THE BUILD-up to next Saturday's AFL Grand Final will go up a gear from Wednesday when the AFL opens its annual Footy Festival.

Held in Yarra Park, outside gate 3 of the MCG in Jolimont, the Footy Festival (which includes the Toyota AFL Grand Final Live Site) will feature activities for fans of all ages, including footy clinics and an adventure zone for kids. Fans can also meet AFL players, watch live broadcasts of radio and television programs, test their skills in various competitions, and enjoy a wide choice of eats from some of Melbourne's leading food trucks.

A feature of the festival will be the Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade on Friday afternoon, with fans having the chance to see players and coaches of the two Grand Final teams as they are driven from the Old Treasury Building in Spring Street to the Yarra Park precinct.

After the Grand Final, fans can watch a free performance by The Killers at the Virgin Australia premiership party, from 6-8pm, inside the MCG. Entry is via gates 4, 5 and 6.

The Footy Festival will run 10am-6pm Wednesday and Thursday, September 27-28 and 9am-6pm Friday and Saturday, September 29-30.

For updates on daily events, go to afl.com.au/footy-festival