Rowville National Events
Welcome to Rowville, a suburb located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Despite its relatively small size and residential character, Rowville offers numerous opportunities to witness, celebrate, and participate in a variety of nationally and globally recognised annual events throughout the year. In this long web page, we will introduce you to some of the most popular and exciting events that take place in and around Rowville, highlighting their origins, significance, and how you can get involved.
1. Australia Day (January 26th)
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia, commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and the beginning of European settlement in the country. On this day, Australians celebrate their diversity, cultural heritage, and national identity through various activities, such as citizenship ceremonies, flag raisings, parades, concerts, and fireworks. In Rowville, you can join the Australia Day celebrations at the City of Knox Australia Day Festival, held at the Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully. The festival features live music, food trucks, amusement rides, sports activities, and a citizenship ceremony for new Australians.
2. Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March-April)
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious comedy festivals in the world, showcasing local and international comedians across dozens of venues in Melbourne. Comedians perform stand-up comedy, sketch comedy, improvisation, and other forms of comedy, catering to a wide range of audiences and tastes. In Rowville, you can catch some of the festival's shows at the Knox Community Arts Centre in Wantirna South, which often hosts comedy acts and other performing arts events throughout the year.
3. ANZAC Day (April 25th)
ANZAC Day is a national day of remembrance dedicated to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions around the world. The day marks the anniversary of the landing of ANZAC troops at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915, during World War I. Australians observe ANZAC Day through dawn services, marches, ceremonies, and other commemorative events, paying respect to the sacrifices and contributions of the ANZACs and their families. In Rowville, you can attend the ANZAC Day dawn service at the Rowville War Memorial on Stud Road, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and a breakfast at the Stamford Park Reserve.
4. Melbourne International Film Festival (August)
The Melbourne International Film Festival is one of the oldest and most prominent film festivals in the world, screening hundreds of films from Australia and overseas across various genres, themes, and formats. The festival showcases feature films, documentaries, short films, and experimental films, with special events and talks by filmmakers and experts. In Rowville, you can catch some of the festival's films at the Village Cinemas Knox in Wantirna South, which is part of the festival's venue circuit.
5. Melbourne Cup Day (first Tuesday in November)
Melbourne Cup Day is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse racing events in Australia, attracting thousands of punters, spectators, and fashion enthusiasts to Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. The Melbourne Cup is a handicap race that challenges some of the best horses in the world over a distance of 3200 metres, offering millions of dollars in prizes and prestigious trophies. Beyond the racing, Melbourne Cup Day is also known for its fashion and style, with many people dressing up in their finest outfits and headwear to compete in fashion contests. In Rowville, you can watch the Melbourne Cup Day races at various local pubs, clubs, and sports bars, where you can also indulge in some food, drinks, and betting.
6. Christmas and New Year's Eve (December)
Christmas and New Year's Eve are two of the most widely celebrated holidays around the world, and Rowville is no exception. During this festive month, you can witness various activities and events that capture the spirit of the season, such as Christmas carols, lights displays, markets, concerts, and fireworks. In Rowville, you can visit the Knox Community Arts Centre and attend their Christmas market and carols event, or head to Lysterfield Park and enjoy a picnic or BBQ while watching the New Year's Eve fireworks. Many local restaurants and bars also offer special menus, promotions, and events during this time, giving you plenty of options to indulge in some festive cheer.
Rowville is a vibrant and inclusive community that embraces a variety of annual events that reflect its cultural, artistic, sporting, and historical heritage. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, there's something for everyone in Rowville, whether you want to learn, laugh, remember, compete, or celebrate. We hope this long web page has given you a taste of what Rowville has to offer, and we encourage you to explore and experience these events for yourself.