MELBOURNE EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES CALENDAR JANUARY–DECEMBER 2020 January February Vida Melbourne 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 Australian Open 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 Australia 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 Moomba 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 Open House Melbourne 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) Melbourne Marathon Festival November–December 4 Oct Victorian Festival of Diwali Melbourne Fashion Week 2–7 Nov 12 Oct –16 Oct Night Noodle Markets Melbourne Cup 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. 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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. 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