Music Festivals: Geelong & the Surf Coast
Who could forget Woodstock in 1969, the most talked about Music Festival in history!
The attraction of outdoor musical festivals has seen a huge growth in popularity in Geelong and along the Surf Coast. Locals and tourists alike come together to celebrate an array of talent from rock, alternative, techno and folk, to jazz, blues and celtic; there’s something for all genre.
Music Festivals are appealing to an array of musical fans, young and old, singles, couples or families. You can experience a wide range of artists catering for yours and your friends musical tastes, while sitting back on a picnic rug or deck chair enjoying some wonderful local cuisine. Meanwhile you also have the freedom to get up and dance, or roam around and socialise as you please. These benefits are becoming more appealing than the traditional seated indoor concert, where you see one band and support act, for the same price as Festival tickets.
Geelong & the Surf Coast region offer many festivals throughout the year.
Here’s a list of some events coming up:
The Mt Duneed Estate (Formerly the Hill Winery) is a beautiful winery showcasing household names such as Fleetwood Mac (7th November) and Elton John (12th December). If you would like to surround yourself with wonderful music, great food and local wines, whilst having views of distant rolling hills, these events may be for you. This venue has hosted some huge events including “A Day on the Green”, Jimmy Barnes, Sting, Paul Simon just to name a few.
The Geelong Revival Motoring Festival held on the 27/28/29 November, lights up the Geelong Waterfront over three days. Beginning as car sprint trials in 1956, the festival has become one of the biggest events on the motor racing calendar and a great way to spend a day out with the whole family. The festival features live music, sprint trials, trade displays and delicious food and entertainment.
On the same dates in November, Queenscliff plays host to the Queenscliff Music Festival. This large community festival first held in 1997, attracts thousands of people who experience the sounds of popular artists, but also focuses on new and emerging artists. Combined with an array of wonderful food and creative arts & craft
stalls, a range of ages and music styles are catered for.
At the Gateway to the Great Ocean Road in Torquay, the Night Jar Festival is held on every Thursday in January. This festival is also held in Geelong every Friday in February. The festival celebrates amazing musicians, designers, taste sensations from around the world and street performers, a wonderful event for all ages. The festivals bring together a collection of stall owners who sell their creative and crafty wares. What separates these stalls to most other markets is the quality and unique products offered.
Anglesea Music Festival
A little further down the Great Ocean Road, the Anglesea Music Festival on the Australia Day long weekend offers a combination of mixed genres from local, national and international acts and combines with the local community craft and food market to provide a fun day out for all. The inaugural festival in 2010 was hailed a raging success, sold out and exceeded the committees expectations with 4500 festival attendees passing through the venues, that doubled the town’s population. The popularity has grown considerably since with the 2011,12,13 & 14 festivals drawing 5000+ strong crowds.
Lorne Falls Music & Arts Festival
And who could forget the ever popular Lorne Falls Music & Arts Festival! Beginning in 1993 on farmland outside of Lorne, the first New Years event unexpectedly attracted 11,000 people and today has continued to have grown to be one of regional Victoria’s largest music festivals, featuring some of the best and biggest names in Australian and international music.
So If you are looking for a wonderful day or evening out in Geelong or along the Surf Coast, attend one of these amazing music festivals and become a part of musical history!
Mako Air has been supporting Musical Festivals for many years. Their portable cool rooms have provided bars and food vendors with the refrigeration they need to successfully cater for thousands of customers.