St Kilda Festival

St. Kilda Festival is an event held in Melbourne and whose culmination is a summer-style celebration of arts and music along the gorgeous St Kilda foreshore.

Part and parcel of Melbourne’s timeless tradition, the festival’s setting against the backdrop of St. Kilda’s tranquil foreshore is too good to pass up.

Not only will you be spoilt for choice with some of the best bands and artists in the country, but there’ll also be loads of community activities, family entertainment, and food and market stalls to keep you buzzing while you’re here.

St Kilda Festival is known as Australia’s largest community festival – a celebration of community spirit, Australian talent, and the beautiful St Kilda foreshore.

Since the first St Kilda Festival in 1980, this well-loved annual summer celebration has established itself as an iconic event that brings the community together.

In 2023, we introduced a new two-day format, which was a huge success in its inaugural year, attracting more than 375,000 live music lovers over the fun-filled weekend.

In 2024, we saw more incredible artists, big crowds, and summer celebrations over two magical days in February.

With over 100 artists – plus street performers, family entertainment, market stalls, local community group activations, and more― there’s something for everyone at St Kilda Festival.

Getting to & from the Festival

We want to get you to and from the Festival in one piece! Here’s some handy info to help you get to the event and back home safely.

The St Kilda Festival is a beloved summer event; public transport will help you get there. Due to the large crowds expected at the event, passengers are advised to allow additional time to travel to and from St Kilda. Road closures are in place for Big Festival Sunday, and delays can be expected on surrounding roads.

Public transport is the best way to travel to St Kilda Festival, and extra tram services will be in place to get you to the heart of the action and home again.

Public Transport

Trams
Extra trams run between St Kilda and the City. Service changes apply due to road closures associated with the festival.

Extra trams run as the following between the city and the festival:

• Route 12a between Stop 122 Southern Cross Station and St Kilda / Fitzroy Street from the first tram to 11pm.
• Route 16a between Stop 8 Melbourne Central Station and Stop 30 St Kilda Junction from 8.30am to 11pm.
• Route 96a between Stop 122 Southern Cross Station and Stop 132 St Kilda Station from 11am to 11pm.

From 3.15am to last tram

• Route 96 trams run a shortened service between East Brunswick and Stop 132 St Kilda Station.

From the first to the last tram

• Route 3 trams run a shortened service between East Malvern and Stop 32 Havelock Street, near Luna Park.
• Route 16 trams run a shortened service between Kew and Stop 32 Havelock Street, near Luna Park.
• No Route 35 (City Circle) trams run. Consider trams in the Free Tram Zone as an alternative.

From first tram to 11pm

• No Route 12 trams run. Consider Route 12a extra trams between St Kilda and Stop 122 Southern Cross Station and Route 109 trams along Collins Street and Victoria Parade as an alternative.

From 4pm to 11pm

• Route 64 trams run a shortened service between East Brighton and Stop 38 Orrong Road. Use Route 5 trams from Orrong Road to connect to St Kilda Road and Swanston Street.

Trains

Passengers can catch a train to Southern Cross Station, then catch Route 12a or Route 96a trams to St Kilda.

Sandringham line
Passengers can catch a Sandringham line train to:

• Windsor Station and then catch tram Route 5 or Route 64 to Stop 30 St Kilda Junction and walk
• Balaclava Station and then catch tram Route 3a or Route 16a to Stop 32 Carlisle Street/Havelock Street, St Kilda

Frankston line

Passengers can catch metropolitan trains on the Frankston line to Caulfield Station.

From Caulfield Station:

• Catch Route 3a trams to Stop 32 Carlisle Street/Havelock Street (St Kilda)

Buses

The following bus routes travel to and from St Kilda. Click on the links to view route maps and timetable information:

• Route 246: Clifton Hill to Elsternwick
• Route 600: Southland to St Kilda Station
• Route 606: Elsternwick Station to Fishermans Bend
• Route 623: Glen Waverley to St Kilda
• Route 922: Southland to St Kilda Station

Please note: Due to road closures for the festival, there will be service alterations throughout the day. Some bus stops in and around St Kilda will not be serviced.

Taxis, rideshare and car-share vehicles

Taxis and rideshare vehicles, such as Uber, Ola and DiDi, will not be allowed in the road closure areas or restricted access areas on Festival Sunday.

Rideshare and taxi rank locations

• Beaconsfield Parade at Catani Gardens
• Marine Parade adjacent to Luna Park
• Fitzroy Street near the corner of Lakeside Drive

The taxi rank located at the corner of Fitzroy and Acland Streets will be closed on Sunday.

Car share

If you are a car share customer such as Green Share, GoGet, Pop Car, Flexicar, or RACV, please note there will be some service changes to vehicle locations around the time of the Festival.

All vehicle locations within the full road closures will be temporarily unavailable.

Please contact the car share company directly if you have any questions regarding their alternative arrangements during this time.

Bikes and Scooters

Hire eBike and eScooter parking stations

Parking areas for hire eScooters and eBikes are located:

• Corner of Shakespeare Grove and Marine Parade
• Corner of Cowderoy St and Beaconsfield Parade
• Albert Park off Fitzroy Street

The festival enforces geo-blocking of hire eBikes and eScooters, which cannot be ridden within the festival precinct.

Personal bikes and scooters

If you are riding your own bike or scooter to the Festival, free bicycle and scooter valets are available 9:30am to 10pm at these locations:

• Catani Gardens
• Coner of Cavell Street and Marine Parade

Bikes and scooters must be walked within the Festival Precinct.