Celebrating 30 Years..
Special Pre-Launch Events Announced for 2026 Shepparton Arts Festival
As the Shepparton Arts Festival approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, we’re marking the moment with a series of special pre-launch events that honour where we’ve come from – and where we’re headed next.
Across March 2026, audiences will be treated to three very different experiences in conversation, music and storytelling, offering an early taste of the Festival’s landmark anniversary program. From award-winning comedy and musical theatre to the return of our beloved Literary Lunch and Opera in the Orchard, these events celebrate creativity, community and connection in true Shepparton Arts Festival style.
Breaking: The Musical
Wednesday 25 March 2026 · 7:30pm
Riverlinks Westside, Mooroopna
We’re kicking off the celebrations with Breaking: The Musical, a high-energy comedy about a fictional breakdancer’s wild journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Fresh from sold-out seasons across Australia and a hit run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, comedian and musician Steph Broadbridge brings her smash-hit show to the Goulburn Valley.
Audiences can expect a fast-paced mix of stand-up, original music and dance, exploring ambition, fame and identity with sharp wit and a big heart.
This event is proudly presented in partnership with Riverlinks and supported by Greater Shepparton City Council.
Literary Lunch with Tracey Spicer AM
Saturday 28 March 2026 · 12:00–2:00pm
Parklake, Shepparton
In 2026 we’re also bringing back one of the Festival’s most cherished traditions: the Literary Lunch. This special edition features Tracey Spicer AM – one of Australia’s most respected journalists, authors and advocates for gender equality.
Over a three-course lunch and welcome drink, Tracey will share stories from her decades on national television and her ongoing work as a powerful voice for change in Australian media and public life. Guests will have the chance to ask questions during a Q&A, making this an intimate and inspiring afternoon for readers, writers and anyone interested in media, activism and storytelling.
Opera in the Orchard with Henry Choo & Dimity Shepherd
Saturday 28 March 2026 · 5:30pm for a 6:00pm start
Findon Gardens, Ardmona
That evening, we head to Findon Gardens for the return of Opera in the Orchard, one of the Festival’s most loved events. Under the open sky, internationally acclaimed artists Henry Choo (tenor) and Dimity Shepherd (mezzo-soprano) will perform a captivating program that moves between opera classics and well-known favourites – from Carmen and West Side Story to Gershwin’s Summertime and the iconic Nessun Dorma.
They’ll be joined by pianist Joseph Beckitt, with a special opening performance by Joshua Han, winner of the 2024 Australian National Piano Award. Audiences can choose between Premium Reserved Seating near the stage or General Admission picnic-style, with local-produce hampers available for pre-order and drinks at the onsite bar.
A park-and-ride shuttle service will operate for this event, with more details to be shared closer to the date.
Just the Beginning
These pre-launch events are only the start of a huge year ahead as we prepare to celebrate 30 years of Shepparton Arts Festival in 2026. The full anniversary program will be announced later this year, featuring new commissions, community collaborations and special events that honour three decades of creativity in the Goulburn Valley.
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Join us as we celebrate the stories, artists and audiences that have made the Shepparton Arts Festival what it is today – and help us step into the next 30 years.