Discover what’s on at Fed Square

Global sounds, cult films and festival energy converge in one unmissable summer program.

A special DJ sunset session showcasing the music of the fab four like you&#8217;ve never heard before! Get ready to dance, Melbourne.
Beatles fans, you&#8217;re gonna love, love, love this one – from packing out stages at Glastonbury and beyond, DJ Chris Arnold is coming to the Square to take you on a magical mystery tour of his collection of covers, remixes and tracks that sampled arguably the greatest band that ever existed – The Beatles.
Expect to hear plenty of reggae, ska, latin, hip hop, dub, funk, house – and even drum and bass – takes on iconic Beatles hits.
Bring your dates and your mates, and get ready to boogie, Beatles Dub Club style. This is gonna be real fun.
Presented by Fed Square as part of <a href="/events/open-air-at-the-square/">Open Air at the Square</a>.

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Music

Free

The Beatles Dub Club

Where my Queens at? Big Freedia is coming to Fed Square.
Direct from New Orleans to Fed Square, it’s time to release ya wiggle for Big Freedia herself, who will headline a high-octane celebration of hip-hop, rap and queer culture that will make your booty go!
Set to be a huge end-of-summer blow out as part of Open Air at the Square, Big Freedia is a high-voltage performer, cultural revolutionary and the undisputed Queen of Bounce. She will unleash her energy in an explosive live show guaranteed to get you to clap your hands, stomp your feet and shake it fast.
Bounce is a New Orleans style of hip-hop that emerged in the 80s and 90s, gave us twerking moves like the bend over and the the shoulder hustle, and rides on punchy tempos, heavy bass and vibrant call-and-response energy.  
Big Freedia’s commanding vocals are recognised globally, her infectious energy have taken her from underground club scenes to the world stage, including her electrifying feature on Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning hit Break My Soul.
Hosted by Tristan Meecham of All The Queens Men, Big Freedia + Friends will feature a line-up of some of the country’s most exciting queer performers and DJs, including BVT, House of Diesel and Femme Nasty b2b Tropical Prince.
Get ready to bounce, Melbs, Big Freedia style.
Set Times
7pm &#8211; Femme Nasty b2b Tropical Prince 
8pm &#8211; House of Diesel 
8.15pm &#8211; BVT 
8.45pm &#8211; Big Freedia

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Big-Freedia-web

LGBTQIA+

Big Freedia + Friends

A transcendent free concert performance, featuring music visionaries from across the globe: house-music pioneer François K, genre-bending Greek pop artist Σtella and hypnotic classical Indian and jazz trained vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ganavya – live and free as part of Open Air at the Square.
For one night only, the Square will transform into a crossroads of sound, culture and connection, for this free live concert showcasing three international multi-genre superstars.
François K – the French-born pioneer whose sets at Paradise Garage and Studio 54 reshaped global dance music – brings decades of deep, textural mastery that still reverberates through contemporary electronica.
Σtella, signed to Seattle indie label Sub Pop, channels Greek pop, vintage synths and cinematic storytelling into her critically acclaimed album Up and Away, marking her as one of Europe’s most distinctive voices.
Completing the trio, Ganavya – a New York-born, California-raised vocalist and composer praised by the Wall Street Journal as ‘among modern music’s most compelling vocalists’ – fuses South Indian classical forms, jazz and experimental soul into a sound both ancient and startlingly new.
Expect an evening of luminous, border-crossing artistry – meditative, dance-driven and deeply human.
Presented by Fed Square, as part of <a href="/events/open-air-at-the-square/">Open Air at the Square</a>.

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François K | Σtella | Ganavya Live

Learn more

Open Air at the Square

Welcome to the wonderful world of insects.
Join us for the launch of the new Insects of Melbourne guide:
<ul>
<li>Hear from insect experts, academics and leaders taking action in the world of urban biodiversity and insect conservation</li>
<li>Take a tour of the Test Garden with Fed Square’s Head Gardener, Russell Larke</li>
<li>Visit stalls from insect organisations to learn how to protect our local critters</li>
<li>Grab your free copy of the Insects of Melbourne guide.</li>
</ul>
Emceed by Dr Freya Thomas (City of Melbourne), our speakers include Dr Kylie Soanes (University of Melbourne), Kate Pearce (Melbourne Zoo) and Emma Cutting (Heartscapes).
Find out more and register to attend this free event at: <a href="https://events.humanitix.com/insects-of-melbourne-launch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://events.humanitix.com/insects-of-melbourne-launch</a>
Light refreshments will be provided.
Plan your morning
<ul>
<li>From 9.45am: Grab a refreshment, visit the insect stalls and find a seat</li>
<li>10.30am: Seminar talks will begin</li>
<li>12pm: Visit the Test Garden and continue exploring the insect stalls.</li>
</ul>
This is a collaborative initiative delivered by City of Melbourne, Fed Square and Heartscapes.

