Keep the good times rolling this summer with a festival-filled February.
From sonic escapes in the bush to cultural festivities in the city, Melbourne’s festival calendar has never looked so hot.
Summer is sizzling and so are the events programs of a plethora of arts, music, film and cultural festivals around the CBD and beyond. There’s a little something for anyone and everyone this month.
Whether you’re itching for a getaway into the shrubs and scenery of the coast, or you’re keen as a bean for a day of great music in the city to drown out the noise of normal life, we’ve got you sorted with the best festivals and events to check out this February.
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
National Sustainability Festival
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- Various venues
- Throughout February
All month long, the National Sustainability Festival is taking over the town with a program of events to educate, inspire, engage and celebrate our environment. From workshops to discussion forums, come together with a community of like-minded folk to combat climate change.
Open Air at the Square
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- Fed Square
- Throughout February
The heart of the city is coming alive for another sizzling month of free open-air activities at Fed Square. From an outdoor cinema to live concerts, and cultural festivals to kid-friendly events, there’s something for everyone at the Square this February.
Focus on Peter Weir
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- ACMI
- February 1 to 14
Whether you’re a film buff or just want to sink into a good flick this summer to escape the heat, ACMI is putting on a very special tribute to iconic Aussie director Peter Weir. The man behind classics like Picnic at Hanging Rock and The Truman Show, you can catch his catalogue of work on the big screen this month.
Port Fairy Jazz Festival
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- Port Fairy
- February 7 to 9
Jazz fans unite. Port Fairy Jazz Festival will see over 100 bands perform across a groove-filled weekend in the charming town of Port Fairy. There’ll be jazz of all kinds to keep you moving and shaking, from New Orleans style to swing and classic trad.
Midsumma Festival
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- Various venues
- Until February 9
Midsumma is ramping things up this month with a whole bunch of festivities across the city. The key events to keep an eye out for are the iconic Midsumma Pride March and the celebratory Victoria’s Pride Street Party.
Lunar New Year
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- Fed Square
- February 9
Ring in the Lunar New Year in the heart of the city this month. The Year of the Snake will be celebrated with a day of performances, activities, dance classes, tai chi and – of course – an iconic dancing dragon.
Laneway Festival
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- Flemington Park
- February 14
Fall in love to the soundtrack of your favourite artists at Laneway Festival this Feb 14. With some massive names like Charli XCX, Clairo and Beabadoobee on the lineup, summer has never sounded so good.
Riverboats Music Festival
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- Echuca-Moama
- February 14 to 16
Swap the city out for the bush with the Riverboats Music Festival. Featuring an all-star lineup that will be boasting some of the best in homegrown talent, sink into a spot by the Murray River and let the tunes wash you away.
Afro-Caribbean Carnival
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- Fed Square
- February 15
This free celebration of all things Afro-Caribbean food, music, costume and sound-system culture is an open invitation to all wanting to join in on the cultural festivities. With three international superstars performing, come ready to dance.
St Kilda Festival
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- St Kilda Foreshore
- February 15 and 16
The south side of the city is cranking up the volume this summer with the iconic St Kilda Festival keeping the party going. They’re not fluffing around with the lineup, either. Some of the massive names include Peter Garrett, Cub Sport and Jem Cassar-Daley.
Asia TOPA
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- Various venues
- From February 20
Asia TOPA is back, and bigger, bolder and better than ever before. This triennial is a celebration of the kaleidoscope of culture and life from across the Asia Pacific, including arts, food, music, performance and community. This edition’s program boasts everything from a nightclub at the Arts Centre to a free food festival at Fed Square.
Melbourne Art Fair
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- Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
- February 20 to 23
Melbourne Art Fair is putting on one sizzling show of art this month with works from over 100 new and iconic artists. Peruse the collections and get lost in a world of creativity and inspiration.
OK MOTELS
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- Charlton
- February 21 to 23
Beloved regional festival OK MOTELS promises a charming weekend away in Charlton. Quirky, quaint and quietly beautiful, this is a festival all about music, mates and great times. Willing partygoers can even marry a mate!
Antipodes Festival
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- Lonsdale Street Precinct
- February 22 and 23
Naarm is getting its very own slice of Greece this month. Expect an abundance of stalls, surprises, artists and performers to celebrate all things Greek at the Antipodes Festival in the heart of the CBD.
Knotfest
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- Flemington Racecourse
- February 28
From the minds of Slipnot, Knotfest is back in town to cap off February with a counter-cultural experience of metal music. This year the festival will also be excitingly debuting the revamped Knotfest Museum.
For more on the best festivals in February, head here.