Highlights of Piers Festival 2016

Local Community



Proudly presented by
Multicultural Arts Victoria, the fifth annual Piers Festival returns to Port Melbourne on Sunday April 3rd, in the first week of the Term 1 school holidays. The event celebrates our collective indigenous and migrant history through music, dance, food and more, from midday ‘til 7pm. The festival location, Princes Pier, is an apt site as it signifies the gateway through which almost half of our post-WWII refugees entered Australia. C&G has the festival highlights.


Archie Roach

Main Stage

He’s one of Australia’s most iconic artists, a singer/songwriter and guitarist whose talent for traditional storytelling tells of an indigenous Australia that should never be forgotten. While Archie Roach will be headlining the festival following his show at Blues Fest on March 23, he’ll be supported by a diverse range of excellent musicians from Celtic rock band Claymore to Magna Grecia (Italian Greek) and Melbourne’s own Asian / Western garage pop band Empat Lima among others.

The Landing

Princes Pier

Walk through the landing to view exhibitions and stalls from the state’s most active and engaged cultural associations. With activities, performers, arts and crafts and of course, a delicious and diverse range of food – the Landing is the festival’s immersive market of international delights for all ages. 

What Happened at the Pier

The Gatehouse, Princes Pier

Forums and live poetry readings are some of the key media that will utilise the Gatehouse space this year, but we can also look forward to an exhibition of historical artefacts, along with documentary videos and on-site discussions.

Historical Walks

Port Melbourne

Janet Bolitho from the Port Melbourne Historical Society will be providing guided tours free of charge, at either 1pm or 3pm from the festival. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the local history, but bookings are essential. Why not register here?

Last year, Piers Festival drew crowds of 12,000 people and this year is expected to be similarly busy! The event is free to attend, but C&G recommend planning your trip in advance to streamline transportation, and ensure that you check the Google Maps so you know where to go. Tram 109 will take you to Stop 129 for Beacon Cove/Station Pier, which is the closest stop, or you’ll find ticketed parking on Station Pier and some free/ticketed parking in the surrounding streets. We hope you have a lovely time!