Welcome to November!
Come November, we’re on the verge of abandoning our jackets and jumping headfirst into Melbourne’s blistering days and balmy nights.
But we’re not quite there yet. While we’re keen for an occasional splash at Eastern Beach, we’re also partial to explore the local attractions. And this month is packed with huge annual events like Toast to the Coast, Melbourne Cup, the Geelong Revival Motoring Festival and more.
So, make sure to check out some of our favourites for the month. Enjoy!
Toast to the Coast - Food & Wine Festival
When: From 11am, Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd 2019
Where: Day One – Check program for participating wineries | Day 2 – The Pier, Cunningham Pier, 10 Western Foreshore Rd, Geelong
Cost: Tickets from $45 (Day One) and $60 (Day 2)
Held over the Melbourne Cup long weekend, this iconic two-day festival is one of the most anticipated events on the local calendar, showcasing the very best cool-climate wines and gourmet food from around the Moorabool Valley, Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula.
This year’s event will offer an exciting format change, with more options to discover Geelong’s world-class wine. Enjoy Day 1 of the event touring the wineries, visiting cellar doors and discovering the delights our region has to offer.
Day 2 is at the iconic Pier, where local wine producers will come together to offer our finest drops at a beautiful showcase event under the one roof.
The two-day event will offer you the chance to taste, drink and eat your way across a selection of award-winning wineries while enjoying the picturesque vineyard settings and live entertainment.
For further event, program and ticketing information go to: https://toasttothecoast.com.au.
Melbourne Cup Day High Tea in support of Genu
When: 12:00PM, Tuesday, 5th November 2019
Where: Rydges Geelong, Myers St &, Gheringhap St, Geelong
Cost: $65
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is a pinnacle event on Victoria’s Spring Racing Calendar, however if you are not interested in heading out to Flemington to tackle the crowds but still want to celebrate the thrills, this might be the perfect option for you.
In partnership with GenU, Geelong Events Centre is throwing the ultimate Melbourne Cup High Tea event, so you can indulge at GEC as you watch the race that stops the nations.
Tickets are $65 and include High Tea, bubbles on arrival, live screenings, fashion on the fields, live music, raffle prizes and a sweepstake!
Be sure to dress to impress with MC – Samantha Krajina from Geelong Women in Business judging this year’s fashion on the fields.
Bookings are essential so contact Rydges on 03 5223 6215 to secure your tickets!
Central Geelong Shopping Festival and sidewalk sales
When: 9:00AM – 5:00PM, Tuesday, 5th November 2019
Where: Central Geelong
Cost: Free
This year’s Central Geelong Shopping Festival + Sidewalk Sales is set to be the largest yet and is Central Geelong’s biggest shopping day of the year.
It’s the day of the year people flock to Central Geelong for a fantastic day out, to snap up a bargain, to enjoy a long lunch and to be entertained.
Perks for this year’s event will allow you to:
Splurge at one day only specials from over 200 businesses right across Central Geelong
Visit the Event Hub in Lt Malop Central for the Pamper Marquee and Garden Party with pop-ups from Central Geelong businesses
Indulge your sweet tooth at Sweet Street in Lt Malop West featuring pop-ups and pamper giveaways
Enjoy a Street Runway in the Green Spine showcasing the latest Spring fashion found in Central Geelong
Listen to live performances featuring the Sweethearts and the Itchy Feet Peep Band
Grab a bargain with a lucky bag at selected Central Geelong businesses
So, get that Christmas shopping done early and head on down!
The official event Form Guide will be released late October via the website: https://www.centralgeelong.com.au/events/114973.
Christmas in Geelong - Opening night
When: 7:00PM, Friday, 8th November 2019
Where: Geelong Waterfront
Cost: Free
You are invited to enjoy the spectacular show as our city kicks off its Christmas celebrations and light Geelong’s Floating Christmas Tree.
Head to the Waterfront to be entertained with a special one-night only event. This will be an early evening event which will include live performances (to be announced), fireworks and the lighting of the floating Christmas tree at 9:00pm.
They are also turning on the Christmas projections at City Hall on this night, so after you have seen the tree, wander up to City Hall to marvel at this year’s festive projections from 9:30pm.
However, if you can’t make the opening night, don’t worry as the Floating Christmas Tree light shows will be staged each night from 8.30pm until midnight until January 7th 2020.
Make sure you visit the Waterfront to see them all. Each has a different light show and music production worth catching!
