Now known as “a boutique music festival grown into an annual party-goers haven”, Beyond the Valley is one of the biggest music festivals of the year. Running from 28^th December 2019 to 1^st January 2020, this NYE camping event is one not to be missed. Since it’s beginnings, five years ago, BTV has been situated in the parklands of Lardner and has always included a powerhouse of a lineup, with this year’s featuring the likes of Tyler, the Creator, Bag Raiders, Cub Sport, Hayden James, and Skepta. Unfortunately, tickets are sold out, but hey, at least you have plans for 2020’s New Year’s right?

Rainbow Serpent Festival is an event that brings together people from all over the world with a passion for colour, life, creativity, music, dance, expression and music. Setup over a weekend in Victoria’s west, this trance-influenced festival is one of the best in the world. Due to it being an event largely connected to the land and the environment, the weekend incorporates many aborigine elements, allowing patrons to connect and learn about the Dreamtime (hence the recognizable name). This camping festival is an exotic one at that and if it’s something that interests you, grab yourself a ticket here!

Although not technically very close to Melbourne (in fact it’s just on the NSW border in Tocumwal), we’re including this one because the distance doesn’t quite stop Victorians trekking it for a good weekend away full of music. Voted in the Top 10 Festivals worldwide by Resident Advisor, Strawberry Fields is set to take place this year from 29^th November to 1^st December and like always, will involve a number of DJs and local artists to fuel the flocks of partygoers that are set to attend. Be quick, tickets are selling fast!

Babylon Festival is set to return in February 2020 for their fourth year with a huge lineup and a weekend just as big. The lineup, which often includes a mix of local and international electronic and house artists, musicians and DJs do not plan to disappoint, including Alan Fitzpatrick, Carl Cox, and German powerhouse, Ann Clue. Set in the Aussie bush on the Carapooee West Countryside, this bush-doof is yet another expressive festival that boasts inclusivity and community. It’s known for being a largely visual experience with art and a mix of colors set to light up the weekend. Check it out here.

Although it’s yet to be announced, Let Go Fest 2020 is set to be a big one, celebrating its fifth year and what they’re calling their “biggest year ever.” Set in Mornington, this one day festival in February includes rides, a silent disco, four other areas of entertainment and the main stage which this year showcased the likes of Sticky Fingers, Thundamentals, British India and Mallrat, to name a few. It’s a festival for everyone but most people go for the local Aussie acts that are circulated the airways today. Tickets aren’t on sale, but check out their facebook page for any and all information regarding next year’s event!

Electric Gardens Festival is always a good time and is one of the few that is nationally recognized in every state and territory, however with Melbourne’s reputation, there’s no surprise it happens here. This year Melbourne’s Electric Gardens took place in its new venue of Shed 14 in Docklands and was an absolute hit, so you can be sure it will be in the same place when 2020 comes round. It’s the ultimate dance festival full of electronic and house music with DJ’s coming from all over the world. Whether you come for the music or a day out in the sun, be sure to keep watch on their website for any new details.

Yet another music festival, bringing on a larger, futuristic approach to the modern-day festival scene of Victoria, Pitch Music & Arts Festival incorporates a “collection of local and international artists covering significant bandwidth music”. Set to take place in Moyston in March of 2020, this electro showcasing of modern entertainment is one that should not be missed. Featuring the likes of Maceo Plex, Nina Kraviz, Melbourne four-piece Hiatus Kaiyote, and electro-pop duo Collarbones, this festival is the next generation of musical showcases.

Golden Plains Festival is a magical experience set in Meredith Supernatural Ampitheatre across March 7^th, 8^th and 9^th of 2020. It’s a weekend of showcasing homegrown talent such as Hot Chip and Sampa The Great as well as featuring major American artists like Pixies and Weyes Blood. Most tickets are available through a ‘ballot’ the event has put on which you can find here, however, online tickets will also go on sale on the 31^st of October.

The Town – Culture Jam is “An immersive, 3-day festival of interaction, games, music over multiple stages, comedy, dress-ups, and theatre! Taking place in a mock village that parodies society, while exploring how to party and live sustainably.” Each year this festival takes on a particular motif, with next year’s theme being “power”, exploring sustainable power and the light-hearted satire behind what can go hand in hand with corruption. It is a much more silly and fun-loving event that is much more family orientated, situated in a quaint little area called Licola. Tickets to this comedy and theatre fuelled event can be found here.

This perfect day of music and arts is never one to disappoint. The day always includes markets and a wide range of food and clothing stalls but the real attraction is the range of local and international artists that headline the day. The next lineup for 2020 includes the likes of The 1975, Charli XCX, Ruel, Earl Sweatshirt and Ocean Alley to name a few, making it an unforgettable day full of some serious talent. Taking center stage at Footscray Park, on the 8^th of February, tickets can be found here.

