Port Fairy Folk Festival

Port Fairy Folk Festival, F1 Grand Prix, Golden Plains and more major events and festivals are taking front and centre this Labour Day long weekend

It's a gigantic start to the month and the season as festivals and major events sweep across Victoria.

From renowned multi-day music festivals, to the high-adrenaline adventure of the F1, and a major city celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, this long weekend is stacking up to a collision of entertainment and culture.

Drive through this Labour Day long weekend’s festivities.

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

PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL

WHEN: 6 – 9 MAR

WHERE: PORT FAIRY TOWNSHIP

Just shy of its 50 year celebrations, Port Fairy Folk Festival is back to brighten the township of Port Fairy with four days of folk music. From Kasey Chambers to Annahstasia, Liz Stringer, Willie Watson to Rainbow Girls, and onto the Emerging Artists stage, Port Fairy is filled with the current and future artists of folk music.

 

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Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

WHEN: 5 – 8 March

WHERE: Albert Park, Melbourne

The road to Formula 1® Championship glory in 2026 begins in Melbourne. Be part of the dawn of a new era as Albert Park once again becomes the epicentre of the racing world from Thursday, 5 March to Sunday, 8 March 2026. With two new teams joining the grid and an overhaul of technical regulations set to deliver tighter battles and more wheel-to-wheel action, the stage is set for a season opener unlike any other. Whether you’re backing our homegrown Oscar Piastri or championing GOATS like Verstappen or Hamilton, there’s so much to see on and off the track.

 

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SUMMERSALT

WHEN: SUN 6 MAR

WHERE: TORQUAY COMMONS

An all-star coastal lineup is breezing into Torquay for SummerSalt. The music festival will be headlined by the outspoken confidence of Ocean Alley, as well as featuring the undeniable coolness of Skegss, Allah-Las, Babe Rainbow, The Grogans, Mid Drift, Le Shiv, and Seaside.The second stop on a coastal hop, SummerSalt is all about relaxed tunes swirling with ocean breeze.

 

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LIVE AT THE GARDENS

WHEN: 6, 7, 8, 13 & 15 MAR

WHERE: ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS MELBOURNE

A concert series that takes over one of Victoria’s most picturesque landscapes, Live At The Gardens returns for five major events. It starts with Marlon Williams alongside Emma Donovan, and Kee’ahn, followed by Thelma Plum and Sons of the East with support from Jem Cassar-Daly, Leftfield with Paul Mac and Late Nite Tuff Guy, Cut Copy with Todd Terje, CC:Disco, Crazy P and Colette, and wraps with Bliss N Eso, Drapht and Horrorshow.

 

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PITCH MUSIC AND ARTS

WHEN: 6 – 10 MAR

WHERE: MOYSTON-DUNKELD RD, MAFEKING

Pitch Music and Arts is a multi-day music and camping festival with focused dance music, integrated contemporary art and creative expression. A peerless programme presented at the foothills of the Grampian Plains, across four resonant days. The showcase features names like Desiree, Sedef Adasï, CC: Disco, The Trip, Charlotte de Witte, Ewan McVicar, Girls Don’t Sync and more.

 

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CHILLOUT FESTIVAL

WHEN: 5 – 9 MAR

WHERE: VINCENT STREET, DAYLESFORD

ChillOut Festival is Australia’s premier regional LGBTQIA+ pride event, held annually in Daylesford, Victoria over the Labour Day long weekend in March. The program this year is centred around Planet Love, with performances, workshops, parades, picnics, bush dances, drag storytime, and music events. There’s also a lakeside beach party that is a must as part of the festival fun!

 

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GOLDEN PLAINS

WHEN: 7 – 9 MAR

WHERE: MEREDITH SUPERNATURAL AMPHITHEATRE

Basement Jaxx lands in Meredith to lead an electrifying lineup of talent for this year’s Golden Plains. A staple to the festival calendar, Golden Plains keeps to their signature blend of being community focused whilst bringing world-class music to the region. The festival further boasts Marlon Williams, Smerz, Cut Copy, Badbadnotgood, Jalen Ngonda, Ty Segall, Obongjayar

 

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What will you be heading to? All this and more are on offer this Labour Day Long Weekend!