The best festivals and events on in Melbourne this April
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NewsCulture
28.03.2025

The best festivals and events on in Melbourne this April

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Words by Juliette Salom

Autumn is well and truly here, and with it comes a slew of events to hit up over April.

The leaves are orange, the air is crisp and the event calendar is chugging along full steam ahead this April. While the larger Melbourne festivals start to pack down their amps and lights around Victoria, the little guy is taking centre stage.

Over the course of the month, a plethora of regional, community, single-day and smaller festivals take hold of our cities and towns. From countryside festivals to light installation extravaganzas, there’s no slowing down when it comes to April’s event agenda. Read on to find out which Melbourne festivals and events are going on this April.

Check out our gig guide, our arts guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.

The Story of the Moving Image

 

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  • ACMI
  • Throughout April

You’ll never be stuck for something to do in the city with ACMI’s free exhibition, The Story of The Moving Image. This family-friendly and accessible exhibition invites movie lovers and cinephiles to journey through the history of the moving image.

Cresfest

  • Creswick
  • April 4 to April 6

Beloved festival Cresfest is coming back to the heritage town of Creswick for its fourth lap around the sun. Cresfest is a wholesome three-day extravaganza featuring some stellar Australian and international talent, as well as workshops and a busking competition. 

NGV Friday Nights: Yayoi Kusama

  • National Gallery of Victoria
  • April 4, 11 and 18

Yayoi Kusama’s revolutionary artwork will be getting one last wind at the NGV this April as NGV Friday Nights close out the exhibition with a final bang. Expect top-notch musicians soundtracking the gallery halls as you peruse the art. 

Jamieson Autumn Festival

  • Jamieson
  • April 4 to April 6

Experience autumn to the maximum around the rolling hills of Jamieson at this year’s Autumn Festival. There’ll be music, arts and crafts, food and community games to get you involved.

Castlemaine Fringe Festival

  • Castlemaine
  • Until April 6

Castlemaine is getting kooky this month as the local Fringe Festival takes over town. A plethora of events will be happening at a wide range of venues throughout the first week of April, with comedy, performance, music, art and more.

Shepparton Albanian Harvest Festival

  • Shepparton
  • April 6

Experience a Sunday in Shepparton like no other with the Albanian Harvest Festival unfolding in early April. This hub of culture, community and entertainment will be a sight to behold, happening at Queens Garden throughout the day.

The Man From Snowy River Bush Festival

  • Corryong
  • April 10 to April 13

Corryong’s favourite bush festival is back for another rodeo in Victoria’s high country. The jam-packed festivities include a wide range of events to get you in the country spirit, from ute musters to bush music. 

Benalla Street Art Festival

  • Benalla
  • April 11 to April 13

Back for its 10-year anniversary, the Benalla Street Art Festival will breathe a burst of colour into the streets, roads and alleyways of Victoria’s North East. The art is free for all to see, but a guided walking tour can also be enjoyed for just $5. 

Inked Expo

  • Convention Centre
  • April 11 to April 13

Tattoo enthusiasts are invited to the Convention Centre for a two-day bonanza that will feature workshops, sessions and panels on all-things tattooing. See the work of great artists in action and get in on the fun by getting a tat of your own. For tattoo fanatics, this is one of the top Melbourne festivals of the year.

Ultra Australia

 

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  • Flemington Racecourse
  • April 12

Electronic music festival Ultra is coming to Naarm this month with a lineup to rival them all. Swedish producer Axwell, Norwegian duo Da Tweekaz and Italian DJ Deborah De Luca are all bringing some international flavour to Aussie shores.

LIT

 

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  • Werribee
  • Until April 13

April will see Wyndham Park in Werribee transform into a playground of light and colour as LIT takes over. A free, family-friendly and all-accessible festival, it’s the perfect chance to check out the amazing light installations on display.

Tastes of the Goulburn

  • Seymour
  • April 16

Goulburn Valley’s premier food and wine festival is back for another swing around the valley with festivities unfolding in Seymour. Live bands, chef demonstrations, tastings and more will be on offer at Tastes of the Goulburn.

Metropolis Festival: Composing Australia

  • Melbourne Recital Centre
  • April 16 and April 17

Over two special nights in mid-April, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will be bringing its signature soundscapes to Melbourne Recital Centre. Metropolis Festival will be placing talented young composers centre stage. Easily on of the best Melbourne festivals for classical music and beyond.

Bendigo Easter Festival

 

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  • Bendigo
  • April 18 to April 21

The regional city hub of Bendigo is throwing a massive Easter Festival over the long weekend. Taking over Rosalind Park and the surrounding streets, this is the perfect way to spend the Easter weekend with the family.

Stars & Bars

  • Heathcote
  • April 25 and April 26

The Stars & Bars Festival in Heathcote is creating a magical mystery tour of its own with a multi-stop bus ride that will journey party-goers to a variety of venues, breweries and wineries. Plus, there’ll be loads of great music.

For more on the best Melbourne festivals and events, head here.

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