March is gearing up for a month of non-stop madness and mayhem on stages and screens around Naarm.
Summer may be drawing to a close, but the fun certainly isn’t. March just might be the most choc-a-bloc months of performances and shows Melbourne has seen this year yet.
From cabaret chaos to immersive experiences, there may be a downtick in sunshine this coming month as autumn begins to settle, but there will certainly be an uptick in bloody great shows. Whether it’s comedy, circus, cabaret, theatre, music or mayhem you’re after, there’s an event this month where you can find it.
Read on to find out what is happening across Naarm’s stages this March.
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
Brunswick Music Festival
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- Various venues
- March 2 to 10
Taking over the pubs, clubs and streets this March, the Brunswick Music Festival is back for another rocking year of showcasing the best of local and international musos. The famous Sydney Road Street Party will be kicking the festival off, with dozens of gigs to follow throughout the week.
ChillOut Festival
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- Daylesford
- March 6 to 10
Keep your chill this month with Australia’s largest and longest-running queer country pride festival. Taking place in Victoria’s Spa Country of Daylesford and Hepburn over the long weekend, you can discover a variety of events and venues to celebrate pride.
Port Fairy Folk Festival
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- Port Fairy
- March 7 to 10
The Port Fairy Folk Festival – affectionately called the Folkie – is back bigger than ever this year with a selection of artists featuring Australian and international folk royalty. Their stacked lineup boasts the likes of Missy Higgins, Peter Garrett, Cat Power, plus heaps more.
Pitch Music and Arts
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- Grampian Plains
- March 7 to 11
Back for its eighth edition of music, art and otherworldly experience, Pitch is gearing up for five non-stop days of transcendental partying. Set against the backdrop of the Grampian rolling hills, you can listen to the likes of Honey Dijon, DJ PGZ and Joy Orbison as you dance your heart out.
Golden Plains
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- Meredith
- March 8 to 10
Aunty isn’t fluffing around with this year’s lineup for Golden Plains. Icon after icon are hitting up the Supernatural Amphitheatre this long weekend, including Kneecap, Fontaines D.C., P.J. Harvey and heaps more.
New Bloom Fest
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- The Timber Yard
- March 10
The best of the best from hardcore scenes the world over are coming together for this celebration of all things grunge, punk and alt-rock. Back by popular demand, New Bloom Fest is doing it all over again, this time with friends from Balance and Composure, Basement, Drain and more.
Aireys Inlet Music Festival
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- Aireys Inlet
- March 14 to 16
Set against a coastal hamlet in the charming seaside village of Aireys Inlet, the town’s inaugural music festival will be celebrating its 19th edition over three exciting days of music, culture and community.
Reminisce Melbourne
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- Sidney Myer Music Bowl
- March 15
This month, the Bowl is being transformed into a dance party for the ages. Reminisce is showcasing all your favourite DJs, with legends like Laidback Luke, Tocadisco, Adrian Lux, Sneaky Sound System and more taking over the stage.
Melbourne Celtic Festival
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- The Mission to Seafarers
- March 17
Naarm is getting its very own slice of Celtic life as the Melbourne Celtic Festival makes its way to the Mission to Seafarers this St Patrick’s Day. Expect the best of the best in Celtic music from all over the world, including Skerryvore and Austral.
High Country Hop Festival
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- Beechworth
- March 21 to 23
High Country Hop is a festival to celebrate Australia’s two great loves: music and beer. Journey to Beechworth to mark the Victoria hop harvest, all the while soundtracked by some of the earthiest artists going around.
Meadow Music Festival
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- Bambra
- March 21 to 23
It’s the last hurrah for the beloved countryside music festival Meadow this month. After 10 editions of treasured music and immaculate vibes, Meadow is closing out with one last party, featuring Pond, MJ Lenderman and more.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
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- Various venues
- March 21 to 30
Make sure to come with empty stomachs and a thirst to be quenched for this festival – Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is back for another year of long lunches, celebrity chefs, international flavours, and, of course, delicious food and drink.
SummerSalt
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- Mornington
- March 22
Summer might be officially over, but the sun will still be shining for this year’s SummerSalt festival. Salt is in the air and music too, with icons such as Missy Higgins, John Butler, Fanning Dempsey and more stepping out into the Mornington sunshine.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
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- Various venues
- From March 26
Melbourne’s funniest festival of laughs is back in town and taking over venues all across the city, leaving only stitches and smiles in its wake. From stand-up to sketch, improv to theatre, there’s a laugh for everyone at this year’s Comedy Festival.
Dekmantel Naarm
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- Footscray Park
- March 30
Electronic heads and club rats unite: Dekmantel is taking over Naarm this month. The day festival will be happening at Footscray Park, jam-packing the open air amphitheatre with non-stop beats and bass.
For more on Melbourne’s best festivals, head here.
