About the Victorian Seniors Festival

The major statewide festival for Victorians over 60, the Victorian Seniors Festival focuses on providing fun and good times with opportunities to participate in events and activities for free or low cost throughout October each year.

The Victorian Government, through the Seniors, Carers and Elder Abuse Reform branch in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, coordinates the Festival and works closely with all 79 local councils. The Festival also works with community and cultural organisations, and commercial partners to coordinate and promote activities and events for senior Victorians in their local area. View our partners page.

This annual festival returned on 1 October 2023 and featured:

• live and local events across the state, delivered by local councils, community groups and clubs
• eight days of free public transport for Victorian Seniors Card holders from 1 to 8 October 2023
• return of flagship events held in Melbourne’s CBD and regional Victoria including:
  • Celebration Day at Federation Square on Sunday 1 October, 1:00 – 7:00pm.
    This event launched the festival with a 6-hour line-up of free entertainment and activities for older Victorians
  • Town Hall Dances at Melbourne Town Hall on Monday 2 October from 12:00pm (midday) and Hawthorn Town Hall on Friday 6 October from 8:00pm
  • ACMI Seniors Film Festival at the Australian Centre of the Moving Image from 2 – 8 October
  • Country Tour delivering live entertainment across regional towns in October
  • Aged Care Tour, taking the magic, music and fun of the festival to aged care residents across Victoria throughout September and October.

Victorian Senior of the Year Awards

The Festival also includes the annual Victorian Senior of the Year Awards. These awards recognise and celebrate the talents, achievements and contributions of older Victorians to their community. Running for more than 20 years, these Awards acknowledge older Victorians who volunteer to assist, support and encourage others. For more information visit the Awards page.

Recognising senior Victorians

In 2020, the Awards were deferred, and the Recognising senior Victorians program was developed, taking a new approach to celebrating the lives of seniors living in aged care. 53 people shared their stories of resilience, hope and courage. Read their stories. In 2021-22, Recognising senior Victorians returned with seniors from aged care across the state profiled. Read their stories.