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Talk

Insects of Melbourne Launch

Melbourne’s biggest Holi Festival of Colours is back at The Paddock.
Get ready to throw colour like never before. Aussizz Group brings Holi to the heart of Melbourne – a free celebration where people come together for music, dance and a spectacular explosion of colour.
Let the colours fly as you join the city&#8217;s biggest Holi celebration. Safe, non-toxic powders transform The Paddock into a living canvas of vibrant hues, while DJs spin the hottest tracks and beats that&#8217;ll keep you moving all day.
Dive into clouds of pink, yellow, green and blue as the Square erupts in colour. Embrace the joyful chaos of Holi as you dance and celebrate alongside friends old and new.
When the sun sets, the party keeps going. Holi After Dark brings illuminated festivities and fresh energy as the celebration takes on a whole new vibe under the stars.
Grab a bite from food stalls throughout the day – think savoury street food favourites, sweet treats and cold drinks to fuel your non-stop fun.
Free entry for everyone.

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Holi Festival Of Colours

The Melbourne Vixens will take over Fed Square for a free, family-friendly Fan Day celebrating netball, community and all things Vixens.
Fan Day gives supporters the opportunity to get up close with the 2026 squad in the heart of the city. Snap photos, collect autographs, meet players and coaches, and watch the official 2026 dress presentation.
What’s on:
<ul>
<li>Meet the 2026 Melbourne Vixens squad</li>
<li>Photos and autographs with players</li>
<li>Junior coaching sessions for all ages (no registration required)</li>
<li>Face painting, inflatables and kids’ activities</li>
<li>Live Q&amp;A with players and coaches on the main stage</li>
<li>Official 2026 dress presentation</li>
<li>Shop the latest 2026 merch and have it signed</li>
<li>2026 members receive 15% off merch (membership card must be shown on the day)</li>
<li>DJ sets all day</li>
<li>Get a pic with Foxy</li>
<li>Giveaways, prizes and surprises</li>
</ul>
For more information visit: <a href="https://melbournevixens.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://melbournevixens.com.au/</a>
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Community

Sport

Melbourne Vixens Fan Day

The F1® Melbourne Fan Festival brings the thrill of Formula 1® to the heart of the city with live race screenings, immersive fan experiences and all-ages entertainment.
Fans can test their skills on racing simulators, explore interactive displays, enjoy live music and entertainment, and soak up the electric atmosphere alongside fellow F1 enthusiasts.
With food, drinks and exclusive moments celebrating motorsport culture, it’s the ultimate destination for race week excitement.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.grandprix.com.au/event/fan-festival" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.grandprix.com.au/event/fan-festival</a>

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F1® Melbourne Fan Festival

Opera’s most famous music — live under the open sky!
BMW Opera for All is a global concert series that returns for its fourth year in 2026, exclusive to Melbourne.
Hear thrilling high notes and stunning harmonies, and experience the uplifting force of opera. This open air concert is performed by some of our brightest stars, backed by a fabulous live orchestra featuring musicians from Orchestra Victoria.
Opera Australia have put together a selection of the most popular arias in opera. There’ll be tunes familiar to everybody — both hardcore opera lovers and total newcomers — and perhaps a few new discoveries along the way. They will be joined by the Australian Girls Choir, who will perform a special prelude performance, highlighting BMW’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility by supporting arts and culture at a grassroots level. This performance will connect young, aspiring artists with award-winning operatic talent, embodying the spirit of creative collaboration.
There’s no better way to spend an evening in Melbourne.
Program
6.30pm &#8211; Welcome to Country sung by Shauntai Abdul-Rahman 
6.40pm &#8211; Australian Girls Choir 
7pm &#8211; Opera Australia singers + Orchestra Victoria
This is a free event, and there&#8217;s no need to register for tickets in advance.
Presented by Opera Australia and Fed Square.
For more information visit: <a href="https://opera.org.au/events/bmw-opera-for-all/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://opera.org.au/events/bmw-opera-for-all/</a>

