The Birrarung Riverfest is back after its successful inaugural event last year, bringing over 30 events on the banks of the river from Warburton to West Gate Park at this year’s edition.
The Birrarung Riverfest is a 3-week-long celebration of the Yarra, Birrarung River, from Sunday 1 September to World River’s Day on Sunday 22nd September 2024.
Presented by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association (YRKA), the festival aims to celebrate, raise awareness and connect our community to Country and each other, through the entire length (242km) of the Birrarung.
After the success of the inaugural festival in 2023, this year’s Riverfest program boasts over 30 community-led events and activities, from platypus spotting at dusk, cultural walks and birding by ear, to canoe cleanups and sunset jazz at Ponyfish island.
“Whether you like arts and music, history and culture, or nature and storytelling, there really is something for everyone at Riverfest,” YRKA President Janet Bolitho said.
”We are delighted to have over 24 organisations and hundreds of individuals helping to host events this year.”
YRKA have partnered with the Yarra Strategic Plan collaboration (Burndap Birrarung, burndap umarkoo) and Regen Melbourne to bring Riverfest to life. The festival will celebrate and acknowledge the river’s Traditional Custodians, the Wurundjeri and Bunurong Peoples and hopes to highlight the interconnectedness of the Birrarung; one single living entity, cared for by many.
Keystone events hosted by YRKA include a Sunday River Cruise with speakers sharing their love letters to the Birrarung, and a closing event on World Rivers Day at Federation Square, celebrating the river’s ‘Past, Present and Future’, hosted by radio personality and comedian, Sammy J.
Riverfest will open on Father’s Day on 1 September with a Little Explorers event at Studley Park Boathouse. Activities for children continue through the three weeks, including City Nippers (a riverside rendition of the beloved beach-based kids program) and The Great Yarra Colouring Class with pigments sourced from the river corridor.
Almost every event will be free, with donations from attendees encouraged.
“The donations and funding from these events will help unlock capacity and resources for Yarra Riverkeeper Association to continue their essential work caring for the River,” Ms Bolitho said.
YRKA Operations Manager Carina Watson said the Birrarung catchment is responsible for 70 per cent of our drinking water and is absolutely vital to our social and economic wellbeing.
when you get close to the river, or you get more involved, your appreciation for how wonderful it is grows,” she said.
“I hope attendees come away with a renewed appreciation for how special it is to have such a beautiful, natural feature in our city, and all the life and biodiversity that it supports.”
