Melbourne’s largest free community festival, Moomba, kicks off today – with over 1 million visitors expected to flock to the banks of the Yarra River – Birrarung for an action-packed long weekend.
This year, the festival marks 2 milestones across its headline events; 50 years since the hilarious Birdman Rally first took flight and 65 years of the world-class Moomba Masters Championships.
From Thursday 5 March until Monday 9 March, the Yarra River will be buzzing with activity. Festival‑goers can look forward to all the beloved favourites plus spectacular new offerings, including:
- The Moomba Parade on Monday 9 March – featuring 1,800 performers from more than 35 community and cultural groups and 9 floats, including one developed with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung community and 8 more inspired by children’s designs from the annual Moomba Design-a-Float competition.
- Birdman Rally on Sunday 8 March – which will see 13 participants including Monarch Sammy J fly (or flop) into the Yarra River, all in the name of charity.
- Moomba Masters Championship – for the world’s best water skiers and wakeboarders to showcase their skills and compete for the highly coveted Champion title.
- A new kids’ carnival precinct – with food trucks and rides for even the smallest of daredevils in Upper Terrace, Birrarung Marr.
- Bigger program of kids’ events – including sand sculpting, kids’ comedy, puppetry, face painting and more in Speakers Corner.
- More than 30 rides and games – including a new ride Lunarix which launches thrillseekers 40m into the sky, a Moomba-first dodgeball arena and giant inflatable maze.
- Performances from over 60 performers and entertainers – including live music, cultural performances and dance workshops – from K-Pop dance parties to Bollywood classes.
- The Riverslide Skate Park – hosting Australia’s best skateboard, scooter, BMX and inline athletes as they pull off jaw-dropping tricks, flips and stunts in a range of competitions including the Australian Skate League finals.
- Over 35 food trucks – including tasty bites from more than 10 new vendors such as the Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe, Cookie Monster Cafe, Pizza Forno X’Press and Wonder Pies & Fries.
- Nightly fireworks – lighting Melbourne’s skyline at 9.00pm.
Melbourne favourites Sammy J and Red Wiggle Caterina Mete will also assume their royal duties as 2026 Moomba Monarchs, headlining the showstopping Moomba Parade atop a brand-new Monarch float.
Moomba Festival 2026 is proud to return as an accessible, carbon-neutral event, with initiatives such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Symbol and relaxed hours from 4.00 – 6.00pm on Friday 6 March for a quieter, sensory-friendly experience.
“Welcome to one of the biggest and most exciting weekends on Melbourne’s 2026 events calendar,” said Lord Mayor Nick Reece. “Today, Moomba kicks off a huge long weekend – with nearly 2 million people expected to revel in events across the city as Moomba coincides with the Australian Grand Prix and return of men’s AFL for the first time in Melbourne’s history.”
“Alongside the Moomba Parade led by our ‘couldn’t-be-more-Melbourne-if-they-tried’ Moomba Monarchs Sammy J and Red Wiggle Caterina Mete – we’re celebrating 50 years since the first Birdman Rally and 65 years of the world-class Moomba Masters Championship. For first-time goers to Moomba, this year’s festival is one you won’t want to miss.”
The 2026 Moomba Festival runs 5 – 9 March. For more information and full program, visit: moomba.melbourne.vic.gov.au for details.
Image: 2026 Moomba Monarchs Sammy J and Red Wiggle Caterina Mete – courtesy of City of Melbourne