EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
The 44th Annual Pako Festa STREET Parade supported by tac
From 11am | Along Pakington Street BTW Waratah & Autumn Street
Pakington Street will transform into a marching, dancing, singing procession of diverse performers from around the world, and just around the corner. Supported by TAC and Broadcast live on 94.7 The Pulse.
New for 2026 is the live stream of the parade @pakofesta
THE GORDON
9am-5pm | Southern End of Pakington St Corner Autumn St
The Gordon Stage kicks off at 12.30pm and is jam packed with entertainment for the entire family. Make sure you visit our family-friendly The Gordon activation in West Park. Enjoy live cooking demonstrations, get creative with our colouring competition for a chance to win, snap a photo to take home in our photobooth, and chat about courses with our team. Complete any activity to enjoy a free ice cream (while stocks last). As a major partner in Pako Festa, we can’t wait to see you!
WEST PARK ACTIVITIES & CHILL OUT ZONE
9am-5pm | Southern End of Pakington St Corner Autumn St
Geelong West Neighbourhood House will be hosting free kids craft activities and a chill out room for any kids needing sensory downtime, and a tea & coffee station.
New for 2026,visit the French Circus School in West Park for FREE activities throughout the day. Spin plates, try juggling flower sticks, have a go on the trapeze — and learn a few French words along the way!
WEST PARK ACTIVITIES
9am-5pm | Southern End of Pakington St Corner Autumn St
TAC is bringing the fun with a scavenger hunt! Explore the Park area to uncover hidden road‑safety clues, crack the code, then take your answers to TAC’s pop‑up picnic spot in West Park to claim your prize. Stick around for games, laughs, and plenty of good vibes all while learning how it takes all of us as a community to create safer journeys on our roads.
Join the team from Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme and have some fun while learning about recycling. Test your recycling skills with our Super Sorter game — there are prizes to be won, and if you’re lucky you might even get to meet our mascot, Can-Do! Learn about the circular economy and discover how every drink container returned makes an impact. You’ll feel like a million bucks.
PAKO FESTA GLOBAL CRAFT MARKET
12:00pm-5.00pm | West Town Hall (indoors)
From 12pm inside the West Town Hall, the Pako Festa Global Craft Market will once again showcase a diverse range of local community makers selling preserves, clothing, jewellery, traditional crafts, beauty products and more. Entry is from both Albert Street and the rear of the hall from the carpark area. A great space to rest up indoors and away from the crowds with plenty of seating. New for 2026 is free face painting for our young visitors from 12pm-5pm. Don’t miss the chance to sample an authentic and delicious menu served by our local Karenni Community. (people from Myanmar)
Beyond Bank CHILL OUT ZONE
11.30am-5pm | Hope Street Parking Bay
A great place to sit, dine, and soak up the Pako vibes. From 12.30pm the Hope Street Stage kicks off with a diverse line up of music. Families are welcome to enjoy a great selection of food while Archive Wines pop up bar will be ready to quench your thirst.
BARWON WATER CHILL OUT ZONE
9am -5pm | Carpark Area corner of Pakington Street and O’Connell Street
Visit the Barwon Water Chill Out Zone, it’s a great place to sit and dine on the amazing food you have purchased along the street and there will be a free drinking water station so bring along your reusable water bottle.
MacKillop Family Services located in this Zone will be inviting you to participate in an interactive creative activity and a photo booth.
UNIFIED TECHNOLOGY CARMEN MIRANDA BAR
From 12:00pm | Albert Street Car Park
Relax with a drink in the licensed Unified Technology Carmen Miranda Bar and visit the Cultura Global Food Stall for some tasty dishes to pair with a beverage from the Gypsy Bel pop up bar.
This is a great space to enjoy a diversity of dance, song and live entertainment from 12:30pm-5pm.
NORTHERN END OF PAKINGTON STREET
12pm-5pm | From Waratah to Waterloo Streets
At the Northern end of Pakington Street visit Geelong West Presbyterian Church to chill out and rehydrate. There will be free activity for the kids, a game space and live music in the forecourt. Don’t miss The Petrel Hotel Stage and bar area which is a great spot to soak up the vibes in the sun. New for 2026 is the Geelong Arts Centre RAW Stage, in Maitland Street to experience a diversity of young emerging artists.