15 Melbourne festivals happening in August
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02.08.2022

15 Melbourne festivals happening in August

Music festivals
Credit: WinterWild Festival
Words by Ben Lamb

Your Melbourne festivals guide for August, featuring all the music festivals, food festivals, film festivals (including the mighty MIFF) and cultural goings-on.

As we hurtle and hurdle through the year, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to Victorian and Melbourne festivals. While our friends up north have had some music festival joy with Splendour in The Grass, we’ve got some cool different things down here in the Big V. From film festivals to celebrations of young entrepreneurs, we’ve got a list of the best events to experience this August.

Food, wine and beer festivals

Winter Night Market

 

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It’s hard to believe we’ve only got one more month of winter, but that means we get one more month of Queen Vic’s Winter Night Market. It’s been one of the most popular spots over the last few months, with attendees loving the great food and entertainment.

The fun will continue into August with some silent discos, magic shows, and lots more. Check out what else is happening here.

After a three year hiatus, Queen Victoria Market returns with huge Night Market program this winter

Lunaverse

This is the perfect type of festival for these warmer months, some of Melbourne’s best breweries are banding together for an event unlike any other. Beer makers from Bodriggy, Hop Nation, Molly Rose and many more will each be on show, presenting some of the coolest and warmest new brews.

On top of that, you’ll get to hear music from some of Anti Fade Records’ best, groups like Foggy Nation and Mightiest of Guns. Check out some more info and booking details over on Bodriggy’s website here.

There’s a three-day live music celebration coming to this Abbotsford brewery

Film festivals

Scandinavian Film Festival

The wider Nordic region is renowned for some high-quality cinema, and we’ll be able to catch the best new flicks when the Scandinavian Film Festival takes place in Melbourne this August.

The region isn’t afraid to get a little different with its on-screen efforts, often pushing the boundaries of what is expected, and creating some really memorable works. Cinemas such as the Palace, Kino, and Pentridge will all be involved. Check out what’s on and book your tickets here.

The Scandinavian Film Festival returns in July

Melbourne Cineverse Film Festival

August is a great month to be a movie fan in Melbourne, we’ve got the Scandinavian Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, and the Melbourne Cinaverse Film Festival.

This festival will be taking place at the great Backlot Studios in South Melbourne, where attendees will get to catch comes of the greatest features and short films. Best of all, tickets start at an easy $5 for students. Check out some more info and book in your tickets here.

Melbourne International Film Festival

 

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The premier event for all things movies makes its triumphant return to Melbourne this year, and it’s got a stacked program that’ll be one to remember for years to come. 2022’s incarnation marks the 70th year of the festival, and to celebrate there’ll be even more things to dive into, talks, masterclasses, premieres, and a whole lot more. There’s bound to be something up your alley. Some of the key movies to keep an eye on are Seriously Red, Three Thousand Years of Longing and Before Now & Then.

There’ll also be a bunch of interesting talks, Mark Coles Smith will dive into the world of acting, Katie Milwright will chat about Cinematography, and Katie Flaxman will bring you behind the curtain of editing, among much more. The festival is happening across select cinemas in Melbourne. It runs from August 4 until August 21. Check out the rest of the program and book it in here.

10 must-see films at the Melbourne International Film Festival 2022

Fashion festivals

Melbourne Retail Festival

 

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Are you a designer or wholesaler? This is the event for you. The Exhibition Building will be jam-packed with some of the world’s coolest up-and-coming brands that want to feature in your shop. You’ll be able to chat with them and see their works displayed on the runway.

Like all good festivals out there, the Melbourne Retail Festival will feature talks, workshops, and a whole lot more. This festival is taking place at Royal Exhibition Building on August 24 and August 25. Dive into more information and grab your tickets here.

Music festivals

WinterWild

 

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These cooler months make a lot of us stay in, but every now and then, an event comes along that leans into that, and makes coming out sound great. The Winterwild festival will light up the Apollo Bay region this August, with events that’ll definitely warm you up.

Ahead of their successful US run, you can catch Aussie rockers Amyl and The Sniffers, an outdoor Wildfeast with some outdoor barbecues, or even some horror-themed events. This festival will be taking place across a number of locations across Apollo Bay. It runs from August 12 until August 28. Check out more info and grab your tickets here.

