Art festivals

Art Is...

June / July. A contemporary themed arts festival including music, live performances, exhibitions, film screenings and workshops.

Location: Horsham

Art Red Hill

April / May. The Mornington Peninsula's premier art show features over a thousand exhibits by artists and craftspeople including paintings, sculpture, glass work, jewellery and ceramics

Location: Red Hill

Arts Open

March. Studio doors will be open and visitors will be able to meet and interact with the many artists that the Castlemaine district is renowned for. There will also be a series of group exhibitions from painters, jewellers, sculptors and craftspeople.

Location: Castlemaine

Ballarat International Foto Biennale

August / September. Held over one month, this festival of contemporary local and international photography is staged within many of the city's finest heritage buildings and public spaces. View a wide range of exciting photography, get involved in professional workshops or attend presentations by acclaimed photographers.

Location: Ballarat

Clunes Booktown Festival

March. Clunes is turned into a European-style booktown with booksellers from around Australia setting up shop in the town's historic buildings, featuring thousands of rare, out-of-print and second hand books. There is also food, live music, entertainment and writers talks.

Location: Clunes

Daylesford Art Show

November. An eclectic mix of over 300 works of art from local and national artists are showcased at Daylesford Town Hall over the Melbourne Cup long weekend. The opening night is a fun event with drinks and nibbles.

Location: Daylesford

Heathcote Film Festival

September. An eclectic mix of short films from award-winning filmmakers and exciting offerings from newcomers are screened at this annual event. Meet the filmmaker sessions are conducted.

Location: Heathcote

Leongatha Art & Photography Show

February. Over 400 artists from all over Australia compete in this long running art show which features paintings, photographs, 3D and mixed media. Visitors can view the works and also enjoy the Daffodil Festival which is held at the same time and includes entertainment and a street market.

Location: Leongatha

Lorne Sculpture Biennale

March / April. This 3 week art event sees the Lorne foreshore decorated with a number of contemporary sculptures by established and emerging artists. There will also be performance art exhibitions, artist talks and workshops.

Location: Lorne

Melbourne Fringe Festival

September / October. The Melbourne Fringe Festival encompasses performances by independent artists, both emerging and established. Work presented is often original, provocative and imaginative, and ranges from theatre, to comedy, dance, music, cabaret, circus and visual arts. The festival is held across various venues around the city.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

March / April. This is one of the biggest comedy festivals in the world and takes over Australia's comedy capital of Melbourne. It features a plethora of stand up comedians, theatre and cabaret shows, family-friendly acts, street performances, film and the visual arts. The Melbourne Town Hall is converted into a huge comedy hub and there are also performances held at other city centre and suburban venues.

Melbourne International Film Festival

July / August. An 18 day festival held at several city venues that showcases some of the best new films from Australia and around the world. There are also movie talks, tributes, discussion programs and acting masterclasses.

Location: Melbourne CBD

Mirboo North Art Show

May. Held at the Mirboo North Shire Hall, it displays the work of local Gippsland artists, combined with a food & wine opening night and a gourmet market

Location: Mirboo North

Peninsula Short Film Fest

February. Held outdoors at Village Green, this free outdoor film festival showcases a number of short films and aims to foster the Australian film industry. There is live entertainment and celebrity judges will be present to award prizes at the end of the festival.

Location: Rosebud

Queenscliffe Literary Festival

May. A wide range of acclaimed and rising star authors engage in addresses, panel discussions and sessions at various venues.

Location: Queenscliff

Rising

May / June. A festival of art, music, ceremony, culture and food in Melbourne's city centre and inner suburbs.

St Kilda Film Festival

June. Proudly supporting the Australian film industry, exceptional films by emerging artists and short works by accomplished industry professionals are shown on the big screen at theatres in St Kilda. There are also workshops and forums that provide an overview of a variety of filmmaking topics.

Location: St Kilda

Williamstown Literary Festival

June. Story writers, poets and actors will perform at over 50 events at this literary festival held at the Williamstown Town Hall & Library. There will also be lively panel discussions, interviews and creative workshops.

Location: Williamstown

Woodend Winter Arts Festival

June. A weekend festival of music, literary and visual arts with vibrant performances and events

Location: Woodend