Events and Festivals
If you love Victoria's seafood and Victorian drinks, you're going to love to party with other seafood lovers at events around the state. Victorian fishing communities put on festivals throughout the year, while the food and wine industry embrace seafood and shine a spotlight on it at special festivals.
The COVID pandemic meant that a lot of these annual festivals were postponed. This guide is a resource of our festivals but we cannot guarantee that event dates are always accurate. Please check each festival’s website and, where possible, subscribe for updates as they release their upcoming dates for 2022 and 2023 as dates can change.
Apollo Bay Seafood Festival
The Apollo Bay Seafood Festival is a highlight on the summer calendar on the Great Ocean Road. It showcases the best seafood and produce from the local fishery and hinterland. Music, food, talks and seafood feasts make this a spectacular celebration of local seafood.
Kilcunda Rock Lobster Festival
SUNDAY 29TH JANUARY 2023
The Kilcunda Rock Lobster Festival is a salute to the southern rock lobster from nearby San Remo. A summer event with live music, lobster sales and lunches, and market stalls. This lively annual summer event with the famous lobster wheel is located on the scenic Bass highway in Gippsland.
Hooked On Lakes Entrance
Hooked on Lakes Entrance showcases the array of Victorian seafood caught by professional fishers in Lakes Entrance. Held on the foreshore, there is plenty of seafood to eat, local brews and wines and live music. Usually held annually every March. Click below for Victorian Fishers Authority Facebook page to keep up-to-date with 2023 dates.
San Remo Fishing Village Festival
The San Remo Fishing Village festival is held on the Foreshore at San Remo, with food, market stalls, rides and more. Stroll through and enjoy the seaside atmosphere. Fun and entertainment for the entire family!
Portarlington Mussel Festival
SATURDAY 14TH JANUARY 2023
The Portarlington Mussel festival is a firm summer fixture on the Bellarine Peninsula. The mussels are farmed just off the shore and over 10 tonnes of mussels are sold on the day! With 100 food and drink stalls, market stalls, great local musicians playing across five stages, roving entertainers for the kids, plus art shows, cooking demonstrations, and local beer and wine tastings, it is a great day out for the whole family!
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
This is one of the world's best food and wine festivals and is held in Melbourne each March-April.
Special events highlighting Victorian seafood at top-end restaurants happen annually.
Port Phillip Mussel and Jazz Festival
March 2023
The Annual Port Phillip Mussel and Jazz festival is a "seafood street-party" using the Bay's own mussels, celebrating them in all their glory and held at the South Melbourne Market.