Pako Festa dates back to 1983, when the Ethnic Communities Council Inc. got together with Geelong West Traders and Geelong West City Council with an ambitious idea for a community-driven party that celebrated the region’s diverse cultural communities.

Much has changed since 1983. The very first Pako attracted 12,000 people and ended with a tug of war! In 2020, over 100,000 people attended, 2,000 people took part in the street parade and 10,000 people performed on five stages.
These days the festival is organised by Cultura (the new face of Diversitat & MACS) and has grown into Victoria’s largest free multi-arts and cultural party. Some things remain the same. Pako is about community and led by community. The event celebrates and highlights the extraordinary contribution of individuals, cultural groups and multicultural communities in Geelong and across Australia.

Join us at Pako Festa and share in the enriching connections of culture.
Supported by the Victorian State Government and City of Greater Geelong.