Birrarung Riverfest 2026: our Guide to Melbourne’s River Festival
Birrarung Riverfest returns for 2026, running Sunday 27 September (World Rivers Day) to Sunday 18 October — three weeks of walks, talks, storytelling and nature activities celebrating the Yarra River, or Birrarung, from its source in the Yarra Ranges all the way to the bay. With more than 70 free events spread across Melbourne’s suburbs, this is a chance to discover parts of the river many of us walked past for decades without really seeing.
Birrarung Riverfest: who’s behind it.
Riverfest is presented by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association, a not-for-profit that’s spent over three decades advocating for a healthy, protected Yarra. Now in its fourth year, the festival brings together artists, environmental groups and Traditional Owners along the river’s length.
It also has a serious purpose alongside the fun: this year’s program is shining a light on stormwater pollution, one of the river’s biggest threats, with organisers noting that hundreds of millions of litter items — much of it microplastic — wash into Port Phillip Bay via the Yarra every year.
As Association President Janet Bolitho puts it, the festival highlights both the gifts and the challenges of the river, “under increasing pressure from urban growth, climate change, and stormwater pollution.”
View the full festival program of 70+ events here.
Sammy J as Riverfest Ambassador
Comedian, author and broadcaster Sammy J has been appointed Riverfest’s 2026 Ambassador — a self-described “mad-keen paddler” who says the Yarra is his “happy place.”
He’s not just a name on the poster: Sammy MCs and performs at the opening-day River Rhythms singer-songwriter competition in Warburton, and leads The Big Birrarung Paddle later in the festival.
Organisers say his involvement is designed to draw in people who might not normally engage with an environmental festival.
Opening and hero events
River Rhythms, Singer/Songwriter Competition (Sun Sept 27, Arts Centre Warburton) — the festival’s official opening-day event, with Sammy J as MC, showcasing finalists of the Warburton Birrarung Riverfest competition. A lovely, low-key way to kick things off if you’re up in the Yarra Valley. Free | Event details
Picnic on the Birrarung: Launch of Riverfest 2026 (Sun Sept 27, Warburton, Redwood Centre) — the community launch picnic, with culture, storytelling and family activities by the river. Free | Event details
The Big Birrarung Paddle with Sammy J (Sat Oct 10, Fairfield Boathouse) — Sammy J leads this community river clean-up paddle, with prizes and picnics. A fun one to watch or cheer on even if paddling isn’t for you. Free | Event details
Confluence 2026: Community Waterways Forum (Sat Oct 17, The Edge, Fed Square) — a day of talks and ideas from community leaders and waterway champions, good for those who prefer sitting and listening to walking. Free | Event details
Everflow: Birrarung Riverfest Closing Event (Sun Oct 18, Melbourne) — the festival’s closing gathering, a reflective end to the three weeks bringing the community back together. Free | Event details
View the full festival program of 70+ events here.
Our top picks of events
Walks and Talks
Yarra Bend Park Walk (Sat Oct 3 & Oct 17, Fairfield) — a guided 5km walk through Yarra Bend Park’s wildlife and natural beauty. Free | Event details
Dights Falls Cultural Walking Tour (Abbotsford Convent to Dights Falls) — explore Wurundjeri culture with a Senior Environmental Wurundjeri Educator. Free | Event details
Sunset with the Birds (Sat Oct 17, Westerfolds Park, Templestowe) — a relaxed early sunset stroll with Urban Ecologist Dr Jacinta Humphrey. Free | Event details
Guided Bird Walk on the Birrarung (Sun Oct 4, Ivanhoe) — birdlife spotting at Wilson Reserve with Dr Jacinta Humphrey. Free | Event details
Eucalypts of Diamond Creek (Sat Oct 10, Eltham) — a gentle walk with the author of the ACE Guide to Eucalypts Melbourne. Free | Event details
View the full festival program of 70+ events here.
Wildlife and Nature
Discover the Platypus of the Birrarung (Sun Oct 4, Warrandyte) — with Zoos Victoria’s Platypus Keeper (waitlist only, but worth joining). Free | Event details
Sunset with the Platypus (Fri Oct 2, Finns Reserve, Lower Templestowe) — an evening walk with platypus expert Nigel Philpot. Free | Event details
Froggy Fun by the Birrarung (Sun Oct 11, Collingwood Children’s Farm) — a lovely one if you’re bringing grandchildren along. Free | Event details
View the full festival program of 70+ events here.
Storytelling, Culture and Wellbeing
Writing Birrarung (Sat Oct 3, Dights Falls) — a guided creative writing workshop connecting storytelling and the river. Free | Event details
Birrarung as a Sanctuary (Sat Oct 10, Fairfield) — a World Mental Health Day community picnic with music, marking a nice, relaxed half-day out. Free | Event details
View the full festival program of 70+ events here.
Some extra tips
- Book early. Several of the most popular walks — the moonlit story walk, the platypus talks, the eucalypt walks — were already booked out or waitlisted well ahead of the festival. If something catches your eye, book it the day you read this.
- Check the terrain before you commit. Some events (kayaking, 8km history walks, evening paddles) are more physically demanding than others.
- Bring layers and good shoes. Late September and October in Melbourne can swing from bright sun to a sudden shower — most events go ahead rain or shine.
- Almost everything is free. Riverfest is a free festival overall, though a handful of events are hosted by outside clubs or venues (paddling groups, ticketed venues) who may set their own small charge — we’ve noted these below, but it’s worth double-checking the listing before you book.
- Booking limits apply. To spread places around, most smaller events cap bookings at 2 tickets per person, and larger events at 4. Bring a friend, but you may need to book separately for a bigger group.
- Only book if you’re genuinely coming. Places are limited and run by community volunteers and organisations — a “no-show” is a missed spot for someone else. If your plans change, cancel as early as you can so someone on the waitlist can take your place.
Join the conversation
We love that this isn’t a festival built around crowds and queues — it’s guided walks, birdwatching, cultural talks and storytelling sessions, most of them free, most of them gentle, and nearly all of them outdoors.
Have you booked into a Riverfest event, or been to one in a previous year? We’d love to hear which walk or talk you’d recommend — share your experience with us, and we may feature it in a future update to this guide.
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
