Melbourne’s iconic Moomba Festival is set to reignite the city in March, complete with the much-loved Birdman Rally, the colourful Moomba Parade and the Moomba Masters water sports competition. 

Heading into its 68th year, Australia’s largest free community festival, like a fine wine, only improves with age. From epic skate park competitions and water sports to face painting, crafts, dance workshops, nightly fireworks displays, there’s truly something for everyone at this year’s festival.

Australia’s largest free community festival will return to the banks of the Yarra River from 11 to 14 March with a jam-packed program of family-friendly fun, including thrill-seeking carnival rides, music performances, food trucks, dance workshops, skate competitions, face painting and crafts. 

Two of Melbourne’s favourite media personalities, Fifi Box and Peter Hitchener OAM, will lead the celebrations as this year’s Moomba Monarchs. 

“I’m absolutely honoured to be asked to be a Moomba Monarch. Moomba is such an iconic Melbourne  event that I have grown up loving, so I’m incredibly proud to don the crown and enjoy the celebrations  with the community.” 

Fifi Box

For the first time, Moomba will be a carbon-neutral certified event, which will see the diversion of more than 4.5 tonnes of organic food waste – the equivalent of 22,500 curly potatoes. 

At the festival, the City of Melbourne will be the first city in Australia to launch the Hidden Disabilities  Sunflower initiative, assisting those with hidden disabilities. People who need assistance can choose to wear a Sunflower symbol, so that trained Moomba staff can offer their assistance. Sunflower lanyards will be available for free on-site at the event. 

“I just love meeting Melburnians who make up our vibrant city. Being crowned a Monarch allows me to step beyond the news desk and really connect with our greater community; I’m honoured and delighted to be a 2022 Moomba Monarch.”

Peter Hitchener

For the full program and to purchase a Friday Ride Pass for the Moomba Carnival, visit the Moomba website. 

2022 Moomba Festival program highlights: 

  • The hilarious Birdman Rally, which will see courageous competitors don inventive homemade  flying devices and hurtle themselves over the Yarra, all in the name of charity. 
  • The much-loved Moomba Parade – starring the 2022 Moomba Monarchs, Fifi Box and Peter Hitchener, featuring 1800 performers and dozens of brilliant new floats. 
  • The Moomba Masters – showcasing an elite field of Australian and international water ski and  wakeboard athletes in competition on the Yarra. 
  • The Moomba Carnival, with rides for all ages, including The Beast, which reaches speeds of  120km/hr and swings 38 metres into the air. 
  • A Dance Zone including workshops and performances led by Tik Tok star Jazz TKO and  community-focused dance group L2R, as well as kids yoga and African drum and dance workshops. 
  • A dedicated Pirate’s Cove kids play area, featuring a sea-themed playground, roving performers,  treasure hunts and face painting. 
  • The Moomba Stage with entertainment for young and old, including Bluey, the Public Opinion  Afro Orchestra, Mariachi Los Romanticos, The Mamas and Amaru Tribe, as well as sing-along  drag time,and bubble shows. 
  • Skateboarding competitions, including the Australian Skateboarding League’s National Final at Riverslide Skate Park, as well as free scoot, skate and BMX clinics, demos and competitions.
  • A range of other festival favourites, including roving entertainment, silent disco, ArtPlay,  Design-a-Float, nightly fireworks and more than 20 food trucks offering up festival eats.