Recognizably as one of the big annual music festivals that takes place around the country, GTM or Groovin’ the Moo is known for featuring a wide array of artists of the electronic, indie, alternative and rock genres. Taking place in Bendigo in the months of Autumn, this countryside festival is always a hit and is known for its community atmosphere, bringing together Aussie music lovers for a day of fun and affordability whilst celebrating local businesses and suppliers. We’ve not heard much about Groovin the Moo 2020, but take a look at last year’s website for more information.

Midsumma Festival is one that radiates positive energy and is the ultimate inclusive festival for people of all ages, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Labelled as “Australia’s premier queer arts and cultural festival”, Midsumma is all about celebrating diversity and bringing together a community of LGBTQIA+ locals, artists, and performers. Spanning over 22 days in Summer, specifically in January and February, the festival is known as an open-access festival, meaning it takes place across over 100 Melbourne venues featuring over 5000 culturists, artists and performers. It has become one of the top five gay and lesbian arts and cultural celebrations, making it one of the most progressive events happening in the world today. For more information, see here.

The perfect summer event for those that love the perfect combination of Aussie music and Aussie talent, St. Kilda Festival is one of the most beautifully crafted FREE events to hit the streets of Victoria. The full program of events and acts will be announced in January but for now, keep the 9^th February free and prepare for a day of memorable performers and acts the whole family is sure to love. Did I mention it’s free? You can find more information here.

Like Midsumma Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival is also an open-access event so next year between the 29^th May and 7^th June, artists, performers and jazz musicians come together across, concert halls, jazz clubs, arts venues and the streets of Melbourne to showcase their talents. It’s the perfect festival for people of all ages and manages to keep a modern twist on all things jazz. To gain more information, take a look here.

The idea behind So Frenchy So Chic is quite literally – in the name. Incorporating a combination of French motifs and cultures through a high-class garden party, this festival will take place next year on the 11^th January at Werribee Park, showcasing major French exports like music, wine, and food under the Australian summer sun. As well as this, it is also a day for fashion and French styles, so grab your beret and tickets and enjoy this modern French revolution.

The Pleasure Garden is another festival that allows the public to dive in and enjoy a day full of music, arts, and cultural performance. Although it is still on an indefinite hiatus, it took pride in bringing people together through music, dancing, creativity, and play. Usually taking place in early December at Catani Gardens in St Kilda, The Pleasure Garden takes inspiration from the 1800’s royal gardens and dresses them up with a modern flare, becoming the ultimate destination for like-minded people to take on a certain style in accordance with a particular theme and enjoy a day of entertainment. To keep up to date with news about the possibility of an event next year, keep checking their Facebook.

Adding to the list of festivals available on New Year’s Day, is The First a fresh event that welcomes in the new year with some all-round entertaining performances from major international and local artists. Nothing has been released about 2020’s event except for a pinned post on their Facebook page, but if 2019 was anything to go by, it is sure to be a day to remember. Featuring some great DJ’s and dance music to compliment the day of fun The First will take place at Sidney Myer Music Bowl, so be sure to keep a lookout for any news.

Another contender for ‘the best music festival in Melbourne’, Falls Music & Arts Festival is a large scale musical event held each year in Lorne, with the next one occurring from 28^th to 31^st December. The lineups for Falls are always featuring artists and musicians in the highest demand ranging from indie rock, to hip hop musicians and with the final day taking place on New Year’s Eve, it’s always a party you don’t want to miss. The next event is showcasing the likes of Halsey, Vampire Weekend and Disclosure, but that’s only scratching the surface that is the talent provided. A full few days of musical appreciation, you have the option of 4-day, 3-day or 2-day festival tickets and you can even consider a payment plan to help out!

If your massive time spent at Falls Festival didn’t wear you out,  then you won’t want to miss out on this one. Let Them Eat Cake will occur on 1^st January 2020 at Werribee Park Mansion Grounds and is the perfect contemporary music event for your New Year’s Day. The event boasts a number of DJs, electronic and house music performers, creating a day of dance featuring an international and local calibre.

FOMO Festival has three main points that drives the music-fuelled day, one stage, no clashes and party together. It’s a day that features major hip hop, R&B, rap and house artists and is set to take place next year on 12^th January at Melbourne Showgrounds. Tickets are selling out fast and with the likes of Lizzo, Madeon, Jax Jones and Brockhampton headlining, this is going to be one you won’t want to miss out on.

