Discover what’s on at Fed Square

Come and celebrate the Indonesian Modest Fashion Runway to experience Indonesian cultures more deeply through fashion.
Discover the latest designs from Indonesian designers who will be showcasing their collections, interpreting their cultural heritage into modern fashion.

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IMFWM-2026

Community

Experience

Indonesian Modest Fashion Week Melbourne (IMFWM) 2026

The National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice warmly invites you to the Fourth Annual Federation University Reconciliation Lecture &#8216;Beyond Reconciliation: What the Referendum Revealed&#8217;
In the aftermath of the 2023 referendum, there has been a restoration of the status quo: an anaemic reconciliation project, a persistently unmet Closing the Gap framework, and a turn toward self-referential and non-consequential truth processes. This restored federal settlement is institutionally unchallenging and makes few demands on the state. Truth advocacy predicated on therapeutic categories of healing and trauma individualises harm and displaces questions of state responsibility. As such, it functions to re-inscribe the conditions the Uluru Statement from the Heart sought to transform, substituting safe and politically palatable alternatives for structural reform.
Against this backdrop, this lecture reflects on the 2023 referendum as a moment of political loss that sharpens, rather than diminishes, the case for constitutional recognition of First Nations peoples. The referendum did not mark the exhaustion of reform; it exposed the depth of the political, institutional and civic work required to secure it.

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First Peoples

Free

Talk

2026 Federation University Annual Reconciliation Lecture

Enjoy a vibrant Indonesian food and cultural festival, featuring the spectacular tradition of Reog dance and delicious satay.
All are welcome to this free, family-friendly festival, celebrating Indonesian food and culture.
Wander through the food stalls to sample tasty satay, and stay to watch the Reog performance – a celebrated cultural dance.
Satay is an example of how food can bridge cultural differences. Whether enjoyed at street stalls, fine dining restaurants, or festive gatherings, satay remains a timeless dish that brings people together across the world.
Reog is a traditional Indonesian folk dance performance that combines music, dance, dramatic costumes and folk storytelling.
The Satay and Reog Festival invites everyone to experience a taste of Indonesian culture in the heart of  multicultural Melbourne, in the spirit of unity and togetherness.
Presented by IDN Australia and Perwira Inc. Supported by City of Melbourne.

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Festival

Satay and Reog Festival

The Spanish Language Fiesta returns in 2026 to celebrate 10 years of bringing the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world to Melbourne.
This landmark edition will transform The Atrium into a vibrant, high-energy cultural experience that goes beyond a typical festival. Designed as a curated celebration of language, identity and community the event invites audiences to experience the richness and diversity of Latin American cultures in an authentic and contemporary way.
The stage will feature dynamic performances including Cuban salsa and salsa caleña, alongside traditional and contemporary dance groups representing countries such as Mexico, Bolivia and Peru. The program will also showcase the vibrant spirit of Latin American carnival traditions, with elements inspired by Argentinian-Uruguayan and Colombian carnival culture, creating moments of rhythm, colour and collective celebration.
Music will play a central role throughout the day, with live acts and DJs bringing the sounds of Latin America, encouraging audiences to move, connect and participate.
Beyond the stage, the festival offers a carefully curated food experience featuring Brazilian BBQ and Mexican tacos, alongside artisan stalls and community organisations, prioritising quality and cultural authenticity.
Families are at the heart of the festival, with dedicated experiences such as storytelling in Spanish for children and live entertainment, including a magician, creating moments of wonder and connection for younger audiences.
A key highlight of this year’s edition is the interactive &#8216;Language Passport&#8217; experience, inviting visitors to journey through different cultures, collect stamps and engage with language in a playful way. Installations such as La Calle de los Refranes will further bring the Spanish language to life, encouraging participation and shared cultural expression.
As a free, family-friendly event, Spanish Language Fiesta creates an inclusive and welcoming space for both Spanish speakers and the wider community. All are welcome.
Presented by Kooyawa Productions and League of Latin American Migrants Australia (LLAMA).

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Spanish Language Fiesta 2026 – 10th Anniversary

Fondue Chalet returns this winter, transforming Fed Square into a glowing French Alpine village for a limited seven-week season.
Featuring 18 private wooden chalets, this immersive dining experience invites guests to escape to the French Alps and gather with friends, family or colleagues around authentic melted cheese. Warm lighting, wooden interiors and crackling fire pits recreate the atmosphere of a charming Alpine village, right in the heart of Melbourne.
Bringing genuine French tradition to the table, the experience is operated by a French team and served by French waiters, using authentic recipes and imported French cheeses. In the mountains of France, these dishes are more than meals, they are winter rituals that bring people together around the table.
New this year, guests are invited to make a delicious choice: fondue or raclette. Dip crusty bread into a bubbling pot of rich melted cheese, or grill cheese in your individual small pan and scraped over potatoes and charcuterie.
Whether discovering these iconic Alpine dishes for the first time or reliving a beloved French tradition, Fondue Chalet invites Melburnians to slow down, share a table and savour the joy of winter the French way.
For more information visit: <a href="https://fonduechalet.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://fonduechalet.com.au/</a>
From $79pp, private chalets are for 6 or 8 people.

