Aside from the Melbourne Festival (check out our guide) October is shaping to be a fabulous festival month. We thought we’d let you know about a bunch of the free ones so that you can get your diaries in order (hint keep yourself free on Sunday 12 October). I personally can’t wait for Spring Into Gardening which is being put on by the Stonnington Council and involves a day of free music in splendid gardens and the ability to take home 1 of 10,000 plants that they’re giving away! We have taken the descriptions of the events from the relevant festival sites and re-hatched them for you below.
Meyers Place Latin Street Party
Meyers Place in the CBD will transform itself into a fiesta with the buzz of Latin food, drinks and culture. On the 12 October traders of Meyers Place and surrounding businesses will join forces to present a lane-way party like no other.
When: 12 October
Where: Meyers Place
Malaysia Street Festival 2014 will portray the Street markets of the orient. Preparations are well underway for the inaugural alfresco street dining event, taking place this October 12 in the Melbourne’s oldest heritage market setting of Queen Victoria Market.
As a special culinary event celebrating Malaysia Day a cultural celebration by all Malaysians, the pop-up restaurant festival will deliver authentic Malaysian cuisine like no other with over 30 mouth-watering dishes from Melbourne’s Malaysian most authentic restaurants.On top of that visits by chefs from East Malaysia will also deliver three dishes not found in Melbourne in this one day celebration.
Experience the best cuisine from Malaysia and our ASEAN and our former colonial powers whom colonized Malaysia, and enjoy authentic cultural entertainment throughout the day. Experience being of what it is like being Malaysian to all.
When: 12 October
Where: Queen Victoria Market
They’re Giving Away 10,000 Plants! Celebrate new life, colourful blossoms and the coming warm weather at the City of Stonnington’s free annual Spring into Gardening festival. Spring into Gardening celebrates all things Spring with a series of topical talks and demonstrations, market stalls and workshops for kids and adults. Below are the highlights of this year’s festival.
There’s going to be two separate stages entertaining the crowd for the entire afternoon.
Where: 12 October
When: Victoria Gardens
Discover the culinary secrets of South India at an exciting new food festival at Fed Square. Presented by the Telugu Association of Australia, this all-day event aims to introduce Melbournians to many of the untouched traditional foods of South India. Relish in the distinct flavours with up to 100 different dishes on offer, then explore a cultural market with Indian jewellery, garments, gifts, as well as Henna, traditional art and face painting activities for the kids.
When: 18 October
Where: Fed Square
The Spring Fling Street Festival has been part of the communities of North and West Melbourne for over 36 years. In 2013 the festival attracted 16,000 people with 120 stalls and over 130 volunteers assisting to stage the event. The festival aims to strengthen the connectedness of the community and promote a sense of belonging.
This year’s theme explores our community and what connects us to North and West Melbourne and defines this place as such a desirable one to live and work.
When: Sunday 19th October
Where: Errol Street, Victoria Street and surrounding laneways and venues
Diwali Festival Of Lights
Experience the charms of Indian culture at the Diwali Festival of Light 2014 at Fed Square. Each year, Fed Square comes to life with diverse stalls and activities exploring the different traditions, cuisines and crafts of India.
Savour the tastes of authentic Indian food with an array of food stalls, admire delicate hand-made Indian jewellery and fine fashion and unwind with a great range of Indian cinema and music. There will also be demonstrations of traditional Henna painting and classical Indian and Bollywood dance performances and workshops.
While Diwali is commonly referred to as the ‘festival of lights’, for Hindus it is actually about celebrating inner light and the belief that good will triumph over evil.
Don’t miss this beautiful festival renowned for its brilliant displays of fireworks and hundreds of glittering lamps to light up the ‘darkness’.
When: 25 October
Where: Fed Square
Enjoy a day in Piazza, then take a leisurely stroll down Lygon Street. Live entertainment all day including bands comedians, dance groups and DJs.
When: 26 October
Where: Piazza Italia
Don’t know about you guys but I’m going to try and get to all of them!
~ Ruki
