Victorian Seniors Festival 2026 – What’s On in Regional Victoria
Held across Melbourne and regional Victoria, the Victorian Seniors Festival takes place throughout October 2026 and celebrates the lives of Victorians aged 60 and over.
While we’re not involved in running the Festival, we’re here to help you make the most of it. October is one of the best times of year to head regional too — the weather’s turning, the countryside is green, and towns across the state are gearing up with their own Seniors Festival programs. This guide highlights some of the best events happening in regional Victoria — a wonderful excuse to get out, explore, and enjoy this special month.
We’re finalising this year’s Festival line-up now — the full 2026 program is announced in September.
Don’t forget to see what your local council has planned for Seniors Month—you might discover surprising activities and experiences right in your own community.
This article lists our top pick of Seniors Festival events across regional Victoria. Find highlight events happening across metropolitan Melbourne here. And find the best deals on offer during Seniors Month here.
When is the Victorian Seniors Festival 2026?
From 1 October to 31 October 2026.
When is Victorian Seniors Week 2026?
As a Victorian Seniors Card holder, from 3 to 11 October, you can explore Victoria with free public transport during the Victorian Seniors Festival.
Why Regional Victoria is Worth the Trip for Seniors Festival
Spring is in full swing by October, making it a lovely month to venture beyond the city and discover what’s on in Victoria’s regional towns. From coastal escapes to wine country to the goldfields, there’s no shortage of destinations worth the drive or train trip.
Councils run their own Seniors Festival programs each year, often smaller and more personal than the city events, but just as worthwhile. Think free morning teas at the local hall, guided walks through a regional botanic garden, or a museum opening its doors for the day. Many are free or low-cost, and most are run by local council ageing-well or community teams who know their area well. If you’re planning a day trip, it’s worth checking your destination council’s website directly to make the most of what’s on offer.
Getting there is easier on the wallet too. Seniors myki holders already travel free every weekend, anywhere in Victoria. Right now, midweek fares are even better than usual — public transport is half price for everyone until 1 January 2027, bringing the Seniors myki daily cap down to just $2.85 midweek, for travel anywhere in the state. That covers train, tram, bus and regional coach travel on one simple daily cap, whether you’re heading to Ballarat for the day or catching the V/Line to Bendigo.
Read our full guide to using your Seniors myki
What’s on in Regional Victoria for the Seniors Festival 2026
Featured Listing
Spring into Bloom in the Bendigo Region
Spring in the Bendigo Region runs from late August right through to November, so there’s no need to wait for the Seniors Festival to make the trip. Head over in September to catch the tulips and floral displays at their peak, or plan your visit for October and take in a full calendar of arts, culture, heritage and wine events.
Delve into 175 years of gold rush history, or breathe in the fresh country air across landscapes shaped over more than 60,000 years. If you’re visiting during the Festival month, catch the tail end of the Bloom program with the Loddon Valley Arts Festival (2–4 October) and the illuminated Bloom After Dark trail, then stay on for the Bendigo Comedy Festival (7 – 17 October), the Heathcote Wine and Food Festival (10–11 October) and Bendigo Wine Week (12–17 October). Animal and food lovers should also keep an eye on the popular Vegecarian Festival (3 October), held annually at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion.
Treat yourself to a deluxe high tea, join a heritage or food walking tour, browse local art shows, or simply enjoy the warm hospitality of regional towns. However you like to explore, the Bendigo Region is ready to welcome you this spring.
Find more information on Bloom Festival here.
Northern regions Victorian Seniors Festival Events
Head north for goldfields history, riverland charm and a touch of country music.
Retirees on the River – Seniors’ Celebrations (7–18 September 2026). Echuca Moama’s inaugural seniors and retirees program invites visitors to slow down and stay a little longer on the Murray. More than 30 local businesses are offering deals across accommodation, dining, guided tours, workshops and entertainment throughout the 12 days. Echuca Moama. Dates run just ahead of Seniors Festival month.
Victorian Goldfields Railway Seniors Festival (1 Oct to 31 2026). Celebrate the Victorian Seniors Festival with a nostalgic heritage train journey through the picturesque Goldfields countryside between Castlemaine and Maldon. Seniors receive a 15% Discount when booking online during October – use promo code: SENIORS26 Platform/3 Kennedy St, Castlemaine, Book Tickets
Mildura Wentworth Country Music Festival (26 Sep – 4 Oct 2026). Enjoy nine days of live country music across multiple venues, featuring more than 40 Australian artists, free performances, ticketed concerts and line dancing. Set against the Murray River, this much-loved festival celebrates the best of country music in a welcoming regional atmosphere. Mildura & Wentworth, Read for more info
Honky Tonk Queens (13 Oct 2026). Amber Joy Poulton celebrates the legendary first ladies of country music—Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn—with timeless hits including Jolene, Crazy, Stand By Your Man and Coal Miner’s Daughter. Backed by The Holy Two, this uplifting one-hour concert is part of the Victorian Seniors Festival. Shepparton Riverbank Eastbank. Tickets $5
Shepparton Country Music Festival (16 October 2026). Head to the Shepparton Showgrounds for a day of live country music, part of the region’s growing country music calendar. A fun, foot-tapping day out for anyone who enjoyed the Mildura Wentworth Country Music Festival earlier in the month.
