Free and Funs Things to See and Do at The Festival

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Calling all home bakers (all ages) to get cooking their favourite Shortbreads and enter this competition, proudly sponsored by the Loaf and Lounge, with three sections including Primary Age, Secondary Age and an Open Section.  Entry forms are available from the Loaf and Lounge and from the festival website, Festival Coordinator Catherine O’Flynn said “Two categories, bake a Traditional or Fancy Shortbread. Judging will take place on Friday 26th of June. Why not make Camperdown the home of Shortbread and grow this event into something very special. There will be prizes for the winning entries and they will be presented at the Family Ceilidh on Saturday night at the Theatre Royal.  At the Library something for the Wee Ones ages 2 years – 13 years on Saturday morning Stories, Fun and Music with Anne Daffy and co presenting a hands on activities, storytelling and songs for the children from 10.00 am until 11.00am.  Drop off …

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May 2026 Press Release

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Camperdown’s Iconic Robert Burns Celtic Festival is five weeks away and this year’s festival promises to be a weekend full of Music, Concerts, and National and International performers coming to Camperdown. Dr John Menzies OAM, said “There is something for everyone, the festival program has so much to offer local folk and Patrons this year.  The Friday night Festival Dinner at the Theatre Royal enjoy a three course meal including Haggis, Music, with Fiona Ross, The Scottish Fiddle Club Ceilidh Band, Merran and Peter Moir will be performing at the Dinner. The Melbourne Male Welsh Choir is returning and will be in Concert Saturday afternoon after the Choir event in the morning featuring our own Camperdown Celtic Choir and 6 visiting Choirs will come and perform at the Theatre Royal in the morning finishing with Chorister Kym Dillon conducting all seven Choirs, over 100 Chorister’s will sing together as one Choir with a well-known Scottish …

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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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RBCF2026 January Press Release

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Tickets are on sale now for the Camperdown Robert Burns Celtic Festival 2026. 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 trybooking.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 – $210 will be available from June 15 until the 27th of June. …

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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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Family and Children’s Activities

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PRESS RELEASE FINAL JUNE 23 “The Robert Burns Festival is happening this weekend, and the committee is ready to Welcome locals and visitors to our town.” Dr John Menzies OAM said. A full festival program has been planned that offers a wide selection of events over the weekend. There are Family and Children’s activities, bring the Children down to the Avenue on Saturday to see Scottish Highland cows in the Avenue, check out the wonderful art works on display in the local shops and don’t miss the Children’s event happening in the Library with Anne Daffy, John, Roni, Cait and Nell, Stories, Fun, Music and Instrument making from recycled materials. A Fun Family Celildh (Bush Dance) especially for mum’s, dads, kids and even grandparents from 6.30 pm – 7.50 pm is happening at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night with the School Children’s Art Prizes being awarded.  “The Corby Family Band along with members from …

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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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