With the simple premise “no cake, no entry” the viral Cake Picnic is set to take place in the southern hemisphere for the first time.

The event will form part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, which will be held from March 20-29 next year. More than 200 events will be held across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

The Cake Picnic began as a 15-person cake swap in San Francisco in 2024, but since then has transformed into a viral sensation with hugely successful events held across the US as well in London.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival creative director Pat Nourse told goodfood the picnic would take place at Kings Domain with room for 1600 people.

“It’s gonna be big, it’s gonna be fun,” he said.

“The last couple of events sold out in seconds.”

In addition to the Cake Picnic, the festival will once again play host to the Baker’s Dozen – a bake sale that features treats made by some of the city’s best bakers. Melbourne-raised pastry chef Helen Goh will be among those contributing to the Baker’s Dozen and will also host a one-off three-course lunch.

The 2025 Baker’s Dozen was heralded a huge success with bakeries like Baker Bleu, The Flour Melbourne, Kudo, Lulu and Me, Lumos, Madeleine de Proust, Mietta by Rosemary, Raya, Tarts Anon and To Be Frank all taking part.