Killer festivals to attend in Feb.
St Kilda Festival
For decades, the St Kilda Festival has been a landmark summertime community event, and it’s making a return this year. On February 17 and 18, the festival will dominate the St Kilda foreshore with an impressive lineup featuring headliners Bag Raiders, Mallrat, Mo’Ju, and numerous other local talents. Head south in mid-February for a weekend filled with live music and enjoyment.
St Kilda Foreshore | 17-18 Feb
Midsumma Festival
One of Melbourne’s premier celebrations of LGBTQIA+ communities, the Midsumma Festival returns in 2024, spanning three lively weekends. Expect visual arts, theatre, film, cabaret, and more from a diverse pool of talented queer artists. With over 250 performances and events across the city, the Midsumma Carnival and Pride March in St Kilda are sure to dazzle with glitz and glam.
Multiple Venues | Until 11 Feb
Riverboats Music Festival
Set on the banks of the Murray River in Yorta Yorta country, the Riverboats Music Festival boasts an incredible lineup of Australian musicians. Featuring acts like Folk Bitch Trio, Kasey Chambers, Missy Higgins, Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, and Tim Rogers & The Twin Set, this festival promises an extraordinary and tranquil experience.
Echuca/Moama | 16-18 Feb
Port Fairy Jazz Festival
Port Fairy, renowned for its festivals, will host its annual Jazz Festival in February. Showcasing a rich array of performances spanning traditional, mainstream, and contemporary jazz, the Port Fairy Jazz Festival caters to jazz enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds.
Port Fairy | 9-11 Feb
Best Biggest IMAX Festival
Known for its amazing surround sound system and pristine visuals, IMAX presents a film festival in February showcasing blockbusters best viewed on the big screen. From Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 to Tron: Legacy 3D, Avatar: The Way of Water 3D, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick, Moonage Daydream, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, this festival will be the biggest ever.
IMAX | Until 17 Feb
Melbourne Art Fair
Australasia’s most significant and progressive forum for contemporary art, the Melbourne Art Fair, is back in 2024. Focusing on solo shows and works of scale and significance, this expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre promises to shape the future of art in the region.
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre | 22-25 Feb
Laneway Festival
Laneway Festival has relocated to Flemington Racecourse but retains its unique charm in the 2024 edition. With an impressive lineup featuring artists like Steve Lacy, Dominic Fike, AJ Tracey, Dope Lemon, Angie McMahon, Confidence Man, D4VD, Eyedress, Nia Archives, and Paris Texas, this year’s Laneway Festival promises to be hotter than ever.
Flemington Racecourse | 10 Feb
Antipodes Festival
Bringing together the festive elements of Greek culture, the Antipodes Festival spans two days in February. From Saturday, February 24, to Sunday, February 25, the festival on Lonsdale Street will feature performers, artists, stallholders, and surprises, creating a lively and festive weekend celebrating Greek culture.
Lonsdale Street | 24-25 Feb
Hello Sunshine
Hello Sunshine, one of Melbourne’s most notable single-day music and food festivals in February, takes over Caribbean Park on March 2. Featuring sisterly pop icons The Veronicas, veteran rockers Grinspoon, The Wiggles, hip hop staple Bliss N Eso, and more, this festival promises a diverse musical lineup.
Caribbean Gardens | 2 March
Chi Wow Wah Town
Since 2013, the electronic music festival Chi Wow Wah Town has been held in Victoria in the stunning surrounds of Winton Wetlands, offering one of the best intimate festivals on the Australian calendar. Stavroz and Robag Wruhme lead this year’s lineup.
Winton Wetlands | 23-25 Feb
Gaytimes
Celebrating its eighth anniversary, Gaytimes, Australia’s queer camping music and arts festival, features an eclectic lineup of music, performers, visual arts, food trucks, yoga, and workshops. This year’s lineup includes Total Giovanni, Miss Kaninna, Mo’Ju, and more.
Gembrook | 23-25 Feb
OK Motels
The Peep Tempel joins a stellar lineup featuring The Slingers, Nice Biscuit, Watty Thompson, The Belair Lip Bombs, Polly and The Pockets, Comets, DJ’s Queenie and Brat Paisley. The feminist water ballet team, The Clams, will also perform, showcasing their talents in the pool.
Charlton | 23-25 Feb
