Knox Festival 2023

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Knox Festival is a free community event welcoming locals to come together and celebrate community life. It is an all ages, family friendly, alcohol, smoke, pet and drug free event.

Saturday 4 March 2023 (10am-10pm)

Wally Tew Reserve, Brenock Park Drive, Ferntree Gully

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What's on

Download the festival map and plan your day.

Knox Festival map

Free Knox Festival shuttle bus schedule

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Carnival rides (all day and evening)

Most rides will be located on the oval, some free kids’ rides will be near the playground
Rides include dodgem cars, alien invasion and ferris wheel, plus plenty of kid friendly rides.
Unlimited rides from 10am – 6pm $40 (cost has been discounted due to last minute cancellation of some of our larger thriller rides)
Tickets can be purchased for individual rides at various prices
Ticket / wristband sales booth located on oval
Age, height and weight restrictions apply to some rides

Food court (all day and evening)

Shaded food court with tables and umbrellas located near the Canopy Stage
Twisty potatoes, hot toasties, tacos, burgers & chips, pizza and more…
Free water hydration stations located by the cricket pavilion, scout hall and windmill
Most vendors take cash and card, EFTPOS located by the cricket pavilion

Daytime program (10am – 5pm)

Community stalls, rides, arts play, food trucks, live performances and activities for the whole family.

Kids' activities

Playground space (Wally Tew Playground) with giant games, sandpit play, toddler toys and bubble performer
Free kids rides including chair-a-plane and jumping castle near the playground
Activities in Ferntree Gully Community Arts Centre and Library - Storytime, Paul Jamieson the Music Man (shows at 11am &1pm), sand art, pottery workshop
Dream Space with creative, dreamlike activities and characters
Roving performers
Face painting
Team Dream performance at the Community Stage

Workshops and attractions

Art workshops – hosted by artist Sonia Zymantas
Science workshops – hosted by Mad About Science
Pottery workshops – hosted by Ferntree Gully Community Arts Centre
Woodworking workshops – hosted by the Knox Woodworkers
Dreaming space with Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place featuring arts and culture at the rotunda. Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at 1:30pm
Chill out spaces at Ferntree Gully Library, next to Wally Tew Playground and near the event info marquee
Market and community stalls with loads of interesting things to explore

Come and Try – Sports Hub

Meet some local sports clubs and have a go in the giant inflatable sports area.

Soccer
Cricket
Football
Basketball
Netball
Tennis
And more!

Cooking demonstrations

45 minute cooking demonstrations at the Global Kitchen (starting hourly from 11am).

Knox Chinese Elderly Citizens Club – Prosperity Salad Toss, with Mayor Marcia Timmers-Leitch
Zomi Innujuan Melbourne - Chicken Congee
Feed One Feed All - Singapore Noodles
Sri Lanka Victoria Friendship Association - Beef & Dhal Curry
Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place - Hoppy Joes
Sant Nirankari Mission - Paneer Masala

Download recipe cards

Canopy Stage

Hosted by the Knox FReeZA Committee “Knox Live”

10:15am Jayde Mia
11:00am Sadie Mustoe
11:45am Black Opal
12:30pm Danika Dakic (Knox Factor 2022 Winner)
1:15pm Jenna Campbell
2:45pm Backko
3:45pm Zak Roams
4:45pm Kitty Rae

Community Stage

10:15am - Bagadencak Dance Group
10:40am - Andre Costanzo
10:55am - Melbourne Urban Belly Dance
11:30am - The Basin Primary School
11:50am - Aspect Motion – School of Dance
12:15pm - Knox Rocks
12:50pm - Kreationz Cheer and Dance
2:00pm - Fairhills High School Choir
2:25pm - Team Dream
3.00pm - St Josephs College
3:45pm - Maya Dance Group
4:10pm - ASV Academy

Youth Hub (10:00am – 7:30pm)

Roller skating rink (skates included)
Roller skate exhibition displays all day
360 Photo booth (10am – 5pm)
Henna tattooing (10am – 5pm)
Silent disco (2:30pm – 7:30pm)

Twilight program (5pm – 10pm)

Live music, rides, food trucks and firework finale. Stay for dinner, tunes and amusements as the sun sets over Wally Tew. Enjoy a fireworks finale at 9:55pm.

Canopy Stage

6.00pm - Indigenous Outreach Program Hip Hop Show
7:15pm - Steve Cousins
8:15pm - The New MonoS
9:10pm - Groove Runner

Event essentials

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Accessibility

We welcome patrons of all abilities, and support a great day for all, by providing:

Accessible parking and drop off via the Burwood Highway entrance
A Changing Places facility at the permanent toilet block near the windmill
Sealed paths around the festival (however some activities take place on grassed/uneven surfaces
Chill out spaces at Ferntree Gully Library, True Fairy Dream Space and by the cricket pavilion / information tent
Visual communications board located with all wardens and at the information tent
Service animals permitted
Event and emergency service staff on site with high visibility vests or uniforms

Access Key

Knox Festival 2023 Access Key provides additional information to help visitors understand what to expect when visiting the festival.

If you have any queries regarding accessibility at the festival, please call the Festival and Events team on 9298 8000 or email events@knox.vic.gov.au prior the event date.

Getting there and parking

A free shuttle bus will run every 20 mins from Ferntree Gully station to the event.
Visit the PTV website for the train timetable and to plan getting to Ferntree Gully station.
Accessible parking is located via the Burwood Highway entrance
No public parking available on site, parking in nearby streets must adhere to signed parking restrictions
Best pedestrian entry points are via Burwood Highway and Brenock Park Drive
General drop off point via Brenock Park Drive
No vehicle access via Lyndale Court (resident access only)
Brenock Park Drive closed between 9:45pm and 10:45pm (resident access only)

Fireworks

There will be a 6 minute firework finale starting at around 9:55pm.

If you, or someone you care for, is sensitive to loud noises and sudden changes in light we advise you leave the festival before the fireworks, watch from a vehicle or wear noise cancelling headphones.

Fireworks can frighten pets. Local pet owners are advised to keep pets indoors during the fireworks display. Find out more about caring for pets during firework at rspca.org.au.

Get involved

Applications to participate as a food vendor, stallholder or performer have now closed. Sign up to the Knox event stallholder mailing list to stay up to date on opportunities to participate in 2024.

More information

Get all the latest news, events and updates from Knox Arts and Events:

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Facebook: facebook.com/knoxartsandevents
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Subscribe to the Knox Arts and Events news
Subscribe to the Knox event stallholder mailing list
View the Knox Festival Facebook event

Need help?

Or call our Customer Service team on 9298 8000.