What's On
Enjoy a huge range of activities, events and entertainment for all the family featuring: music, dance, performance, local traders and market stalls, and amazing views across the Bay – join the fun!
2010 Festival Program
Pre-Festival
Routley's Baking Challenge
For entry details click here. Judging takes place on Tuesday 9th March. Entries can be dropped into Routley's Bakery, 56 Douglas Parade, Williamstown between 4 – 6pm on Tuesday 9th.
Friday 12, March 2010
Sun Theatre Free Movie Showing
Bring a blanket and enjoy a laid-back start to the festival as the Sun Theatre Yarraville brings a slice of outdoor movie magic to the heart of Williamstown. BYO blanket. Film – Bran Nue Dae
Time: 8pm – 9.30pm Venue: Commonwealth Reserve Cost: Free
The Williamstown Festival Contemporary Art Prize
Running parallel to the Festival is the Contemporary Art prize, a Nationally recognised showcase for excellence in Contemporary Visual Arts, which always draws a great range of entrants.
Dates: 4 – 28 March, 2010 Time: 10am – 4pm Venue: Newport Substation More information
Saturday 13, March 2010
Festival Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony is a time when we can gather and take part in the Festival Welcoming Ceremony that will launch this years festival.
Time: 12.30pm Saturday Venue: Commonwealth Reserve
Free Children's Activities Harbour
Enjoy a range of fun, playful, colourful activities including an animal nursery, face painting, art and craft activities, puppet workshops and old fashioned games.
Time: 10.30am – 5.00pm Venue: Commonwealth Reserve Cost: Free
Free Mainstage Entertainment on Rotunda
Enjoy live local music acts for free throughout the festival. See Artists page for more information and Program for performance times.
Time: 10:00am – 6:00pm Venue: Rotunda in Commonwealth Reserve
Amusements and Rides
Have a blast this festival weekend, or a swing, or a drop with a range of new and classic amusements and rides.
Time: 10:00am – 6.00pm Venue: Commonwealth Reserve Cost: Varies
Roving Entertainment and Displays
Enjoy a diverse range of roving entertainers, emergency service displays, community groups, Water Watch Trailer and Connies with environmental messages.
Time: 10.30am – 5.00pm Venue: Commonwealth Reserve
The Williamstown Festival Market
Local art & crafts and a scrumptious selection of treats.
Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm Venue: Commonwealth Reserve
The Williamstown Festival Contemporary Art Prize
Running parallel to the Festival is the Contemporary Art prize, a Nationally recognised showcase for excellence in Contemporary Visual Arts, which always draws a great range of entrants.
Dates: 4 – 28 March, 2010 Time: 10am – 4pm Venue: Newport Substation More information
Sunday 14, March 2010
WISE Employment "Wear'n Williamstown" Community Parade
Local schools & community groups join together to celebrate the festival and Williamstown's maritime, indigenous and environmental history.
Time: 10.30am Venue: Commonwealth Reserve
Free Children's Activities Harbour
Enjoy a range of fun, playful, colourful activities including an animal nursery, face painting, art and craft activities, puppet workshops and old fashioned games.
Time: 10.30am – 5.00pm Venue: Commonwealth Reserve
Amusements and Rides
Have a blast this festival weekend, or a swing, or a drop with a range of new and classic amusements and rides.
Cost: Varies
Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm Venue: Commonwealth Reserve Cost: Varies
The Williamstown Festival Market
Local art & crafts and a scrumptious selection of treats.
Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm Venue: Commonwealth Reserve
Free Mainstage Entertainment – Rotunda
Enjoy live local music acts for free throughout the festival. See Artists page for more information and Program for performance times. Time: 10:30am – 5:00pm Venue: Rotunda in Commonwealth Reserve
Mobile Safety and Wellbeing Stage
Hear a range of safety message about fire, water, road safety and environmental sustainability from Mobil, MFB, Williamstown Surf Life Saving Club, Victoria Police and Hobsons Bay City Council.
Time: 10am – 10.30am Venue: Rotunda in Commonwealth Reserve
Westside Honda History Heritage Here Bus Tour
A scenic bus tour of five locations telling five stories of Williamstown.
Time: 12.30pm, 1.40pm & 2.50pm Venue: Departing Commonwealth Reserve Cost: Free – bookings essential and can be made at the Festival Information marquee during the Festival.
Cannon Firing and Re-enactment
Bring the family for an olde-worlde explosive experience, as the1867 Armstrong Guns on the Strand are fired once again. The cannons were built as the last line of defence for Port Philip and the firing takes place as one of the last acts of this festival.
Time: 4pm – 4:30pm Sunday Venue: John Morley Reserve Crn Ferguson St & The Strand Cost: Free
The Williamstown Festival Contemporary Art Prize
Running parallel to the Festival is the Contemporary Art prize, a Nationally recognised showcase for excellence in Contemporary Visual Arts, which always draws a great range of entrants.
Dates: 4 – 28 March, 2010 Time: 10am – 4pm Venue: Newport Substation More information
Umbrella Events
Farmers Market
Farmers Market with regional produce. Date: Sunday Venue: Robertson Reserve, Williamstown
Steam Rail Victoria
Steam train rides from Flinders Street to Williamstown and return Date: Sunday More information.
HMAS Castlemaine Opening
The HMAS Castlemanine is one of 60 Australian build minesweepers (popularly known as corvettes) to defend Australia in World War II. The ship has been restored and is open for inspections during the Festival. Gem Pier. Date: Saturday and Sunday. Entry fee.
Wine Tasting at Steam Packet Hotel
Wine tasting Date: Sunday 2 – 4pm
Hobsons Bay Yacht Club
Come'n Try activities Date: Sunday 2- 4pm
Royal Yacht Club of Victoria
Open day and Jazz Plus Date: Sunday 12 – 4pm
Come and Try Sea Kayak
"Come and Try Sea Kayak" day with Sea Kayak Australia. Launching at small blue stone boat launching ramp – on east side of base of pier: tours start at 10am and conclude at 5pm (at 30 minute intervals) Tour length 30-40 minutes. Date: Saturday, 10 – 5pm, Location: Gem Pier near Pelican Landing Cost: Free
Enterprize Tall Ship
Sunday 14th. Melbourne’s Living History . Come sail aboard on the replica of Melbourne’s founding ship. One hour sails from Gem Pier, 11am 12.30, 2.30 and 4pm – $20 Adult, $15 Concession $ 10 Date: Sunday, Gem Pier
One and All Tall Ship
Saturday and Sun day Half Day Sail - $80pp (Half price for pensioners and children) Saturday March 13 Twilight Sail - $120pp (Half price for pensioners and children) At all other times the ship will be open to the public for a gold coin donation. 12 – 6pm
Date: Saturday and Sunday, morning and evening cruises. Bookings essential see www.satallships.com.au
OZACT's A Midsummer Nights Dream
A new work by OZACT, presenting Shakespeare’s A Midnight Summers Dream in the beautiful outdoor surroundings of the Botanic Gardens ( bookings essential)
Art in Public Places
Various venues throughout Williamstown. See www.artinpublicplaces.com.au
Time Ball Tower
Date: Saturday and Sunday, 12 – 4pm
Roots/Jazz/Blues Performance
Date: Sunday March 14th, 7pm at Holy Trinity Church
Sustainable Suburbs in the West program