Published on 21 September 2026
City of Melton residents are invited to save the date for Djerriwarrh Festival 2026, returning to High Street, Melton on Saturday 7 November.
This year’s festival will have a refreshed format designed to create a more connected, family-friendly celebration from 2pm to 9pm.
The event will feature free entertainment, activities, food, markets along High Street and live music performances between 2pm and 9pm. The festival will be capped off with a fireworks display, weather permitting.
Families can enjoy roving performers, art installations, children’s entertainment, hands-on workshops, food vendors, and plenty of surprises throughout the afternoon before settling in for an evening of live music and fireworks.
The Playground on the Civic Lawn will offer a range of free, family-friendly activities, including the Trash Puppets Workshop, Giant Bubble Zone, 10-minute dance parties, a wildlife display and craft workshops.
The Good Sports Hub will feature sport, circus activities, fitness workshops, local clubs and plenty of opportunities for festivalgoers to get involved.
Festival Central will feature a BMX showcase and workshops, a Market Village and circus performances. Food lovers will also have plenty to choose from, with more than 20 vendors offering a variety of food and drinks.
This year, schools will be invited to participate in arts workshops as part of the festival in lieu of the street parade. Participating schools will have their artwork exhibited at the Melton Civic Centre.
The carnival, which has previously operated on the weekend of the Festival by the Lions Club of Melton, will also not take place this year due to the logistical and risk management requirements associated with delivering the carnival.
When: Saturday 7 November 2026, 2pm – 9pm Where: High Street, Melton, between Smith Street & Hannah Watts Park
Quotes attributable to City of Melton Mayor, Cr Lara Carli:
“Djerriwarrh Festival is one of our city’s most-loved community events, and this year’s refreshed format is about making the day feel even more connected, welcoming and enjoyable for families, with free activities and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.”
“We’ve created a more cohesive program that brings together daytime activities, live music and fireworks in one great afternoon and evening celebration.”
Djerriwarrh Festival 2026 will be held on Saturday 7 November 2026 from 2pm to 9pm.
The festival will return to High Street, Melton, between Smith Street and Hannah Watts Park.
The event has been shortened to create a more connected and family-friendly experience. Feedback from families showed the previous split between daytime and evening programming made it difficult to stay and enjoy the full festival.
Daytime programming will run from 2pm to 7pm and include free entertainment, activities, workshops, food vendors, markets and roving performers.
Live music will continue on the Main Stage until 9pm, followed by fireworks, weather permitting.
Yes. The festival will finish with a fireworks display, weather permitting.
No. The street parade will not take place in 2026 as part of the refreshed festival program.
Participation, engagement and attendance at the parade have declined in recent years. This year, schools will be invited to participate in arts workshops as part of the festival in lieu of the street parade. Participating schools will have their artwork exhibited at the Melton Civic Centre. Removing the parade also allows Council to reduce road closures and redirect resources into free festival activities that can be enjoyed by more attendees.
Yes, but road closures will be reduced compared with previous years. Closures will be limited to High Street between Smith Street and Yuille Street, and Nixon Street from Reserve Road to Mackenzie Street.
The carnival, operated by the Lion’s Club of Melton, which has traditionally been held on the same weekend as the festival, will not operate this year, due to the logistical and risk management requirements associated with The Lions Club delivering the carnival. The Lions Club of Melton will still be partnering with Council and involved in the Festival, by holding a BBQ fundraiser on the day.
Families can enjoy roving performers, art installations, children’s entertainment, hands-on workshops, food vendors, markets, live music and other activities throughout the afternoon and evening.
Yes. More than 20 vendors will offer a variety of food and drink options.
Yes. The refreshed format is designed to create a more connected, welcoming and family-friendly celebration, with an increased focus on free activities across the afternoon and live entertainment into the evening.
More information about Djerriwarrh Festival 2026 will be available on the Festival website closer to the event.