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BMW Opera For All

Videogames. We love them, build them, live in them and play in them. These imagined worlds are real – and they’re coming to ACMI.
Game Worlds is the major new playable exhibition premiering this September.
Game Worlds transports you inside the levels of 30 unforgettable videogames, from global blockbusters like World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment) to pioneer of the life simulation genre The Sims (Electronic Arts) and Neopets (World of Neopia), and a highly anticipated Australian title for 2025.
Play some of the world’s favourite games in ways you’ve never been able to before, with exclusive custom builds. Explore original design materials, concept art and iconic objects from across genres, including indie gems and Triple-A masterpieces.
Told through the lens of iconic videogames, Game Worlds charts technical and design innovation to uncover what makes these virtual worlds feel alive. It celebrates the communities, and friendships that flourish within these digital landscapes. Game Worlds shows how games evolve through player interaction and the unique creative partnership between designers and players.
To find out more and be the first to score tickets visit: <a href="https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/game-worlds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/game-worlds/</a>
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Exhibitions

Game Worlds at ACMI

The Rigg Design Prize is Australia’s most prestigious accolade for contemporary design. Since its inception in 1994, this triennial prize exhibition has featured over one hundred designers across a range of disciplines, celebrating their creative achievements and providing a valuable platform for visibility, recognition and impact. For its landmark tenth edition in 2025, the $40,000 prize will be awarded to an early-career Australian design practice, drawing attention to the new generation of talent. Bringing together emerging designers, the exhibition spans ceramics, glass, furniture, woodwork, metalwork, textiles, lighting and contemporary jewellery, presenting ambitious works that reflect bold approaches to materiality, form and function.
Early-career practitioners play a crucial role in shaping Australia’s design ecosystem and culture. They bring bold ideas and fresh perspectives that challenge conventions and expand the possibilities of design and making. The Rigg Design Prize 2025 – Next in Design – recognises the energy, ingenuity and vision of emerging designers who are making important contributions to their fields.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/rigg-design-prize/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/rigg-design-prize/</a>
Image credit: Installation view o fRigg Design Prize 2025, on display 19 September 2025 to 1 February 2026 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGVAustralia. Photo: Madeleine Burke

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Rigg Design Prize 2025 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday explores how designers are reshaping the products and systems that shape our daily lives – transforming them into solutions that are better for people and the planet. From biodegradable packaging to sofas that embrace you, clothing that adapts as you grow, concrete made from coffee grounds, and air-purifying paints, the exhibition brings together innovations that reduce waste, extend product lifespans, and recalibrate the systems and sectors we interact with every day – from health to fashion and furniture, food and construction.
Through objects that are functional, beautiful, and environmentally conscious, Making Good showcases how design can drive positive change. Featured works demonstrate the power of material innovation, ethical production, and user-centred design to create products that are as thoughtful as they are practical. By prioritising longevity, social impact, and ecological responsibility, this exhibition focuses on the bright side of design today.
Making Good brings together the work of more than 50 contemporary designers, studios, and brands from Australia and abroad who are rethinking how we live, one object, system, and interaction at a time. Featuring new materials and prototypes alongside everyday products and design from the NGV Collection, Making Good offers a hopeful glimpse into how everyday design can positively shape our lives.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/making-good/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/making-good/</a>

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Making Good: Redesigning The Everyday at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

What's On

Discover restaurants, bars and cafes serving up Melbourne&#8217;s best breakfast, coffee, lunch, drinks or dinner for any occasion and budget.

Discover All

Eat + Drink

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Transport Public Bar

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Chocolate Buddha

NGV Cafe offers breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea

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NGV Cafe

Serving snacks, light meals, coffee and drinks.

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ACMI Cafe + Bar

Bringing the world’s great beers together with exciting locals from Australian craft breweries.

Good Beer Week and Beer DeLuxe, Fed Square

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Beer Deluxe

Your late-night haunt for smooth jazz and classy cocktails

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Transit Rooftop Bar

Visit some of Australia's most significant cultural attractions, including ACMI, the Koorie Heritage Trust and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. 

