Selbyfest

SelbyFest is a much-loved community celebration held in the leafy village of Selby, nestled in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges.

What makes this festival special is its authentic grassroots spirit – it is organised by locals, for locals, with a strong focus on creativity, connection and celebrating what makes the Hills community unique.

Enjoy a vibrant day of:

• Live Music & Performances
• Local History Displays
• Delicious Food & Drinks (available for purchase)
• Family-Friendly Activities for All Ages

The festival typically features a lively live-music program showcasing local bands, solo artists and emerging performers from the region. Visitors can wander between artisan stalls selling handmade crafts, jewellery, prints and home-grown produce, all while sampling delicious food from community groups and independent vendors.

Children are well catered for, with interactive workshops, face painting, games and nature-based play experiences that draw on the festival’s setting among towering gums and native bushland.

Sustainability is a core theme of SelbyFest. Many activities encourage upcycling, learning practical eco-skills and connecting with local environment groups. You’ll often find community organisations on site raising awareness about conservation, wildlife protection and local volunteer programs. It’s the kind of festival where a chat with a stallholder can be as memorable as the entertainment itself, offering insight into the stories, passions and creativity of people who call the Hills home.

Because of Selby’s village layout, the festival atmosphere spills naturally across its open spaces, creating a relaxed, walkable environment. Families spread picnic rugs across the grass, neighbours greet each other in passing, and first-time visitors quickly feel part of the local rhythm. There is a genuine sense of belonging woven through the event – as if everyone is invited not just to attend, but to participate in the spirit of community life.

Whether you come for the music, the handmade wares, the food or simply the peaceful hills setting, SelbyFest is a beautiful snapshot of local culture in the Dandenong Ranges. It is a reminder that some of the most meaningful festivals are not the biggest, but the ones that celebrate community at its most heartfelt and human.

Come together with friends and neighbours to celebrate the past, present, and future of this cherished community hub.

Getting There

By Car

From Melbourne CBD

• Head east on the M3 (Monash Freeway) or follow the Burwood Hwy/Belgrave‐Gembrook Rd route towards the Dandenong Ranges.
  Dandenong Ranges Point
• Continue via Burwood Hwy into Belgrave and then onto Selby via Charles Street.
• Once in Selby, take Minak Rd and follow signs to the festival site (adjacent to the Selby Community House grounds) at 1 Minak Rd.

Parking guidance: You may be directed to park at local overflow lots or park in Belgrave/Selby and use shuttle services.

From Lilydale

• Drive south west to connect with the Burwood Hwy/Burwood Highway towards Belgrave.
• Follow the same route into Selby via Charles Street and then Minak Rd.
• Again, look for the festival parking and shuttle arrangements if direct parking is limited.

From Belgrave

• From Belgrave township, head north/east into Selby (approx 1–2 km).
• Use Charles Street to enter Selby and then take Minak Rd to the festival site at 1 Minak Rd, Selby.

Free shuttle buses may operate from Belgrave into the festival—check the festival website or social media for stops.

Public Transport

From Melbourne CBD (Flinders St / Parliament / Southern Cross)

• Take the Belgrave Line train from the CBD (Flinders St, Parliament or Southern Cross).
• Stay on the train all the way to Belgrave Station (final stop).
• Once you exit the station, walk to the bus bay or designated SelbyFest shuttle stop.
• Take the free local shuttle (if operating that year) OR:
  • Board Ventura Bus Route 694 (Belgrave → Monbulk)
  • Get off at Selby (Minak Rd stop)
• Walk approx. 2–4 minutes to Selby Community House / 1 Minak Rd, where the festival is held.

Alternative (if buses are busy):
It’s a 25–30 minute scenic walk from Belgrave Station downhill into Selby.

From Lilydale

There is no direct train to Selby from Lilydale, so you will need:

Option A – Train interchange (fastest & simplest):

• Take a train from Lilydale to Ringwood (Lilydale Line).
• Change at Ringwood to the Belgrave Line train.
• Ride to Belgrave Station.
• Shuttle or Bus 694 → Selby (Minak Rd).

Option B – Bus link (less common):

• Some travellers take buses via Monbulk, then switch to Bus Route 694 heading towards Belgrave, getting off at Minak Rd Selby.

This option is slower and has fewer connections, so Option A is generally easier.

From Belgrave Station

• Exit the station at the front bus interchange.
• Take Route 694 toward Monbulk, OR the festival’s free shuttle (if operating).
• Hop off at Minak Rd, Selby.
• Short walk to the festival.