St Kilda and Southside is jam-packed with must-see events in March! From outdoor cinema  and the iconic Port Phillip Mussel and Jazz Festival, to a huge celebration of live music a the St Kilda Blues Festival – mark these dates in your diary.

St Kilda Blues Festival

Street corners and music venues across St Kilda will light up this weekend for the St Kilda Blues Festival. From March 1 to 3, hit the streets, including Acland, Fitzroy and Blessington Street, for a huge free program of live music, with 70+ live gigs with local artists, roaming street performers, and the epic St Kilda Street Swamp Second Line parade led by Hoodoo Mayhem. With a melting pot of musical styles, from the soulful sounds of the Mississippi Delta to folk, country blues, punk, alt-blues and more, there's something for everyone.

St Kilda Blues Festival is on Friday 1 to Sunday 3 March, at various locations across St Kilda. Explore the program.

Port Phillip Mussel Festival, St Kilda

The South Melbourne Market's annual Port Phillip Mussel and Jazz Festival is an iconic Melbourne event attracting over 60,000 mollusc and music lovers to the streets of South Melbourne for a seafood street party on the Labour Day long weekend each year. In 2024 the festival will feature a showcase of local jazz and soul musicians, cooking demonstrations, free family fun plus plenty of delicious seafood and mussels!

The Port Phillip Mussell and Jazz Festival is on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March at South Melbourne Market. Explore the program.

St Patrick's Festival, St Kilda

St. Patrick's Festival is a vibrant, weekend-long celebration of Irish culture in Australia's unofficial celtic heartland - St Kilda. Head to the free family day on Saturday 16 March for carnival rides, roving entertainers, Irish dancers, live music, a dog show, pop-up bar and a huge festival parade.  Their ticketed event on Sunday 17 March is a huge draw for music lovers, with a fantastic line up international and local Irish artists, street food, pop-up beer garden, workshops and roving entertainers. 

St Patricks Festival is on 16 and 17 March at o'Donnell Gardens. The festivals' Free Family Day is from 10 am to 6pm on Saturday 16 March. Tickets are on sale for their Sunday music event, which runs 12 to 9 pm, Sunday 17 March. 

Sunset Cinema, St Kilda Botanic Gardens

The St Kilda Botanic Gardens makes a stunning backdrop for the return season of Sunset Cinema (formerly Barefoot Cinema). Watch the hottest summer releases under the stars including Wonka, Poor Things, Mean Girls, Next Goal Wins, and The Color Purple. The program also features classic and new family films, including Studio Ghibli's first release in a decade, The Boy and The Heron.  Relax in comfy beanbags with a fully licensed onsite bar, food trucks, and gourmet choctops, or upgrade your experience and book for the VIP Sunset Lounge, for a prime viewing spot and unlimited popcorn. Arrive early to grab a drink amongst the greenery as the shadows lengthen.  

Sunset Cinema is on until Saturday 9  March,  at St Kilda Botanical Gardens, 11 Herbert Street, St Kilda.

2023 - 2024 2XU Triathlon Series

Victoria’s premier triathlon event, the 2XU Triathlon Series, is fixture across Melbourne's southside beaches during the warmer months. The season is now open, with races coming up in both St Kilda and Elwood. Different fitness levels are welcome, including tri-kids, age groupers and elites. Some road closures apply during race times, so allow extra travel time. 

2XU Triathlon Series, Catani Gardens, St Kilda (24 March) and Elwood Reserve (3 March). Register for  the 2XU Triathlon

Acland Street Sunset Market

A monthly new Sunset Market is back on Acland Street in March. Presented by the organisers of St Kilda Esplanade Market, it showcases unique arts and crafts in a bespoke setting on Acland Plaza. Browse open-air stalls by local creatives and then stay on to soak up the St Kilda sunset over drinks and dinner.

The Acland Sunset Market is on Thursday 14 March,  4 to 8.30 pm, Acland Plaza, St Kilda. 

Rain Room

International art sensation Rain Room has returned for a brand new season at Jackalope Pavilion. Be surrounded by (but completely protected from) an intense rainstorm that responds to your presence and movement in this mesmerising, immersive experience. 

Until 31 March, Jackalope Pavilion, Corner Jackson and Acland Streets, St Kilda

KIIS Eye Ferris Wheel

Take in breath-taking views of St Kilda Foreshore from above on the KIIS Eye Ferris Wheel. Open daily from 10 am to 9.30 pm at Catani Gardens from 2 December, repeat visits are recommended to catch the sunset over Port Phillip Bay and sparkling lights of Melbourne after dark. A 30% discount applies for City of Port Phillip residents, upon presentation of photo ID.

Open until 25 April 2024 (except Christmas Day), 10 am to 9.30 pm daily, Catani Gardens, Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda. Opening hours may vary due to weather, check the Skyline  Facebook and  Instagram for most recent updates.