Bacchus Marsh celebrates the start of the summer fruit season with one of the town’s biggest weekends of the year, as the Bacchus Marsh Strawberry & Cherry Festival returns across three days in November.

The festival begins on Friday evening at the Village Green, with food trucks, entertainment and carnival rides. Then across Saturday and Sunday, the celebrations spread through the centre of town with street markets, live entertainment, carnival attractions, food, local produce and family activities.

This year, the Border Inn Street Market and Graham Street entertainment area will form part of the festival precinct, while a second Strawberry Hub between the Courthouse Hotel and Revenant Tattoo will put the fruit firmly back in the spotlight. Expect fresh berries, jams, chocolate strawberry cups, cupcakes and other berry treats, along with face painting and hopefully a few buskers adding to the atmosphere.

The Bacchus Marsh Public Hall will again be part of the weekend, with CWA Devonshire teas and sandwiches, community arts activities and other festival happenings, while the Village Green remains a major hub for entertainment, food trucks and the carnival.

And of course, strawberries and cherries are still at the heart of the celebration. Fresh fruit from Victorian growers will be available within the festival area, while local orchards including Paynes Orchards, Naturipe Fruits and Dellios Orchards will open for picking at varying times depending on fruit availability and growing conditions.

A festival shuttle bus will operate between Bacchus Marsh Station and key festival areas across the weekend, making it easier to leave the car behind and explore the different precincts.

Friday 13 November • 5pm–10pm
Saturday 14 November • From 9am
Sunday 15 November • 9am–4pm

Main Stage:

Friday 15 November               

5.00pm - 6.45pm        Dave Marshal  

7.00pm - 10.00pm      Legacy

Saturday 16 November

9.00am - 10.45am      Brodie

10.45am - 11.15am     Pentland Calesthenics              

11.15am - 12.45pm    Trish Simpson  

1.00pm - 2.45pm        The Gordon Gypsies     

3.00pm - 4.45pm        Integrity         

5.00pm - 6.45pm        Drongo & The Crow     

7.00pm - 9.45pm        Jacki Push and the Kickstarts 

Sunday 17 November

 9.00am - 11.00am      Limtom Garden

11.00am - 12.45am     Karlo Arcuine

1pm - 2pm                  Cynta

Border Inn Stage, Graham Street      

Saturday 16 November

11am – 1pm Brendan  Burns

2.30pm – 3pm Waterloo: The ABBA Show

Sunday 17 November

10am – 12pm Chris Willams

1pm – 3pm Steve Moore           

Buskers:

Ballan Community Street Band

Jose from Inka Marka