Plan Your Visit

Our vibrant festival programme of accessible performances and events fosters multicultural community connections, bridging cultural divides through the celebration of art and culture.

Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th May

Friday 2nd May

  • 6:30 PM - Light It Up Opening Ceremony

  • 7:45 PM , 8:30 PM & 8:55 PM - 'The Light' Animated Bodhi Tree Show

Saturday 3rd May

  • 11:00 AM - Buddha's Day Blessing Ceremony

  • 11:30 AM - Tea Ceremony & Puppet Show

  • 12:10 PM - Puppet Show

  • 12:30 PM - Performance: Eisa Okinawa

  • 1:00 PM - Almsgiving Ceremony

  • 1:40 PM - Tea Ceremony, Puppet Show & Meditation

  • 2:15 PM - Puppet Show

  • 2:30 PM - Performance: Rangana & Udumbara

  • 3:00 PM - Performance: Sanggar Lestari

  • 3:25 PM - Puppet Show

  • 4:00 PM - Tea Ceremony & Puppet Show

  • 4:15 PM - Free Meditation

  • 4:35 PM - Puppet Show

  • 5:15 PM - Performance & Workshop: Melbourne Djembe & Puppet Show

  • 5:45 PM - Puppet Show

  • 6:00 PM - Twilight Light Offering Ceremony

  • 6:15 PM - Puppet Show

  • 6:45 PM - Puppet Show

  • 7:00 PM & 7:30 PM - 'The Light' Animated Bodhi Tree Show

  • 7:40 PM - Performance: City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band & Puppet Show

  • 8:00 PM - 'The Light' Animated Bodhi Tree Show

  • 8:20 PM - Puppet Show

  • 8:30 PM - 'The Light' Animated Bodhi Tree Show

  • 8:35 PM - Performance: KPop BiasDance

  • 8:55 PM - 'The Light' Animated Bodhi Tree Show

Sunday 4th May

  • 11:00 AM - Tai Chi Meditation

  • 11:45 AM - Performance: Čekor Macedonian Dance

  • 12:00 PM - Puppet Show

  • 12:30 PM - Tea Ceremony & Free Meditation

  • 12:40 PM - Puppet Show

  • 1:15 PM - Puppet Show

  • 1:30 PM - Baby Blessing Registration

  • 1:40 PM - Performance & Workshop: AVAC Vietnamese

  • 2:00 PM - Baby Blessing Ceremony

  • 3:00 PM - Tea Ceremony & Puppet Show

  • 3:30 PM - Free Meditation

  • 3:40 PM - Puppet Show

  • 4:00 PM - Performance & Workshop: Jhoom Bollywood

  • 4:15 PM - Puppet Show

  • 4:50 PM - Performance: Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne

  • 5:00 PM - End of Festival

Getting Here

Public Transport

Save the planet and leave your car at home if you can.

Golden Square is conveniently located near most forms of public transport including Melbourne’s iconic tram network.

Nearest accessible train station: Melbourne Central Station

Nearest accessible tram stop: Melbourne Central Station/State Library or Bourke Street Mall/Swanston Street

Plan your journey ahead via Public Transport Victoria.

Vehicle Parking

Golden Square Car Park is safe and provides quick and easy access to the Festival, the city, the theatre, shopping districts, and more.

Bike parking is also available at Golden Square Car Park.

Venue Address

Golden Square

217 – 231 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Covid Safety

The BDMF will operate in accordance with the Victorian Government’s COVID-19 guidelines applicable at the time.

Please follow the instructions of event staff and volunteers and adhere to the following principles while attending.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THE FESTIVAL IF YOU ARE

  • Feeling unwell
  • Showing symptoms of COVID-19

GENERAL COVID SAFE PRACTICES THAT YOU SHOULD FOLLOW AT THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE

  • Make frequent use of hand sanitising facilities
  • We encourage the use of face masks
  • Listen to and comply with instructions given by event or venue staff
  • Stay up to date with the latest information from the Victorian Government at coronavirus.vic.gov.au

 

Accessibility & Inclusion

The Buddha’s Day & Multicultural Festival is an inclusive experience, and we encourage all to participate and be represented. The Festival takes place on the street level of an open-air car park.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING

2 x accessible parking bays are conveniently located just inside the ground floor entrance of Golden Square Car Park – enter via Lonsdale Street. Additional accessible parking can be arranged on arrival by liaising directly with Golden Square Car Park staff who will be on-site throughout all event hours.

ACCESSIBLE DROP-OFF 

There is an accessible drop-off point located on the north side of Lonsdale Street adjacent to QV – for further details see here.

ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE 

Access the Festival area through the Lonsdale Street entrance of Golden Square Car Park.

ACCESSIBLE BATHROOM

A unisex-accessible bathroom is available on the ground floor of Golden Square Car Park.