Take a day trip to the picturesque Hepburn Springs and join them for their Swiss Italian Festa. This fabulous event celebrates the Swiss Italian migrants, who first came to the Hepburn Springs and Daylesford region in the 1850s. The first festa kicked off in 1993, and has run for 25 years. It’s back this year with some tweaks to its traditional format, kicking off with a delightful lantern parade on Friday September 20. The festival will then take place a month later, from Friday October 25 to Sunday October 27.
Swiss Italian Festa
Look forward to plenty of traditional food and wine, art, parades, fireworks and more at the Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa. Get excited for the celebrations with the lantern parade on the spring equinox. Coinciding with the last day of the school term on Friday September 20, this family-friendly event will start on Tenth Street, and feature a lantern walk through the park, across the bridge and down to the Springs Reserve. The walk will be accompanied by musicians, and you can also look forward to fireside storytelling, hot chocolate, a sausage sizzle and even a circus fire twirler.
Then, return to the region in October for a grand parade, a Carnevale at Mineral Springs Reserve, fireworks, art show, heritage tours and more.
The full program hasn’t been revealed just yet, but you can keep an eye on their social media and website for updates.