Melburnians, we know it’s getting chilly. But we’re not the type of city to give up on going out just because the weather is less than ideal. Aside from the inconvenient truth that we’d never get anything done if we didn’t venture out into the cold, Melbourne is heating up with a reason to hit the streets this winter.
Firelight Festival is returning to Docklands this winter from Friday, June 28 to Sunday, June 30. The surrounding streets of Victoria Harbour will be set alight, literally, with fiery installations from 5pm on each of the three nights. Expect flames in all forms, with blazing sculptures, jets and performances.
The free festival is a celebration of winter with a focus on family, community, food, music, fire and light. There’ll be vibrant cultural displays like Afro-Colombian dancing, roving performers to delight the little ones, warming foods and plentiful fire installations.
Firelight Labyrinth will be the main attraction this year, transforming the subterranean space underneath Marvel Stadium into a maze of light and sound. The new attraction, designed by international creative lighting specialists Mandylights, will make its world debut right here in Melbourne. It features a whopping 144,000 lights.
There’ll be plenty of food to satisfy the appetite you’ll work up exploring the promenades. Hearty, warming treats including Japanese curries, Filipino barbeque, hot doughnuts and s’mores will all be on offer, alongside mulled wine for the grown-ups.
To find out more and see the festival's full program, head to the website.