Word for Word National Non-Fiction festival
When: From 9:30AM, Friday 15th – Sunday 17th November 2019
Where: Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong
Cost: Workshop prices vary, so please refer to program on the website
Welcome to Australia’s only non-fiction writing festival. Word for Word is a unique annual literary event showcasing non-fiction writing in all its many facets and forms with world-renowned writers, dynamic panel discussions and “in conversation” sessions.
Held in the iconic and multi-award winning Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, the Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival takes full advantage of this stunning state-of-the-art facility known locally as “The Dome”.
Day One of the Festival on Friday 15 November 2019 will see a series of writing workshops held at community libraries across the region. This will be followed by the highly-anticipated Opening Night Special Event. Then Day Two, Saturday 16 November, and Day Three, Sunday 17 November, will feature a packed program featuring in-conversation sessions, panel discussions, keynote addresses and special events.
For further information and pricing, view the program via: http://www.wordforwordfestival.com.au/program/
North Bellarine Film Festival
When: Multiple session times, Friday 15th – Sunday 17th November 2019
Where: Central Geelong
Cost: Adults from $14 per session or weekend passes available from $61.50
The North Bellarine Film Festival (NBFF) is a three day cultural event held each November at the Potato Shed in Drysdale and the Portarlington Neighbourhood House.
Featuring a program of Australian and International feature films, short films and experimental shorts, the North Bellarine Film Festival is a must-see.
The NBFF Committee is an independent, not-for-profit volunteer organisation committed to bringing quality cinema to the region, selecting films on their merit while also supporting sexual diversity, racial and gender parity.
Tickets and session information via: https://www.northbellarinefilmfestival.org
Run 4 Geelong
When: From 8:00am (pending start time), Sunday, 17th November 2019
Where: Central Geelong
Cost: Adults from $45 and Children from $35
RUN, WALK OR ROLL!
Run 4 Geelong is a family friendly community event that caters to all fitness abilities. The event has a festival vibe along the course, entertainment and is a great family day out in support of the Barwon Health Foundation. The fun run allows participants to take in the beautiful sights Geelong has to offer, whilst supporting the vital services provided to the community by Barwon Health.
With a 12km run, 6km run, 6km family walk and 1km kids dash, Run 4 Geelong promises to be a fun filled event and they want you to register now as 100% of your registration fee will be donated to the lifesaving work of Barwon Health. Meaning, that your participation will support the improvement of health facilities for the people of Geelong.
If you can’t participate but are still keen to support your local hospital, you can make a donation or support one of the fundraising targets of one of the runners.
Head to the website today to register for this fantastic event https://run4geelong.com.au.
Geelong Revival Motoring Festival
When:
05:00 PM – 09:00 PM, Friday 22nd November 2019
09:00 AM – 06:00 PM, Saturday, 23rd November 2019
09:00 AM – 06:00 PM, Sunday 24th November 2019
Where: Geelong Waterfront
Cost: Free & Ticketed Areas
The Geelong Revival Motoring Festival will take place on Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of November 2019. This action packed motoring festival, held on Geelong’s picturesque waterfront, is an event not to be missed!
Take pole position for the historic quarter-mile sprints, as 300 classic and exotic cars and motorcycles sprint down Ritchie Boulevard at full throttle. See the huge motorshow, exhibits, entertainment, food trucks, personalities and more over 3 action packed days.
The Geelong Waterfront will be covered with over 600 quirky, valuable and fascinating vehicles that are guaranteed to please anyone with an appreciation for unique vehicles. We kick off celebrations with the Friday Night Cruise, featuring over 300 vehicles, as we prepare for a huge weekend of motoring lifestyle.
If cars and motorcycles aren’t enough to get you excited, classic boats and vintagetrucks and 4WD’s will also be on display, so make sure you look around! Take a step back in time into the vintage lifestyle zone featuring live music, trade stalls, delicious food and entertainment.
The lifestyle zone wouldn’t be complete without the Vintage Caravan Display and of course the National Vintage Fashion Awards at the Yacht Club, a crowd favourite!
Motoring enthusiasts can top off their weekend in the trade expo zone, featuring great displays, sales and unique demonstrations.
The Geelong Revival Motoring Festival is the ideal way to spend a day out with the whole family and this year’s event is going to be a memorable one! We can’t wait to see you all there for some good, old-fashioned fun!
For further information on the event and ticketing options go to: https://geelongrevival.com.au
