CresFest is about the joy of live music – playing it, hearing it, watching it, dancing to it, learning it and being inspired by it – it all happens in a lovely heritage town in central Victoria, harnessing the special warmth of our community of Creswick, just 15 minutes from Ballarat.
With our sixth CresFest in April 2027, audiences will enjoy three days of dance and music from a huge and diverse range of performers, from international stars to local newcomers who will entertain you over the weekend of Friday 2 April – Sunday 4 April. With up to 18 small venues running at once, you’re guaranteed to get up close and personal with some amazing acts.
And more than concerts, you’ll have the chance to participate in a densely packed program of workshops including singing, dancing and playing. We have a lively tradition of street extravaganzas; of Bollywood in ’22, Salsa in ’23, Klezmer in ’24, Rhythms of Africa in ’25 and New Orleans in 2026. These large, free, events include parades and stationary performances that involve local schools, community bands and professional musicians who together, fill the streets of Creswick with music and joy.
Budding performers can enter our IGA Busking Competition for great prizes or sign up for open mic spots – a separate EOI will be published closer to the event. Each year local players are invited to take part in workshops, to learn from and perform with our visiting professionals, in a true two-way collaboration that brings new skills and renewed enthusiasm to our musicians.
It all happens in the glorious old buildings and on the streets of Creswick on the first weekend of April. Growing from a project of the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre in 2022 to a fully fledged Not For Profit in 2025, CresFest is proudly supported by most of our 3000 strong community, one way or another.