Seniors festivals in Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia celebrate older people

Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania have all chosen October to host seniors weeks and seniors festivals - and all promise something for everyone.

When it comes to celebrating, the Victorian Seniors Festival is top of the pops.

The annual festival kicks off with a bang as Celebration Day takes over Federation Square on October 1, which also marks International Day of Older Persons. Seniors, friends and family will enjoy great music, displays and information stands.

The fun begins at noon and runs well into the afternoon, with entertainment on the Main Stage as well as the River Stage and the Edge Theatre.

The Main Stage program is:

1pm Footscray Gypsy Orchestra; 2pm official opening and Welcome to Country; 2.30pm Jonathon Welch AM from the Choir of Hard Knocks directs a singing workshop; 3.15pm, award-winning singer-songwriter Jess Hitchcock; 4.15pm, Jonathon Welch's second singing workshop; 5pm, One Spirit Africa.

The entertainment winds up with the SOS - ABBA Band presenting some of the band's most loved hits from 6pm.

Meanwhile, the Edge Theatre program, hosted by Carol O'Halloran, will showcase community choirs, karaoke and ukulele groups and more.

The program is:

Noon, welcome; 12.05pm BAUG Ukulele Group; 12.40pm U3A Box Hill Karaoke Group; 1.20pm Living Song community choir and Greenbrook Singers; 2pm Veneto Club Choir; 3.10pm Whittlesea U3A Choir and Ukulele Group; 4pm Legends of Brass.

This year's festival theme is Learn. Love. Live - and whether you're in the city or country, there's plenty on offer to keep you informed, inspired and entertained.

And don't forget to take advantage of the eight days of free travel from October 1-8. This applies to Melbourne trains, trams and buses and regional trains, coaches and buses (including regional town bus services).

Make sure to carry your Seniors myki with you. Touch on and off as usual and you won't be charged.

On regional services that don't use myki, you simply show your Victorian Seniors Card to the conductor or driver.

There's plenty on offer for anyone who wants to try something new - from tai chi, croquet and seniors' exercise classes, to board games, lawn bowls, pickleball, ten-pin bowling and crochet.

There are plenty of chances to get tech savvy or perhaps you'd like to learn to play the ukulele or channel your inner artist at a watercolour painting workshop.

Walking groups will welcome newcomers - or perhaps you'd like to see what dancing bingo is all about!

To make sure you don't miss a thing, keep up to date with the festival calendar HERE

Grab your friends or meet new ones... either way Queensland Seniors Month will get you connected, because it's going to be a Connect Fest - connecting you to new activities, favourite pastimes, services, interesting people and places.

The fun kicks off on October 1, and also includes Ageism Awareness Day on October 7 and National Grandparents Day on October 29.

The celebration aims to increase the social connectedness of communities, challenge ageist views, provide opportunities to discover great events and helpful services - and have some fun.

There are plans to light up the state purple and pink for Seniors Month and orange and yellow for Grandparents Day - check the website for updates.

An online seniors forum on October 5 will look at planning for an age-friendly Queensland. Hosted by the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services in partnership with Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland, the forum will be opened by Seniors Minister Craig Crawford.

Speakers will include demographer Bernard Salt, who will provide an update on key demographic changes affecting older people in the state. The forum will run from 9.30am-4pm; register on the Seniors Month website.

There will be something for everyone in cities and towns across Queensland.

In Rockhampton they'll be swinging at Morning Melodies - Seniors Month Mayor's Treat at Pilbeam Theatre with entertainment by Rhydian Lewis. His show, The King of the Swingers: Sinatra Through the Years is a tribute to the unforgettable music of Old Blue Eyes himself. Expect to hear classics including Come Fly With Me, The Lady is a Tramp, Fly Me to the Moon and My Way. It's on October 16, 11am-12.30pm; admission $5. Book on 4927-4111, seeitlive.com.au

Aviation buffs can take a tour of the Hinkler Hall of Aviation in the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens on October 12 from 9.30-11.30am. The guided tour includes morning tea for a cost of $9. Bookings (by October 6) on 4130-4400.

U3A Southern Gold Coast will host an exhibition of works from October 9-20 (10am-2pm weekdays) at Kirra Hill Community Centre, Coolangatta.

And at Runaway Bay Community Centre, there's High Socie Tea Songs and Soiree featuring light opera, operetta, chanson and classical film courtesy of Vavachi Entertainment and Runaway Bay Lions on October 16 (11.30am-1.30pm); cost $30-$35; book on 0414-725-097.

There's so much more on offer. Take a look at the jam-packed calendar HERE

Get set for celebrations aplenty as Tasmanian Seniors Week marks its 25th anniversary from October 16-23.

The jam-packed program promises something for everyone in communities large and small across the state.

To get the ball rolling, Council on the Ageing (COTA) Tasmania, which organises the week supported by the state government, will hold a launch party with activities galore - and of course cake!

The venue is Windsor Community Precinct, Riverside Football Club, from 9.45am for 10am start on October 15.

From then, it's all go go go, with more than 300 events planned.

There will be opportunities to try something new - everything from croquet, walking soccer, golf and boules, to mahjong, tai chi, line dancing, bridge and playing the ukulele.

The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery's Planetarium at Inveresk has a number of programs planned.

We are Stars on October 17 takes a light-hearted look at the way stars burn, producing a range of elements. On October 18 it's Birth of Planet Earth that tells the twisted tale of Earth origins. Capcom Go! on October 19 celebrates the 50th anniversary of man's first footsteps on the Moon.

All presentations run from 1.30-2.15pm.

TasNetworks and Sustainable Living Tasmania have joined forces to present a number of Switched-on Seniors Sessions designed to help you make your home more energy efficient, comfortable and sustainable.

Sessions are: October 16, Huonville (10-11.30am) and Kingston (1-2.30pm) libraries; October 17, Glenorchy (10-11.30am), Bridgewater (1-2.30pm) and Rosny (3.30-5pm) libraries; October 18, Launceston Library (10-11.30am); October 19, Devonport Paranaple Centre (10-11.30am) and Burnie Library (1.30-3pm).

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There are singalongs, information sessions on life planning and family history, concerts, and so much more.

Getting to events will be a breeze, as Seniors Card holders with a Greencard will be able to use Metro services for free during the week.

Make sure you don't miss a thing by picking up a copy of the Seniors Week guide from libraries, Service Tasmania, Neighbourhood Houses, Post Office outlets and local electorate offices, or download HERE

Enquiries: COTA Tasmania (03) 6231-3265.

Photography, nature, theatre outings, movement and sports are among the events being hosted as part of the state's first Week of Ageing Well.

To be held from October 1-7, the week provides an opportunity to connect through events and activities that support happy, healthy, and meaningful lives.

Keith Conlon will be a guest speaker at the City of Salisbury's Be Active: Find Your Why Wellness Expo on October 5.

Other events include:

Seniors Card Through the Lens photography competition and exhibition at City Library.

Nature Festival, which encourages people to cultivate a deeper relationship with nature. It recognises that Aboriginal cultures value nature explicitly and suggests everyone could take a step to protect and care for nature with health and wellbeing benefits.

A Date With State, which supports older and socially isolated people to continue to attend the theatre despite life changes, such as the loss of a partner or new living circumstances.

Australian Masters Games, a week-long sports festival in Adelaide that brings together weekend warriors from around Australia and the world to enjoy an extensive sporting and social program.

Hutt Street Centre's Positive Ageing Expo, which will help seniors connect with organisations and services that can assist them to maintain your health, wellbeing and independence.

More details about events HERE.

The week is coordinated by the Office for Ageing Well.