Meredith Music Festival 2024 in Victoria

Considered by many to be the greatest music festival on the planet. Meredith Music Festival has been a staple of outdoor celebrations in Australia. The events of this three-day party are out of this world, starting with a unique music selection, filled with a hand-picked set of Melbourne-based artists, and ending with a freeing nude race, the Meredith Gift. Drawing in about 12,000 attendees every year and held on a farm property, this large-scale party still feels intimate and close-knit, staying true to its beginnings.

Music Lineup

What draws many Australians to the Meredith Music Festival is its music lineup, showcasing the most unique artists of Melbourne, Australia, and the entire Oceania. The list also includes international artists from the UK, Germany, Japan, the USA, and beyond. Numerous genres are played at the One and Only Stage, ranging from pop, punk-rock and indie-pop to reggae, classical music, and stoner metal. This year's lineup features Jamie xx, Genesis Owusu, The Dare, Angie McMahon, Glass Beams, Essendon Airport, The Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir, and many others.

Last year's lineup included German electronic band Kraftwerk, Los Angeles-based harpist Mary Lattimore, Australian rock band Floodlights, Californian hip-hop group Souls of Mischief, American singer Caroline Polachek, British stoner metal band Pigs x7, and Canadian indie-pop band Alvvays.

Meredith Gift Nude Race (December 8, 2024)

Dating back to 1994, Meredith Gift signifies a freeing spirit of the festival and is one of the most anticipated events of the celebration. What started as a way to occupy the crowd when one of the artists was running late grew to become one of the biggest attractions, drawing in thousands of spectators and participants.

Rules of the Race

To take part, competitors need to be either fully nude or wearing underwear and register before the race. Then, they need to participate in three preliminary rounds, after which the winners run a full loop around the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre. The fastest entrants receive the Speediest award, while the Best in Show and the Best Finish awards are given to contestants with the best performance, accessories, and entertainment. The prizes include a golden robe and an Australian cattle dog plushie. The race usually takes place on a Sunday at 2 pm, with registration at 1:30 pm. Participation is free.

Entertainment Program

There's no shortage of fun at the venue, filled to the brim with true and trusted forms of entertainment beloved by festivalgoers. Ecoplex Cinema runs from 9 pm through the entire night on Friday and Saturday and showcases unique feature films and short-length movies. The Meredith Eye, a giant Ferris wheel, gives you a chance to witness the festival from the bird's-eye view for free. Meredith Sky Show doesn't take place every year, but when it does, it's an incredible sight of laser shows, light effects, and more.

Food & Beverages

There are several spots to grab a drink at the venue. The Pink Flamingo Bar has been serving the Pink Flamingo, Bloody Meredith, and Espresso Martini since 1998 and continues to do so. Eric's Terrace, Electric Possum Bar, and Toucan Bar offer a diverse selection of alcoholic drinks and beverages. On the contrary to other festivals, Meredith Music Festival allows bringing your own beverages. However, glass containers and bottles are not permitted at the venue and will be confiscated. The International Food Court and the Southbank Food Court are the go-to places for delicious food, including pizza, burgers, roti wraps, Italian food, and more.

Schedule

The festival is usually held in early December over the course of three days. The gates open at 8 am on December 6 and close at 4:30 pm on December 8. On Friday, the music program begins at 3 pm and lasts until 4 am on Saturday, while on Saturday, it begins at 10 am and continues until 7 am on Sunday. The Sunday performances are set to begin at 10 am and will last until 3 pm.

Tickets

Tickets to the event cost $488 and grant you access to all three days of the festival. Tickets are extremely limited, quickly sell out, and only aim to fill the capacity of the Supernatural Amphitheatre.

Location

Each year, the colorful fusion of music and dancing takes place at the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, the majority of which is situated on the farm of the Nolan family. Chris Nolan is one of the original founders of the festival, which began as a small outdoor party. The venue is located approximately 8 miles (13 km) from Meredith, hence the name of the event. If you're commuting from Melbourne, the trip to Meredith Music Festival is about 72 miles (116 km) and will last about an hour and a half.