Your museum of screen culture. Navigate the universe of film, TV, videogames and art.

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ACMI

Discover the history of Aboriginal Victoria and South-East Australia

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KHT In Conversation

Koorie Heritage Trust

The world’s first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art.

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The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

Museums + Galleries

The Knot

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RESET-homepage-slider-2025

Silent Cinema with Live Scores

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MicrosoftTeams-image (15)

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<h5>Presented by Fed Square and supported by City of Melbourne and ABC Radio Melbourne.</h5>
Be part of a record-breaking moment at Fed Square!
As the city starts to rock and roll with AC/DC mania – Fed Square is calling all pipers across Victoria to come together on Wednesday 12 November to help smash the world record for the largest ever bagpipe ensemble!
Pipers will be able to pay homage to AC/DC’s iconic “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” music video – in a truly one-of-a-kind performance. Filmed on Swanston Street in 1976 for the ABC’s Countdown, it featured the band with late singer Bon Scott playing alongside three members of Melbourne’s own Rats of Tobruk Pipe Band &#8211; and went on to be an internationally iconic song and music video, with the bagpipe at the heart of its success.
Now, to create another memorable music moment, Fed Square is seeking 350 keen pipers to gather together and play the bagpipes en masse in melodious (or comedic) harmony.
What’s the challenge? The current world record is 333 pipers (Sofia, Bulgaria 2012) – and we know Melbourne can do it better!
All pipers, young and old, eager to be part of this unforgettable moment should register to download the sheet music and get practicing, to claim their place in history. You don’t need to be in a band to join in. Be it school bands, individuals or piping groups – we want you! So warm up the pipes, wear a kilt, school uniform or skinny jeans and get ready to make some noise.
<a href="https://fedsquare.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/long-way-to-the-top-bagpipe-sheet-music.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Download the pipe sheet music here</a>. For anyone registered it will be emailed to you as well.
Schedule for the afternoon
4.30pm: Arrival 
4.35pm: Tune bagpipes to 480Hz 
4.50pm: Practice 1 
5pm: Practice 2 
5.05pm: Ready 
5.10pm: Performance (live on ABC radio) 
5.15pm: Finish

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The Great Melbourne Bagpipe Bash

The Main Square

Main Square

Moodymann will bring the spirit and sound of Detroit to the Square, with his unmistakable blend of funk and soul-infused deep house.
Performing at Coachella in 2018, Moodymann is a legendary Detroit DJ and producer renowned for straddling the commercial and independent scenes. Moodymann emerged as a revolutionary sound in Black-centric house and techno in the 90s, starting his own labels and centring live samples and Black sounds, from hip-hop, jazz, soul and funk.
Sharing the stage is Melbourne’s own DJ Jnett, a selector, tastemaker and cultural icon whose sets have defined the sound of the city for more than two decades. Known for her impeccable ear and ability to move seamlessly through genres, Jnett will set the pace with a journey through deep grooves, hypnotic rhythms and pure dancefloor magic.
Get ready to experience the sounds of these two legends – one global, one local – for a celebration of the Detroit sound and the dancefloor.
It’s all-ages and completely free.
Official Media Partners
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Moodymann + DJ Jnett

Festival

The Square will come alive with colour, music and tradition for Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – one of Mexico’s most cherished celebrations.
This free, family-friendly event invites everyone to experience the beauty of Mexican culture and the deep meaning behind a tradition that honours loved ones who have passed, while celebrating the joy of life.
The Square will transform into a feast for the senses, featuring a stunning Ofrenda (altar) display adorned with marigolds, candles and photographs. Visitors can explore a vibrant market area with authentic crafts, traditional pan de muerto, and fun activities for children, including face painting.
From 12pm to 9pm, Bar Patrón will be serving up refreshing margaritas, while a selection of food trucks will be offering delicious Mexican flavours all day long – the perfect way to enjoy a true fiesta atmosphere.
The celebration continues with live performances on the main stage from Mexbourne, Los Románticos, and Trago Amargo, filling the afternoon with energy, rhythm, and the unmistakable spirit of Mexico.
A colourful highlight will be the third edition of the Caminata de Catrinas (Catrina Walk) – a lively parade of elegant skeletons making their way from the State Library of Victoria at 2pm to Fed Square. Everyone is encouraged to come dressed in their most creative Catrina outfits – there will be prizes for the best costumes!
All are welcome to join in this important and beautiful cultural celebration of life, love and remembrance.
The Día de Muertos celebration and Catrina Walk is presented by the Mexican Association of Victoria (MexVic), supported by Fed Square.

