Dumplings, DJs and carnival rides: Melbourne’s momo festival is finally coming back

Not all heroes wear capes — some fold dumplings at Footscray Park for a living.

Momo Fest Melbourne 2026 is heading back to the west after a seven-year hiatus, taking over Footscray Park across two days in April. The festival is entirely dedicated to momo — the beloved Nepalese dumplings that have become a staple of Melbourne’s food scene — and it’s completely free to attend with registration.

Momo Fest Melbourne 2026

• Footscray Park, Melbourne — 11 and 12 April, 12pm to 10pm
• Free entry with registration via Eventbrite

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.

@brendanpang

NEPALESE CHICKEN MOMO (DUMPLINGS) that you have to try! 🥟🥟🥟 – 40 dumpling wrappers Chicken filling – 500g minced chicken – ½ red onion, finely chopped – ½ cup spring onion, finely chopped – ½ cup fresh coriander, finely chopped – 1 tbsp garlic, minced – 1 tbsp ginger, grated – 1 tsp turmeric – 1 tsp red chili powder – 1 teaspoon garam masala – Salt – 2 tbsp melted butter or ghee Punchy Chutney – 1 tbsp vegetable oil – 2 red chilies, chopped – 1 tbsp garlic, minced – 1 tbsp ginger, grated – 4 medium tomatoes, chopped – ½ tsp turmeric – 1 tsp chilli powder – salt, to taste – 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds – ¼ cup fresh coriander To serve – Chilli oil (optional) – Coriander – Sesame Seeds To make the filling mix all of the ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Place 1 tsp of filling in the centre of a dumpling wrapper and line the edges with water. Place the wrapper flat onto a working surface and working with both sets of index fingers and thumbs, pleat and pinch the edge of the wrapper to form what resembles a money bag. Pinch the wrapper at the end to ensure it is completely enclosed and sealed. Steam dumplings on medium – high heat for 8 – 10 minutes. To make the chutney, heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chilli, garlic and ginger and fry off until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, turmeric, chilli powder and salt and cook for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes have softened. Transfer to a blender and add sesame seeds and coriander. Blend until smooth. To serve, spoon a generous amount of the chutney onto the serving dish followed by the dumplings. Drizzle with some chilli oil and top with coriander and sesame seeds. #momo chickenmo#chickenmomonepalesedumplingsgs #chutney #foodtiktok #recipes #nepalesefood #fyp #cooking #chickendumplings

♬ Fantastic and romantic violin song – Sumochi

First launched in 2017, Momo Fest Melbourne ran successfully for three consecutive years before the pandemic put things on hold. Now in its long-awaited return, the 2026 edition will feature more than 40 food and drink vendors serving up a huge spread of momo varieties alongside other dishes, plus live music from international and local acts, DJs, multicultural performances, roving entertainers, carnival rides and interactive workshops including momo-making competitions.

The two-day program runs from midday to 10pm each day, making it a solid option for families during the daytime and anyone chasing a more vibrant atmosphere as the evening kicks in. Kids’ entertainment and carnival games round out the offering for younger attendees.

Momo Fest Melbourne positions itself as Australia’s only festival solely devoted to momo. Registered attendees also go into the draw for prizes throughout the weekend. The event’s previous editions drew thousands of visitors to Melbourne’s inner west, establishing the festival as one of the city’s more distinctive multicultural food gatherings before its extended break.

For more information, head here.