Birrarung Riverfest Returns to Celebrate Melbourne’s Mighty Yarra

Get ready to welcome spring by reconnecting with one of Melbourne’s most iconic natural treasures — the Yarra/Birrarung — as Birrarung Riverfest flows back into town this September.

Running from Saturday 6 September to Sunday 28 September 2025 (finishing on World Rivers Day), this community-driven festival will host over 60 events and activities along the river’s length, from the CBD to Warrandyte and Warburton.

Birrarung Riverfest Returns to Celebrate Melbourne’s Mighty Yarra

Presented by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association, Birrarung Riverfest shines a spotlight on the health of the river and the impact of stormwater pollution — all while inviting Melburnians to explore the river with fresh eyes through art, culture, wildlife and outdoor adventure.

The Program

This year’s program is bigger and bolder than ever, offering something for every age and interest. Spot shy platypus at dawn, join paddling adventures and canoe flotillas, take guided walks (including dog-friendly and nocturnal tours), join Indigenous-led bush medicine workshops, paint by the riverbank, and get hands-on with habitat planting and river clean-ups.

The festival wraps with a vibrant celebration at Federation Square on World Rivers Day, complete with music, performances, talks and a colourful flotilla of boats arriving in the city.

See the full program at Birrarung Riverfest. 

Where:  Along the Birrarung
When:   Saturday 6 September to Sunday 28 September 2025
Cost:     Various

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