Get ready to shuck yeah - Melbourne's most beloved seafood street party is back for its tenth anniversary, promising six whopping tonnes of mussels and a stellar lineup of local jazz talent taking over South Melbourne Market this March.
The Port Phillip Mussel & Jazz Festival has established itself as one of the city’s most anticipated food events, drawing thousands of hungry punters to feast on fresh seafood while grooving to smooth jazz beats.
This year’s milestone celebration features an expanded lineup of vendors including crowd favorites Claypots Evening Star, Simply Spanish and Bambu, alongside exciting pop-ups from Western Port Mussels and Billy Van Creamy. The cult-favorite Squid & Things returns with their infamous Squid on a Stick, while local market legends Aptus Seafoods, South Melbourne Seafoods and Gem Pier will be showcasing their finest catches through live cooking demonstrations.
For those less inclined toward oceanic offerings, the festival promises a diverse range of alternative food options, with the entire market remaining open throughout the festivities. Think burrata sangas, French pastries, bargain boreks and German street food to satisfy every palate.
Port Phillip Mussel & Jazz Festival 2025
- Dates: Saturday March 8 and Sunday March 9, 11am – 9pm
- Venue: South Melbourne Market, Cecil Street, South Melbourne
- Entry: Free
- Transport: 96 tram, walk, ride or drive
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
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Music lineup
Saturday 8 March
11 am: Charlie Needs Braces
1 pm: Margie Lou Dyer
3 pm: The Culture Combo (featuring Christine Manetta)
5 pm: The Seduceaphones
6 pm: We Love Elvis (Rohan Hammit)
7.30 pm: The Jackson Combo (featuring The Mussel Horns)
8.20 pm: Jackson Wade Band
Sunday 9 March
11 am: Noria & the Parisians
1 pm: Jen Salisbury Trio
3 pm: Miss Lizzy and the Night Owls
5 pm: Hoodoo Mayhem
7 pm: The Shuffle Club
The festival’s sonic offerings are equally mouth-watering, with Charlie Needs Braces (the latest project from Naarm-based musician Charlie Woods) gracing the lineup alongside acclaimed French chanteuse Noria Letts. Melbourne jazz favorites including Margie Lou Dyer, Hoodoo Mayhem and The Shuffle Club round out a program that promises to keep bodies moving from lunch until late.
“The Port Phillip Mussel & Jazz Festival embodies everything South Melbourne Market represents – it’s a celebration of food, culture and community,” City of Port Phillip Mayor, Cr Louise Crawford, says. “We welcome everyone to come along and enjoy a day out with family and friends, feasting, dancing, and enjoying the delicious food offer and live music program at this free event. In addition to the festival, there is also the Emerald Hill Library Open Day and the annual Porsche & Coffee Meet on Clarendon Street, so it’s the perfect weekend to explore all South Melbourne has to offer.”
The weekend also features cooking demonstrations, kids’ activities, roving performances, and giveaways, transforming Cecil Street into a vibrant celebration of Melbourne’s food and music culture.
Save the shells
In an impressive display of environmental consciousness, the festival continues its partnership with The Nature Conservancy through the Shuck Don’t Chuck program. Last year’s event contributed over 90 cubic metres of shells to rebuild lost reefs and ecosystems in Port Phillip Bay, proving that sustainable seafood consumption can directly benefit local marine environments.
For more information, follow South Melbourne Market here.