Melbourne things to do in March set to skyrocket

THE city is set for festival season, with top events from Moomba to the Grand Prix on the calendar for March.

MELBOURNE is set for a “marvellous March” with several key events and festivals dominating the city’s agenda next month.

Moomba, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and the Grand Prix top the list of attractions in March.

Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood said that the city council’s support of these events helped organisers provide free elements for the public.

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Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood launches the Moomba event. Picture: David Caird

The 2018 Moomba Monarchs are Chrissie Swan and Jimmy Giggle, and they will head the Moomba parade. Picture: David Caird

“March truly is marvellous in the City of Melbourne as we host an enviable and dynamic line-up of cultural, sporting, family and multicultural events including the Herald Sun Run for the Kids, ­Moomba, Cultural Diversity Week and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival,” he said.

“In 2017, 2.7 million people attended City of Melbourne supported events in our municipality, including our headline celebration: Moomba (which) drew crowds of 1.3 million into the city which generated an economic impact of $29 million.”

Competitors cross Swan Street Bridge during the 2016 Run for the Kids. Picture: Hamish Blair

Other events on the March calendar include the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival, the International Women’s Day Festival and the Melbourne Art Book Fair.

The City of Melbourne is calling for applications for its annual events partnership ­program and business event sponsorship grants.

Red Bull's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo speeds through a corner during the 2017 Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Picture: AFP

There are two rounds of the events partnership program each year with 57 events supported for $845,000 in 2017-18.

The business grants have a total annual budget of $100,000, with the program offering sponsorships of up to $10,000.

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