Lunar New Year Festival: Celebrating Cultural Diversity

When: Late January/Early February 2026 (dates vary with lunar calendar)
Where: Hawthorn Arts Centre and surrounding precincts

Boroondara’s significant Asian-Australian community brings vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations that welcome everyone to experience rich cultural traditions.

Festival Highlights

Cultural performances:

• Traditional lion and dragon dances
• Martial arts demonstrations
• Contemporary Asian-Australian music and dance
• Children’s cultural performances

Interactive experiences:

• Calligraphy workshops
• Lantern-making activities
• Traditional games and activities
• Cultural storytelling sessions

Culinary journey:

• Authentic Asian cuisine from local restaurants
• Cooking demonstrations
• Tea ceremonies
• Traditional sweets and delicacies

This festival demonstrates how cultural celebration enriches entire communities, offering windows into traditions that might otherwise remain hidden.

Boroondara Farmers Market Festival

When: March 2026 (specific date TBA)
Where: Camberwell area

Building on the success of regular farmers markets, this special festival day amplifies the farm-to-table experience with expanded offerings and entertainment.

Festival Features

Expanded market stalls:

• Premium local produce from regional Victoria
• Artisan food producers
• Sustainable and organic specialists
• Specialty coffee and tea vendors

Educational programs:

• Cooking demonstrations by local chefs
• Sustainable living workshops
• Children’s farm animal encounters
• Composting and gardening seminars

Entertainment:

• Live acoustic music
• Children’s activities and face painting
• Community art projects
• Local school performances

This event celebrates the connection between land, food, and community—reminding us that knowing where our food comes from enriches every meal.

Autumn Arts Festival

When: April-May 2026
Where: Multiple venues across Boroondara

As leaves turn golden, Boroondara’s arts scene comes alive with a month-long celebration of creativity spanning visual arts, performing arts, and community participation.

Festival Program

Visual arts:

• Open studio tours of local artists’ workspaces
• Pop-up galleries in unexpected locations
• Community art installations
• Youth art exhibitions

Performing arts:

• Theatre productions at local venues
• Music concerts spanning genres
• Dance performances
• Poetry readings and spoken word events

Participatory workshops:

• Painting and drawing classes
• Pottery and ceramics sessions
• Photography walks
• Creative writing workshops

The festival proves that art isn’t confined to galleries—it lives in community spaces, neighbourhood streets, and the creative spirit of residents.

Boroondara Sustainability Fair

When: June 2026 (specific date TBA)
Where: Central Boroondara location

This increasingly popular event addresses growing community interest in environmental sustainability and climate action.

Fair Components

Information stalls:

• Solar energy providers
• Sustainable transport options
• Waste reduction initiatives
• Native gardening specialists

Workshops and demonstrations:

• Composting and worm farming
• Energy efficiency for homes
• Sustainable fashion and upcycling
• Zero-waste living strategies

Family activities:

• Recycled art projects for children
• Native plant giveaways
• Bike maintenance workshops
• Environmental education games

This fair empowers residents with practical knowledge for reducing environmental impact while connecting with like-minded community members.

Spring into Boroondara Festival

When: September 2026
Where: Parks and gardens across Boroondara

Celebrating spring’s arrival, this festival showcases Boroondara’s magnificent parks and gardens through nature-focused activities and entertainment.

Festival Activities

Garden tours:

• Historic private gardens opened to public
• Native plant garden showcases
• Sustainable garden design examples
• Community garden visits

Outdoor activities:

• Guided nature walks
• Bird watching sessions
• Outdoor yoga and tai chi
• Picnic concerts in parks

Horticultural workshops:

• Spring planting advice
• Pruning demonstrations
• Pest management strategies
• Native bee keeping

This festival reminds us that Boroondara’s “leafy” reputation isn’t just aesthetic—it’s a living connection to nature within urban life.

Multicultural Festival

When: October 2026
Where: Central Boroondara venue (TBA)

Boroondara’s diversity shines through this celebration of the many cultures that call the area home.

Cultural Showcase

Performance stages:

• Traditional music and dance from around the world
• Contemporary multicultural fusion performances
• Children’s cultural groups
• Community choir performances

Cultural pavilions:

• Information about different cultural communities
• Traditional crafts demonstrations
• Language learning opportunities
• Cultural dress displays

International food court:

• Authentic cuisines from dozens of countries
• Cooking demonstrations
• Recipe sharing
• Cultural food traditions explained

This festival transforms diversity from abstract concept to lived experience—where different cultures aren’t just tolerated but celebrated.

Christmas Carols and Festive Events

When: December 2026
Where: Multiple locations across Boroondara

The year concludes with traditional Christmas celebrations that bring communities together in festive spirit.

Festive Highlights

Carols by Candlelight events:

• Community singing of traditional carols
• Local choir and school performances
• Santa visits for children
• Festive food and beverages

Christmas markets:

• Handmade gift stalls
• Festive decorations
• Local artisan products
• Holiday treats and sweets

Community celebrations:

• Tree lighting ceremonies
• Neighbourhood street parties
• Charity fundraising events
• Interfaith celebrations

These events honour tradition while creating new memories that families will treasure for years to come.

Making the Most of Boroondara’s Event Calendar

To fully embrace what 2026 offers, consider these strategies:

Stay informed:

• Subscribe to Boroondara Council’s event newsletter
• Follow community social media pages
• Check library noticeboards regularly
• Join neighbourhood groups for local event updates

Plan ahead:

• Mark major events in your calendar early
• Register for workshops and limited-capacity events promptly
• Coordinate with friends and family for group attendance
• Consider volunteering at events you’re passionate about

Engage authentically:

• Arrive with openness to new experiences
• Strike up conversations with fellow attendees
• Support local vendors and performers
• Share your experiences to encourage others

Embracing Community Through Celebration

Boroondara’s 2026 events calendar offers more than entertainment—it provides pathways to deeper community connection, cultural understanding, and personal enrichment.

Each festival, fair, and gathering represents an invitation to step outside familiar routines and into shared experiences that remind us what community truly means. Whether you’re celebrating cultural heritage, exploring sustainability, appreciating arts, or simply enjoying a spring day in the park, these events transform individual residents into a connected community.

The magic lies not just in the events themselves but in what happens when people gather with open hearts and curious minds. Conversations spark between strangers. Children from different backgrounds play together. New friendships form over shared interests. Understanding grows through cultural exchange.

This year, challenge yourself to attend at least one event outside your usual comfort zone. Try a cultural festival celebrating traditions unfamiliar to you. Join a sustainability workshop even if you’re just beginning your environmental journey. Attend an arts event in a genre you’ve never explored.

These small acts of participation ripple outward, strengthening the entire community fabric. Your presence matters—it signals that Boroondara is more than a collection of houses and streets, but a living community where people actively choose connection over isolation.

So mark your calendars, gather your loved ones, and prepare to discover the extraordinary possibilities hidden within ordinary weekends. Boroondara’s 2026 events await, ready to transform your year into a journey of discovery, connection, and community celebration.

After all, every day holds a little magic when we choose to seek it together.

For the most current information on festivals, fairs and local activities visit boroondara.vic.gov.au or call Boroondara Council on 9278 4444.