits like American Woman and Are You Gonna Go My Way is bringing his acclaimed Blue Electric Light tour down under. While he’s playing major cities, Lenny knows there’s nothing like a regional summer road trip.
Make a weekend of it—stay at a riverside holiday park or BYO accommodation and camp at a river beach.
With the gig on Friday night, you’ll have Saturday to sip and graze along the regional winery trail, like Monak Wine Co’s underground cellar door. Don’t forget a handmade cannoli from The Italian Mildura on your way home Sunday.
BOOK NOW >
Bendigo Writers Festival
BENDIGO
14–17 August 2025
Bookworms, word nerds and story lovers—Bendigo Writers Festival is back to warm your winter with conversation, creativity and inspiration. Since 2012, this lit-loving weekend has transformed Bendigo into a buzzing hub of ideas, tales and lively debate.
Across three days, the city fills with authors, poets, and curious minds, ready to dive into panels, performances, readings and workshops. Book a stay at the historic Hotel Shamrock so you don’t miss a moment.
Between sessions, ride a vintage Bendigo tram, sip wine or a cocktail at Ms Batterhams, or sample a local brew at Bendigo Brewing. From fiery talks to quiet reflections, it’s a celebration of storytelling in all its glorious forms. Whether you’re after your next great read or just love a good yarn, this festival is your winter happy place.
BOOK NOW >
Lenny Kravitz In Mildura
MILDURA
28 NOVEMBER 2025
Nostalgia will peak as Lenny Kravitz, joined by special guests Jet, hits Mildura Sporting Precinct on Friday, November 28th.
The icon behind hits like American Woman and Are You Gonna Go My Way is bringing his acclaimed Blue Electric Light tour down under. While he’s playing major cities, Lenny knows there’s nothing like a regional summer road trip.
Make a weekend of it—stay at a riverside holiday park or BYO accommodation and camp at a river beach.
With the gig on Friday night, you’ll have Saturday to sip and graze along the regional winery trail, like Monak Wine Co’s underground cellar door. Don’t forget a handmade cannoli from The Italian Mildura on your way home Sunday.
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BOOK NOW >
Grounded
Dookie, Goulburn
29 NOVEMBER 2025
Ever been to a music festival in a quarry? Set in the dramatic surrounds of the unused Dookie Quarry on Yorta Yorta Country, Grounded is a once a year music festival that was initially born from a love of live music and community.
Focused on celebrating regional voices, expect to dance under open skies and experience that special kind of magic that only the land, people and music combo can truly deliver. Buses from the festival site will drop you straight back to nearby Shepparton, so plan to stay the night in town and spend your Sunday morning in exploration mode. Start at Elsewhere for coffee and a bite to eat, and seeing as it’s located inside the Art Museum it would be rude not to have a poke around on your way out. Be sure to finish up with a stroll around town to see the Aboriginal Street Art Project Murals before cruising back down the Hume.
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Sunnyside
Ballarat, Goldfields
7-23 November 2025
Sunnyside is a non-traditional take on a multi-artist event, focusing on community collaboration with a single visiting artist.
In this case, the visitor is London’s own Morag Myerscough,
known and adored for her unapologetic use of colour and pattern.
Morag will transform the iconic Mining Exchange into a multi-sensory wonderland with her work Chasing Sunbeams, alongside this you'll find a jam packed community led program with creative workshops, talks, and free roaming experiences to explore.
Come for the art, and stay for the food with plenty of new spots ready to satisfy that Melbourne foodie fire burning inside you.
If it’s fine dining you’re after, book a seat at Babae where Tim Foster (ex Source Dining, Kyneton) will take you on a journey of local, seasonal ingredients over seven courses. Or for something
a little more casual, Pancho on Mair Street has you covered with cocktails and Latin American eats. Staying overnight?
The Provincial is the spot, complete with a St Ali coffee
to help you out of bed in the morning.
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Island Whale Festival
Phillip Island
11–13 july 2025
From July 11-13, Phillip Island is rolling out the welcome mat for the whale-watching event of the year. As the majestic humpbacks, southern rights, and maybe even a killer whale or two make their annual journey north, it’s the perfect time to grab a front-row seat to nature’s most epic show.
For a front-row seat to all the action, stay a few days at the charming Genesta House Bed and Breakfast in July. From May to September, these giants grace our waters, but July? That’s when the island goes into full celebration mode—because nothing says “community spirit” like whale love. In between sightings, explore a piece of history on the Kitty Miller Bay Walk, and sample fresh seafood and grain-fed steaks at The Westernport Hotel.
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