From festivals, to live jazz, to Diwali – Melbourne’s west is bursting with events big and small this month.
Love Westside – a campaign and website developed by Western Melbourne Tourism aimed at providing an easy to navigate website capturing the distinctive atmosphere of Melbourne’s western suburbs – is aiming to shine a spotlight on some of the local events on offer this October.
One of these is the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, with free live music, rooftop jazz screenings, and family-friendly activities across venues in Spotswood, Footscray, and Moonee Valley from 17–26 October.
Another is the Be Bold Festival on Saturday 18 October, where attendees can celebrate the bold and multicultural local community with live music and dance, youth performances, family-friendly workshops, interactive art, a silent disco, roving entertainment, and food trucks.
The free event will be hosted at the Bowery Theatre and St Albans Community Centre.
In Melton, the annual Djerriwarrh Festival will make its return on Saturday 8 November for a celebration full of community and colour.
Legendary Australian band You Am I will headline the festival that will include a vibrant street parade, other live music performances, children’s activities, interactive art, a pet expo, and markets.
Diwali – the Festival of Lights – will be celebrated at Werribee Open Range Zoo from 18–19 October, with highlights over the two days including Indian and Nepalese music, dance, Bollywood fusion, food, lanterns, and hands-on Henna.
Diwali will also be marked in Wyndham with the Diwali Grand Festival at Lawrie Emmins Reserve in Laverton North from 2.30–10.30pm on 25 October.
Love Westside is also calling on the community to vote for your favourite pie, favourite bánh mì, and favourite potato cake across the west in the ‘Vic’s Picks’ competition, with voting closing on Sunday, 19 October.
Details: lovewestside.com.au
