Melbourne’s much-loved Moomba Festival will add an extra day of fun to its blockbuster line up of family-friendly entertainment in celebration of its 69th year.
Following a record-breaking crowd of more than 1.4 million people last year, the banks of the Yarra River – Birrarung will be buzzing for five epic days of Moomba magic in 2023 from Thursday 9 March to Monday 13 March.
Australia’s largest free community festival will be bursting with colour and excitement, featuring a range of spectacular events and attractions including:
- The much-loved Moomba Parade, with five new floats and puppets joining the fun alongside more than 1,800 people from cultural groups, dance troupes, marching bands, and more.
- The hilarious Birdman Rally, which will see competitors hurtle themselves over the Yarra River – Birrarung in their homemade flying devices – all in the name of a good cause.
- The Moomba Masters water sports competition, showcasing elite Australian and international athletes.
- Rides and games for thrill-seekers of all ages at the Moomba Carnival.
- Over 60 performers and entertainers, from acrobats to dancers, musicians, actors, roving performers, and more.
- Interactive activities and play zones, with crafts, face painting, workshops and a Bluey Live experience.
- Exhilarating scooting, skating and riding across a bustling Moomba Skate Park Program.
- Food and drinks galore, with more than 25 delicious food truck offerings featuring cuisines from all over the world.
- Nightly fireworks lighting up the Melbourne skyline, as well as nightly feature films on the Moomba big screen.
The regal Moomba Monarchs, a mainstay of the festival, are set to be crowned in the coming weeks.
The festival will support over 800 jobs across a range of sectors including the arts, creative, construction and services industries.
Adjusted operating hours will be trialed at this year’s Moomba Festival, with the event starting an hour earlier at 10am on Saturday, Sunday and Monday – and closing an hour earlier at 10pm.
Moomba is proud to return in 2023 as an accessible and certified carbon-neutral event.
With Alexandra Gardens powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, the festival will also divert more than 4.5 tonnes of organic food waste across the five-day period – the equivalent of 450 watermelons or 22,500 delicious curly potatoes.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Symbol initiative will also run again at this year’s event, helping support those living with hidden disabilities.
For more information on Moomba Festival 2023, visit the City of Melbourne website.
2023 Moomba Festival Opening Hours
Thursday 9 March: 5pm-10pm
Friday 10 March: 5pm-10pm
Saturday 11 March: 10am-10pm
Sunday 12 March: 10am-10pm
Monday 13 March: 10am-10pm
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Sally Capp
“This year’s Moomba Festival is bursting at the seams – so much so that we’ve decided to add a whole extra day to the program.”
“Across the five day extravaganza, we’re expecting more than one million Melburnians to flock to the banks of the Yarra to immerse themselves in festival favourites and provide a significant boost to city businesses.”
“We can’t wait to crown our new Moomba Monarchs in the coming weeks – stay tuned as we reveal our 2023 Moomba King and Queen.”
Quotes attributable to City Activation portfolio lead Councillor Roshena Campbell
“More than just a great place to spend your long weekend, Moomba creates more than 800 jobs and injects the city with so much colour and vibrancy.”
“We encourage visitors to make a big day out of Moomba – check out some of the city’s incredible nearby retail and dining offerings in support of local city traders.”