Diwali at Queen Victoria Market 2026
Radio Haanji hosts a free Diwali festival at Queen Victoria Market on Saturday 14 November 2026, 10am to 5pm, with live music, dance, food and family fun.
Diwali at Queen Victoria Market: What to Expect at Melbourne's Free Festival of Lights
Diwali at Queen Victoria Market takes place on Saturday 14 November 2026, when Radio Haanji hosts a free, all-day festival of live music, dance, food and family activities in the heart of Melbourne. The program runs from 10 am to 5 pm, and the organisers expect between 15,000 and 20,000 visitors.
Radio Haanji is a Punjabi and Hindi radio and podcast network that broadcasts from Melbourne and Sydney. Below is what is planned, how to get to the market and how businesses and community groups can take part.
Event snapshot
- Event: Diwali at Queen Victoria Market
- Date: Saturday 14 November 2026
- Time: 10 am to 5 pm
- Venue: Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne
- Entry: Free for everyone
- Host: Radio Haanji
- Business and stall enquiries: (04)2040 0831 or info@haanji.com.au
What is planned for the day
The organisers describe a program built around three things:
- Live bands, singers, Bhangra, Giddha and traditional dance performances from artists across India
- Activities for kids and families, cultural showcases and Diwali gift giveaways throughout the day
- Food stalls, food trucks, festive dining and retail displays
The performer line-up and stage times have not been announced yet. Radio Haanji's social channels are the best place to watch for updates as the date gets closer.
Why a heritage market suits a festival this size
Queen Victoria Market opened in 1878 and is a heritage-listed Melbourne landmark. It is often described as the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere, and it covers a large part of the city block bounded by Peel, Franklin, Victoria and Elizabeth streets. That scale suits an event expecting up to 20,000 people, because performances, food and stalls can run side by side.
The market is also a place many Melburnians already know. Regular Saturday trading runs from 6 am to 4 pm, while the festival program runs from 10 am to 5 pm, so check Radio Haanji's updates for exactly which areas of the market the festival will use on the day.
Getting to Queen Victoria Market by tram or train
Public transport is the simplest way to reach the market. According to the market's own transport guide, Yarra Trams routes 19, 57, 58 and 59 stop right outside. If you are arriving by metro train, Melbourne Central and Flagstaff stations are each about a seven-minute walk away. Regional train and SkyBus passengers arrive at Southern Cross Station, from where the walk is roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
With a crowd of this size expected, allow extra travel time and check the Public Transport Victoria journey planner before you leave.
How businesses and community groups can take part
Radio Haanji is inviting businesses, food vendors, sponsors and volunteers to register their interest through the Diwali event page. The form asks for a business or organisation name and an ABN, and the event team follows up with details. The available options are:
- Event sponsorship, with exposure through Radio Haanji's broadcast promotions, event signage, stage announcements and digital channels
- Food vendor, as a food truck, a 3 m x 3 m marquee or a 6 m x 3 m marquee
- Business stall without sales, to promote products or services, in a 3 m x 3 m marquee, a 6 m x 3 m marquee or a custom size
- Business stall with sales, to sell retail products, in the same size options
- Community volunteering, to help run the day
The organisers point to the expected crowd, the open-air city location and the festival's promotion across Radio Haanji's airwaves, apps, podcasts and social channels as the main benefits. An application deadline has not been published, so businesses interested in a spot should contact the team early. Custom stall requests can go to (04)2040 0831 or info@haanji.com.au.
Join the celebration on 14 November
If you are planning a day out, put Saturday 14 November in the diary, bring family and friends, and arrive early to catch the full program. Follow Radio Haanji on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube, or download the Radio Haanji app for updates and live radio.
Business owners and community groups can register their interest here. More community news is on the Radio Haanji events page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali at Queen Victoria Market in 2026?
Is the festival suitable for children and people new to Diwali?
Can I drive and park at the market?
What time does the Diwali festival start and finish?
Where is the Radio Haanji Diwali festival held?
Is entry to the Diwali festival free?
Do I need to register to attend as a visitor?
How do I book a food stall or food truck?
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How can I volunteer at the Diwali festival?
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