ACYF Melbourne 30 Nov – 2 Dec 2025
Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is a national gathering of Catholic young people established by the Australian Bishops more than ten years ago. Run over three days, the Festival provides young people from all across Australia with the opportunity to come together to connect, deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to live their faith in the world and experience the breadth of the Church in Australia.
ACYF 2025 will be hosted by the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (MCEC) from Sunday 30 November – Tuesday 2 December, 2025.
The Festival will bring together thousands of young people (Year 9 – 25 years of age) from all across Australia and include opportunities for engagement with other young people, school and youth groups, Bishops, musicians and speakers.
The World Youth Day Cross and Icon – gifted to the youth of the world by Pope John Paul II – will travel to Melbourne for the Festival. It will be only the second time the WYD Cross and Icon will have come to Australia. The Cross & Icon will be key highlights during one of the unique events of the Festival – the Pilgrimage Walk – which will be held on Sunday, November 30 and will see thousands of pilgrims journey from Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral to the Festival venue – the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Each day will include the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities including prayer, Mass, workshops, talks, live concerts, games, justice issues and an interactive expo.
For those who have attended previous Festivals many of the program elements are included with plenaries, workshops, opportunities for prayer and the Sacraments and the Expo.
Bishop Paul has written to message to encourage the young people of our diocese to attend the festival (see below).
The “Roadmap to the ACYF” is a helpful document for those considering attending the festival (see below).
More information can be found on the ACYF website (link below)
Registrations are open. If you are interested in attending, please get in touch with your Parish priest.
Ballarat Diocese Youth Ministry
email: youth@ballarat.catholic.org.au
Facebook: Catholic Youth Ministry Ballarat
ACYF through the years…
ACYF 2019 Song
ACYF 2019 Prayer
