Mighty mussels to star at Portarlington festival

January 7, 2025 BY Abby Pardew

The Robbie Williams Experience will headline this year's Portarlington Mussel Festival. Photos: SUPPLIED. It is expected around 20,000 people will attend the event, featuring live music, food, roving entertainers, cooking demonstrations and more.

PORTARLINGTON’S mussels, entertainment, food and wine offerings will be on full display next weekend as the annual Mussell Festival returns to the Bellarine.

It is expected about 20,000 people will flock to the event on January 11 for a day of fun, food and entertainment.

Committee member Kyla Field said the festival was a great day out for the family with plenty on offer.

“We’ve got fantastic stalls that come on board, great food, great wine, great music; we just hope everyone comes and enjoys the day.”

Starting as a street festival in 2007, the event has now grown into a popular community event within Victoria, with 2025 marking its 17th year.

Featuring four stages, festival goers will be entertained with live music, cooking demonstrations and roving performers.

The Robbie Williams Experience will headline this year’s event. Presented by Louie Lee Feltrin, the tribute will feature some of the British musician’s biggest hits.

Festival regulars will add to the musical lineup along with some talent from around the region with a local stage added to this year’s event.

It’s expected around 20,000 people will attend the event, featuring live music, food, roving entertainers, cooking demonstrations and more.

Off the stages, freshly cooked mussels will be on offer while local seafood is showcased by a range of vendors, along with other cuisines.

Run entirely by volunteers and a small committee, the event raises money for community groups across Portarlington.

“The way it works is the volunteers who come and volunteer with us for the day are the recipients of the funds that are generated from the festival,” Ms Field said.

“You’ve got the CFA, the Bellarine Agricultural Society, citizens club, table tennis club, the footy club, cricket cub, netball, it’s a way of giving back to the community.”

Over the years, the festival has redirected more than $250,000 back into community initiatives, creating a legacy of positive impact.

The Portarlington Mussel Festival will run at WG Little Reserve from 9.30am until 5pm.

For tickets, the full schedule and more information, head to portmusselfestival.com