Celebration Day at Fed Square: Launching The Victorian Seniors Festival 2025
Federation Square in Melbourne will soon be buzzing with excitement as we celebrate the 2025 Victorian Seniors Festival‘s Celebration Day (date TBC).
Supported by the City of Melbourne and Fed Square, this lively event is a wonderful tribute to us seniors, along with our friends and families.
No need to book in advance, and Victorian Seniors Card holders can enjoy free public transport! It’s a great chance for all of us to come together and enjoy a day filled with music, dance, workshops, and so much more.
Fed Square will be bursting with life! Let’s explore the fantastic line-up of events planned for the day.
Get a printable version on this article to stick on your fridge. Read more from the event organisers here.
What’s On Celebration Day, Victorian Seniors Festival
Main Square, Federation Square, Sunday 6 October 2024
The heart of Celebration Day, the Main Square, will be bustling with non-stop performances, interactive workshops, and plenty of opportunities to join in the fun.
Here’s what we can look forward to:
- 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Colour Me Moved
Start your day with some gentle exercise in this unique fitness class led by the Fitness Team from Latrobe Leisure. Incorporating scarves into movements, this class is perfect for all fitness levels and can be done seated or standing. Be one of the first 100 visitors to receive a free scarf!
Free event - 12:30 – 1:00 pm: Zumba Gold
Join Catalina Gonzalez for a fun Zumba Gold session designed especially for older adults. Get your groove on with this energetic dance workout that has captivated many with its infectious rhythm.
Free event - 1:00 – 1:55 pm: Squeeze Vox
Alfredo Malabello and Nick Bavarelli bring you a delightful performance of Italian and American classics, including beloved hits by Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Prepare to be charmed by the timeless tunes and accordion melodies.
Free event - 2:00 – 2:40 pm: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Welcome to Country & Festival Launch
Celebrate the official opening of the 2024 Victorian Seniors Festival with a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony, followed by speeches from the Minister for Ageing, Ingrid Stitt MP, and major festival sponsors.
Free event - 2:40 – 3:15 pm: AJ Leonard
Enjoy the musical talents of AJ Leonard, a multi-instrumentalist who will captivate you with his wide range of instruments and ukulele-based performances.
Free event - 3:15 – 3:40 pm: Mass Ukulele Performance
Don’t miss the special mass ukulele workshop and performance led by AJ Leonard. Bring your ukulele and join players of all ages to perform a beloved Australian classic.
Free event. - 4:00 – 4:50 pm: Amber Joy Poulton presents Honky Tonk Queens
Amber Joy Poulton and her band bring the sounds of country music royalty to the stage, paying tribute to legends like Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette.
Free event - 4:50 – 5:00 pm: Sweet Mamas
Experience the joyful vibes of the Sweet Mamas, who have been dancing together in Brunswick for nearly a decade. Their Afro-fun style will surely get you dancing!
Free event - 5:00 – 5:50 pm: Soul Sacrifice – The Music of Santana
Enjoy the electrifying sounds of Soul Sacrifice, a 7-piece band performing the iconic hits of Santana, including “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va.”
Free event - 5:50 – 6:10 pm: Studio J Bollywood Dance
Studio J’s Bollywood Seniors bring the vibrancy and excitement of Bollywood dance to the stage. Join choreographer Joshinder Chaggar for a beginner Bollywood workshop.
Free event - 6:10 – 7:00 pm: Yacht Rock Revival
End the day with smooth saxophone solos and the soothing sounds of Yacht Rock Revival, performing classic hits from Toto, Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, and more.
Free event
My first time attending the Seniors Celebration Day at Fed Square was so much fun I don’t know why I’ve never been before. Federation Square really did come alive. Lots of different artists had the crowd participating in lots of different dances and movements.
A highlight was AJ Leonard leading a mass ukulele workshop. A huge crowd participated in this activity, including our 2 young grandchildren. Great stuff!
The Edge Theatre also captured my attention with the magnificent female singers. The whole area had pockets of different small entertainment areas that brought an amazing joyful atmosphere. It was a great day.
– Terrie
The Edge Performances
Location: The Edge Theatre, Federation Square
Overlooking the Yarra River, The Edge Theatre will host a variety of community performances throughout the day. With lively and motivational host Carol O’Halloran, well-known for her TV show “Over 50? So What!,” you can expect a fun and engaging program featuring dance, music, and choral performances from various community groups.
Free event, 12:00 – 5:00 pm, Sunday 6th October 2024
River Terrace Activities
Location: River Terrace, below The Edge Theatre
The River Terrace will be buzzing with activity as well, featuring a range of artists and workshops throughout the day. Here, you can explore marquees hosted by festival sponsors, partners, and organisations dedicated to supporting older Victorians. Enjoy the performances and get involved in interactive workshops while browsing the stallholder alley.
Free event, 12:00 – 5:00 pm, Sunday 6th October 2024
World Circle Dance
Circle dance celebrates the joy of and well-being of communities dancing together. Join active senior dancers and learn some simple joyful dances from around the world. All dances taught and all welcome. No dance experience required!
Free event, 1.00 pm on Sunday 6th October, Birrarung Marr/River Terrace area
Contact Judi: [email protected]
A Walk In The Park
Before the main festivities of the day begin, Life Activities Clubs Victoria (LACVI) will undertake a guided tour of Queen Victoria Gardens on Celebration Day.
Meet at the Life Activities Club Victoria marquee on the Riverwalk. See the famous statues, Temple of the Winds, The Lych Gate and The Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda. Tour will finish at The Tan.
Free event, 11 am – 12 pm, Sunday 6th October, Life Activities Clubs Victoria (LACVI)
Contact Sue: [email protected]
What a beautiful building our Melbourne Town Hall is. Such a delight to attend the Melbourne Town Hall Big Band Dance as an activity during the Victorian Seniors Festival.
A first for me and I was enchanted with the crowds of couples strutting out the old ballroom dances with the huge band playing in front of the magnificent old pipe organ. My husband and I joined in momentarily, but we didn’t know the dances.
We watched from the balcony. The huge crowd of couples swirling around the hall looked like a swirling sea of waves. I believe there were 1500 people on that dance floor. It was awesome.
– Terrie
Join the Celebration
With its central location at the corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets, Melbourne, and easy access by public transport, Celebration Day at Fed Square is an event you won’t want to miss.
Mark your calendars and come celebrate the richness and diversity of us older Victorians. For more information about the Victorian Seniors Festival, visit www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival.
Join us on Sunday 6th October and be a part of this joyful celebration!
Find more
- For our list of Festival events happening in Metropolitan Melbourne head here.
- Find our list of Festival events happening in Regional Victoria head here.
- The full list of 2000+ events as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival official program is here.
- For our Guide to Free Public Transport for Seniors Week, head here.
- Need a hand getting around Melbourne? Travellers Aid is here to help, read more here.
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
Note: These events are listed by the event owner on their own independent website and confirmation of any details should be reviewed on their site, as these are subject to change.
Disclaimer: Seniors in Melbourne is not affiliated with the Victorian Seniors Festival and all content represented here has not been approved by Victorian Seniors Festival, its owner DFFH or the Victorian State Government. View the official program and full list of events here. Contact the Festival Team at [email protected]
