Ability Fest is the country’s first and only completely inclusive, fully accessible music festival, brought to you by the Dylan Alcott Foundation & Untitled Group & presented by Triple J.
Conceptualised by three time Paralympic gold medalist & 14 time grand slam champion, Dylan Alcott, in conjunction with the masterminds behind musical festivals such as Beyond The Valley, Grapevine Gathering and Wildlands, Ability Fest aims to use music as an inclusive platform to normalise disability.
Ability Fest is being held in the lush surrounds of the Alexandra Gardens this year, opposite Flinders Street Station with the impressive Melbourne cityscape as a backdrop. Alexandra Gardens will be transformed into a completely accessible venue with the inclusion of elevated platforms, pathways, a dedicated sensory area, quiet zones, companion ticketing, ramps, stacks of friendly volunteers & of course; accessible toilets.
Taking a year off due to the pandemic, the event is back in 2021 with an added incentive to support the Entertainment and Music industry.Previous artists include Flight Facilities, Client Liaison, Tkay Maidza, The Presets and Hot Dub Time Machine.
Ability Fest was born by Alcott due to his love of music and his desire to use his foundation to change the lives of young Australians living with disability. In its first two years, Ability Fest raised just shy of $500,000 for Alcott’s foundation. These funds are used to help young Australians with disabilities fulfil their potential through their grant program. So far they’ve given kids right across Australia wheelchairs to go to the Paralympics, put young adults through University and even funded their own startups to help them achieve their dreams.
We welcome everyone to join us for a warm Saturday afternoon amongst friends. Local food trucks & creative vendors will line the pathways and attendees will be treated to experiences across two stages. With the funds of each ticket bought going directly to the foundation, we want to thank you for supporting a cause very close to both the Dylan Alcott Foundation & the Untitled Groups’ heart.
Being part of a festival like this is a money can’t buy experience as we all band together to make an impact & change lives.