The best events to see at Rising festival

When icy tendrils creep back into town, it can be a bit of adjustment for Melburnians and our visitors. Thank goodness for art, music, dance, theatre and more, the best antidote to the stay-at-home blues. Our magnificent winter festival, Rising, brings it all and then some, transforming the city's halls and laneways with joy in all its forms. It's the dream. 

And you don't even need a dollar to your name. Free events include The Blak Infinite, a First Nations hub of creativity centred on Fed Square, and Communitas, a family-friendly dance party led by electro-duo Shouse in St Paul's cathedral over the road. The Capitol Theatre lights up with music doco marathon 24 Hour Rock Show, and the Birrarung thrums with The Rivers Sing, a joyous collaboration between Yorta Yorta/Yuin opera singer and composer Deborah Cheetham plus artists Byron J Scullin and Thomas Supple. Rising spreads out across Melbourne from June 1-16. Here are our top tips to check out in a program packed with magic. 

Want more culture? Check out the best art and exhibitions happening in Melbourne right now.