Craigieburn Festival returns with live and free entertainment in 2025

Hume City Council is bringing Craigieburn Festival back to Anzac Park, packed with live and free entertainment on Saturday 1 March. 

After attracting record crowds in recent years, the festival is once again expected to bring up to 20,000 attendees to Hume’s north for a day of festival fun. 

Offering something for everyone over more than nine hours, there’ll be carnival rides, free kids activities, local community and market stalls, Council and Emergency Services displays, roving entertainment and a fireworks display to close out the night. 

Hitting the stage this year as the headline act is Emma Donovan, who hails from a family of indigenous country music greats and regularly performs with major artists such as Briggs and Dan Sultan. 

Emma describes her style as soulful and earthy, which is inviting and inclusive for all to connect, which she’s excited to bring to the Craigieburn audience. 

“I love the feeling of community and family, mostly it’s what my songs are based on and inspired by, so I’m looking forward to playing this festival.  

“I love that it’s out of town, and any festival where it’s inclusive of bringing the whole family makes me feel relaxed, and I’ll be happy to bring mine on the day to enjoy,” she says. 

Keeping the crowd warm for Emma across the day will be Hume favourites Freddie Gibson and Rance Lazarus, along with Mister Co. and Sarah Berki providing hours of live and free music. 

Gates open at 12pm, fireworks scheduled for 8.55pm. This is a non-ticketed event but you can RSVP to let us know you’re attending. 

Full event details are up at our website. 

Quotes attributable to Hume City Mayor Councillor Jarrod Bell: 

“From the Craigieburn Festival to Hume Winter Lights and Carols by Candlelight, 2025 is going to be a huge year for events across our city, particularly with Craigieburn Festival being one of Hume City’s best-loved calendar events, turning out massive crowds every single year. 

“With loads of free family entertainment, I’m looking forward to seeing locals pouring through the gates to soak up the fun and connect with their community. 

“These major events are so important for community spirit and our local economy, so I encourage people to embrace what’s become one of the premier annual events happening in Melbourne’s north.”