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Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration and Catrina Walk

Celebrate New Year&#8217;s Eve in the heart of the city, with a curated line-up of some of Melbourne&#8217;s most exciting DJs on the Main Stage, or book in an all-inclusive drinks and entertainment experience at one of our bars or restaurants. 
If you’re planning on celebrating New Year’s Eve at Fed Square, there are a range of options for you to help you celebrate your way, safely.
Out in the Main Square, you can enjoy free entertainment, curated by returning DJ favourite, Barry Sunset. Barry will kick off and close the night on the decks, with a line-up featuring other legendary Melbourne DJs, MzRizk and Gavin Campbell.
Many of our restaurants and bars offer all-inclusive drinks and dining packages for a stress-free option to celebrate, many with a front row ticket to the fireworks.
Expect disco, funk, house and dancefloor classic throughout the night, as the soundtrack to your 2026 countdown.
Be sure to check the City of Melbourne’s website on news and updates about crowd control measures that will be in place during New Year’s Eve. The night is always a busy one in the city, and there are a number of alternative Celebration Zones located in the CBD, where you can guarantee a good view of the fireworks. There will also be a number of road closures throughout the evening, <a href="https://fedsquare.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CoM-2058-NYE2025-Road-Closures-D6.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">please download this map to view them.</a>
Fireworks Displays 
Early evening: 9.28pm–9.35pm 
Midnight: 12am–12.08am
Stay safe and celebrate!

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New Year's Eve

Thrive: Multicultural Women’s Festival is a vibrant, free community celebration honouring the strength, creativity, and diversity of women from all cultural backgrounds.
The festival brings together music, dance, fashion, workshops, and storytelling in an inspiring full-day program. Now in its inaugural year, Thrive offers something for everyone.
On the main stage, audiences will enjoy an exciting line-up of performances, including traditional and contemporary music and dance from across the globe, live bands, spoken word poetry, and a spectacular fashion showcase featuring multicultural designers and models. The day begins with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, paying respect to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.
In the Boardroom, festivalgoers can take part in a series of practical and empowering workshops covering key topics such as financial literacy, youth leadership, legal rights, and health, with sessions on menopause, breast screening, and mental wellbeing facilitated by respected community organisations and experts.
Thrive is more than a festival – it’s a platform for connection. The event highlights the voices and contributions of women who too often go unheard, while creating opportunities for learning, cultural exchange, and solidarity. With an expected attendance of thousands, the festival aims to break down barriers, spark dialogue, and foster an inclusive environment where women from all walks of life can come together.
For more details visit: <a href="https://thrivewomensfestival.com/">https://thrivewomensfestival.com/</a>
Hosted by Back Cover Media Pty Ltd, Thrive is proudly supported by the Victorian Government and a range of community partners.
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Thrive: Multicultural Women's Festival

Workshop

Our monthly open day held in the Test Garden, designed for garden and plant lovers.
Each month, we hold a small in-conversation event focused on gardening and garden design, followed by a hands-on workshop.
You can hear from gardeners, designers and horticulturalists about the garden’s naturalistic planting style and learn about the new flowers in bloom. We also invite writers and creatives to share their experience of plants and gardens with us.
The talk is followed by a hands-on workshop demonstrating artist-led practice with plants, such as cyanotype and botanical printing, and practical workshops, including propagation techniques and planting for your own garden.
You can choose to register for one or both sessions, although numbers are limited.
Event details 
These events will be held outdoors in the Test Garden at Fed Square. Please bring a hat and water bottle; all other materials will be provided.

