It's officially silly season and these are the best festivals and events where you can do just that.
It’s time to party! And from camping festivals to inner-city day events, there are plenty of places where you can let your freak flag fly – perhaps too many.
Lather on the sunscreen, charge up your phone and crush those overpriced festival beers, because it’s time to get out there and go wild. For those of you who already have your tickets, we’ll see you there. But for those who don’t, we’ve put together a list of the best festivals in December and January.
Read about the best festivals in Melbourne all year long here.
Christmas Festival
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- Melbourne
- Throughout December
Watch Christmas come alive as the City of Melbourne’s Christmas Festival hits the streets this December. With free events, activities and decorations all over the city, the Christmas Festival is your one-stop shop during this festive season. Family-friendly and accessible to all, there’s nothing quite like it to get you in the holiday spirit.
Good Things
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- Flemington Racecourse
- 6 December
Things are only getting better from here on out with Good Things arriving in town on December 6. Head over to Flemington Racecourse for a day of headbanging along to local, national and international metal, pop-punk and alternative bands. Melbourne’s edition of the festival includes headliners Korn, Sum 41 and Violent Femmes.
Gateway Festival
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- Heide Museum of Modern Art Sculpture Park
- 7 December
Heide’s Sculpture Park is about to be transformed into a portal of live music, sound and colour as Gateway Festival takes over. Dance by the banks of the river and between the scattered sculptures as the music takes hold of this slice of paradise in northeastern Naarm.
Jamaican Music and Food Festival
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- Seaworks, Williamstown
- 7 December
Transporting a slice of the Caribbean to Williamstown’s Seaworks, the Jamaican Music and Food Festival is a day-long celebration of vibrant art and culture. The festival boasts some of the biggest names all the way from the island of reggae. Catch Anthony B, Flames Eye, DJ Banna and much more there this December 7.
Bilyana
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- Eldorado
- 6-8 December
Formally known as The Festival of Folk, Rhythm and Life, Bilyana may have changed names, but the immaculate vibes are still steadfastly the same. At this boutique festival in country Victoria, you can catch all your folk favourites as well as discover some new ones.
Meredith
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- Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre
- 6-8 December
The ‘Sup has never looked so good with a lineup that is sure to make the Amphitheatre glow golden this year. Jamie XX, Waxahatchee and Genesis Owusu are leading a troop of the best musos going around. Combine that with the transcendental magic of the ‘Sup at sunset and voila – you’ve got one of the best festivals in December.
Nariel Creek Folk Festival
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- Nariel Creek
- 27 December 27 to 2 January
If you’re looking for a wholesome way to bring in the new year, Nariel Creek Folk Festival has you sorted. A laidback gathering of country lovers and curious people, Nariel Creek is all about celebrating traditional folk. Come for the old-time music and dances, stay for the spectacular vibes.
Beyond The Valley
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- Hesse
- 28 December to 1 January
Ring in the New Year to the sound of some of the hottest names on the international music circuit at Beyond The Valley. FISHER, Ice Spice, Chase & Status and more are soundtracking this technicolour journey of sound and light just an hour and a half out of the city. There’ll even be a podcast stage featuring some massive names in the airwave game.
NYE On The Hill
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- South Gippsland
- 30 December 30 to 1 January
Journey to The Hill this New Year’s Eve and bring in 2025 with a bang as Mallrat, Hockey Dad, The Dreggs and more soundtrack the countdown. Taking place in the countryside oasis of South Gippsland, this is a festival of nothing but friends and good music to tide you over into the new year.
Tanglewood Festival
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- Thornton, Lake Eildon
- 30 December 30 to 2 January
Make your New Year’s Eve a wholesome one at Tanglewood Festival by the serene Lake Eildon. A family-friendly affair that showcases homegrown art and locally loved music, Tanglewood is all about reconnecting to the community and celebrating good vibes. Plus, it’s BYO, so all you need is an esky and some mates, and you’re set.
When Pigs Fly
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- Collingwood Children’s Farm
- 31 December
A festival that feels like it’s unfolding in the rugged scenery of the deep Victorian bush, When Pigs Fly is your go-to NYE event if you don’t want to stray too far from the city. Tucked into the banks of the Yarra at Collingwood Children’s Farm, this is a festival for all the party legends who want to the new year into existence.
Let Them Eat Cake
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- Werribee Mansion
- 1 January
All of your favourite Aussie DJs are gathering around Werribee Mansion this New Year’s Day for a party like no other. Let Them Eat Cake is welcoming the best of the best of the dance music circuit, plus some international gems. Expect everyone from DJ JNETT to Jennifer Cardini, plus much more.
Ocean Sounds
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- Phillip Island
- 11 January
Feel the ocean spray on your cheeks and the breeze in your hair at Phillip Island’s Ocean Sounds this January. Summer has never sounded so good with crowd favourites Boy & Bear, Birds of Tokyo and The Cat Empire headlining this island festival of great music and even better vibes.
Midsumma Carnival
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- Alexandra Gardens
- 19 January
Melbourne’s biggest queer celebration is back this January with Midsumma Carnival gearing up to take over Alexandra Gardens. The outdoor day festival is an explosion of performances, activities, music, food and much more, kicking off the famed three-week-long Midsumma Festival.
For more on the best festivals in December and January, head here.
