The Victorian Government is celebrating the diversity that makes our state great with grants to support multicultural community festivals and events.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence today announced $1.45 million for 252 festivals and events of cultural significance to be held between July and the end of December 2021.

The Government announced an additional $1.1 million for the Multicultural Festivals and Events Program in the Victorian Budget 2021/22 to help meet increased program demand over the next 12 months.

The grants will assist multicultural community organisations across the state to celebrate and share their culture with all Victorians.

Funding will support large-scale events such as the 2021 African Music and Cultural Festival and the Sunshine Lantern Festival, alongside smaller events including the Murga Madre’s South American Winter Celebration.

It also includes the long-running Humans in Geelong Expo, which returns to an in-person format to celebrate Geelong’s proud diversity through art and cultural performances. Other festivals to receive funding include:

Ballarat Nuer Community Cultural Festival Hispanic Latin American Festival Williamstown Macedonian Cultural Festival Victoria Street Moon Lantern Festival Bastille Day French Festival Sunraysia Multicultural Festival Melbourne Pasifika Festival

All events will adhere to COVIDSafe settings, with a majority of events taking place in person.  For a full list of events, visit vic.gov.au/multicultural-festivals-and-events-program.