Chappell Roan to the runway, and a takeover of Melbourne’s iconic Fed Square: Your guide to the festivals happening in Victoria this month

Paypal, Pink Pony Club and Pakington Street all in the one month - it must be February!

February and festivals just sound right – it is alliteration after all! This February is no different, coming in with a diverse mix of major cultural moments. There’s annual events returning to Flemington Racecourse, major city takeovers in the name of fashion, food, multicultural celebrations, and artistic showcases, and the banks of the Murray stage a major music moment.

It’s all happening this month. Dive into our February festival guide!

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

Open Air

Open Air returns to Federation Square this February with free live music, outdoor cinema, dance and performance unfolding across select summer nights in the city. Their Candlelit Series sees pop icon Tina Arena, Folk Bitch Trio and Dean Brady whilst the Outdoor Cinema sees cult-classics reimagined with live scores from exciting musician-composers and DJ’s. There’s an Indonesian appreciation on 14 February with a twilight food, music and community event, and the emerging talent Garage Band program returns. 

When: 2 – 28 FEB

Where: Fed Square, Melbourne

 

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Dreamstate

Dreamstate Australia is back and bigger than ever with a stacked line up of trance and techno across two stages. Your lineup is Amy Wiles, Ben Hemsley, Ben Nicky, Billy Gillies, Bryan Kearney, Color K!d, DYEN, Ely Oaks, Factor B, Gareth Emery, Guiseppe Ottaviani, Holy Priest, Juliet Fox B2B, Lee Ann Roberts, Paul Van Dyk, Restricted, Victor Ruiz, and Vini Vici. 

WHEN: SUN 8 FEB

WHERE: Flemington Racecourse

Riverboats Music Festival

Murray River banks-based event, Riverboats Music Festival returns to the Echuca-Moama region for 2026. Taking place on Yorta Yorta Country, the festival is a celebration of good music, river activations, food and drinks, and community with an undeniable lineup of talent. The Living End, Baker Boy, Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Xavier Rudd, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Full Flower Moon Band, Emma Donovan, Paul Dempsey’s Shotgun Karaoke are just some of the names on the list!

When: FRI 13 FEB 

Where: Aquatic Reserve, Echuca-Moama

Laneway Festival

Australia’s favourite touring festival returns to its Flemington Park home with a jaw-dropping lineup of international tastemakers, 2025 standouts, and returning stage stealers. For 2026, the festival is headed by global icon Chappell Roan and uplifted by UK rockers Wolf Alice, viral sensation Pinkpantheress, hot property Geese, and infectious duo Wet Leg. The lineup further boasts Lucy Dacus, Role Model, The Dare, Benee, Alex G, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and so much more.

When: FRI 13 FEB

Where: Flemington Park, Melbourne

 

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St Kilda Festival

St Kilda Festival, the annual free, two-day celebration of Australian music returns with an amazing line-up of home-grown talent and fun for all ages, for its 45th year. First Peoples First takes over on Saturday 14 with namedrops of 2025 ARIA Award winner BARKAA, Selve, Boox Kid, Ruby Mae, The Terrifying Lows, Drifting Clouds, and more, whilst Sunday 15 features household names Jessica Mauboy, Mental As Anything, and Sneaky Sound System.

When: 14 & 15 FEB

Where: St Kilda Foreshore, Melbourne

PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival

PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival has dropped the first part of their 2026 programme. The 15-day festival delivers a number of exciting new runway concepts as well as celebrate First Nations design, circularity, self-expression at any age and showstopping glamour. The Premium Runway Series features over 90 emerging and established designers, across 12 runway shows at the Royal Exhibition Building. Two unique runway concepts will take place each night mirroring the hot topics of the fashion industry.

When: 14 – 28 FEB

Where: Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne

 

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Pako Festa

Victoria’s premier multicultural festival returns to Pakington Street, Geelong West, on the last weekend of February. Pako Festa serves up a smorgasbord of authentic cultural cuisine alongside vibrant folk dancing, workshops, and live entertainment across five stages. With over 100,000 visitors, the festival is a feast for the senses, celebrating cultural diversity through food, music, and a colourful street parade.

When: 28 FEB

Where: Pakington Street, Geelong West

Feastival Falls Creek

Set in the Alpine village of Falls Creek, Feastival is a three-day celebration of music, art, comedy, wellness — and the High Country’s finest food and drinks. From morning lattes and breakfast to beers and local wines by the main stage, the village has your eats covered while you enjoy workshops, performances, and Saturday’s ticketed music festival featuring both local and international artists.

When: 13 – 15 FEB

Where: Slalom Plaza, 1 Slalom Street, Falls Creek

 

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Wellness and Glamping Weekend in the Vines

Step into 2026 with a rejuvenating weekend at Bellarine Estate, where wellness meets wine. Enjoy yoga, guided meditation, cacao ceremony, sound baths, and massage, all designed to refresh mind and body. Two nights of glamping, nourishing meals, and a wine tasting complete the experience. Let Hazel Ray’s music and Sharron from Mana Rise guide you through connection, reflection, and soulful relaxation in a serene vineyard setting.

When: 6 – 8 FEB

Where: Bellarine Estate

Forage and Feast

Ballarat’s big gastronomy festival continues into February. Forage and Feast is a month-long celebration of food and wine that highlights the rich culinary culture of the Central Highlands region in Victoria, Australia. The festival features over 130 events across six local government areas, providing a unique opportunity to engage with local growers, producers, and culinary talents. There is Grainery Lane G&Tea, Wild Yeasted Bread Baking and a smattering of Valentine’s Day specials to experience across the month.

When: Until 15 FEB

Where: Across Ballarat and Central Highlands

 

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There’s so much happening across Victoria this month. It would be rude not to get involved!