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.
We want you to be the first in the know. Join Urban List Insiders, we’ll shoot you all Melbourne’s best things to eat, drink and do every week.
Without further ado, here's the 2025 lineup of the best festivals in Victoria so far:
Surfs Up At Bells Beach Longboard Classic
August 19–25
Image: Bells Beach | Visit Victoria
Nothing says iconic quite like Bells Beach, and in August the longboarders take over. The Bells Beach Longboard Classic is part of the WSL’s Longboard Tour and brings some of the world’s best surfers to Victoria’s most legendary break. It’s all clean lines, classic style, and those epic cliffs in the backdrop. Even if you’re not paddling out, the week-long event brings a steady stream of ocean energy to Torquay, plus great local food, music and a vibe that’s more relaxed than the usual WSL circus.
Marry Your Mates At OK Rochester
10-12 October
OK Rochester is back! A glorious mash-up of retro Australiana, big-band energy and small-town magic. Check into a roadside motel (wallet permitting, otherwise there's heaps of accomm optins), enjoy live music under the stars, hit up a hearty country pub feed, and boogie with a crowd that seriously appreciates a vintage jumpsuit. There’s all sorts of dope fringe events like tattoo flash and marry your mates events, plus a dedicated train from Southern Cross. This one sells out fast, so don’t sleep on it, unless it’s in one of the motel beds.
Dance The Night Away At Roam Geelong
11 October
Geelong's newest culture and music festival is coming in hot. ROAM is setting up shop in Johnstone Park with a boutique line-up, immersive art installations and a heavy lean into local food and wine. Think open-air dancing, balmy spring nights, and three days of vibing with big names and emerging acts alike. It’s backed by the team behind Beyond The Valley and Grapevine Gathering, so expect high production, high taste and a lowkey luxe atmosphere that’s very now.
Bust A Gut With Comedy In The Vines
24-26 October
Pack your picnic rug and a dry sense of humour—Comedy In The Vines is back. Held at the historic Tahbilk Winery (complete with lush lawns and cellar door views), this one-day festival pairs some of Australia’s top comedic acts with plenty of vino and good food. It’s the kind of day that starts with a tasting flight and ends with belly laughs on the grass. Tickets include a shuttle from Melbourne, so you can relax and enjoy the grapes responsibly.
Kook It At Mildura Fringe Festival
30 October-16 November
Desert meets art at the Mildura Fringe Festival, a regional celebration of grassroots creativity. Over ten days you’ll find live music, cabaret, art installations, pop-up performances and a big ol’ community spirit. It’s the kind of fringe that brings everyone together—from renegade poets to circus kids. The opening weekend is especially lively, with a signature twilight street party packed with stalls, food trucks, projections and performance art galore.
22 Romantic Getaways In Victoria That Are Swoonworthy
Planning the perfect romantic escape can be tough when life is hectic. So Urban List has done the hard work for you, searching high and low to bring you 22 of the best romantic getaways in Victoria.
The Best Hot Springs Victoria Has To Offer (Updated 2025)
If you’re craving a nature escape with a side of serious relaxation, Victoria’s hot springs are just what you need. These natural oases are designed for you to unplug, unwind, and soak away your worries in mineral-rich waters. From stunning coastal retreats to hidden mountain gems, we’ve rounded up the best hot springs in Melbourne and Victoria that are perfect for a rejuvenating day trip or a luxurious weekend getaway.
The 15 Best Camping Spots Across Victoria In 2025
Want to know where to pitch your tent? We’ve rounded up the best campsites in Victoria. Most are a pretty easy drive from Melbourne and for the rest... just tell your boss you’ll be coming in sick on Monday.
Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.