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, 11am–5pm.
It’s free to attend, no bookings required, and open to everyone — a wonderful tribute to us Seniors, to be shared with our friends and families.
Expect six hours of live entertainment, dance and workshops across Fed Square, featuring mainly older artists and performers. Connect, create and celebrate with the 2026 Victorian Seniors Festival!
What’s On Celebration Day, Victorian Seniors Festival
Celebration Day plays out across a few key zones at Fed Square, each with its own flavour — so it’s worth having a wander to catch a bit of everything.
As well as the main stages, Fed Square hosts 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.
For 2026, the day plays out across four main zones — Main Square, The Atrium, Edge Theatre, and Birrarung Marr — each running its own timed program, so it’s worth planning your route. Full line-ups below.
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 is where the non-stop action happens — great music and dance from around the world, plenty of opportunities to join in, and it’s the best spot to just sit back and soak up the atmosphere for a while.
Here’s the full 2026 line-up so you can plan your day:
| Time | Act | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 11am – 11:30am | Tai Chi with Jack Yang | A calm, gentle start — great low-impact way to warm up |
| 11:30am – 12pm | abunDANCE workshop with Bessie Kay | Joyful, music-driven movement for body and brain health |
| 12pm – 12:15pm | Official opening | Launching the 2026 Victorian Seniors Festival |
| 12:20pm – 1pm | King Marong and Afro Mandinko | High-energy Afrobeat, funk, Latin, reggae and jazz |
| 1pm – 1:15pm | Batacuda | Percussion and circus skills — foot-tapping rhythms |
| 1:15pm – 2pm | Oxo Cubans | Funk band with tuba, sax, trombone and percussion |
| 2pm – 2:10pm | Filippo (Phil Carroll) | Accordion — Italian and European classics |
| 2:10pm – 2:55pm | Dannielle De Andrea | American songs, jazz standards, country and soul |
| 3pm – 3:10pm | Quiff Tones | Rock and roll trio — 50s, 60s and 70s hits |
| 3:10pm – 3:55pm | The Lost Girls | 10-woman band, high-energy nostalgic dance set |
| 3:55pm – 4:10pm | Bollywood workshop with Joshinder Chaggar | Colourful showcase plus a beginner’s class |
| 4:10pm – 5pm | The Neil Diamond Story | Jason Taylor and a 14-piece band close out the day |
Tip: If you only want to catch a couple of acts, the Official Opening at 12pm and The Neil Diamond Story from 4:10pm are the two biggest drawcards — arrive a bit early for a good spot.
The Atrium — New for 2026
Head into The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, or pull up a seat for a game of giant chess with the Knox Community Chess Enthusiasts.
- NGV Australia (11am – 5pm): Free entry to a broad collection of Australian art, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous works. Don’t miss the Margaret Preston retrospective — a major exhibition on one of Australia’s most influential modern artists. Book tickets online or at the NGV ticket desk.
- Every Move Matters – Chess activation (11am – 4pm): Have a go on the giant chess board, or watch an expert player take on multiple opponents at once. All ages and skill levels welcome.
The Edge Performances
Overlooking the Yarra River, the Edge Theatre will feature great community acts throughout the day — a lovely spot to rest your feet and enjoy the entertainment with a river view.
| Time | Act | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 12:05pm – 12:55pm | The People’s Choir, led by Bettina Spivakovsky | Classic hits, current favourites and golden oldies — everyone’s welcome to sing along |
| 1:05pm – 1:55pm | Ukulele play along, with the Old Spice Girls (Longbeach Ukulele Club) | Grab your uke and join players from across the state |
| 2:05pm – 2:50pm | Veneto Club Choir | Italian ballads and lively folk tunes |
| 3pm – 3:50pm | The Band Next Door | Interactive show — “You Are the Band,” everyone gets involved |
| 4:05pm – 4:55pm | Legends of Brass | The state’s top retired brass and Salvation Army musicians, playing swing, show tunes and marches |
Tip: Keen to join the ukulele play-along? You can register beforehand for a player’s toolkit with music charts and instructional videos for 10 songs — a nice head start if you want to play along rather than just watch. Grab a spot a little before 1pm if you want to be part of the action rather than watching from the back. Register here to access the resources.
Birrarung Marr and Roving Performers
Keep an eye out for roving performers popping up around Fed Square and Birrarung Marr from 11am to 5pm — part of the charm of Celebration Day is stumbling across something unexpected as you wander between zones. Look out for:
- Los Torros – great Latin music and lively dance rhythms
- Scratch and Groove music cart – a bespoke DJ set featuring all your favourite hits
- Filippo (Phil Carroll) – laugh, dance and sing along on the accordion
- Batacuda – circus tricks, music and fun, catching you by surprise between the fixed stages
- The Quiff Tones – rock and roll trio playing hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s
Tip: A few of these acts (Filippo and Batacuda) also have set times on the Main Square stage — so if you miss them roving, you’ll likely catch them there too.
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.
Where to eat and drink nearby
Note that there aren’t usually 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. Tip: mention Seniors in Melbourne for 10% off the bill.
- 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 & Transit Rooftop – Casual pub meals, local beers, and great views of the river 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.
Read also: 11 Best Restaurants Near Southern Cross Station (Within 500m)
Tip: If you need a breather from the crowd, step into the Koorie Heritage Trust, ACMI 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.
Getting there — Free Public Transport
Here’s the insider tip that makes Celebration Day easy to plan around: Victorian Seniors Card holders get 9 days of free public transport across Victoria, from 3 to 11 October 2026. This covers all metropolitan train, tram and bus services, V/Line train and coach services, and selected regional bus services outside the myki area — so it’s well worth timing any regional trips or visits to family around this window, not just the day itself. Read more here.
With trains and trams stopping right beside Fed Square, public transport really is the easiest way in. If you’re coming via Flinders Street Station, head to the southern exit — the one closest to the Yarra River and the Clocks at Flinders restaurant — and you’ll come out right near the square.
If you’re travelling further afield on a reserved V/Line service, it’s worth booking your seat ahead of time. You can do this at your nearest staffed station or agent, or by calling 1800 800 007.
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 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.
