St Kilda Festival 2026

Expression of Interest - Carnival Operations

Expression of Interest

St Kilda Festival is returning with two jam-packed days in 2026, and we're thrilled to offer opportunities for Amusement Operators to be part of the magic and get involved in this celebrated event. The Festival will be held across the following dates:

• Saturday 14 February 2026 - First Peoples First - 12:00 to 21:00 

• Sunday 15 February 2026 - Big Festival Sunday - 12:00 to 21:00 

There is also the option for Carnival rides to operate on Friday 13 Feburary 2026 from 17:00 - 21:00, should this option be taken up by the operator - charges will apply for First Aid Services as there are not already first aiders on site. 

This application is for St Kilda Festival 2026 "Amusement Operators" which is applicable to businesses who can provide multiple Amusement Rides via their own businesses or act as a booking agent and manager for multiple third party Amusement Operators. The Festival will operate a "profit-share" arrangement with the successful operator, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for further information. 

Carnival Site Information 

The festival offers the highlighted area within Catani Gardens to Amusement Opertators to activate: 

Additional space may be available once the final festival layout is confirmed, this will be negotiated with the successful operator. 

Terms and Conditions

General

• For Public health and safety reasons, the Port Phillip City Council (‘the Council’ and 'the Festival') manages various special events through its Community Amenity Local Law 2023. A permit is required to trade at St Kilda Festival and to use Council parks and reserves, including the foreshore, footpath and roads for a range of activities.

• The Permit to Participate and Festival extended trading area plan must be kept on site by the permit holder and must be produced on request to an authorised officer of the City of Port Phillip, St Kilda Festival Management and/or Victoria Police

• The Permit to Participate is for RIDES, GAMES and SHOWBAGS only. No food vendors are to be supplied by the Amusements Operator 

Hours of Operation

• The permit holder acknowledges that the permit is valid for trade between the hours of 12.00 pm and 9.00 pm on Saturday the 14th Febuary 2026 and Sunday the 15th February 2026 only. The permit holder is not authorised to trade outside of this time.

• An additional permit to trade may be granted for Friday 13th Febuary between the hours of 5.00 pm and 9.00pm upon negotiation with the Festival.
  

• The Permit to Participate is not transferrable. 

Infrastructure

• St Kilda Festival will provide sufficient space for setup of carnival and amusements within Catani Gardens.

• All other required infrastructure, including power, is the responsibility of the Amusement Operator and is to be agreed and approved by St Kilda Festival Management. Any infrastructure not included on the Event Permit will not be permitted on site. All equipment should be in good working order, and should be compliant with all Safety Regulations and Australian Standards.
  

Fees and Charges

• The Amusement Operator agrees to pay Council 30% of revenue gained from amusements.

• The Amusement Operator agrees to final revenue takings at conclusion of the event in an auditable report, provided to Council no more than 5 working days post the Festival. 

• An additional charge for First Aid will apply for Friday operations, the Festival will arrange this service and invoice the operator. This will be pass through only with no mark-up applied. 

Insurance and Certifications

• The permit holder must provide a Certificate of Currency from their insurer providing a minimum cover of $20 million. In addition, the Certificate should nominate the City of Port Phillip as an interested party in the policy for the period of the event.

• The permit holder must indemnify the Council against all losses and claims resulting from the permit holder’s negligence.

• All Amusement rides are to be signed off by a suitably qualified person as per WorkSafe Victorias guidelines for Amusement Rides. 

Business Information

Contact Details

Application Details

Data privacy and collection

The personal information requested on this form is being collected by the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) and will be handled in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. This information will be used solely by the council for that primary purpose or directly related purposes. It will be treated in compliance with the CoPP Information Privacy Policy and the Information Privacy Act.