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Haven't locked in plans for the Labour Day weekend yet? Make your way to the Moomba Festival from March 5-9 for five fun-filled days by the Yarra. As Australia’s largest free community festival, Moomba brings you carnival rides, live music, dance workshops, kids’ activities, food trucks, watersports, skate comps and plenty more.
What's new this year? How about two Moomba Monarchs in the form of our favourite Melburnians, Caterina Mete (yep, she's the Red Wiggle) and the immensely talented comedian and broadcaster, Sammy J. Families will love the carnival precinct at Birrarung Marr with tons of thrilling rides, face painting and an inflatable maze. Feeling peckish? With 35 food trucks around, you don't have to choose between a dagwood dog or dumplings – have both! Palms Lawn is where you go for live music and high-energy dance workshops ranging from from K-Pop and Bollywood to line dancing.
Nab a prime riverside viewing spot on the Yarra for the iconic Birdman Rally on March 8. From 11am, 13 brave (and bonkers) "pilots" – including Monarch Sammy J – will attempt to soar across the river in homemade flying machines, all in the name of charity.
On March 9, the much-loved Moomba Parade kicks off at 11am from the Shrine of Remembrance, filling the streets with fantastic floats, giant puppets, marching bands, dance troupes and more than 1,800 people from different cultural groups.
Other top-notch activities include the Moomba Masters water sports competition, and the Moomba Skate Park will host competitions across skateboarding, BMX and inline skating. Our tip? Get the carnival ride pass (unlimited rides from 5-9pm on Thursday only) and stick around for the 9pm fireworks that will light up the city sky each evening.
Gather your crew for Australia’s largest free community festival. Find out more at the Moomba website.
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