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Test Garden Open Day - November

Test Garden

Edge Terrace

Experience the vibrant heartbeat of Africa at the African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF), a three-day celebration of culture, music, food, fashion, art and community.
The three-day showcase will include:
DAY ONE: Friday 21 November 
Kick off the weekend with an outdoor cinema vibe featuring African-Australian short films, live jazz, spoken word and great food. A perfect after-work experience.
DAY TWO: Saturday 22 November 
Dive into 12 hours of non-stop live entertainment, showcasing cultural band performances, music, dance, fashion and arts. Shop at a variety of market stalls selling African wares. Join the drop-in free drumming lessons, for adults and children alike, and enjoy authentic mouth-watering African street food.
DAY THREE: Sunday 23 November 
A continuation of day two featuring 10 hours of non-stop entertainment plus a forum on a topical African-Australian issue.
AMCF is Victoria’s biggest celebration of African culture, and it’s free! Join in celebrating unity, diversity and joy through African music, art, food and community.
For more information visit: <a href="http://africanmusicfestival.com.au/">http://africanmusicfestival.com.au/</a>

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African Music and Cultural Festival 2025

Birrarung Marr Walk (formerly River Terrace)

Acclaimed Theremin musician Miles Brown in conversation with artistic director of MESS (Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio), Robin Fox.
Of all electronic musical instruments, the theremin still captures the imagination like no other. MESS houses perhaps one of the last theremins built by Theremin himself in New York circa 1933-4. The origins of the instrument date further back to the late 19th century and have a peculiar connection to the race to develop television. Early versions were almost adopted by Lenin as intruder detection systems for the Kremlin.
Few have become truly brilliant players of the instrument, which, despite Theremin’s dreams of an instrument anyone can play, is fiendishly difficult to master. In Melbourne/Naarm we are lucky to have in our midst one of those very few. Miles Brown – a legendary figure in this city – studied with Russian theremin virtuoso Lydia Kavina, a direct relative of Theremin himself, and joins MESS in conversation to discuss everything from science fiction sounds, horror scores to the history of the theremin and, of course, his own musical journey with the instrument.
Presented by MESS and Fed Square.

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THEREMIN: MESS in Conversation with Miles Brown

The Edge

Installation

I ragazzi dei millefiori: the flow’rs of song and story is a new artwork exploring ideas of migration and the storied history of plants and colour.
In partnership with the Australian Tapestry Workshop, this spring we are unveiling a new textile installation by artist Sangeeta Sandrasegar working with natural dye expert Heather Thomas.
Suspended from the ceiling in the open space of the Atrium, the work comprises panels of silk organza and cotton coloured with plant dyes derived from Indian madder root, eucalyptus leaves, and weld and marigold flowers, among others.
Within the fabric, details will appear, including botanical illustrations referencing a 16th century Italian tapestry, the Millefiori Tapestry of Pistoia, and archival imagery of flower sellers at this site, on Princes Bridge in the early 1900s.
The artwork explores themes of migration and cultural identity through a myriad of ideas – the histories of the production of colour through plant material, the representation of gardens and plants in classical tapestries, the craftsmanship behind textiles, and the story of young immigrants newly arrived from Italy selling flowers in market stalls.
Bringing together these threads, Sangeeta’s work explores the ways in which we have related to flowers and plants throughout history, and how cultural connection is embedded in stories of plants within narratives of migration, hybridity and identity.

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Sangeeta Sandrasegar Atrium Commission

The Atrium

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What's On Acmi

The latest and greatest of what to do at ACMI. 
Browse our listings to see what’s on at ACMI – and if you’ve got any questions, ask away through our Chatbot!

Jump outta the lounge room and into FAM JAM – an intergenerational dress-up dance jam for kids and older people, where you can create your own awesome videoclip. 
FAM JAM is a moving joy ride for children and older people.
Book time in the FAM JAM Studio to create your own special videoclip and come and celebrate at the all-in FAM JAM Dance Party in the Main Square, where you can see your videoclip on the Big Screen!
Inspired by ABC’s Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds, You Can’t Ask That and the playful imagination of French filmmaker Michel Gondry, FAM JAM celebrates movement, connection and creativity across generations.
No dance experience needed – just curiosity and a dancing buddy!

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FAM JAM by All The Queens Men

Screen

Experience Hitchcock’s 1960 masterpiece Psycho this Halloween on the Big Screen, as we present a special outdoor cinema screening to celebrate the film’s 65th anniversary.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho – a film that shattered cinematic conventions and remains one of the most unsettling thrillers ever made.
Janet Leigh, in her Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated role as Marion Crane, gave a performance etched into film history, her fate at the Bates Motel redefining audience and critics’ expectations of what was possible on screen.
Bernard Herrmann’s shrieking strings transformed a simple shower into one of the most terrifying scenes in film history, while stark black-and-white imagery amplifies the sense of dread.
Psycho has been preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry and ranked by the AFI as the most thrilling American film of all time.
On Halloween night, the Square will become the setting for this landmark in screen history – the cool night air and shifting shadows the perfect backdrop for a spine-tingling foray into Noir-inspired horror.
Rug up, BYO picnic blanket and invite other classic cinema and horror-loving friends to celebrate this filmic milestone.
Dir: Alfred Hitcock | 1960 | M: mature themes and violence

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Halloween Cinema: Psycho

The latest and greatest of what to do at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. 
Browse our listings to see what’s on at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia – and if you’ve got any questions, ask away through our Chatbot!

