white bridge over river near city buildings during daytime
Family FestivalMelbourne, VIC

Moomba Festival

Moomba is Melbourne's free community festival and among the largest free festivals in Australia, held on the banks of the Yarra across the Labour Day long weekend in March. Running since 1955, it delivers carnival rides, water sports, parades, fireworks each night and the gleefully absurd Birdman Rally, in which homemade flying machines launch off a platform into the river.

Get there by bus →Labour Day long weekend, early-to-mid March (4 days)Free entry

What to expect

Attendances across the weekend top a million. The riverbank precinct from Alexandra Gardens to Birrarung Marr carries most of the program, all walkable from the CBD. It is unpretentious, family-first Melbourne, and the Monday holiday keeps the whole weekend easy.

  • Family Festival
  • Community Event
  • Major Event

Getting there by bus

Tell us where you're starting from and we'll find coach options to Melbourne.

One-way trip

Fares and timetables are confirmed on the operator's site before you book.