Pakenham’s much-loved Yakkerboo Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary next weekend with a milestone event reflecting the extraordinary growth and diversity of Melbourne’s south-eastern fringe.
Held on 14 and 15 February at PB Ronald Reserve, the free two-day festival is expected to draw about 5,000 people, marking its golden jubilee with one of the most inclusive programs in its history.
Known as a festival “by the people, for the people”, Yakkerboo has long been a social anchor for Pakenham, the heart of Cardinia Shire — one of Victoria’s fastest-growing and most culturally diverse regions. The festival’s name comes from a First Nations word meaning “place of greener pastures”, acknowledging the area’s Indigenous heritage while embracing the many cultures that now call the region home.
That diversity will be on full display this year, with performances and participation from the Indian dance troupes, Sikh groups, Amadalla Muslim Community,LivFit All Abilities and a wide range of local cultural, sporting and community organisations.
Families and community groups from across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and beyond are set to take part.
Festival organisers say the event has been deliberately designed to be accessible and affordable, with free entry across both days and a packed program of entertainment, activities, food trucks and market stalls.
Saturday evening will feature free stage performances, roaming entertainers and a major fireworks display at 9pm, while Sunday morning will begin with the iconic Yakkerboo Parade at 10am. Hundreds of participants in colourful costumes will parade past the much-loved Mr Yakkerboo mascot — a three-metre fibreglass bunyip with a question-mark tail — along the reserve’s pathways.
Sunday will also offer unlimited carnival rides for $15, giving access to 13 attractions including pony rides and a petting zoo, with prices kept deliberately low to ensure affordability.
Celebrating the newest members of the community, the Yakkerboo Baby competition invites families with babies born in Cardinia Shire between 1 January and 14 February 2026 to enter for the chance to win a gift basket valued at more than $150.
The festival’s 50th year comes at a time of rapid change for the region. Cardinia Shire’s population grew by more than 25 per cent between 2016 and 2021 and is forecast to increase by a further 63,000 people by 2041. Pakenham alone has grown by more than 16 per cent in five years, with the municipality now ranked among Melbourne’s top three for growth in communities from non-English speaking backgrounds.
“In a region changing this quickly, Yakkerboo offers something irreplaceable — a shared experience that brings together long-time locals and newly arrived families,” a festival spokesperson said. “Whether you’ve lived here for 50 years or five days, Yakkerboo is your festival.”
Run entirely by volunteers, Yakkerboo is supported by grants and sponsorships, with major backers this year including Cardinia Shire Council, Southside Racing, Ray White Pakenham, O’Connor Beef and Mayfair Childcare. All local not-for-profit groups are offered free space to promote their work, while market stall fees are kept low to maximise participation.
The anniversary also marks a remarkable comeback after the pandemic threatened the festival’s future. Cancelled in 2020 and scaled back dramatically in the years that followed, Yakkerboo has been steadily rebuilt by a small but determined volunteer committee. With new sponsors and strong community support, organisers say 2026 will be the biggest event since before COVID.
Beyond the weekend itself, Yakkerboo’s history continues to be celebrated, with a “History of Yakkerboo” exhibition currently showing at Cardinia Cultural Centre and later at Pakenham Library. Plans are also under way for Yakkerboo the Musical, a community-focused production slated for late 2026.
For many families, Yakkerboo is more than a festival — it is a tradition spanning generations. As the bunyip mascot looks on once again, organisers say the 50th anniversary is both a celebration of the past and a reflection of the vibrant, multicultural future taking shape in Pakenham.
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