Atrium Precinct

First Peoples

Connie Hart: One Stitch at a Time, is the first major solo retrospective exhibition to be held by the KHT, dedicated to the fibre-works of the late esteemed Gunditjmara Elder and master weaver, Aunty Connie Hart (1917–1993).
This landmark exhibition showcases over fifty works created by Aunty Connie during the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s, many of which are held in the KHT’s unique collection of Victorian and South East Australian art and cultural belongings. It also includes significant works on loan from the National Gallery of Australia and Museums Victoria.
One Stitch at a Time honours the powerful cultural and artistic legacy of Aunty Connie’s weaving practice. Her fibre-art speak to the survival and continuity of weaving as a vital First Peoples cultural practice in South East Australia, one that resonates nationally and bridges cultural and language groups throughout Australia.
Connie Hart: One Stitch at a Time is presented as part of the KHT’s 40th birthday celebrations. A full colour catalogue will be available for purchase.
For more information visit: <a href="https://kht.org.au/whats-on/exhibitions/connie-hart/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://kht.org.au/whats-on/exhibitions/connie-hart/</a>
Image credit: Connie Hart (Gunditjmara), Eel Trap, c 1988. Natural fibre. Collection of KHT.

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Connie Hart: One Stitch at a Time at KHT

What's On KHT

The latest and greatest of what to do at Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT). 
Browse our listings to see what’s on at KHT – and if you’ve got any questions, ask away through our Chatbot!

Upper Square

Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT)

<h2>ACMI&#8217;s centrepiece exhibition</h2>
Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, digital innovation and captivating stories.
From the first projections and optical illusions to the birth of film and beyond, moving images have the power to spark imagination, share stories and shape history. Discover how inventors, innovators and artists at the turn of the 20th century wielded light, split time and captured motion, heralding a technological revolution that continues today.
Featuring ancient shadow puppets, Victorian-era magic lanterns, original cameras, iconic costumes, movie sets, sketches, clips and contemporary art, The Story of the Moving Image traverses time, countries and cultures in a mesmerising exploration of an art form that changed the world and illuminated our collective humanity.
Five distinct sections frame the major moments in moving image history, including the origins and future of cinema, production design and the creative process, Australian culture and stories, the rise of videogames, and how screens inform, influence and empower us.
These stages come to life through <a href="https://www.acmi.net.au/interactive-experiences-at-acmi/">interactive experiences</a> that let you animate shadows, craft optical toys, experiment with time, assemble film scenes and create soundscapes in a custom Foley studio.
These moments can be collected with the <a href="https://www.acmi.net.au/lens/">Lens</a>, a free tool that collects your favourite objects, artworks and creations in the exhibition. It also animates the Constellation, connecting what you collected to the cosmos of screen content outside ACMI.

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Visit_our_centrepiece_exhibition_The_Story_of_t.original

The Story of the Moving Image

Celebrating the work of the Australian-born Paris-based fashion designer, this major new exhibition is the largest of Martin Grant’s career. Drawn from the NGV collection, including many works donated by the designer from his own personal archive as well as loans from his family and friends, Martin Grant encompasses more than four decades of the designer’s career. Beginning in the mid-1980s in Melbourne, the exhibition continues through the early 1990s when Grant re-established his eponymous label in Paris, and extends to his most recent collections.
Throughout his illustrious career, Martin Grant’s clients have included his muses Cate Blanchett and Lee Radziwill, as well as Naomi Campbell, Juliette Binoche, Rebel Wilson, and Lady Gaga. Conceived in close collaboration with the designer, the exhibition reflects Grant’s design sensibility and aesthetic through fashion, photography, sketches, press clippings and runway footage.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/martin-grant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/martin-grant/</a>