April 2026 is a big month on the Peninsula, from Easter-school-holiday family picks and the Paul Kelly led Red Hot Summer Tour to late-April culture highlights like Sorrento Writers Festival, ANZAC Day services, and weekend markets. Here's everything, in order.
Iconic all-Australian outdoor music festival. Gates 1pm, Paul Kelly headlines 8pm–9:30pm. A full autumn evening of exceptional live music under the Peninsula sky — one of the unmissable events of the season.
The strongest late-April culture addition on the Peninsula calendar, with a whole long weekend of conversations, ideas, and literary events that pair beautifully with an autumn coastal stay.
| Date | Market | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 12 Apr | Mornington Racecourse Market | Mornington | From 9am |
| Sat 18 Apr | Emu Plains Market | Emu Plains | 9am–2pm |
| Sat 25 Apr (ANZAC Day) | Meet The Makers at Hawkes Farm | Mornington Peninsula | 10am–2pm |
Contemporary group exhibition at the MPRG showcasing emerging and mid-career artists across diverse practices. Free entry. Running alongside the Michael Vale solo show — two exhibitions in one visit.
Solo exhibition by Michael Vale running alongside New Wave 26 at the MPRG. Plan at least two hours to do both exhibitions justice. The gallery café is worth a visit too.
Three artists exploring enchantment as theme. The exhibition is still worth a look, but the previously published closing date should be rechecked directly with the gallery before you plan around it.
Multi-medium art exhibition exploring light and vision at the Dromana Creative Hub. Pair with a morning bay walk and coffee for a lovely Dromana day.
Free guided walk through the award-winning Australian Garden — stunning in autumn colour. Daily from 11am. The Explorer & Kids Explorer Bus (daily 10am–4pm) is perfect for families throughout April.
Signature wellness ritual using thermal clay from the springs. Weekdays 12pm & 2pm; Weekends 10:30am, 12pm, 1pm & 3pm. School holiday family version Friday–Monday at 11am.
Expert-guided hot-cold contrast therapy: sauna + cold plunge. Science-backed wellness that boosts circulation, immunity, and reduces inflammation. Weekdays 10:30am, 4pm & 5pm; Weekends 12pm, 2pm, 4pm & 5pm. Add to any bathing session.
Locals will tell you April is the secret best time to visit — and they're not wrong. The summer hordes have retreated to the city, but the weather is often still glorious: cool, crisp mornings giving way to mild, golden afternoons. The vineyards are in full autumn colour, restaurants are less rushed and more attentive, and you can actually get a table at places that were booked out all January.
Reds and golds across the vines — particularly beautiful in Red Hill and Main Ridge
Average 14–19°C in April. Mornings crisp, afternoons mild. Occasional showers add to the atmosphere
Abalone, crayfish, squid — autumn is one of the best times for peninsula seafood
Late April sees Victorian truffles and wild mushrooms on menus throughout the region
Post-Easter, the peninsula's tourism pressure eases dramatically — more intimate experiences
The geothermal pools feel even more indulgent against cool autumn air — the contrast is extraordinary
The strongest verified April programming on the Peninsula right now. Highlights include guided sound bathing sessions on 4 and 11 April, Bathe in Cinema nights on 9 and 16 April, live music across the holiday period, and Family Body Clay sessions from Friday to Monday at 11am during the holidays (excluding 3 April). Holiday hours are extended, with the Bath House from 5am and the Amphitheatre from 7am over Easter.
Wellness · Family · Live MusicA reliable recurring "what's on" pick rather than a one-off event. Acoustic sets continue through April and are included with the bathing experience, weather permitting. Artists listed for the month include The Warrains, Tim McMillan, and Simon Hudson.
Recurring · Included with BathingAn intimate cellar door showcasing both Polperro and Even Keel wines. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am–5pm, and easy to add to a low-fuss Red Hill tasting route without overplanning.
Walk-ins WelcomeOpen daily from 10am–5pm for tastings, with pre-bookable cheese plates that make it an easy tasting-plus-snack stop. A strong option for a flexible weekday wine route.
Daily · Cheese PlatesRight now, the safest event-led planning bet is Peninsula Hot Springs rather than markets. Their April program is clearly verified, while Red Hill Market timing should be manually re-checked before publishing an exact date. If you want one polished autumn day out, pair a hot springs session with one or two Red Hill cellar doors and keep the rest flexible.