It's the birthday event of the year.
Come, celebrate. And you, too, could live to be 181.

They're gorgeous, yum and oh-so Melbourne

Get your free cupcakes

Thanks to Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses, who are bakin' us crazy with anticipation. Get them at the Melbourne Day Concert at Federation Square (while they last)!

FREE concert, Federation Square, noon to 2pm, Tuesday, 30 August

Music giants Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock), Jack Howard (Hunters & Collectors) and Lisa Edwards (John Farnham Band) make this the birthday concert of the year.

• Ross Wilson: Eagle Rock plus other Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock classics.
• Jack Howard: Hunters & Collectors' anthem Holy Grail — and a special, new song he has written about Melbourne, especially for Melbourne Day.
• Lisa Edwards with Michael Cristiano: John Farnham's smash You're the Voice.
• Get your free birthday cupcake (while they last)!
• Cutting of a giant birthday cake, made by Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses.
• Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Annette Xiberras.
• MC Craig 'Huggy' Huggins from GOLD104 FM.
• And more!

Flying high with pride

Join MC Dr Sally Cockburn (“Dr Feelgood”), Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Deputy Lord Mayor Susan Riley, city councillors, Junior Lord Mayor Mason Dwyer, Melbourne Day chairman Campbell Walker and committee, and others, as we salute the city's flag at 9am.

• Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Colin Hunter.
• Meet the Enterprize's "first settlers" in period costume — including Gilbert, the Tassie tabby, Melbourne's first cat!
• Sing along to sea shanties by the Enterprize Shanty Band.
• See and hear our roving town crier Ian Morrison in full voice.
• Hear the big sound of Victoria Police Pipe Band.
• And more!

Congratulations Mason Dwyer, the new little big boss of Melbourne

Without hesitation, it's Mason: Junior Lord Mayor of Melbourne 2016, Mason Dwyer, 11, with town crier Ian Morrison at Melbourne Town Hall yesterday.

Nothing little about Mason the mayor

Mason Dwyer, from St Louis de Montfort's Primary, Aspendale, was the outstanding candidate from six excellent finalists.

After a series of media interviews, he'll help raise the flag on Melbourne Day, cut the official birthday cake, skipper the Enterprize for a day with his class, and perform other mayoral duties throughout the year.

The competition, now in its fourth year, aims to educate Victorians about the city and its history. With thanks to 13CABS, our competition partner.

The natural history of early Melbourne

Royal Historical Society of Victoria's annual,
Melbourne Day free public lecture by Dr Gary Presland.
Tuesday, 30 August, 2016, coffee/tea 12.30pm, lecture 1pm to 2pm

Oh, buoy! It's regatta Sunday, you boat'chya

Victoria Harbour, Docklands
Sunday, 28 August, 2016, 11am to 5pm

A celebration of our waterways, the immigration and arrival by sea of Melbourne's multi-cultural family. Don't be nauti, get there schooner than later and join the fun.

Melbourne Day giveaways

Listen to Melbourne Day media partners radio 3AW and GOLD104 FM for the best giveaways in 181 years over the weekend and all next week.