Festivals and Activation Grants

Council proudly supports a dynamic range of festivals, events, activations and other place-based activities each year. It recognises that in most instances local communities are best placed to produce the ideas and to plan, organise and deliver activities for their community, and as such a core part of Council’s support is to provide grants to the community to run these activities.

The grants programs are guided by the Maribyrnong Festivals and Activation Framework 2022–2026(PDF, 2MB) which outlines four funding streams which provide financial and in-kind support to activate the City’s public spaces and/or further Maribyrnong’s reputation as a nighttime destination of choice. These are: 

Signature Festivals

This stream is for larger scale festivals (attracting audiences of 5,000+) that showcase the best of the City of Maribyrnong, its geography, local cultures or creative talents and attract audiences across Melbourne and Victoria.

Grant Round opens biennially (every second year), usually in May/June.

Place-Based Initiatives (Annual)

This stream is for small-medium scale place-based activities (attracting audiences of 500-500) that creatively activate public spaces, business precincts and local neighbourhoods.

Opens annually, usually in May/June with outcomes notified in August/September.

Place-Based Initiatives (Quick Response)

This stream is for small-to-medium scale place-based activities (attracting audiences of 100-2,000) which may be a pilot concept.

Open twice yearly, usually from September to November, and February to April, with outcomes notified within 28 days of application being received.

Night-Time Diversification (Quick Response)

This stream is designed for activities that will enhance or widen the reach of our City's night-time attractions.

Open twice yearly, usually from September to November, and February to April, with outcomes notified within 28 days of application being received.

More Information

Visit Council's Festival City website