08/01/2026
The Connecting Community Festival 2026 is only 8 weeks away!! Save the dates in your diary for a fabulous weekend of FREE community fun, Friday night and all day Saturday, March 6th and 7th. Only two ticketed events, all other events FREE.
WRITERS & RHYTHM - March 6th Healesville Uniting Church
Friday night at 7pm - The Connecting Community Festival 2026 will be officially opened by Councillor Fiona McAllister ( our only woman Yarra Ranges Councillor ) Two days before International Women's Day, we are excited to be hosting a brilliant Melbourne woman singer/ songwriter Yolanda Ingley 11. Bookings and enquiries 0417 002 793
Tickets $20 which includes a delicious supper, tea & coffee. Byo alcohol.
SATURDAY - ALL DAY EVENTS 10am - 10pm
10am - The start of the day will be heralded by the Ringwood Highland Pipe Band - several members live in Healesville and will walk down the main street announcing the beginning of the festival day with the sound of their joyful bagpipes.
10am - POETS BREAKFAST - FREE
Inside up stairs in the Memo hosted by Laurie Laurence Webb and Andrew Darling. All poets welcome
10am - In the foyer of the Memo
U3A - Uke Believers will be serenading us in the foyer with their joyful, uplifting singing and ukulele playing along with the U3A Tap Dancers.
Local groups will set up stalls both in the foyer and outside, CWA, Wattle Ya Craft, YV Red Cross, Healesville Spinners and Weavers, HICCI, HEWI, Healesville Core, Healesville Fire Brigade, No Reason For Rubbish, Healesville Toy Library, Lions Club of Healesville providing BBQ, The Good Life Farm selling drinks and pancakes and many more.
10.30 - 12.30 FREE morning tea and Kid's Crafts in the LIBRARY.
11am - WELCOME TO COUNTRY followed by TALL TALES a not to be missed wonderful event of stories from past footballers; BLOOD LINES hosted by Kersten Gentle.
FREE and includes FREE Morning Tea provided by the Tarrawarra and Healesville CWA. FREE Tea & Coffee provided by the Memo.
Healesville Historical Society will provide historical photos and a memorabilia table provided by Robert Nolan, Healesville Football Club Historian.
EVENTS OUTSIDE IN THE POP UP SPACE:
11AM : Street Parade Workshop by Merga Madre an Argentinean Cultural Street Performing Group will teach you the history and dance moves for the Street Parade down the main street footpath at 12.30pm.
During the afternoon there will be a Zine Making Workshop with Cora Zon , a Belly Dancing Workshop with Chara Yang and Meditation to Harp Music with Vasuda Hearte. Times to be confirmed.
COMMUNITY STAGE IN POP UP SPACE - FREE Concert
1.30 pm The Wannabes - Karen Roberts Ron Roberts Phill Hipwell Heather Higgs Great fun community sound to get you tapping your toes
1.50 pm Chara Yang Fusion Belly Dancer followed by a Workshop
In the Memo Upstairs
2 pm Sunderai Felich Comedian and Spoken Word performer
2. 15 pm Narelle McBride/ Sonse - Singer Songwriter
2.30 pm Wowara College Cultural Dancers
2.45pm Healesville High School and Worawa Dancers
3 pm Victorian Irish Dance Academy Dancers Kate Bilton
3. 15 pm Denise Gilbert - Singer Songwriter
3.30 pm Shannon Evans - Singer Songwriter
5pm - 10pm THRESHOLD CONCERT - Pop Up Space
This is a wonderful YOUTH concert featuring 9 local bands Rhys Sund Catherine De Cieri Ethan Prentice
A great FREE Youth event for 15 - 25 year olds, great bands, YRYouth Council stalls, Food Vans, BBQ by Healesville Soccer Club, Headspace and more.
7pm - 10pm The Marvellous March Masquerade Dance presented by the Rotary Club of Healesville in the Memo
A brilliant night of dancing to Tony Rebeiro and The Bureau an excellent 5 piece band playing all your old fav tunes. In between band sets Partner Dancing lead by Mal Day and Sue. $25 Bookings at the Memo or on line.
A wonderful community event for all. Get on board!
