lmost every show at The Winter Blues Festival is free, with the exception of our famous Wrap Party on Sunday evening, and cruises on the paddle steamer PS Pevensey. There are limited free tickets for the Racing Club on Friday afternoon and pre booking is advised. Ticket info for these shows can be found on our tickets page.

The full program is available now as a PDF download or in our free app. Head to the schedule page to check it out.

The Winter Blues Festival is an all-inclusive, all access, bring-the-whole family event. On Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 3pm, Hopwood Gardens will come alive at our Family Space, with amazing music, in a family friendly setting. Bring the whole family and enjoy Art and craft activities, Jumping Castle, Temporary Tattoos, Face Painter, Large games, Dress ups, Silent disco between 12 pm - 2 pm in the Port pop-up park, Bendigo LEGO user groupon Saturday only, Rich River First aid, and an EMFM - live broadcast all weekend and more. We’re expecting great weather, so pack a chair or picnic rug, and come down and relax. And although the pub venues are 18+, you will find all-ages stages at Hopwood Gardens, The Beekeepers Table, Essen, The Beechworth Bakery, Cape Horn, Campaspe Library, WBF Stage, and Echuca Wharf.

Of course, you can drive from wherever you are - Echuca is located under 3 hours north of Melbourne, getting to Echuca by car is easy thanks to a great network of clearly signed and well-maintained highways. V Line operate buses and trains from all over Victoria to Echuca, head to the V Line website for up-to-date timetable and fare info.

Most festival venues are within walking distance of each other.
High Street Echuca will be a buzz all weekend, so to avoid the traffic and remove the pain of finding a carpark, why not take one of our shuttle buses, ride a bike and store it at our additional bike racks at Hopwood Gardens, or enjoy the sunshine and stroll into town on foot. Taxis will also be available. And if you choose to drive, please be sure to have a designated driver and remember that extra parking is available at the Visitors Centre.

The Winter Blues Festival takes place in venues in the town itself. Echuca is a major regional centre and provides everything you’d expect as far as food options, medical services, accommodation etc. Public toilets are available in venues throughout town, additionally portable toilets will be located: Behind the Foundry Art Space in Murray Esplanade Public space between Nirebo and the Old Town Hall on High St.

The Winter Blues Festival is held on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja, Wurrung, Taungurung and Yorta Yorta peoples. Join us in Hopwood Gardens at 11.30am Saturday for Welcome to Country, as we acknowledge the Traditional Owners and their Elders past, present and emerging.

Whether you’re after a copy of our event program, a beanie, stubby holder, or the very popular Winter Blues Festival Hoodies, you’ll find it all at our Merchandise Tent, located on the corner of Leslie Street and High Street, outside the Port Ice Creamery. Be sure to say hi to our volunteers while you’re there. We also have an online store if you can’t be there in person.

There’s something for everyone at the 2024 Winter Blues Festival, and this year we’re making outstanding live music come to you through Buskers who will be located on the corner of Leslie Street and High Street, outside the Echuca Chocolate Company, and on High Street outside Vintage Vinyl Records. Please come down to enjoy their tunes and support these amazing entertainers.

Rich River First Aid will be onsite at Hopwood Gardens during the day on Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am – 3pm.

High Street (from roundabout to roundabout) will become 40 kph. Murray Esplanade will be permanently closed to the public. Radcliffe Street Car Park (Beechworth Bakery) will be closed. Little Hopwood Street will be closed. If you’re driving, please consider parking at the Echuca Moama Visitor Information Centre. Bike racks will be available at Hopwood Gardens. Our bus shuttle will operate between High Street and our accommodation partners.