Festival Guide: All rise for the boundary-pushing festivals running this May

Giggles, grooves, and tea cosys are all on the agenda as we head into May festival season.

Let’s be honest – May brings out some of the biggest guns in festival season; ones that span weeks and take over towns and cities. There are groundbreaking, bold festivals with programs that reach just as far artistically as they do land-lay. There are festivals that bring out international tastemakers in music, multicultural, arts, film, dance, arts, and comedy, and there are ones that ground themselves in community celebration.

It’s a melting pot of festivals taking over the state (as well as some additional across the border favourites) for May. Here’s your guide to the best festivals to attend in May.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

Groovin The Moo

WHEN: SAT 9 MAY
WHERE: OAKES OVAL, LISMORE

Groovin the Moo returns for a stand-alone festival event, this time in Lismore, NSW. The former touring festival will pop-up with a huge lineup headlined by Denzel Curry, Baker Boy, and Dope Lemon, with a stellar Australia artist list including Tones & I, Ninajirachi, Matt Corby, The Chats, Maple’s Pet Dinosaur, The Terrys, and a bunch more.

 

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RISING

WHEN: 27 MAY – 08 JUN

WHERE: Various Venue, Melbourne

RISING, Melbourne’s premier winter festival of new art, music and performance, returns to illuminate the city over 12 nights. From Lil’ Kim and Kae Tempest to Daniel Avery and Florentina Holzinger, the festival celebrates the music and movement that shape Melbourne. Step away from screens, embrace moon-lit streets, and immerse yourself in a season of bold, unmissable creativity.

 

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Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow 2026

WHEN: Multiple Dates

WHERE: Arts Centres across Regional VIC

Australia’s biggest comedy festival hits the road! The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow brings a curated mix of legends and rising stars to towns across the country. For nearly three decades, it has delivered laughter, guffaws and good times far and wide. Grab your mates, settle in, and experience the side-splitting fun of Australia’s largest comedy festival—right in your backyard.

 

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Geelong Pride Film Festival

WHEN: Until 10 MAY

WHERE: Various Venues, Geelong

The Geelong Pride Film Festival (GPFF) returns, promising an exhilarating program of LGBTIQ+ cinema across some of Geelong’s most iconic cultural venues. With screenings spanning the Pivotonian Cinema, Platform Arts, Geelong Arts Centre, Village Cinemas Geelong, and Bellarine Arts Centre, GPFF continues to cement its role as a vital platform for queer stories, local filmmaking talent, and immersive cultural experiences. 

 

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Healesville Festival

WHEN: 09 – 10 MAY

WHERE: Various Venues

Healesville Festival returns for a lively two-day celebration of music, culture and community. In partnership with The Boite, the program showcases multicultural and local artists across town, with workshops and live performances. Saturday’s Venue Hop highlights blues, funk and rock, while Sunday’s Free Family Fun Day offers live music, family activities and local food to celebrate Mother’s Day.

 

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Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival

WHEN: 16 – 24 MAY

WHERE: Fish Creek Memorial Hall, Fish Creek

The Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival, held biennially, celebrates creativity, community and hospitality through the humble tea cosy. Over nine days, more than 200 whimsical, traditional and wild cosies are displayed, alongside craft workshops, gallery exhibitions, high tea, performances and Market Day. Drawing over 7,000 visitors from across Australia and beyond, it’s the world’s largest festival of its kind.

 

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