In 2014, Melbourne play host to a number of Chinese New Year Festivals. Each venue offers its own unique festival theme, performances and food. Visitors will experience Chinese Lion Dance, Firecrackers, Traditional Folk Music, Dancers, Martial Artists and much more.
Date: 5 January – 9 February
Venue: various
Web: www.chinesenewyear.com.au/mel_home.html
AAMI Classic Kooyong
Date: 8 – 11 January
Venue: Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, 489 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong
Admissions: Adult $30+, Child $15+ (Free Friday)
Web: www.aamiclassic.com.au
Lavender Harvest Festival
Celebrate the traditional process of harvesting lavender by hand using half-moon sickles; dried beneath the verandah of the 1860s stone farmhouse; winnowed for its fragrant flowers; and distilled to produce lavender water and essential oil.
It'll be a day filled with music, dance, demonstrations, activities for the kids, food, ice cream … and the relaxing aroma of lavender.
Date: 12th January
Venue: 350 Hepburn-Newstead Road (via Daylesford) Shepherds Flat
Admissions: Adult $6, Child $2
Web: www.lavandula.com.au
MIDSUMMA FESTIVAL
Midsumma, Melbourne's annual Queer Celebration, is a federation of arts and cultural events spread over 85 different venues throughout Melbourne and Regional Victoria. The festival is presented over three weeks from mid January to February and, having been held annually since 1988, is a significant attraction on the Melbourne festival calendar. Midsumma is funded through the involvement and financial support of our sponsors, and the support of the community.
Date: 12th January – 2nd February
Venue: various
Admissions: various
Web: www.midsumma.org.au
Melbourne Bridal & Honeymoon Expo
Intimate bridal expos allow you to experience everything for your wedding including live entertainment, hair and make up trials, whilst enjoying spectacular bridal fashion parades.
Date: 12th January
Venue: Melbourne Convention Centre, 1 Convention Centre Pl ace, South Wharf
Admissions: Adult $20, $25 on the door
Web: www.bridalexpos.com.au/upcoming.html
Australian Open Tennis
Date: 13 – 26 January
Venue: Melbourne Park
Admissions: various, ground pass $24+
Web: www.australianopen.com
Frankston Waterfront Festival
The Frankston Waterfront Festival is the City’s annual celebration of this iconic space, bayside location and relaxed lifestyle. With live music all weekend, families and friends are invited to get involved in all of the activities on offer, from stand up paddle boarding, canoeing and skimboarding, to enjoying great food, wine, beer and cider and latin dance in the sunshine. Kids can swim with ‘mermaidens’ and discover a love for growing their own fruit and vegetables and everyone can take home a treat with the expanded market stalls selling art, craft, fashion, locally made cupcakes and more! Don’t miss the fireworks at 9:45pm on Saturday night.
Date: 18 – 19 January
Times: Saturday 11.00am to 10.00pm, Sunday 11.00am to 6:00pm
Venue: Frankston Waterfront, Nepean Highway
Admissions: Free with costs for rides, food and amusements
Web: www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Things_To_Do/Events/Major_Events/Frankston_Waterfront_Festival_2014
Victorian Hot Rod Show
Date: 24 – 27 January
Venue: Royal Exhibition Building
Admissions: Adult $24, Child $14
Web: www.hotrod.com.au
Australia Day
Australia Day 2014 falls on Sunday 26 January 2014 and marks a long weekend of celebrations across the state.
Date: 26 January
Venue: various
Web: www.australiaday.vic.gov.au
Tidal Rhythms at the Bowl
Celebrate Australia Day at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Australia Day with Tidal Rhythms at the Bowl, an island-hopping celebration that takes you on a journey across the oceans, highlighting the beauty and diversity of our island home.
Date: 26 January, 2:30pm – 5pm
Venue: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Alexandra Avenue
Admission: free
Web: www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Whatson/Festivals/Multicultural/Pages/30493cdd-0b6b-4013-afeb-de6424f4d830.aspx
