Ability Fest 2023

A true celebration of music and togetherness, Ability Fest returns in March 2023 for its fourth edition. The wider community will unite once again for a day of friendship, sunshine and outstanding music performances in the heart of Melbourne's CBD.

Ability Fest is proudly Australia’s first and only completely inclusive music festival striving to promote inclusivity. A music festival first and foremost, but with the added perk of incorporating more accessibility features than any other festival in the country so that everyone can enjoy the universal love of live music. A non-for-profit event, our common goal is to raise money for the Dylan Alcott Foundation to help empower young people living with disability to achieve their ambitions.

Our festival oasis is located at Naarm/Melbourne’s Birrarung Marr, an urban space embracing civic life and community involvement with sweeping city skyline views and lush greenery. You can expect all your usual festival amenities like delicious food & drink options, shade, unique experiences and unforgettable music experiences across two stages, with the added bonus of Birrarung Marr being transformed into a completely accessible venue. Elevated platforms, pathways, a dedicated sensory area, quiet zones, companion ticketing, ramps, friendly volunteers, Auslan interpreters, accessible toilets help make Ability an inclusive and enjoyable environment for all music lovers.

Conceptualised by three time Paralympic gold medalist & 14 time Grand Slam champion and 2022 Australian Of The Year, Dylan Alcott and in conjunction with music festival masterminds Untitled Group who are behind musical festivals such as Beyond The Valley, Grapevine Gathering and Wildlands. Ability Fest uses music as common ground and a platform to help normalise disability whilst setting a standard for inclusion and diversity at events.  

Born out of passion and a love of music, Alcott has forged the way with his strong desire to use his foundation to change the lives of young Australians living with disability. In its first two years, Ability Fest held some of the biggest Australian names in music including What So Not, Peking Duk and Cub Sport and raised just shy of $500,000 for Alcott’s foundation. These funds have helped young Australians living with disability to fulfil their potential through their grant program. Initiatives have included giving kids right across the country wheelchairs to go to the Paralympics, putting young adults through University and funding their own startups to help them achieve their dreams.  

Ability Fest It is a leading example of the direction music festivals need to be working towards. Being a part of this day is an experience that money can’t buy as our community bands together to make an impact and change lives.

This event is 18+.

Ability Fest takes place on stolen land. We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as the traditional owners of this land and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.