Robert Burns Celtic Festival

Camperdown’s Robert Burns Celtic Festival 2026 – Tickets released.

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The 2026 Early Birds Tickets for the Camperdown Robert Burns Celtic Festival, offering a great discount for patrons. The Festival Committee are pleased to announce that the Festival Program is nearing completion and promises new elements along with a number of favourite events returning. The Festival Chairperson Dr John Menzies OAM said “the Committee is pleased to announce that Early Bird tickets are now available via the festival website: camperdownburnsfestival.com.au and through try booking.com/DGDBD. Weekend Early Bird Tickets are $110.00 until the 30th of April, which will allow patrons to go to all the performances, excluding the dinner, at the designated venues over the weekend. ”  “Purchasing an Early Bird Ticket offers a 50% discount and supports the festival’s weekend of activities”, said Festival Coordinator Catherine O’Flynn. Weekend Ticket – $110.00 will be available until 30th April. Weekend Ticket – $160 will be available from 1st May until the 14th of June. Weekend Ticket – …

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Jan 2026 Burns Birthday Event

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The Robert Burns Celtic Festival Committee invite you to a relaxed, family friendly afternoon. The annual Robert Burns Birthday Celebrations are to be held at the Camperdown Botanic Gardens on Sunday the 25th of January, from 4-6pm. This is a free event, with donations appreciated. A raffle will also be held, so grab a few tickets on the way in. Please BYO picnic and chairs. A natural stage appears under the sheltered canopy of Linden trees, near where the Robert Burns statue used to be seated and from around 3.40 Dr. John Menzies will play the bagpipes, inviting guests to make their way to the performance space. A welcome message invites the ‘Piping in of, and address to the Haggis’. This kilted parade, featuring honoured guests and a sword bearer, is a grand sight and sound. While the haggis is prepared for tasting Geelong Scottish Dance, led by Christine Shields, will dance a highland fling to …

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RBCF 2026 Press Release

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On Sunday the 25thof January The Festival Committee is presenting ‘A Burns Beyond Event’ at the Camperdown Botanic Gardens, featuring Highland Dancing by the Geelong Scottish Dancers (led by Christine Shields), Address to the Haggis, Merran Moir on harp, The Twa Bards, RBCF Celtic Choir, Laura Flanagan, Andrew O’Flynn and Bagpipes. Entry to the Gardens Gold coin, raffles.  BYO picnic and chair from 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm. This event will kick start what is promised to be a fabulous Robert Burns Celtic Festival in 2026. The 2026 Camperdown’s Iconic Robert Burns Celtic Scottish Festival will be held on 26th – 28th of June, 2026. Robert Burns Celtic Festival is a winter literary and music festival, celebrating Scotland’s national Poet and the Celtic culture in poetry, song, music and dance, in and around the historic buildings of Camperdown. Putting Camperdown on the map. Watch this space – The Robert Burns Celtic Committee are working to bring the community …

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RBCF2025 History Talks… we invite locals, visitors and history buffs

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History Talks Return for Robert Burns Celtic Festival 2025Saturday 28 June | Killara Centre, Camperdown The much-loved History Talks return to the Robert Burns Celtic Festival 2025, hosted by the Camperdown & District Historical Society at the Killara Centre. This year’s program brings together four engaging sessions that explore how people have experienced, interpreted and responded to this part of Victoria — through science, survival, art and belief. “You don’t need a kilt to enjoy these talks,” says Historical Society President, Lyle Tune. “Just a curiosity for the stories and people that have contributed to the cultural, environmental and historical fabric of this region.” Program Highlights: The talks are included with a Robert Burns Festival weekend ticket or available separately for $25. The venue is the Killara Centre, beside Camperdown Library, with easy access and winter-warm comfort. $25 covers all 4 talks. Door sales available, pre purchase preferred. “We invite locals, visitors and history buffs …

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RBCF2025 Stories, Music, Fun and Making…

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“The 2025 Robert Burns Celtic Festival program includes some great opportunities for local folk and visitors to Camperdown” festival chairman Dr. John Menzies OAM said. Stories, Music, Fun and Making with Anne Daffy and Co, is a free event for the younger kids, Pre-School and Prep to Grade 6 will have a great time making things from recycled materials, music and stories on Saturday 28th June from 10.30 – 12.00 noon at the Camperdown Library. Anne, one of the festival musicians performing with the Corby Band over the weekend, grew up in Camperdown and is a sister of Peter and Maree Daffy.  Anne is involved in many committees including the Lake School, a teacher and busy mum, is kindly organising this fun children’s activity.  The Shortbread Baking Competition is again proudly sponsored by The Loaf and Lounge.  This is a great activity, all the local Schools are encouraging students to enter. Mercy Regional College featured …

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RBCF2025 The Reformers & Harpistry

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Camperdown’s Robert Burns Celtic Festival is one month away.  The Festival Committee have been busy finalising the RBCFestival Program. Dr Menzies OAM and Festival Chair said “The Hope of Something Better” tells a story of Australian Poet Henry Lawson. This year’s program includes a very special event to be held at St Paul’s Church featuring The Reformers and Harpistry on Saturday the 28th June. The Reformers formed to perform “The Hope of Something Better” live. The show is a multimedia performance that includes spoken word, video, songs and a live band, coming together to present the poems of Lawson in a new, vibrant and contemporary way. Hailing from Warrnambool, Victoria, songwriter, musician and producer, Don Stewart, has produced an album called “In the Hope of Something Better”. The Concert presents the poems of Australian iconic poet, Henry Lawson, as spoken word and songs, supported by Celtic tune compositions by internationally renowned Australian composers including Murray …

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ROBERT BURNS CELTIC FESTIVAL – APRIL 2025 PRESS RELEASE

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The 2025 Early Birds Tickets for the Camperdown Robert Burns Celtic Festival offers great discounts for patrons. The Camperdown Robert Burns Celtic Festival Committee are pleased to announce that the festival Program is nearing completion and promises our Festival for the community will see new elements adding to a number of favourite events returning. The Festival Chairperson Dr John Menzies OAM said “the committee is pleased to announce that Early Bird tickets are now available via the festival website through TryBooking until 30th April and the Early Bird tickets are $90.00 which will allow patrons to go to all the performances at the designated venues over the weekend.” Please note that this price excludes the Friday night Gala Dinner. “Purchasing an Early Bird Ticket offers a great discount of 50% and Patrons who purchase their tickets will enjoy the benefits of this amazing offer,” said Festival Coordinator Catherine O’Flynn. Adult EARLY BIRD Weekend Ticket – *$90.00 will be …

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2024 Robert Burns Camperdown Celtic Festival

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From 2024 Camperdown’s Iconic Robert Burns Scottish Festival will be re-branded as the Robert Burns Celtic Festival and held on 21st – 23rd of June, 2024. Enjoyment of Robert Burns artistry, and appreciation of his independent philosophy saw enthusiastic embracement amongst his Celtic neighbours, especially the Irish in the 18th and 19th Centuries.  Given the substantial Scottish and Irish migration to South West Victoria in the 19th century  the Festival committee has chosen to adjust describing its festival to reflect this, hence we now have a new name that captures Burns Beyond Scotland ‘The 2024 Camperdown Robert Burns Celtic Festival’. This change to a Celtic festival expands our ability to include performers from Ireland, Wales and England while retaining connections to regular Scottish performers. The Robert Burns Celtic Festival is a winter literary and music festival, celebrating Scotland’s national Poet and the Celtic culture in poetry, song, music and dance, in and around the historic buildings of Camperdown. Dr John Menzies OAM, Chair …

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