Victoria’s 2025 cultural calendar is brimming with food, music and art festivals set against the idyllic backdrop of regional Victoria—think rolling hills and plenty of small-town charisma. Melbourne may reign as the foodie capital, but with festivals dedicated to cheese, freshly plucked grapes and organic wines, there’s no reason to ditch the city for a weekend (or two).
Some of these events can be tricky to track down, so we’ve done the legwork and pulled together a lineup of the best cultural festivals and visits around. Grab your mates, hit the road and get ready to eat your way across Victoria.
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Without further ado, here's the 2025 lineup of the best festivals in Victoria so far:
East Gippsland Winter Festival, East Gippsland
20 June—20 July
Image: East Gippsland Winter Festival | Naomi Rahim
Winter might not have summer’s charm, but that’s no reason to hibernate—especially when the East Gippsland Winter Festival will have you embracing the cold like it's the best thing since a heated blanket. It’s an epic month-long celebration of light, food, music and art. Think glowing hand-made lanterns, reality-bending projection art, surprise live music gigs, pop-up feasts, creative workshops and lakeside wellness sessions.
The full program drops in May, but for now, mark your calendars with highlight events like the Fire and Ice at Metung Village.
First Timers Club at National Celtic Folk Festival, Portarlington
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Image: First Timers Club | Supplied
Kick off your Celtic adventure with the ultimate stress-free festival experience! Visit Victoria and the First Timers Club are whisking you away to Portarlington's National Celtic Folk Festival for one day only. Start your day with a scenic ferry ride from Docklands (departing 10:30am), where you'll meet fellow curious explorers. Upon arrival, dive into a whirlwind of live folk music, heart-pounding hurling demonstrations and enchanting storytelling sessions by crackling fires.
Browse 80+ artisan stalls for unique Celtic crafts, fuel up at gourmet food trucks and maybe even try your hand at traditional dance. As the sun sets, a chartered bus (returning 7pm) brings you back to Melbourne—leaving you with new friends, unforgettable memories and perhaps a newfound love for Celtic culture. Just remember to bring your sense of wonder—the First Timers Club handles the rest!
Lake House & Dairy Flat Farm, Daylesford
Every Monday During Autumn
Nestled amongst the lush landscapes of Daylesford, Lake House is putting on a farm-to-plate multi-course lunch experience every Monday for the entirety of autumn, along with a complimentary guided tour of their neighbour Dairy Flat Farm and their regenerative practices.
The a la carte menu has been meticulously curated by their vast garden, supplying the chefs with fresh veggies, herbs and flowers. Expect to meet a few animals too—geese, peacocks and alpacas, before settling into the long, leisurely lunch.
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