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Food + Wine

Fondue Chalet

For three nights – to mark the opening of RISING – Fed Square transforms into an open-air canvas showcasing Cannupa Hanska Luger’s Midéegaadi.
Warm up by the fire pits and witness the call, as Cannupa Hanska Luger’s massive multi-channel video piece Midéegaadi dances in through Fed Square. There’ll be cuppas and hot chocolates to pass around. Killara Foundation will bring community together around the barbie with a reimagined sausage sizzle celebrating First Nations flavours, native ingredients, and Blak hospitality. And there are plenty of beanbags and deck chairs, so you can lean back and take it all in.
Midéegaadi lit up Times Square last year, and arrives in Narrm on Wurundjeri Country at what we now know as Fed Square. Beneath the city glow, the site becomes a place to connect – to each other, and to something larger. The Times Square iteration of Midéegaadi was an invitation to envision the regeneration and return of the North American bison and a meditation on the importance of more-than-human kin to Luger’s community and local Indigenous peoples.
For RISING, we have a new iteration of Midéegaadi and a new context – here we consider ways First Peoples globally interconnect through dance and new media which honours Ancestral knowledge. Incorporating customary dance and figures wearing newly made regalia inspired by Luger’s Ancestors and Indigenous futurisms, Midéegaadi is a statement to the power of contemporary Indigenous practice in cultural continuity and a resistance to on-going colonial attempts to diminish this.

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Kids + Families

RISING: Festival Opening at the Square

As the sun sets, Fed Square turns into a free, all-ages Pasifika block party with live beats and killer moves.
It’s a day-to-night event of powerhouse talent and unapologetic expression. Leading the charge are New Zealand/Aotearoa’s kings and queens of street dance, The Royal Family Dance Crew. They’ll be performing routines that’ve seen their Polyswagg style dominate the world stage, and their lead choreographer Parris Goebel, flex in the proverbial Rolodex with the likes of Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Rihanna. Then, it’s our turn to turn up, as the crew take us through a routine, step by step.
The lineup keeps the energy climbing with a stacked roster of Pasifika talent, including Lady Shaka, Kween Kong, HALFQUEEN, JessB + Rubi Du, Neo Sun and the powerful voices of the Pasefika Victoria Choir. From Polynesian techno and dancehall to high-energy live performance, it’s a night of unapologetic expression and serious stage presence.
Bring your crew, claim your spot, grab a bite from a Polynesian food truck and be part of the moment as Fed Square becomes the city’s biggest open-air Pasifika party.
SET TIMES
5.35pm &#8211; Neo Sun + Pasefika Vitoria Choir 
5.55pm &#8211; JessB + Rubi Du 
6.30pm &#8211; Kween Kong 
6.40pm &#8211; Royal Family Dance Crew 
7.15pm &#8211; HALFQUEEN 
7.50pm &#8211; Kween Kong 
8pm &#8211; Lady Shaka

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Performance

RISING: God Save the Queens

Come and join the Koorie Heritage Trust weekdays (except Public Holidays) on their Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) Walk for all members of the public. Starting at 1pm, the Birrarung Wilam Walk takes you through Fed Square and down to the Birrarung Wilam (Common Ground) Aboriginal art installations, experiencing the Aboriginal history of the Birrarung Marr (Beside the river of mists) and Aboriginal Peoples of the Kulin Nation.
With one of their experienced Koorie guides, you will learn how the land on which Melbourne is located has changed over time and about the significance of the Birrarung Wilam to the local Kulin peoples. You will gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of this incredible location; an important gathering place for the Kulin Nation and one of Melbourne’s most popular meeting hubs.
For any questions regarding the tours, please contact Kieran Stewart, Tours Coordinator on 8662 6313. Tickets are also available on the day, visit the KHT reception/retail desk on the ground floor, Yarra Building (availability may be limited).
For more information visit: <a href="https://koorieheritagetrust.com.au/visit-us/education/guided-walking-tours/cultural-walk-birrarung-wilam-river-camp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://koorieheritagetrust.com.au/visit-us/education/guided-walking-tours/cultural-walk-birrarung-wilam-river-camp/</a>
Image credit: Visit Victoria

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Tours

Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) Walk with Koorie Heritage Trust

