Dandenong World Fare 2021

Thanks to all who joined us for Dandenong World Fare 2021! Keep an eye out on our website and social media for information about future events.

Dandenong World Fare 2021 returns to celebrate the very best street food and authentic culture in Melbourne.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s largest free, family-friendly event has returned. Dandenong Market will celebrate world street food and culture on Sunday 28 March from 10am to 4pm for their ninth Dandenong World Fare.

As part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, more than 20 street food traders will be offering all the crowd favourites, as well as some of the world’s most unique dishes created just for World Fare 2021 – and available for one day only!

Here’s just a taste:

• We’re Ube(r) excited for this one! Without a doubt the most colourful dish at World Fare 2021, Si Kat Pinoy Eatscetera will be preparing Ube Cheese Pandesal, a purple yam-flavoured bread roll filled with a cheesy surprise. As soft as a cloud, these small buns could be made in heaven. Ube and cheese are often paired together in pancakes, cupcakes or even ice-creams. Served warm and often enjoyed with a coffee, you’d be crazy not to give these a try!

• Vegetarians – this one’s for you! Why Not? Wooden Bakery is introducing a new take on the traditional za’atar manoush. Made with a base of thyme, sesame seeds and olive oil, the vegetarian za’atar is destined to be a crowd-pleaser – no questions asked! Topped with ingredients such as feta, capsicum and olives, it really does taste just as divine as it looks.

• Mouth-watering and loved by many, the dumpling is enjoyed by many nationalities all around the world. The team at Kabul Kitchen are bringing flavours of Kabul to the table this year with an ashak recipe that has been in the family for years. Filled with vegetarian-friendly gana, these steamed Afghan dumplings are topped with lentils and yoghurt ready for hungry customers. We’re drooling already!

Arrive hungry!

Dandenong World Fare will be an outside only event, which will follow a strict COVIDSafe plan including a designated seated area for visitors, increased cleaning, hand sanitising stations and adherence to physical distancing requirements. Enjoy authentic street food from within the Market in the fresh Autumn air.

World Fare 2021 not only celebrates the authentic and traditional cuisines from all around the world: there is a schedule jam-packed with colourful, cultural roving entertainment set to wow crowds from 10am.

Relish in the rhythms of Africa, Asia and Europe at Dandenong World Fare!

Click here to keep up to date with event information.

World Fare FAQs

How will Dandenong World Fare adhere to COVIDSafe guidelines?

Dandenong Market has implemented a range of measures to promote the safety of the community during Dandenong World Fare 2021. These measures include:

• enforced physical distancing
• increased cleaning
• designated COVIDSafe marshals
• gated seating area which will be restricted once capacity has been reached
• compulsory QR code sign-in to assist in contact tracing
• conditions of entry (see above/below)
• a COVID-19 information
• roving entertainment rather than a dedicated stage
• hand sanitising stations throughout he .

What food and entertainment will be available?

Dandenong World Fare 2021 is Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s largest FREE, family friendly event – a day full of exotic sights, flavours and aromas from authentic cuisine and cultural performances.

More than 20 Dandenong Market food traders are bringing a delicious plate to our multicultural table. Unlike normal Market days, our traders will be serving up never-before-seen exclusive dishes which are available for one day only. Get your ube on at Si-Kat Pinoy Eatscetera, taste generations of dumpling love at SanSan’s Dumpling House and wash it all down with a Kashmiri chai warm enough to melt anyone’s heat – courtesy of Kadak Chai.

Dandenong World Fare 2021 isn’t just a day to stuff yourself silly. Enjoy your authentic cuisines with a line-up of colourful and sensational cultural roving performers. These eye-catching entertainers will leave you feeling like you’ve travel abroad – which we’re all craving right now! Catch any of our cultural performances from 10am until 3pm.

What happens if the event area is full?

You are still welcome to dine on all of the tasty morsels available from our food traders and they’ll be plenty of grab and go options so you can eat while your browse the Market. There will also be limited seating available elsewhere in the Market in accordance with the Market’s COVIDSafe policy.

How will I let my friends know where to meet me during the event?

The much-anticipated Dandenong World Fare 2021 is expected to be wildly popular with wanderlust Victorians which means seats within the designated event area will be in high demand!

