Melbourne’s longest-running and largest community festival is coming back for its 71st year. Expect the classic traditions, like the Moomba Parade, Birdman Rally on the Yarra River and the Moomba Carnival, as well as some exciting new stuff, including a free concert by international TikTok star Peach PRC at Fed Square. Join the action and have fun over five fabulous days at Moomba Festival from Thursday March 6 to Monday March 10.
Moomba Festival
As always, this festival will take place across the Labour Day long weekend. Discover over 60 performers and entertainers on the banks of the Yarra, as well as plenty of rides, food, drink, fireworks and more. Over 1.3 million people are expected to visit the festival this year.
If you’re all about carnival thrills, you’ll be pleased to know that Moomba has introduced a new $4 coupon system for the rides. These coupons will be available to purchase at ticket boxes, and they can be used on all carnival rides, amusements and games during the festival.
Meanwhile, the Melbourne-born comedy troupe, Sooshi Mango, have been crowned as the Moomba Monarchs. This trio, made up of brothers Carlo and Joe Salanitri and friend Andrew Manfe, have reached viral success with comedy skits inspired by their European ancestry. They will preside over the festival as their ‘ethnic dad’ characters, Johnny, Vince and Sam.
Highlights of Moomba include:
- Peach PRC at Fed Square – Head to Fed Square on Sunday March 9 and have plenty of fun at a free concert, featuring the colourful punk-pop vibes of Peach PRC, Sydney-based singer-songwriter Carla Wehbe and indie-pop singer George Alice.
- Moomba Parade – See 1600 performers from community groups and dance troupes, circus acts and more, as well as seven new floats.
- Birdman Rally – In this hilarious competition, brave participants don handmade flying devices, and throw themselves over the Yarra in the name of charity. This will kick off from 11am on Sunday March 9.
- Moomba Carnival – Discover over 30 thrilling rides and games for all ages. You can have fun on the rides with the $4 coupon system. Or, you can also try a $50 Moomba Ride Pass, which offers unlimited rides for all ages from 5pm-9pm on Thursday March 6.
- Food and drink – Feast on delicious bites from over 35 food trucks. Look forward to Greek donuts, Jamaican jerk chicken, Korean twisty potatoes and more.
- Fireworks – feel dazzled by nightly fireworks displays.
- Relaxed hours – Sensitive to bright or strobing light and loud music? You can still join in on the fun with relaxed hours from 4pm to 6pm on Friday March 7.
Opening hours:
- Thursday March 7, 4pm to 10pm
- Friday March 8, 4pm to 10pm
- Saturday March 9, 10am to 10pm
- Sunday March 10, 10am to 10pm
- Monday March 11, 10am to 10pm