Originally produced and staged at 180 Studios in London, the exhibition features works by Stan Douglas, Jenn Nkiru, William Kentridge, Jeremy Deller, Virgil Abloh, Kahlil Joseph, Gabriel Moses, Cecilia Bengolea, Julianknxx and Carsten Nicolai. It also showcases The Vinyl Factory Collection, and original commissions shown to celebrate 20 years of artistic collaborations.
The exhibition explores vinyl culture and music’s influence on art, fashion, film and social movements. It dives into different eras and energies of music, from the early days of techno and house to contemporary digital art. From Kingston’s dancehall scene to the late-80s ‘Second Summer of Love’, and beyond. Get immersed in a sculptural sound system. Jump on the technics and play with endlessly remixable vinyl loops. Dip into the hypnotism of a six-hour jam film set in a reconstruction of ‘The Church’—the legendary New York studio where Miles Davis, Pink Floyd and Bob Dylan recorded. Witness a fantasy rap battle racing down copper lines from Cairo to London. Roam The Vinyl Factory’s eclectic archive of 100 pressings from Massive Attack, Grace Jones, Daft Punk and more.
Head to the Listening Room and select from a curated collection of records for some deep listening. This London hit is an acoustically optimised sanctuary for pristine sound. After hours, the room hosts weekly one-off sessions, giving you the chance to see local and international artists up close, with additional events during RISING. Selected sessions are curated by Yasmine Sharaf, presenter for Triple R’s Cease + Desist and a specialist in underground sounds.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/the-vinyl-factory-reverb/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/the-vinyl-factory-reverb/</a>
Presented by ACMI and RISING.

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Exhibitions

The Vinyl Factory: Reverb at ACMI

Join ACMI in celebrating Play School’s 60th anniversary. Discover what happens behind the scenes of Play School. Be a presenter, a camera operator, or even a director – there’s so much to explore. Climb aboard the Rocket Clock, sing along with favourite songs, and play your way through stories and games.
Designed for 2-5 year olds in mind, learning through play has never been this fun. Explore, create, and imagine – perfect for little hands and curious minds.
About the exhibition
Celebrating 60 years of songs, stories, and learning, Play School: Come and Play! lets little ones peek behind the scenes of Australia’s most beloved television show. Made by ACMI in collaboration with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, it’s a hands-on, playful experience where children and families can discover how Play School comes to life.
Tickets are free, but bookings are essential. For more information visit: <a href="https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/play-school-come-and-play/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/play-school-come-and-play/</a>
Image: Eugene Hyland

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Play School: Come and Play! at ACMI

Showcasing the outstanding creativity and dedication of emerging artists across Victoria, the annual Top Arts exhibition returns for its 32nd year. Selected from over 1,100 applicants, this year’s exhibition celebrates the exceptional talent of 43 students who have excelled in the VCE subjects of Art Making and Exhibiting and Art Creative Practice in 2025.
The annual Top Arts exhibition provides a platform for emerging artists from across the state who are completing their VCE studies to showcase their skills, enthusiasm, and creativity. In 2026, the exhibition highlights the increasingly innovative use of materials and techniques employed by Victoria’s inventive and imaginative young artists.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/top-arts-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/top-arts-2026/</a>
Image credit: Installation view of Top Arts 2026 on display from 13 March – 19 July 2026 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne. Photo: Tobias Titz

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Top Arts 2026 at NGV Australia

The depiction of mother and child is one of the oldest and most enduring themes in art history. From ancient cave paintings and Egyptian tombs to Renaissance frescos and contemporary depictions, artists have long engaged with the complex experiences of motherhood.
Traversing geographies, cultures and mediums, MOTHER presents diverse stories drawn from across the NGV Collection. The exhibition features works by contemporary and historical Australian and First Nations artists, alongside international art. It explores both universal and culturally specific experiences of motherhood – from private transformation and societal expectation to intergenerational trauma and loss, mythology and religious iconography, storytelling and language and the deep connection between motherhood, nature and Country.
Bringing together more than 200 works, the exhibition features artists including Davida Allen, Hannah Brontë, Tui Emma Gillies and Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows, Sophie Calle, Karla Dickens, Tracey Emin, Christine Godden, Francisco Goya y Lucientes, Katherine Hattam, Camille Henrot, David Hockney, Kate Just, Iluwanti Ken, Yvonne Koolmatrie, Tala Madani, Hayley Millar Baker, Tracey Moffatt, Ann Newmarch, Ruth O’Leary, Patricia Piccinini, Faye Toogood, Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Djerrkŋu Yunupiŋu.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/mother/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/mother/</a>
Image credit: Installation view of MOTHER: Stories from the NGV Collection, on display from 27 March – 12 July 2026 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne. Photo: Phoebe Powell

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MOTHER: Stories from the NGV Collection at 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

Enjoy a range of refreshments, light meals and snacks supplied by local producers.

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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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Good Nature Hotel

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

RISING

The Knot

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RESET-homepage-slider-2025

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MicrosoftTeams-image (15)

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Spanish Language Fiesta 2026

Scar Tree Walk at KHT

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Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) Walk with KHT

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Top Arts 2026 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

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Music

<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

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

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What's On Test Garden

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

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

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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Game Worlds at ACMI

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What's On ACMI

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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 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

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Atrium Precinct

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

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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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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>