Each section of seating area will be set apart by a section colour and a table number. Each table will be given a colour and a number which you will need to use when signing in via QR code on arrival. These details will correspond with a comprehensive map found outside the event area which will help when catching up at Dandenong World Fare 2021.

What if I’m in a large group?

There will be tables for 4 or 8 persons. 

Whilst larger groups are welcome to occupy more than 1 table, please note that it is prohibited to move tables and chairs join another table. Anybody caught doing-so may be asked to leave. 

Groups of more than 20 persons are not permitted.

How do I buy a ticket?

Dandenong World Fare is non-ticketed event, there are no designated seating times and is completely FREE to attend. We welcome all visitors to join the designated event area; however, once the capacity has been reached, you will be required to queue to enter the zone.

How will I see the entertainment?

An event schedule will be posted on the website and our social media channels (Facebook and Instagram). All performers for this event will be roving to ensure everyone has a chance to watch everyone we’ve included in our dynamic entertainment schedule. Performances throughout the Market will be on a rotating schedule so you won’t miss out.

 What should I bring?

Almost everything you need will be provided at Dandenong World Fare 2021 including seating, food and drinks. However, we suggest also bringing:

• the essentials to keep you COVIDSafe a bottle of sanitiser and a face mask to use if physical distancing can’t be maintained
• water bottles can be brought into the event space and can be re-filed at our free water stations
• if the forecast is sunny and warm (and we hope it will be), please bring sunscreen and a hat
• if the forecast is for rain please bring suitable shoes, a poncho or raincoat

What if I start to feel unwell during the event?

If you feel unwell before attending Dandenong World Fare 2021, please stay home.

If you begin to develop any COVID-19 symptoms during the event, please locate Security, COVID Marshals or an event staff member. An isolation room will be available to any patron who displays symptoms while s/he organises transport to a testing facility or home.

How will I know if the event is cancelled?

Public health advice and COVID-19 restrictions are constantly changing.

If Dandenong World Fare 2021 is cancelled due to COVID-19, updates will be provided via our social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) and our website.

Inclement weather is unlikely to cancel Dandenong World Fare 2021 unless it is deemed too dangerous to go ahead. If weather conditions are deemed to be dangerous, the event will be cancelled via our website and social media channels.

If you have any concerns about whether our event is running, please contact us via direct message or email us at [email protected].

Which items are prohibited?

• Alcohol
• Weapons of any kind
• Pets (other than guide/service dogs)

Security will confiscate any prohibited items or deny entry to anyone carrying a prohibited item.

Dandenong Market does not take any responsibility for confiscated items.

Where can I park?

FREE parking is available at any of Dandenong Market’s carparks during Dandenong World Fare 2021.

Parking will be available when entering from King St, Sturt St and Clow St. Parking on The Terrace will not be available.

Is First Aid available?

Yes. Please approach Market Security, COVIDSafe Marshals or event staff to seek First Aid.

Conditions of entry:

• If you are unwell or experiencing any symptoms, please do not come to Dandenong World Fare. Get tested and stay home.
• Those choosing to sit within the designated Dandenong World Fare seating area will be required to sign in using provided QR codes.
• Patrons must remain seated while dining inside the designated seating area. Roaming and loitering patrons will be asked to find a seat.
• Please physically distance yourself from others.
• Please wash or sanitise your hands regularly.
• Please allow 1.5 metres from the person in front of you when lining up to enter the designated seating area.
• Please arrive with your friends and family: we cannot allow you to hold seats.
• Please cough or sneeze into your elbow and be aware that you may not be admitted if you are showing COVID-19 symptoms.
• Please follow the directions of Security, COVID Marshals and event staff

Please do not attend this event if:

• you are feeling unwell
• you have tested positive for COVID-19
• you have been in close contact with a person who is has tested positive for COVID-19
• you have visited one of the exposure sites identified by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
• you have travelled overseas in the past 14 days

Anyone who has entered Victoria from the City of Brisbane and Moreton Bay Region since 12 March must immediately self-isolate, get a coronavirus test within 72 hours, and stay isolated until they receive a negative result.

Click here to see current contact tracing alerts.

Find the Dandenong World Fare competition terms and conditions here.