Victorians are being urged to embrace the state’s rich multicultural identity as Cultural Diversity Week 2026 gets underway, bringing a packed program of food, music and community events across the state.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Ingrid Stitt said the week was an opportunity to reflect on how people from diverse backgrounds have helped shape modern Victoria and to encourage broader participation in local events.
From major sporting fixtures to grassroots community gatherings, the calendar includes highlights such as Melbourne Victory Football Club’s U-Nite Multicultural Round at Gosch’s Paddock, alongside dozens of council-run events designed to showcase cultural traditions, food and performances.
Guided by this year’s theme, “Culture Connects Us All”, the celebrations will culminate in the Victorian Multicultural Festival on 27–28 March at Grazeland, expected to draw large crowds for what organisers describe as the week’s flagship event.
Stitt said the timing of the celebration carried added significance, noting the importance of unity amid rising discrimination. She said the week focused on recognising the contributions of all communities and reinforcing a shared responsibility to foster inclusion and respect.
She encouraged Victorians to take part in whatever way they could—whether attending events, hosting their own gatherings or sharing personal stories—describing the week as both a celebration and a call to connect.
Victorian Multicultural Commission chair Vivienne Nguyen AM echoed that sentiment, describing culture as a “living, breathing source of joy and purpose” that shapes everyday life.
Nguyen invited people to step outside their own experiences during the week, suggesting that connection could be as simple as a conversation on public transport or sharing a meal at the festival.
The state government says it will continue to support multicultural communities through funding for festivals and events, as well as initiatives such as programs to combat Islamophobia and improve community safety infrastructure.
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