Victoria is Australia’s most populous state with a great divergence of cultures. There’s plenty happening to celebrate local character. Victoria’s capital city is Melbourne: Melbourne is also the second city of Australia, with a fantastic amount to offer, whether you’re traveling, passing through or resident. Here are just a few things that should be on your calendar if you’re planning on spending time in Victoria this year:
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Melbourne International Comedy Festival
For three and a half weeks from 25 March to 19 April, prepare to laugh your heart out in Melbourne. Coming to venues of all sorts of shapes and sizes, from the grandest to the most humble, comedians with senses of humour wild, ridiculous, poignant and witty will take to the stage to keep you entertained. Enjoy experiencing the camaraderie the festival brings, and make sure you visit Melbourne on at least one of these days!
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Victoria Derby
Located at Flemington racecourse. Victoria Derby is held on Saturday 31st October 2020, this Derby is one of the most gripping and intense horse racing events Australia can offer. Owing to the 2500 metre length of the course, and the two million dollars of prize money up for grabs, this is an extremely tough test of a horse’s responsiveness and stamina. Open to spring three-year-olds, this race largely attracts competitors from the Southern Hemisphere, owing to the difference in seasonal timing worldwide. Prepare to be stunned by the speed and courage of jockeys and riders from Australia and New Zealand at this stunning and buzzing event.
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2020 Big Vegan Market
Located at the Royal Exhibition Building at Carlton, this year’s big vegan market promises to be more varied and fun than ever! For 2020, the market will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 11th and 12th, and you’ll have the opportunity to buy anything you could imagine, from handcrafted shoes, bags and clothing, to beauty products and delicious treats. The vegan market is always lively and interactive, and even if you don’t have a pocket full of cash, it’s worth visiting to taste samples and admire the displays.
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Mansfield Lantern Festival
This event is beautiful, evocative and really ideal for families visiting Mansfield. All you need to take part is a lantern to throw some shapes in the darkness with your light. Commencing 5 pm at Erril Street precinct, this is a festival celebrating community artwork, fine food and wine, warm fires, and Australia’s winter solstice.
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Melbourne Fringe Festival
Based upon the concept of artistic self-expression in almost any form you can think of, and on taking risks within a safe and supportive environment, this festival is a unique celebration of the artistic, theatric or literary-minded within Melbourne. The fringe festival is special because it represents Melbourne rallying together to take stock of and enjoy its performance talent. For visitors to Victoria, there is almost guaranteed to be a performance to suit your tastes and keep you entertained, not to mention this being an almost unequalled opportunity to meet others who share your interests from all walks of life. Melbourne Fringe Festival has a stated objective of shaking up perceived hierarchies, and of promoting bravery in personal expression. The festival in 2020 will be held from October 1st – October 18th.