WinterWild Festival: Victoria’s answer to Dark Mofo returns this August

Crossroads Guitar Festival

 

No, it’s not the annual Eric Clapton festival, but an amazing Aussie festival of the same name. There’ll be some of our best guitarists on show, Kathleen Halloran, who performed with Kate Ceberano, Daniel Spencer, who played with Jimmy Barnes, and Dai Jones, among many more.

There are some ticket options, first-tier tickets involving a three-course meal, and the second-tier as a general admission ticket. It’s happening on Thursday, August 18 at the Transit Rooftop. Check out some more info and book your tickets here.

Monolith Festival

 

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Border closures saw a bunch of Aussie-only line-ups, it was a great time for local musos. After things have been open for a few months, we’ve seen international headliners come back, and Aussie fill supporting roles.

But Monolith is bringing that back with an all-Aussie affair, Karnivool, Cog, and Ocean Grove will be hard rocking their way into Melburnian ears when Monolith hits Melbourne this August. Supporting these bands will be up-and-comers Plini, sleepmakeswaves, Reliqa & Yomi Ship, you can’t get more metal than this. The Monolith Festival is taking place at Port Melbourne Industrial Centre for the Arts on August 27, tickets are selling fast, grab them here.

Karnivool, COG, Ocean Grove headline Melbourne’s Monolith Festival

General festivals

Lightscape

This August sees Lightscape, a journey through all things lights. The Royal Botanic Gardens will be literally lit up during the festival, attendees will get to experience a 1.8km trail of beautiful installations.

There’s said to be around 500,000 lights featured within the festival, giving a fresh and original vibe to the region, making it perfect for some great Insta-worthy pics. Check out some more information and book in your tickets to Lightscape here.

The installation that’s lighting up The Royal Botanic Gardens this winter

Re-Generation Youth Festival

 

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If you’re a younger reader of Beat and looking to get out there in the world, this festival is the one for you. The Re-Generation Youth Festival allows our most business-minded youth to have a platform to share their interesting ideas and ways of thinking.

There’ll be film pitch competitions, concerts, and a whole heap more. It’s happening Friday August 12, check out some more information here. 

Melbourne Houseplant Festival

 

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You probably can’t get anything more Melbourne sounding than this. A festival dedicated to houseplants. In this day and age, plants are becoming children, people are caring for them with their lives, so why not celebrate that?

The Melbourne Houseplant Festival will feature talks, workshops, and lots more, you’ll leave knowing a whole lot more about your green friends. Tickets start from an easy $9, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t head to this.

If you’re a plant lover, there’s even a VIP option, for $199, you can grab a premium ticket, which’ll get you a discount at stalls, workshop access, and much more. This show is taking place at Brunswick’s The Wool Mill on August 21. Grab your tickets here.

Boho Luxe Market

 

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It mightn’t seem like one, but this could definitely be considered a festival, over some dates this August, Melbourne will transform into a little Byron Bay. Attendees can grab some beautiful clothing, jewellery, homewares, and lots more, it’s truly like you’re walking in a Byron Bay shopping centre.

On top of that, you’ll also get to experience an enjoyable sound healing session, so you can relax and get into the moment.  This show is taking place at the Royal Exhibition Building, Nicholson St and Carlton, running from August 26 until August 28 respectively. Check out some more info here.

MS Melbourne Run + Ride Festival

The Melbourne Run and Ride festival is open for athletes of all talents, there’s options from a 2.5km family ride to a whopping 50km ride, and everything in between. You can sign up over on their website and raise some money for MS, the great cause that this festival goes towards to.

For certain goals in the fundraising space, you’ll go into the running for some great prizes, including a holiday, a bike, or a visit to a brewery. It’s taking place on August 28, dive into some more info here.

Teej Festival

The Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria (DBSV) is a group of independent Nepalese women who work to get better opportunities and a better world for women. They’ll be putting on the TEEJ Festival, which will have food, dancing, talks, interactive experiences, and a whole lot more.

Tickets are only $20, grab them and check out some more information here.