MELBOURNE EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES CALENDAR JANUARY–DECEMBER 2020

January February

Vida Latin Summer Festival Opera for the People 10–19 Jan 1 Feb NGV Kids Summer Festival Sustainable Living Festival 13–19 Jan 1–29 Feb Midsumma Melbourne Storm Family Day 19 Jan–9 Feb 1 Feb Chinese New Year Festival Melbourne 20 Jan–2 Feb Feb Chinese New Year Festival Melbourne Chinatown Chinese New Year 24 Jan–2 Feb Festival Melbourne Feb Share The Spirit Festival Songlines 26 Jan Pause Fest 5–7 Feb Day 26 Jan Ride Melbourne 9 Feb Movies Under The Stars at Yarra’s Edge 14–15 Feb Northside Summer Festival 15–22 Feb Melbourne Japanese Summer Festival 23 Feb SalamFest Sufi Festival 28 Feb–1 Mar Lonsdale Street Greek Festival Festival 29 Feb–1 Mar

KEY Applications open for Small City of Melbourne event Business Grants and Business Sponsored by City of Melbourne Event Sponsorship Program Business event / tourism supported Feb–Mar

March–May June–July

Moomba Festival Lord Mayor’s Commendations 6–9 Mar announcement 24 Jun Turkish Pazar Festival 7–8 Mar 25–26 Jul (online event) IMPACT7 24 Mar August Applications open for Event Partnership Program Melbourne International 1 May–1 Jun Film Festival 68 ½ 6–23 Aug (online event) Minus18 Presents IDAHOBIT Melbourne Writers Festival 17 May 7–16 Aug (online event) Law Week 18–24 May (online event) Applications open for Small Business Melbourne Conversations Grants and Social Enterprise Grants 29 May–7 Jun (online event) Melbourne International Jazz Festival 29 May–7 Jun (online event)

Melbourne Music Week Japanese Summer Festival

September–October

Chinatown Melbourne Mid-Autumn Festival 19 Sep Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 13–23 Sep Christmas Festival The Little Food Festival 23–24 Sep (online event) Festival November–December 4 Oct Victorian Festival of Diwali Melbourne Fashion Week 2–7 Nov 12 Oct –16 Oct Night Noodle Markets Carnival and Parade 5–22 Nov 31 Oct–7 Nov Melbourne Fringe Festival 12–29 Nov Melbourne Awards Gala Ceremony Please check with the venue 14 Nov before planning to attend. Polish Festival COVID-19 has had a significant impact on 15 Nov events scheduled for 2020 in Melbourne. Melbourne Italian Festa Whether events go ahead is dependent on 29 Nov the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Some events are being held online, others may Melbourne Music Week decide to go online as the year progresses. 18–22 Nov Information is correct at time of publication. Nepal Festival Melbourne 21 Nov SalamFest Muslim Arts Festival 27–30 Nov Christmas Festival 27 Nov–25 Dec Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation Festival Promote your business or event with 3 Dec a free listing on the What’s On website New Year’s Eve whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/listings 31 Dec START A BUSINESS If you’re starting a business in Melbourne, check out the opportunities, resources and support services available to you.

Business support Research and data

Contact our dedicated Business Concierge Access hourly data about pedestrians, team on 9658 9658 (press 1 for business) transport and more, using Open Data. for one-on-one assistance. Analyse commercial performance using Join forces with your neighbourhood by City of Melbourne’s Economic Profile. signing up to one of Melbourne’s precinct associations. Research the city’s changing profile using Census of Land Use and Discover co-working spaces in Melbourne. Employment (CLUE).

Access free internet and online resources Monitor building development using at all six City of Melbourne libraries. the 3D Development Activity Model.

Subscribe to the Business in Melbourne newsletter at melbourne.vic.gov.au/ businessnewsletter

Startups and innovation

Read our Startup Action Plan 2017–2021 to find out how we’re supporting Got questions entrepreneurs. about permits, licenses or waste collection? Join the conversation on Participate and check out the latest news and updates. Head to the Run a Business Access free stock images from section at melbourne.vic.gov.au/ The Startup Photo Library business

Solve a city challenge and win funding in our annual Open Innovation Competition.

For more information head to melbourne.vic.gov.au/business

GROW A BUSINESS Expanding your business is an exciting time that comes with its own challenges. We’re here to help get you there.

Marketing support Banners and advertising

We reach an audience of over seven million Display your brochure for free at our per year through the What’s On Melbourne visitor hubs.* website, blog, newsletter, social media and destination marketing campaigns. Increase awareness of your business or event by sharing updates with our tourism • List your business or event for free team, which assists city visitors every day. on the What’s On website. • Share your stories and images by Promote your event on banners emailing marketing@melbourne. throughout City of Melbourne. vic.gov.au • Tag us using #melbmoment or @whatsonmelb • Get active on social media and keep your website up-to-date

Follow us on:

@WHATSONMELB *Display is at the discretion of City of Melbourne

International opportunities Grants and sponsorship

Connect with Melbourne’s international Apply for a wide range of support partner cities including: available to individuals, community organisations and businesses, across • Osaka, Japan • Bandung, Indonesia sectors including the arts, recreation, • Tianjin, China • Boston, USA events and business. Grant and • Nanjing, China • Milan, Italy. sponsorship applications open at various times throughout the year. Attend one of our capacity-building Find out if you’re eligible, when seminars, workshops or briefings. applications open and how to apply Leverage international marketing at melbourne.vic.gov.au/ opportunities through our WeChat channel. grantsandsponsorships

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