ChillOut Festival is back in Daylesford from 5–9 March, returning for its 29th year with the theme Planet Love. Over the Labour Day long weekend, pubs, parks and performance spaces around Hepburn Shire will become a lively, concentrated celebration of queer arts, music and community.
A welcoming weekend
Organisers have designed Planet Love as an intentionally inclusive space — somewhere people can relax, meet others and enjoy a program that balances all-ages activities with late-night parties and dedicated showcases for emerging artists. Events spread across the town so there’s something for everyone: intimate theatre, live music, panel conversations, street activations and artist-development programs that spotlight both regional and interstate talent.
Highlights to look out for
– Opening gatherings on Thursday set a relaxed tone, then Friday night ramps up with Night Blast Off, a Big Top party featuring Reuben Kaye, Jude York, The Huxleys and Drag Race star Kita Mean. – Saturday includes a solo cabaret from Reuben Kaye and the free, all-ages Youth Muster: Universe of Diversity at Hepburn Springs Reserve, hosted by Freddie Merkin and Frock Hudson. – The Rainbow Family picnic hub offers food vendors, community stalls and family-friendly activities during the day. – After dark, the Bush Dance invites everyone to a country-style social beneath festoon lights, while late-night club nights keep the energy alive. – Parade & Carnival Day moves from Main Street into Victoria Park for an afternoon of music, performances and stalls across multiple stages.
A boost for the town
Beyond culture, the festival brings measurable benefits to Daylesford and the Hepburn Shire. Past ticketing and local spending patterns show cultural events generate short-term visitor spikes and help local businesses with longer stays, repeat visits and higher foot traffic. Volunteers and local leaders say ChillOut has encouraged visitors who might not otherwise travel to the region, making Daylesford feel like a safer, more welcoming place for many queer people.
Practicalities and travel
Organisers have staggered start times, offered family ticketing tiers and designed the precinct layout to concentrate activity so nearby cafes, pubs and shops catch the spillover trade. For people travelling from Ballarat, ChillOut runs return shuttle buses from Civic Hall, Mair Street, Ballarat, serving four headline events: Youth Muster (Sat depart 9:00am, return 5:00pm), Bush Dance (Sat depart 7:15pm, return 1:00am), Street Parade & Carnival Day (Sun depart 9:00am, return 6:30pm) and Poof Doof (Sun depart 7:15pm, return 1:00am). Two buses operate day and night shifts, and vehicles include wheelchair access and space for mobility aids; priority boarding is available for people with access requirements.
On the ground
Designated drop-off zones on Main Street, accessible parking near the park and clearly signed mobility assistance points aim to keep movement smooth. Public transport capacity will be increased on key routes; limited on-site parking is reserved for permit holders and emergency services. Event staff and stewards will help guide pedestrians between stages and amenities, and security checks at main entrances will follow the festival’s published safety guidelines. Families are encouraged to set meeting points in case anyone gets separated.
Community, care and acknowledgement
ChillOut deliberately mixes celebration with care: community-led events, safe-space protocols and local partnerships are part of the program. Organisers consulted local groups and volunteers while planning, and the festival publishes a land acknowledgement recognising the Dja Dja Wurrung people of the greater Kulin Nation, paying respects to Elders past and present and noting that sovereignty was never ceded.
Why go
Whether you’re coming for family-friendly workshops and markets, headline dance nights, or simply to be part of a visible, supportive community, ChillOut offers a varied pace and program to suit different interests. With easy driving access from Melbourne and a concentrated line-up across Daylesford from 5–9 March, now is a good time to check the full program and book tickets — including the Ballarat shuttle — sooner rather than later.
For full details on the program, accessibility, tickets and shuttle bookings, visit the festival website or contact the organisers directly.