Light up your Labour Day long weekend with a visit to Melbourne's Moomba Festival, which brings Melbournians and other Australians together to celebrate the city's diversity, vibrancy and spirit.

Moomba has been a cornerstone of Melbourne's cultural calendar for 60 years, bringing family entertainment and engaging events to the Labour weekend celebration each year.

The four day-long festival attracts a huge number of visitors to the Yarra River's banks, and this year's program runs from 6-9 March. It's the largest community festival in the entire country and certainly one of the best events in Melbourne, and its range of inclusive, free events ensures there's something for everyone in the lineup. Each night is topped off with fireworks and the best part about Moomba is that all the entertainment is free.

This year's program

The 2015 Moomba lineup features five festival precincts, with different programs running across the whole area.

Main Arena:

Here you'll find free music and other performances, interactive activities and workshops. Saturday sees a 2pm drumming workshop take place, while on Sunday popular band You Am I will take the stage. Moomba Dance Residency will be held every day to teach the crowds about different genres of music and how to move to them.

The Green:

This is the first year The Green features at Moomba, where you'll find a lush lawn on which you can enjoy free music performed by local artists. Dance your heart out to acts such as Ember Rain, The Quick and the Dead, Japanese Wallpaper, Sleepy Dreamers, Push It! Crew and Cheeky Goose.

Kids Zone:

The Kids Zone is the perfect place to take your tiny tots. Each day there will be workshops, games, activities and treats such as face painting, craft making and puppetry. They'll love the active carousel, play space, Ashton Circus and circus workshop, and much of the entertainment will be as engaging to parents as it is kids.

River:

Wakeboarding and waterskiing will be display on the river, with the Moomba Masters Championshiops being held to celebrate the event. This is the biggest international waterski competition and includes thrilling events such as the night jump, slalom speed racing and plenty of tricks. See the heats and finals and let the kids be entertained with Disney films during the breaks.

Skate Park:

The skate park will come alive with BMX, scooter and skateboard riders. Clinics, demonstrations and competitions will keep crowds engaged and entertained, and the VANS "Drop your Hammers" Skateboard Competition will round out the final day of the event.

Parade

The Moomba Parade is a staple of the festival, and this year's iteration looks set to be better than ever. A huge 2000 participants will strut their stuff in the lively procession, featuring community-designed floats, performance troupes and dance groups. This year's parade takes place on the Monday, giving festival goers the chance to contribute to decorating the People's Float on the Saturday and Sunday.

Food

Whatever your dietary requirements are, you'll find them satisfied at Moomba. There are a range of health food stalls, international cuisine and all the classic fare you'd expect from a carnival of this size - think fairy floss and ice creams galore!

Getting around

Public transport is the best way to get to and from Moomba, whether it's by train, tram or bus. Just note that the public holiday timetable will be in effect on Labour Day, which is Monday 9 March.

Stay Nearby

Stay close to all the Moomba action at Mantra on the Park, which offers one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments to accommodate your whole family. We've also included some other great nearby accommodation options for you to choose from below.