Celebration Day at Fed Square: Launching The Victorian Seniors Festival
Federation Square in Melbourne will soon be buzzing with excitement as we celebrate the 2026 Victorian Seniors Festival’s Celebration Day on Saturday 3 October 2026.
Supported by the City of Melbourne and Fed Square, this lively event is a wonderful tribute to us Seniors, to be shared with our friends and families.
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.
What’s On Celebration Day, Victorian Seniors Festival
As well as the main stages, Fed Square will host marquees from local groups offering information and activities. You can try Mahjong with Melbourne City U3A explore Life Activities Clubs Victoria, COTA and more, with plenty of engaging activities to discover throughout the day.
In 2025, Table Tennis Victoria hosted a special pop-up event where you could pick up tips from ambassadors from clubs right across the state. Meanwhile, the Metro Trains marquee had special guest Peter Hitchener, chatting with attendees and sharing important transport updates.
The day also often features an interactive and intergenerational ukulele performance. Bring along your uke and play along with thousands of others from across the state.
Terrie’s review
My first time attending the Seniors Celebration Day at Fed Square was so much fun. 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.
Main Square, Federation Square
The heart of Celebration Day, the Main Square, will be bustling with non-stop performances, interactive workshops like tai chi and line dancing, and plenty of other opportunities to join in the fun.
The Edge Performances
There won’t be any performances at The Edge in 2025. This is still to be confirmed for 2026.
River Terrace Activities
Location: River Terrace, below The Edge Theatre
The River Terrace will be buzzing with activity as well, featuring a range of performers and workshops throughout the day.
It’s worth exploring the information marquees at Celebration Day. This is where you can chat with friendly representatives from community groups, health services, and social organisations.
Some stalls focus on aged care and health, while others are all about staying active, learning new things, and connecting with like-minded people.
Be sure to visit:
- U3A Victoria, which offers affordable courses and activities run by volunteers, covering everything from languages and history to art, exercise, and technology.
- Life Activities Clubs Victoria; a warm and welcoming network of clubs offering social outings, walks, lunches, and hobby groups that make it easy to stay connected and have fun after 50.
Ukulele Group Performance
Get ready to strum, sing, and celebrate! A mass ukulele performance in the heart of the city. Details for 2026 are still to be confirmed.
Whether you’ve been playing for years or just dusted off your uke, all are welcome. This interactive, intergenerational event invites both seasoned players and enthusiastic beginners to join Victorians of all ages in a feel-good musical experience. Don’t worry if you don’t know every tune — lyrics and chord tabs will be displayed on the big screen in Federation Square so you can strum along at your own pace.
Where to Eat and Drink nearby
Note that there aren’t any food stalls as part of the Celebration Day. Below are some good cafés and restaurants at or near Fed Square to enjoy during Celebration Day — whether you’re after a quick coffee, a relaxed meal, or somewhere to rest between performances:
- Chocolate Buddha – Contemporary Japanese dining with sushi, noodles, and bento boxes, right in the heart of the square.
- Time Out Café – A popular all-day café for breakfast, lunch, or just a coffee while you people-watch.
- NGV Café (The Ian Potter Centre) – A calm but small spot for coffee, sandwiches, and sweet treats, with free exhibitions to explore nearby.
- Transport Public Bar – Casual pub meals, local beers, and great views of the stage and square.
- Riverland Bar – Tucked along the Yarra River, this open-air venue offers snacks, pizzas, and a lively riverside atmosphere.
- Good Nature – A recently opened restaurant with a pub feel and an indoor kids’ play area.
- Pilgrim Bar – A cosy riverfront bar known for its local wine list and share plates.
- Flinders Lane cafés – Just across Flinders Street, this famous laneway is lined with espresso bars and bakeries for a quick bite or sit-down meal.
Tip: If you need a breather from the crowd, step into the Koorie Heritage Trust or Ian Potter Building for a quiet seat and a stroll through the free gallery exhibitions.
Facilities at Fed Square
Fed Square is well-equipped for a comfortable day out. You’ll find public toilets and accessible amenities throughout the precinct, as well as a 7-Eleven for snacks, drinks, or any last-minute essentials you might need. Everything’s within easy reach to help you make the most of Celebration Day.
Getting Around Fed Square
Fed Square’s distinctive paving is part of its charm, but it’s worth knowing before you go: the surface is made up of sandstone tiles set at slightly different angles, and in some areas — particularly around the main square and sloped sections — the ground can be uneven underfoot.
A few tips to make getting around easier:
Wear comfortable, flat, supportive shoes rather than sandals or anything with a slick sole. Take your time on the sloped areas leading down toward the river, especially if the tiles are damp. If you use a wheelie walker, cane, or wheelchair, sticking to the main pedestrian paths rather than cutting across the tiled square directly will generally give you smoother going. There are accessible, level routes connecting the main entrances, the restaurants, and The Edge, so if you’re unsure, the friendly staff in green or the information marquees on the day can point you toward the easiest path.
If you’d rather skip the open square altogether, the undercover walkway along the Flinders Street side and the path along the river terrace tend to be flatter and offer a good vantage point for performances without needing to navigate the central tiles.
It’s also a good idea to arrive a little early on event days, both to find a comfortable spot before crowds build and to give yourself time to get your bearings without feeling rushed.
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 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.
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Disclaimer: Seniors in Melbourne is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the Victorian Seniors Festival, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), or the Victorian Government. All content is created and published independently.
