2026 festival
The Victorian Seniors Festival returns in October, offering thousands of free and low-cost events across the state for older Victorians.
Major events will include:
- Celebration Day at Fed Square
- Big Band Dance
- Country Concert series
- Aged Care Tour
- Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.
Get involved
There are many ways to get involved with the 2026 Victorian Seniors Festival as an older Victorian or an event organiser.
- With thousands of events on offer there is something for everyone to enjoy. The program for 2026 will launch in September. Older Victorians can sign up to receive the Seniors Card e-News and stay up to date with the latest news.
- Event organisers can offer new activities, host local events or, run an open day for older Victorians. Check out the promotional available to support your events.
Key dates
Victorian Senior of the Year Awards
The annual Victorian Senior of the Year Awards are a feature of the festival. These awards acknowledge older Victorians who volunteer. Nominations are now open and will close on Tuesday 19 May 2026.
For more information visit the awards page.
Promotional opportunities
Free opportunities and resources are available to support the promotion of festival events.
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Event organisers can use the online event calendar to promote events statewide. The online event calendar opens for submissions on Monday 25 May.
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The Victorian Seniors Festival print guide promotes key events from across the state. Event organisers can apply by Sunday June to have their event considered for inclusion. Space is limited.
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Local councils are a key partner of the festival and deliver events or activities right across the state. Event organisers can reach out to council festival contacts to find ways of working together to deliver festival events.
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Resources will be available in June to help event organisers promote activities as a part of the festival. This includes artwork, communications messaging and posters.
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Interested in attending Celebration Day as an exhibitor in 2026? Complete the expression of interest to receive the exhibitor guide. All exhibitors must directly work with older Victorians in support of positive ageing. Expressions of interest close on Sunday 17 May.
Festival partners
The Victorian Seniors Festival is delivered in collaboration with more than 500 stakeholders.
Festival events are delivered by:
- the Victorian Government
- local councils
- community and cultural organisations
- commercial partners.
All 79 local councils are actively involved in the festival and are key partners. To find out more about events and activities being delivered in your local area, reach out to a festival council contact.
2025 festival
Older Victorians enjoyed over 4,700 events statewide inspired by the theme Connect, Create, Celebrate.
The festival was officially launched with Celebration Day at Fed Square. Celebration Day featured a 7-hour line-up of free entertainment, dance and workshops. Special features included line dancing and an interactive ukulele performance.
Victorian Seniors Card holders made the most of 8 days of free public transport to join in festival events across the state.
B# Big Band recreated the magic of the 30s, 40s and 50s swing eras at the Big Band Dance.
Bernadette Robinson performed the songs of Judy Garland at two booked out shows.
Older Victorians also enjoyed free and low-cost films at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
Over 20 Country Concerts presented live music performed by well-known artists and tribute bands.
The Aged Care Tour shared magic, music and entertainment with aged care residents across the state.
Celebration Day highlights
Translated information
Translated information about the Victorian Seniors Festival is available in 16 languages on the translations webpage.
Reviewed 23 April 2026