Art festivals
Art festivals celebrate the creative side of Victoria. They include events which showcase artwork, literature, film, photography, music, dance and acting.
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Art Is...
June. A contemporary themed arts festival including music, live performances, exhibitions, film screenings and workshops. (Horsham)
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Art Red Hill
artredhill.redhillcs.vic.edu.au
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 (Red Hill)
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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. (Castlemaine)
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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. (Ballarat)
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Clunes Booktown Festival
April / May. 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. (Clunes)
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Geelong After Dark
May. A free event held on Friday night with live music, performances, lighting displays, installations and arts experiences. It is central Geelong's pop-up night of arts.
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Gippsland Lakes Art on Show
www.lakesentrancerotary.org.au
March. Held at the Forestec building in Kalimna West, Gippsland Lakes Art on Show features works by over 50 local and interstate artists. The event will also showcase art influenced by Aboriginal culture, including paintings, woven baskets, possum skin cloaks and artefacts. The show is organised by the Lakes Entrance Rotary Club in collaboration with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. (Lakes Entrance)
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Heathcote Film Festival
www.heathcotefilmfestival.com.au
August. 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. (Heathcote)
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Leongatha Art & Photography Show
September. 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. (Leongatha)
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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. (Lorne)
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Melbourne Festival
October. As one of Australia's premier arts festivals, it showcases an unparalleled smorgasbord of dance, theatre, music, visual arts and multimedia from both local and international artists and organisations. Events are held at various city venues with many free shows.
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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.
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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.
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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. (Melbourne CBD)
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Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival
March. This is one of Australia's leading regional arts festivals. There is a vibrant program of events including exhibitions, workshops, performing arts, outdoor cinema, music and parades at a diverse range of venues that showcases Mildura's unique landscape and rich heritage. (Mildura)
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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 (Mirboo North)
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Peninsula Short Film Fest
www.peninsulafilmfestival.com.au
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. (Rosebud)
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Queenscliffe Literary Festival
www.queenscliffeliteraryfestival.com.au
May. A wide range of acclaimed and rising star authors engage in addresses, panel discussions and sessions at various venues. (Queenscliff)
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St Kilda Film Festival
www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au
May. 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 St Kilda Town Hall. There are also workshops and forums that provide an overview of a variety of filmmaking topics. (St Kilda)
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White Night Ballarat
www.whitenight.com.au/ballarat
March. From dusk, Ballarat's city centre will be turned into a celebration of culture and creativity. Enjoy a wonderland of illumination with stunning lighting displays, art, live performances, music, dance and interactive events. (Ballarat)
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White Night Bendigo
September. From dusk, Bendigo's city centre and Rosalind Park will be turned into a celebration of culture and creativity. Stunning lighting displays will be beamed onto grand historic buildings, visual art displays will be on the streets, and live music and drama performances will bring the city to life. (Bendigo)
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White Night Geelong
October. Geelong will have its streets, park and foreshore precinct turned into a celebration of culture and creativity from dusk. There will be colourful and stunning light projections, interactive displays, live music and food at a number of restaurants and cafes that will be trading through the night. (Geelong)
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White Night Melbourne
www.whitenight.com.au/melbourne
February. See the city in a totally different light at this annual dusk to dawn celebration of culture and creativity. There are spectacular light displays, exhibitions, street performances, film screenings, music, dance and interactive events throughout Melbourne's city centre streets, laneways, public spaces and parkland. (Melbourne CBD)
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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. (Williamstown)
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Woodend Winter Arts Festival
www.woodendwinterartsfestival.org.au
June. A weekend festival of music, literary and visual arts with vibrant performances and events (Woodend)
