🎉 Major Festivals on the Bellarine Peninsula
Plan Your Stay at Sandpiper House Around These Unmissable Events
The Bellarine Peninsula isn’t just about beaches, wineries, and coastal charm—it’s also home to some of Victoria’s best-loved festivals. From foodie feasts and music marathons to cultural celebrations and seaside markets, there’s something happening almost every season.
If you're staying at Sandpiper House, you’ll be perfectly positioned to soak up the festive vibes without straying far from home. Here’s a round-up of the major annual festivals that draw crowds (and big smiles) to the Bellarine each year.
🎻 1. The Blues Train – Queenscliff (Sept–May)
🚂 Music, movement, and magic on rails
While technically a series of events, the Blues Train is an unmissable fixture of the Bellarine calendar. Running on select weekends from September to May, this moving music festival offers a night of live blues, dancing, drinks, and a three-course meal—all while travelling along the historic railway between Queenscliff and Drysdale.
📍 Location: Departs Queenscliff Station
🔞 Age: 18+
🗓️ Best time to go: Spring & Autumn
🎸 2. Queenscliff Music Festival (November)
🎶 Beachside beats & world-class acts
Held every November, the Queenscliff Music Festival brings together a huge lineup of Australian and international artists across multiple stages near the coast. With family-friendly vibes by day and electric sets by night, it’s one of the Bellarine’s biggest cultural highlights.
📍 Location: Queenscliff
🎟️ Tickets: Day passes & full weekend available
👨👩👧👦 Family friendly: Yes – kids’ programming, food trucks, and all-ages performances
🥘 3. The Bellarine Food & Wine Taste Trail (May)
🍷 Savor the flavours of the coast
This month-long celebration of all things local and delicious showcases the Bellarine’s best producers, wineries, cider houses, and eateries. Expect special events like wine tastings, long lunches, chef’s dinners, and behind-the-scenes experiences.
📍 Location: Across the Bellarine Peninsula
🗓️ When: May (check dates and bookings early)
🍇 Perfect for: Foodies, wine lovers, and slow travel enthusiasts
🥁 4. Pako Festa – Geelong (February)
🌍 Victoria’s biggest free multicultural festival
While technically in nearby Geelong, Pako Festa is just a short drive from Sandpiper House and well worth the visit. It celebrates diversity with a street parade, live performances, market stalls, dance, music, and food from every corner of the globe.
📍 Location: Pakington Street, Geelong West
🎟️ Cost: Free entry
👨👩👧👦 Family friendly: Absolutely
🍺 5. Great Australian Beer Festival (January or February)
🍻 Sip, sample & celebrate craft beer culture
Held at the Geelong Racecourse, this festival brings together independent breweries from across Australia, with live music, comedy, food trucks, and beer masterclasses. It’s one of the largest and liveliest craft beer events in the region.
📍 Location: Geelong Racecourse
🗓️ When: Summer (dates vary yearly)
🔞 Age: 18+
🪕 6. Portarlington Celtic Festival (June)
🪗 Tradition, tartan & toe-tapping tunes
Set in the seaside town of Portarlington, this festival celebrates Celtic culture with live folk music, dance, storytelling, markets, and traditional food. A winter highlight for locals and visitors alike, it’s full of heart and heritage.
📍 Location: Portarlington
🗓️ When: June long weekend
👨👩👧👦 Great for: Families, music lovers, and culture buffs
🦪 7. Portarlington Mussel Festival (January)
🎉 Seafood, seaside, and summer vibes
Held every January, the Portarlington Mussel Festival is a celebration of the town’s famous fresh mussels—and so much more. Expect a full day of live music, market stalls, local food and wine, kids’ entertainment, and of course, mussels cooked every which way.
It’s a family-friendly event that draws thousands to the Bellarine coast for a taste of summer fun by the bay.
📍 Location: Portarlington Foreshore
🗓️ When: Usually mid-January (check website for dates)
🎟️ Cost: Gold coin donation
👨👩👧👦 Great for: Families, food lovers, and beachgoers
🧺 Top tip: Pack a picnic rug, grab a serving of mussels and a local cider, and enjoy the live tunes with views over the bay.
🏡 Stay Festival-Ready at Sandpiper House
When the music ends or the last glass is poured, return to Sandpiper House for the perfect wind-down:
Relax by the heated pool
Fire up the outdoor kitchen
Spin your own playlist on the record player
Enjoy a game night in the games room
With room for families or groups, it’s the ideal base for festival-goers looking for comfort, space, and just the right amount of fun.
🎟️ Final Word
Whether you're chasing live music, foodie feasts, or cultural celebrations, the Bellarine Peninsula has a festival for you. Stay close to the action (but away from the crowds) at Sandpiper House—where every day feels like an event.