Indigo Seniors Festival

The Indigo Seniors Festival is the local offerings from the  Victorian Seniors Festival, a month-long celebration that creates opportunities to participate in fun, free and low-cost events throughout October. The festival encourages active ageing, community participation and meaningful social interaction. 

Connect, create and celebrate with the 2026 Victorian Seniors Festival. Get involved!

Events in Indigo Shire are coordinated by the Community Development Officer and are facilitated through our libraries programing and historic precincts in Beechworth and Rutherglen, as well as Neighbourhood Houses, Health Services and Community Organisations.

Community groups and seniors clubs deliver a wide variety of events to cater for all interests accross the shire. These events can be financially supported through the Indigo Seniors Grants Program with grants of up to $500 available thanks to the Victorian State Government Active Living Grant. The grants will open on July 1.

Take a look back on the wide range of events offered in our region for 2025 and get planning for 2026!

Statewide Festival Program

The online event calendar and print guide is available in August annually, showcasing thousands of festival events across the state.

You can collect a festival guide from local libraries and and councils, or ask the Community Development Officer to send you a copy if you are unable to pick one up in person.

This annual festival returns in October 2026, featuring:

  • Live and local events across the state, delivered by local councils, community groups and clubs.
  • Nine days of free public transport for Victorian Seniors Card holders from 3 to 11 October 2026.
  • Flagship events held in Melbourne’s CBD and regional Victoria including:
    • Celebration Day at Federation Square on Saturday 3 October, 11 am to 5 pm. This event will launch the festival with hours of free entertainment and activities for older Victorians, their friends and families.
    • Big Band Dance at Melbourne Town Hall on Monday 5 October from 12 pm to 3 pm.
    • ACMI Seniors Film Festival at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image from 5 to 11 October.
  • Country Concert Tour delivering live entertainment across regional towns in October.
  • Aged Care Tour, taking the magic, music and fun of the festival to aged care residents across Victoria.


Victorian Senior of the Year Awards

The Victorian Seniors Festival held annually in October includes the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards. These important awards celebrate the contributions and achievements of older Victorians who share their skills, experiences, time and energy with our community. It's never too early to think about who you are going to nominate.

The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards open in mid-April and close on Tuesday mid-May.

Award Categories:

  • Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year – recognises an individual for their outstanding and lasting contribution to their local community and Victoria.
  • Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Awards – recognises local community champions that significantly contribute to positive ageing in their community.
  • Emerging Impact Award – recognises an individual who is new to volunteering and is making a significant impact in their local community.
  • Positive Ageing Award – recognises an individual who improves the wellbeing of older people in their community by promoting positive and active ageing.
  • Promotion of Multiculturalism Award – recognises an individual for a significant contribution to promoting the benefits of cultural diversity in their local community and across Victoria.
  • Veteran Community Award – recognises an individual for their exceptional contribution to the veteran community. The recipient of the award does not need to be a veteran.

For more information visit their Awards page.

 

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