Summer events not to be missed
The region is jam-packed with exciting events this summer and beyond
Grab your diaries and start planning – these are the events you can’t miss!
Super Saturday on the Coast
Saturday 6 January
Saddle up for Geelong’s ultimate summer race day spectacle!
Enjoy a fabulous family day out in Geelong and head down to Geelong Racing Club for the first ever metro grade race day!
Portarlington Mussel Festival
Saturday 13 January
The festival will have a wide variety of music and entertainment for everyone’s tastes, from headliner act to roving children’s entertainment. There will be many stalls serving delicious mussels and other food, local Bellarine beer and wine, art shows, cooking demonstrations and many market stalls.
Geelong Beer Festival
Saturday 20 January
Geelong Beer Festival returns to the picturesque and iconic Johnstone Park, lined with palm trees, lush grass and a natural amphitheatre. The site lends itself to an event where you can choose your adventure – whether it be sipping and sampling your way around the plethora of local and national brewers, distillers, and wineries, or gathering your crew together for a party, a boogy and an all-round memorable day of social fulfilment.
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Wednesday 24 – Sunday 28 January
The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race returns better than ever in 2024 as the world’s cycling elite journey to Geelong and the Surf Coast for Australia’s greatest weekend of cycling.
Festival of Sails
Friday 26 – Sunday 28 January
The annual Festival of Sails in Geelong sees world-class sailing action combined with a fantastic waterfront festival!
Watch the largest keelboat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere from Wangim Walk or along the Geelong foreshore and enjoy free music performances with the new jam-packed entertainment schedule!
Vic Open Golf Tournament
Thursday 1 – Sunday 4 February
A four day professional golf tournament for men, women and all abilities golfers.
The event is so much more than golf – including food and drink, music, golf activations, an animal farm, and much more.
Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run
Saturday 10 February
The Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run is celebrating the ninth edition of their light coastal trail event between Portarlington and St Leonards.
The Rip Swim
Saturday 10 February
The Rip Swim is an exciting open-water swim from Point Nepean to Point Lonsdale, across the infamous “Rip”. The event was founded in 2014 and has taken over 800 people across safely. Every second year there is also a race element. Mostly it is a savoured experience in teams of four – six swimmers.
Summer Wine Celebration at the wineries
Friday 16 to Sunday 18 February
Summer Wine Celebration is a fun regional event showcasing delicious local wines perfect for summer drinking – sparkling, whites, rosé, and light reds.
Enjoy an array of activities from garden parties, lunches matched with wines, tasting experiences with DJ’s spinning their beats, and everything in between!
Summer Wine Celebration events are held at participating wineries and wine bars across the Geelong region for one weekend only.
Pako Festa – A Celebration of Cultural Diversity
Saturday 24 February
Pako Festa has been Victoria’s premier free multicultural festival for over 40 years. This annual community street festival celebrates cultural diversity and is the biggest of its kind in Australia! The event attracts crowds of over 100,000 people and is managed by Cultura and held on the last weekend of February in Pakington Street, Geelong West.
A few after summer not to miss
Wooden Boat Festival Geelong
Saturday 9 – Monday 11 March
The Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong is a celebration of the beauty, history and craftsmanship of wooden boats of all kinds.
The festival is community focused and includes activities such as face painting, rock n roll nights, treasure hunts, buskers, art exhibitions and competitions, boat building competitions and plenty of food and music.
IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong
Sunday 24 March
IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong has long been the best-kept secret on the Oceania circuit, with a stunning venue, world-class course, vibrant community and loads of local support.
