Ready your festival fits, the newest all-day music festival to hit Melbourne Cup Carnival Palooza is just weeks away—and tickets will only set you back $85 per day. Taking place across four days in early November, Palooza’s lineup includes local icons and heavy hitting international acts—from Jax Jones (UK) to old faves Sneaky Sound System and former Spice Girl Melanie C (DJ set)—who's now ripping it up on the decks.
Because Melbourne’s weather can be unpredictable, Palooza is the ultimate outoor-indoor festival. The Wave 55 By Stagekings—a state-of-the-art structure—will create a non-stop, all-weather entertainment destination during the festival.
A Palooza ticket for your chosen day is just $85—giving you access to a set list full of world-renowned headline DJs and artists, food trucks from local legends, pop-up bars, and entry into the general public areas of Flemington Racecourse including all the racing action.
Here’s the lowdown on what else to expect.
World-Renowned DJs and Artists
Penfolds Victoria Derby Day
4 November 2023
Cup Week will kick off with a 12.20pm performance from Sydney DJ Latifa Tee. Next up, Tyson O’Brien will take to the stage for some dance/electro beats. Perth dance group Crooked Colours (DJ set) will be hitting the decks at 2pm, followed by a 3pm set of disco tunes from Late Night Tuff Guy. The music will hit pause at 4.15pm for the Penfolds Victoria Derby, before ramping up again with sets from Felix Da Housecat (US) and Odd Mob.
Palooza ticket: $85
VIP: $545
Get your tickets here.
Lexus Melbourne Cup Day
7 November 2023
If you’re taking the official cup public holiday off, you’ll want to catch this full day of tunes as the Ministry of Sound Anthems takes the stage. Expect sets from Minx, Tenzin w/Micci, John Course w/ Karina Chavez and SGT Slick in the morning, and Groove City, Tommy Trash and Tonite Only in the afternoon.
Palooza tickets: $85
VIP: $595
Get your tickets here.
Kennedy Oaks Day
9 November 2023
For a heavy dose of early 2000s nostalgia, head to Kennedy Oaks Day—where Sneaky Sound System will be hitting the stage at 3pm. The lineup also includes Touch Sensitive, talented singer-songwriter Kah-Lo (USA) and a DJ set from Running Touch (DJ set) late afternoon.
Public ticket: $85
VIP: $445
Get your tickets here.
TAB Champions Stakes Day
11 November 2023
Catch music royalty on Saturday as you spend the afternoon bopping along to a DJ set from former Spice Girl-turned-DJ Melanie C (DJ set) at 2.30pm. DJ/producer/songwriter Jax Jones (UK) will be lighting up the stage at 3.30pm, before Germany's DJ Topic (GER) closes the day with a set at 5.15pm.
Public ticket: $85
VIP ticket: $445
Get your tickets here.
Food Trucks and Ice-Cold Bevvies
Not only will your ticket include entry to the festival and access to Flemington Racecourse, you’ll also get access to food trucks—think burgers from Beatbox Kitchen, Primo Street Pizza, hearty tacos and burritos from Snacc Boss Raph Rashid’s iconic Taco Truck and more. There will also be pop-up bars where you can take your pick from red, white, rose and sparkling Squealing Pig Wines, beers, Smirnoff sodas and Schweppes soft drinks.
Upgrade To VIP For Exclusive Extras
Want to take your Melbourne Cup festivities to the next level? Upgrade your ticket to VIP, where you can skip the cues through the VIP entry lane, access an open bar until 5.30pm (5pm on cup day), get a $50 food credit and gain entry to the VIP private Pimm's Garden. VIP ticket holders will be able to catch the music from a dedicated undercover VIP area, with access to a private bar, betting facilities and amenities. Plus, you'll get a sweet Palooza tee and a VIP lanyard to take home with you. VIP tickets are limited to 500 per day.
Win A Trip To The Big Apple
Dreaming of partying it up in the big smoke? Visit the iHeart Radio interactive pop up at Palooza for your chance to win two tickets to the iHeart Radio Jingle Ball in Maddison Square Garden, in NYC baby! Anybody with a Palooza ticket can enter throughout Melbourne Cup Week.
The Details
What: Palooza, Melbourne Cup Carnival 2023
Where: Flemington Racecourse
When: Saturday 4 to Saturday 11 November
Tickets: Starting from $85, which includes entry to Flemington Racecourse
Palooza is a new festival from Victoria Racing Club, taking place over Melbourne Cup Carnival November 4-11. Get your tickets here.
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Victoria Racing Club. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Images: Odd Mob, Tommy Trash, Kah-Lo, Melanie C, Taco Truck