Overview
Whitehorse Festival Season is a year-round program of free community events delivered by Creative Whitehorse.
We present festivals, concerts, outdoor cinema, markets and cultural celebrations across parks, town centres and civic spaces. These events help come together, enjoy their neighbourhoods and feel connected to their community.
From major events like Spring Festival and Whitehorse Carols, to neighbourhood favourites like Moonlight Movies and Jazz at the Lake, the Festival Season offers something for people of all ages across Whitehorse.
Our events
The Whitehorse Festival Season brings together a mix of large destination events and local neighbourhood experiences, delivered each year from October through to April across different parts of Whitehorse.
The Festival Season includes a number of established events that are delivered each year, as well as additional events and activations when opportunities arise.
Spring Festival
Our largest annual festival, is an eagerly anticipated community event that brings people together in a festive celebration of creativity and our diverse community. Bursting with a variety of activities, this festival captures the essence of spring's vibrancy and the joy of connection. Featuring up to 100 community stall holders and multiple community performance stages.
Whitehorse Carols
Whitehorse Carols serves up a feast of festivities for the family each Christmas. Carols regulars arrive early to get a good spot on the lawn before the evening begins with free rides, amusements and activities for children. Our full line-up brings something for everyone, from local acts to internationally renowned artists.
Australia Day Concert + Fireworks
The Australia Day Concert is a vibrant event that brings our community together. Held at the Whitehorse Civic Centre Precinct, this event is all about enjoying music, good company, and the summer vibes. The concert isn't just about the music – it's a chance to relax, connect, and enjoy a summer evening with the community.
Neighbourhood events
The Neighbourhood events series brings you local, intimate events over three months at different locations across Whitehorse. This includes favourites such as Moonlight Movies and Jazz at the Lake, which bring free outdoor cinema and live music into neighbourhoods.
Get involved
The Whitehorse Festival Season is built in partnership with our community.
We work with local artists, performers, community groups, food vendors and businesses to bring each event to life. From live music and cultural performances to food, markets and community activities, many people contribute to the Festival Season each year.
Planning for each Festival Season begins in May and June, with many performers, contractors and traders confirmed by August for events running from October through to April. Because of this, opportunities are not always available year-round.
For some opportunities we run Expressions of Interest (EOIs) where people can apply to be involved. If an EOI has already closed, the best way to stay in the loop is to sign up to the relevant mailing list, so you are notified when the next round opens.
Behind the scenes
The Whitehorse Festival Season is one of Creative Whitehorse's major public programs.
Each year, a small in-house team works behind the scenes to bring together a full season of festivals, concerts and cultural events across Whitehorse. Some of these are long-running favourites, while others are new ideas shaped by our community.
Across a typical Festival Season we:
- Welcome around 44,000 people to our events
- Work with around 50 professional artists and performers
- Support on average 100 community groups and local performers
- Engage upwards of 50 food and market vendors
- Partner with more than 30 contractors and service providers
- Deliver events across 5 different locations
What people see on the day is only part of the story. Months of planning go into every event, from booking artists and working with community groups, coordinating contractors and making sure each space is safe, welcoming and ready to go.
Event permits
If you're planning your own event in Whitehorse, whether that is a community festival, outdoor performance, market or other activity in public space, you may need an event permit.
Event permits are managed by the Festivals team and help ensure events are safe, well-managed and coordinated with other activities in the community.
Some activities that commonly require a permit include:
- Events that are open to the public or advertised
- Use of food vendors or temporary infrastructure
- Any contractors, stages, marquees or amplified sounds
- Activities that affect roads, parking or public access
For full details on when a permit is needed, how to apply, what supporting documents are required visit our event permits page below. To apply for an event permit you can follow the link below to our booking platform Bookable.
