Please note: this is an archived news article release
This article was published on Monday, 28 March, 2022. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.
Posted on Monday 28th of March, 2022,
The first ever Illuminate festival brought music, food and art to life at the SAM Precinct on the weekend, with exhilarating light displays and more.
The two-day festival hosted a glowing line-up of music including headline acts Clare Bowditch and Christine Anu with supporting artists Grim Fawkner, Adalita, Drew Walker, Deans of Soul, Eliott and Walumbarra and Minyerra.
The festival hosted more than 20 food vendors along with mesmerising light experiences across the SAM Precinct and Victoria Park Lake shore which saw approximately 5,000 people attend on Friday night and an incredible 15,000 on Saturday, which was double the amount of visitors expected to attend the event.
Illuminate was a celebration of the new SAM Precinct with a stunning laser, light and sound display across the building closing the festival on Saturday night to acknowledge the region’s creativity, innovation and perseverance.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Kim O’Keeffe said the festival was a shining success.
“It was amazing to have the inaugural festival take place within the Shepparton Festival calendar. Illuminate was a show stopping event which put a spotlight on our region’s creativity,” she said.
“Thank you to the estimated 20,000 people who attended the event across the weekend coming from right around Victoria and interstate, celebrating the new SAM Precinct and being part of the art and cultural developments of our region.
“We hope to see you again later in the year for the upcoming White Night event which was awarded to our city for the first time this year, and will also shine a bright light on Greater Shepparton.”
This year is shaping up to be a landmark year as the region has seen the beginning of an impressive major events calendar with new and returning events, as well as the establishment of some of the region’s biggest new visitor attraction drawcards in full operation such as the Shepparton Art Museum and Museum of Vehicle Evolution helping transform the region into a real standout destination.
Each of these activities are further creating vital social and economic support to our creative, entertainment, hospitality and visitor economy industries helping create and support local jobs and growth.
If you attended Illuminate, Council would love to know how your experience was. Please fill out the post event survey.
For more of what to expect in our region go to visitshepparton.com.au for the latest event details.
More News from Greater Shepparton
Friday 8th of May,
Dookie and surrounds invited to help build a safer, more prepared community
Greater Shepparton City Council is inviting residents of Dookie and surrounding areas to take part in a Leaping into Safer Communities workshop, aimed at strengthening local preparedness for emergencies and disasters. Read more
Friday 8th of May,
Boot Swap kicks goals for local families and the environment
More than 250 families across Greater Shepparton were supported through this year’s Boot Swap, held on Saturday 2 May 2026 at the Shepparton Sports Precinct. Read more
Thursday 7th of May,
Tatura Fit program builds positive connections for young people
Greater Shepparton City Council is pleased to share positive outcomes from the Tatura Fit program, a community-based initiative supporting local young people to build wellbeing, confidence and positive relationships with Victoria Police and Council. Read more
Thursday 7th of May,
Floor Level Surveys to be undertaken in Tatura
Greater Shepparton City Council is working to improve emergency response across the region, with floor level surveys being undertaken in key areas. Read more
Wednesday 6th of May,
Strong community turnout at VicGrid Dookie session
Greater Shepparton City Council acknowledges the strong community turnout and constructive discussion at the VicGrid community information session held in Dookie last night, Tuesday 5 May. Read more
Wednesday 6th of May,
2027 Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten registrations now open
Registrations are now open for three and four-year-old kindergarten spaces for 2027, with Greater Shepparton City Council encouraging parents, guardians and carers to register their child online via Council’s website. Read more
See All News
Want to get the latest news and events in your Facebook feed?
Just go to our Facebook page and click the Like button.
More Events in Greater Shepparton
Saturday 16th of May,
Shepparton Gators - Round 8
Big V Basketball is here!! Get ready for high-energy basketball and show your support for the Men's Big V Gators. Go GATORS! Read more
Monday 18th of May,
Greater Shepparton City Council presents Greater Shepparton Volunteer Recognition Awards -- 2026
Celebrate Our Local Heroes at the 17th Volunteer Recognition Awards! View on Riverlinks
Thursday 7th of May, – to Tuesday 12th of May,
2026 Novice State Bowls Carnival
The Bowls Victoria Novice State Carnival is a bowls event specifically for new bowlers, who have been bowling for three years or less. Read more
Tuesday 19th of May,
Messy Play
Messy is a sign of an active mind! Read more
Monday 11th of May,
So You Want to Make Games?
Join us for an evening with local game designer Jackson Nexhip, who has built a career spanning development, streaming and teaching. He'll walk us through his path and what the day-to-day of being a game… Read more
Friday 15th of May,
Puff Walk
Fresh air, easy pace, good company – that’s what our Puff Walks are all about. Read more
See All Events