Shepparton Showgrounds.
East & southeast regions Victorian Seniors Festival Events
Victoria’s east and southeast are buzzing this month, with plenty to build a weekend around.
Grit & Resilience Festival (10 Oct 2026). Celebrate World Mental Health Day at this free community festival featuring live music, food, games, interactive activities and wellbeing experiences. With the theme Together We Thrive, the event encourages connection, inclusion and community in a fun, welcoming atmosphere for all ages. King George Garden, Wangaratta. Free entry.
In Their Footsteps – Bespoke Tour & High Tea at Bonegilla Migrant Experience (14 Oct 2026). Be inspired by the remarkable stories of Australia’s post-war migrants during a guided tour of the Bonegilla Migrant Experience. The afternoon includes a delicious high tea and fascinating insights into one of the nation’s most significant heritage sites. 132 Bonegilla Road, Bonegilla, Tickets soon.
Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre — October Line-up. A packed month of tribute shows and theatre: Andrew Lloyd Webber favourites in Music of the Night (10 Oct), Michael Jackson tribute MOONWALKER (17 Oct), classic rock in The Eagles Story (24 Oct), and Bell Shakespeare’s Macbeth (29 Oct). Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre. Tickets from $49.
Wodonga Football and Sports Club — Dance Through the Decades (11 Oct) and Rodney Vincent Concert (16 Oct). Two social afternoons of music and nostalgia — dress up for classic hits from the 1950s to 80s, or enjoy a lively mix of country, rock ‘n’ roll and sing-along favourites.
84 Vermont Street, Wodonga. Tickets soon.
Western regions Victorian Seniors Festival Events
Out west, spring means wildflowers, wineries and small-town charm.
Seniors History Trivia Tour (7 & 21 Oct 2026). Celebrate the Victorian Seniors Festival with a fun and nostalgic tour exploring the history of Vegemite and its inventor, Cyril Callister. Enjoy history trivia, fascinating stories, a short film, morning tea and a delicious Vegemite-inspired treat in this friendly, interactive museum experience. Cyril Callister Museum, Beaufort, Tickets $15.
Discovering the Impressionists, Geelong Gallery (until 11 Oct 2026). This exhibition flows across five galleries, presenting more than 70 paintings from across two generations of Impressionist artists, the majority from private collections in France and never before seen in Australia.
Tickets from $25.
There is also Claude Monet and Australian Impressionism (until 25 Oct 2026), a free exhibition pairing Claude Monet’s celebrated Haystacks, midday with works by leading Australian Impressionists. Geelong Gallery, Little Malop Street, Geelong, Free entry.
More Regional Victoria Inspiration
Looking for more ideas beyond the Festival program? Here are a few of our favourite regional guides to help you plan your next getaway:
- Ballarat Botanical Gardens – A relaxing, easy-paced stroll through one of regional Victoria’s finest gardens.
- The Pink Lake at the End of the Line: Chasing the Elusive Sky Mirror – A striking natural wonder in the Wimmera Mallee, worth the journey.
- Bellarine Peninsula: A Two-Day Escape from Melbourne – Coastal towns, wineries and relaxed seaside charm.
- WAMA in Halls Gap – Where art, gardens and the Grampians meet.
- Top Wineries in the Grampians – A guide to the region’s best cellar doors.
- Visiting Chiltern – A tranquil weekend recipe in one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets.
For even more inspiration, browse our full collection of Regional Victoria guides and reviews.
Free Public Transport for Seniors Week
As well as great events and activities happening across regional Victoria and Melbourne, Victorian Seniors Card holders receive a full week of completely free public transport across the state! This is happening from Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 October 2026.
Related reading: Guide to Free Public Transport for Seniors Week
What’s on in Metro Melbourne for Seniors Festival 2026
- Find our top pick of events happening across metropolitan Melbourne for Seniors Month here.
- Find the best deals on offer during Seniors Month here.
Regional Seniors Festival FAQs
Q: When is the 2026 Regional Victoria Seniors Festival program announced?
A: Regional councils typically confirm their programs through September, ahead of the Festival’s October start. We’ll update this page as listings come in.
Q: Are regional Seniors Festival events free?
A: Many are free or low-cost, though some ticketed performances and tours may have a small fee. Details are usually listed on the individual council’s website.
Q: Can I attend events outside my own council area?
A: Yes — most events welcome visitors from other municipalities, making regional day trips a great way to explore during the Festival.
Q: How do I find out what’s on in my region?
A: Check your local council’s website, or come back here — we curate our pick of the best regional events once the 2026 program is confirmed.
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
Disclaimer: Some businesses in this article have paid for a little extra spotlight – you’ll spot them with an asterisk (*). We only say yes to partners we think you’ll love, so if it’s here, it’s because we’d happily recommend it to our own friends (and probably have).
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.
These events or promotions 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.
Contact the Victorian Seniors Festival organisers via seniorsfestival@dffh.vic.gov.au or 03 8850 6164
This post contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click on a link and make a purchase.
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