Taking place between the 13^th and 15^th December this year at the Supernatural Ampitheatre, situated on a private farm just outside of Meredith, this music festival is always executed so well and always warrants a perfect lineup. This time around it features the likes of Liam Gallagher, Roisin Murphy, Briggs and Julia Jacklin, to name a few and is known for being a beautiful camping event surrounded by Australian flora. To check out ticket prices, click here.

If Falls Festival was too long a festival or perhaps didn’t convince you, then NYE On The Hill, certainly will. All about establishing a day full of local music and talent, surrounded by all-round good vibes, this “music lovers’ dream” features big Aussie talents like The Living End, Odette, and Trophy Eyes, plus so many more. It is a 3-day boutique music and camping festival strictly limited to 3,000 patrons and is set to take place from 30^th December 2019 to 1^st January 2020 at the Farm in Kernot. Tickets are available here.

Set to take place between 11^th and 20^th March 2020 in the city streets of Brunswick, this music festival will be celebrating its 32^nd year. This ten-day event is about shedding light on the growing talents emerging out of one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing inner cities. Known as a major showcase of local acts and international artists, organizers are focussing on creating yet another great festival full of creative diversity in an engaging yet sustainable manner. For more information, be sure to view their website here.

Listen Out is one of the major hits on the music festival scene that has recently just blown Australian audiences away with an impressive lineup of international and local artists, including Flume, Cosmo’s Midnight and 6lack. The day always features an array of hip-hop and electronic acts and this year took place at Melbourne’s Catani Gardens on the 27^th of September. With this year being such a success, you can guarantee it’ll be back bigger and better than ever next year, so be sure to keep up with their socials for whatever news is set to come.

Full to the brim with music and sounds from every angle and aspect of this bustling and creative city, this festival is about celebrating the musical talents that derive from Melbourne and it’s surrounding. This year celebrates the 10^th year of the event and will take place between the 14^th and 23^rd of November, featuring 300 acts and 70 events over a ten-day period. Taking pride in the music scene, this is a great opportunity for members of the public as well as general music lovers, to appreciate what this thriving city has to offer. For more information, visit their website here.

Returning this November from the 1^st to the 4^th in Benalla, Happy Wanderer Festival is a weekend full of goodness with indie icon, Ro headlining the truck-mounted stage with home-grown artists, Ruby Gill and Sunnyside not to mention so many others. A full day of enjoyable music, the festival also celebrates local businesses, markets and stalls as well as yoga and art workshops. For more information and to score a ticket, check out their website here.

Named after the classic rock song by Neil Young, this celebration of all things country and American style is a hit music festival that took place on 12^th October on the edge of Wiliamstown. Full to the brim of international and local acts, this year’s lineup featured the likes of The Felice Brothers, Sierra Ferrell, and Pokey La Farge and was a celebration of the 50 year anniversary of 1969, The Summer of Love. Keep up to date here.

An icon in Melbourne’s music and festival scene, White Night Festival was moved this year from warm February to the colder winter months to tackle the lack of tourism surrounding this time. The festival attractions go on for three nights and this year took place at a number of locations around Melbourne from 22^nd to 24^th August and fully immersed the public in an array of sensory elements of art, performance, and music. For 2020 however, it will be merging with the Melbourne International Arts Festival to create a brand new event for the public to enjoy.

Mount Beauty Music Festival took place this year over three days from 26^th to 28^th April, boasting over 30 artists across three major venues. The great thing about this one is it fully supports new artists on the Australian scene and gives them a platform to share new music they have written. This festival revolves around rock, folk, pop and country music as well as comedy and poetry shows. Although this year has already happened, be sure to check out what was on offer and what can be expected of next year’s, here.

Share the Spirit festival is an event that takes place on 26^th January each year at Melbourne’s Treasury Gardens. It’s an integral part of Australian life and celebrates aboriginal culture and tradition through music and sounds. It’s a feature that showcases the diversity surrounding indigenous musicians across all genres. It provides ample opportunity for young people to celebrate their culture and express themselves through music. For more information, check out their Facebook.

Although not one of the more popular events for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, it’s one that the locals love and use to bring the community together. Running over these special two days and giving the public the option to camp, this festival set in Geelong is the pinnacle of the Bluestone community. It is a much more relaxed setting for a festival and shares the local blues talents emerging from the area. Check it out here.

A free community event run by volunteers, Whittlesea Country Music Festival is set to go down on 7^th and 8^th February 2020 and works as a benefit for members of the community, showcasing the musical talents of buskers and performers. The weekend involves a free night of music on the first night and a Twilight Night on the second night full of live music, markets and fireworks to finish off the evening. A perfect community event for the whole family, be sure to keep up with any and all news here.