What's on this winter

Winter in Geelong & The Bellarine is full of surprises. Crisp mornings lead to cosy afternoons, and there’s no shortage of ways to fill your calendar with good food, art, music and a little indulgence.

This guide rounds up the best events happening over the cooler months so you can plan your perfect winter visit. Snow play, food festivals, wine nights and footy rounds are all on the list.

Dates: 5 to 8 June 2026
Location: Portarlington Foreshore
Four days of live music, markets, dancing, workshops, food and late nights by the bay. The National Celtic Folk Festival brings a huge weekend of entertainment to Portarlington every winter.

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Dates: 11 to 13 June 2026
Location: Geelong Arts Centre
Melbourne Theatre Company brings Tennessee Williams’ classic play to Geelong for a limited season starring Alison Whyte and Tim Draxl.

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Dates: 19 to 21 June 2026
Location: Queenscliff Harbour
Nightide brings a huge weekend of winter events to Queenscliff across the winter solstice.

Nightide Fringe: Between the Devil kicks things off on 19 June at a secret Queenscliff location with an adults only night of burlesque, live music, performance and late-night entertainment.

The main Nightide event takes over Queenscliff Harbour on 20 June with fire pits, roaming performers, aerial acts, food trucks, bars, live music and entertainment along the waterfront.

The weekend wraps up on 21 June with the Free Family Fun Day at Queenscliff Harbour, featuring circus acts, rides, face painting, bubbles, live entertainment and activities for kids.

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Dates: 20 June to 11 October 2026
Location: Geelong Gallery
One of the biggest exhibitions ever shown at Geelong Gallery is coming this winter. Discovering the Impressionists will feature more than 70 paintings from some of the world’s most recognised artists, including Monet, Renoir, Berthe Morisot and Camille Pissarro. Many works are from private collections in France and have never before been seen in Australia.

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Dates: 20 June to 29 August 2026
Location: Adventure Park, Wallington
Snow play, light installations, rides, fire pits and winter activities take over Adventure Park again for Winter Glow.

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Dates: 19 June to 19 July 2026
Location: Various locations across Geelong & The Bellarine
With more than 70 food, wine and hospitality events across Geelong and The Bellarine. Long lunches, late night feasts, wine tastings, winter markets, hands-on workshops and waterfront dinners are all on the menu this year.

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Dates: until 12 July 2026
Location: Werribee Open Range Zoo
Giant dinosaurs, interactive displays and plenty of fun for the kids at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

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Dates: 27 June to 26 July 2026
Location: Geelong Botanic Gardens

Geelong Botanic Gardens will light up after dark with glowing canopies, light installations and a night walk inspired by nature in full bloom. This after-dark event is made for all ages, with colour, sound and plenty to see through the gardens.

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Date: 4 July 2026
Location: Geelong Arts Centre
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow heads to Geelong with a lineup of comedians from this year’s festival. Including Brett Blake, David Quirk, Henry Yan, Jo Gowda and Nat Harris & Hannah Camilleri

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Dates: Various dates, 27 June to 29 August 2026
Location: The Bellarine Railway, Queenscliff

Ride a steam train through the Bellarine night before stopping at Lakers Siding for marshmallows, lights, fire pits and winter activities.

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Dates: 29 June, 13 July, 3 August and 17 August 2026
Location: GMHBA Stadium

Winter footy returns to GMHBA Stadium with a big run of Geelong home games through June, July and August. Exact match dates and times are still to be confirmed.

Round 17
Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions

Round 19
Geelong Cats vs St Kilda

Round 22
Geelong Cats vs Essendon

Round 24
Geelong Cats vs Richmond

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Date: 8 August 2026
Location: Austins Wines, Moorabool Valley
Celebrate the end of harvest with a spectacular bonfire on Austin's 1500-acre property. This 18+ event includes live music, winter cocktails, mulled wine, food trucks and the dramatic burning of the canes. It's all set to a country-themed dress code, so bring your boots and your flannel. Tickets and more details to come.

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Dates: 12 to 15 August 2026
Location: Geelong Arts Centre

Noni Hazlehurst stars in this new Australian production about memory, change and a Melbourne pub facing demolition.

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Geelong & The Bellarine is packed with markets this winter. Pull on your wooly hat, grab your gloves and get to wondering.

On 4 July, the Piccadilly Winter Night Market brings food, design and live tunes to Little Creatures Brewery, while a second event at Deakin Waterfront on 26 July offers more of the same waterside magic. Sticking with Little Creatures, they have a market dedicated to your best friend, the dog lovers market will be held on the 28th of June for a day packed with dog-filled excitement.

Creative Geelong is also hosting indoor markets on 20 June, filled with handmade wares and local artists. The Geelong Waterfront Makers & Growers Market keeps things fresh on the first Sunday of each month between 9:30am to 2:00pm with produce, crafts and beachy vibes. And, Geelong City Market is a holistic produce, food and drink market that represents and promotes locality, quality, authenticity and excellence, every Saturday.

Winter in Geelong & The Bellarine is anything but dull. With a calendar packed full of events that cater to all interests including food, culture, art and family fun, there’s no shortage of reasons to explore this vibrant region during the cooler months. Grab your coat, rally your friends or partner and immerse yourself in the warmth and excitement that winter 2026 has to offer in Geelong & The Bellarine.