Your guide to the biggest festivals happening this month

From whole city arts activations to renowned music showcases - and a bit of beer - the coming weeks are fruitful on the festival front.

From Geelong to Gippsland to Germany?? Not entirely, but German tradition is coming to Melbourne!

This month cities are alive with events celebrating the rich cultural landscapes of of Victoria. In Geelong, the arts are alive for an evening of immersion, experimentation and exploration with ROAM, while later in the month the waterfront is all about wheels. Bendigo is in bloom for their annual spring celebration where flowers meet food, Gippsland gears up for their debut town takeover, promoting the best in food, drinks and play and Melbourne move between jazz and German offerings.

Head into a huge month of festivals across Victoria here:

Keep up to date with what is happening in and around regional Victoria here.

ROAM Geelong

For one unmissable day and night on Saturday 11 October, the city’s cultural heart transforms into a vibrant playground of art, performance, and connection. Step into a surreal world of creativity as you roam through electrifying live acts, immersive installations, striking visual art, and dynamic physical theatre – all designed to spark wonder and delight. This captivating event unfolds within a rare cultural corridor where iconic institutions sit side by side. The music lineup features 

WHEN: SAT 11 OCT

WHERE: VARIOUS VENUES, GEELONG

 

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BLOOM

Discover the vibrant beauty of spring across the Bendigo region. From dazzling tulip displays featuring more than 43,000 tulips in an assortment of colours, sizes and blooming times, and colourful floral installations to seasonal events designed to awaken your senses, Bloom is Bendigo at its best. Outside of the botany beauty you’ll find gastronomy events, live music and arts displays spread throughout the township.

WHEN: UNTIL DEC

WHERE: VARIOUS VENUES, BENDIGO

 

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Eat, Drink, Play Gippsland

From the wild west to the lush east, and everywhere in between, Gippsland is bursting with flavour, creativity and community spirit. Eat Drink Play Gippsland is a vibrant one-day (and night!) festival that brings it all together, celebrating the very best of the region’s food, drink and music in one unforgettable event. The Play component features live music from Steph Strings, the powerhouse Emma Donovan performing ‘Take Me To The River’, and the high-energy Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

WHEN: SAT 18 OCT

WHERE: LEONGATHA RECREATION RESERVE PLAYGROUND

 

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Melbourne International Jazz Festival

The Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) 2025 is set to be a grand celebration of jazz music, featuring over 500 artists from 18 countries. With more than 150 performances across 40 venues, the festival boasts massive names including Jazz at the Bowl with Harry Connick, Jr., Gary Bartz, Hiromi: The Piano Quintet, LETTUCE, Linda May Han Oh, Melanie Charles + WhoAllGonBeThere, Amy Gadiaga & Doom Cannon, Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra, Samara Joy, and exploration experience Night Crawl, along with so much more. 

WHEN: 17 – 26 OCT

WHERE: VARIOUS VENUES, MELBOURNE

 

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Oktoberfest in the Gardens

Australia’s biggest bringer of German culture down under, Oktoberfest in the Gardens makes its way to Melbourne’s Catani Gardens for a massive day of drinking, eating, dancing and entertainment. The carnival atmosphere boasts multiple stages of live entertainment & DJs, roving performers, competitions, sideshow alley, silent disco, wood chopping demonstrations, thrill rides, and a Berghain-inspired Rave Cave. So much more than beer and bratwurst – prost to that!

WHEN: SAT 18 OCT

WHERE: CATANI GARDENS, MELBOURNE

 

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SPINOFF

Geelong’s Eastern Beach Reserve and Upper Hearne Parade will play host to the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Team Relay and SpinOff – a free celebration of music and cycling headlined by the Pierce Brothers and The Bamboos, with support from local artists Hassall and Farah. Enjoy world-class racing, the Hendry’s SpinOff Family Ride (ages six and up), plus food trucks, face painting and a silent disco for the whole family.

WHEN: FRI 17 OCT

WHERE: EASTERN BEACH RESERVE GEELONG

 

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Discover more amazing events and festival experiences here.