On the weekend of 1-3 October BANH and the Village are holding the 2021 Moon Lantern Festival. The Festival aims to host an ambitious program over three days across multiple stages as talented community members are programmed alongside renowned local and professional artists and they want you to have the opportunity to participate. 

If you have a music, theatre, dance act, or some other performance idea, fill out the google form here.

They want as many community members as possible to be involved!

The Moon Lantern Festival has existed for 27 years in North Richmond. Historically it has been a cultural event for residents and school children to build moon lanterns and parade through the precinct. This year however on October 1st to 3rd, The Moon Lantern Festival for the first time will run as a three-day music and arts festival, held in the North Richmond Housing Estate grounds. 

Made possible by the new partnership between The Village Festival and the Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood House; and from the generous support of the Department of Families Fairness and Housing through the North Richmond Precinct Renewal Grants. 

The Festival will open on October 1st with the tradition of the Moon Lantern Parade. Children, families and workshop participants will travel the ritualistic path. The lanterns will be installed into the festival site, which will then erupt with performance. The program will include renowned and diverse artists alongside the talented residents/community groups of the North Richmond and Collingwood housing estates. Multiple stages showcasing Music, Theatre, Dance, Food and everything in between. Entry is completely free! A festival made with the community, for the community. 

The Moon Lantern Team is made up of Village Festival team and Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood House Management/Community Development personnel. The Festival, currently in a phase of intense community consultation, sees Moon Lantern Cultural Development Manager/Collingwood Neighbourhood House Community Development Worker, Wagner Shintani, integrate programmers into the communities of North Richmond and Collingwood Housing estates. This process is ensuring considered and widespread community inclusion. 

Local community members are working as translators across all written Moon Lantern materials appearing in the community, to further ensure inclusion of CALD residents. Furthermore, this phase includes the formation of commercial and community partnerships with a broad range of local stakeholders. 

To stay tuned for more information and program announcements follow them on social media and sign up to their newsletter. 

Website: https://www.moonlanternfestival.melbourne/
Instagram: @moonlanternfestival
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moonlanternfest