RISING Melbourne 2026: Complete Festival Guide

Your guide to Melbourne's bold contemporary arts festival—immersive experiences, late-night performances, and unexpected art across the city.

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Quick Facts

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Introduction

RISING is Melbourne's boldest arts festival—a 12-day explosion of contemporary performance, visual art, music, and unexpected experiences that transforms the city after dark. Launched in 2021 as a successor to Melbourne International Arts Festival and White Night Melbourne, RISING embraces the experimental, the immersive, and the genuinely surprising.

Unlike traditional festivals with set venues and seated performances, RISING spreads across the city. Art appears in car parks, laneways, rooftops, and unexpected corners of the CBD. Performances run until 3 AM. Audiences become participants. The city itself becomes the canvas.

If you're looking for polished, predictable entertainment, RISING might not be for you. But if you want to see artists push boundaries, experience things you've never encountered before, and discover Melbourne's creative edge, this festival is essential. For broader seasonal planning, see the Melbourne Events Calendar 2026 and the Melbourne Comedy Festival 2026 guide.

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Festival Format

The RISING Experience

RISING isn't a festival you passively attend—it's one you explore. The programming falls into several categories:

Large-Scale Public Works Free installations and experiences in public spaces—art you stumble upon while walking through the city.

Performance and Theatre Ticketed performances ranging from experimental theatre to dance, music, and hybrid forms that defy categorisation.

Music Live music spanning genres, from avant-garde to electronic to orchestral, often in unexpected venues.

Late-Night RISING comes alive after dark. Many events start at 10 PM or later, running until the early hours.

Participation and Immersion Many works invite audience participation—you might be part of the art, not just watching it.

Timing

Festival Hours:

• Public installations: Often 24/7 or extended hours
• Performances: Evening focus, many late-night
• Peak activity: 8 PM – 2 AM

Why After Dark? Melbourne's winter nights (RISING occurs late May/early June) create the perfect canvas for light-based art and intimate performance. The cold, dark city transforms.

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How to Approach RISING

Planning Strategy

1. Browse the Full Program Released 4-6 weeks before the festival. Read everything—RISING rewards exploration.

2. Identify Must-Sees Some experiences are ticketed and limited. Book these immediately.

3. Leave Room for Discovery The best RISING moments often happen when you stumble upon something unexpected. Don't over-schedule.

4. Embrace the Late Night RISING is designed for night owls. Plan to stay out late at least once.

5. Dress for the Cold Late May/early June in Melbourne means winter. Layer up.

First-Timer Tips

• Start with free public works to get a feel for the festival
• Book one or two ticketed experiences that genuinely excite you
• Walk the city at night—you'll find things not in the program
• Talk to strangers—RISING attracts curious, engaged audiences
• Stay flexible—some of the best experiences are last-minute discoveries

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Program Categories

Public Art and Installations

What to Expect:

• Large-scale light installations
• Interactive art in public spaces
• Sound works transforming streets
• Projections on buildings
• Art in unexpected locations

Cost: Usually free

Highlights Typically Include:

• Federation Square activations
• Flinders Street Station projections
• Laneway transformations
• Yarra River experiences
• Rooftop installations

Major Performance Works

What to Expect:

• International artists presenting Australian premieres
• Local artists with ambitious new works
• Experimental theatre and dance
• Durational performances (some run for hours)
• Site-specific work in unusual venues

Cost: $30-100+ depending on the work

Past Examples:

• Immersive theatre in abandoned buildings
• Dance in car parks
• Music in swimming pools
• Performance across multiple connected venues

Music Program

What to Expect:

• Headline concerts and gigs
• Club nights and DJ sets
• Experimental and ambient performances
• Classical music in unexpected contexts
• Local and international artists

Cost: Varies widely—free to $100+

Venues Often Include:

• The Forum
• Arts Centre Melbourne
• Hamer Hall
• Pop-up venues
• Outdoor stages

RISING Late

What to Expect:

• Programs running midnight to 3 AM
• Club culture and performance intersection
• Art parties
• Experimental DJ sets
• Late-night food and bar experiences

Cost: Some free, some ticketed

Tip: Pace yourself. RISING Late is a marathon, not a sprint.

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Key Venues

Arts Centre Melbourne

RISING's anchor venue:

• Hamer Hall concerts
• Theatres for major works
• Forecourt installations
• Multiple simultaneous events

Getting There: Flinders Street Station, St Kilda Road trams

Federation Square

Public art hub:

• Large-scale installations
• Outdoor screenings
• Free programming
• Central meeting point

The Forum

Music and performance:

• Headline concerts
• Late-night club events
• Spectacular heritage venue

Pop-Up and Site-Specific Venues

RISING often uses unexpected spaces:

• Abandoned buildings
• Car parks
• Rooftops
• Industrial spaces
• Laneways

Note: Venue locations often kept secret until close to the event—part of the experience.

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Ticketing

How to Book

Primary Platform: rising.melbourne

Ticket Types:

• Free Events: No booking required (just show up)
• Free Ticketed: Free but require booking (capacity limited)
• Paid Events: Range from $15 to $100+
• Premium/VIP: Some events offer enhanced experiences

Booking Strategy

1. Sign up for the newsletter before program release
2. Priority access sometimes available to subscribers
3. Book popular works immediately upon release
4. Check for returns if your first choice sells out
5. Read descriptions carefully—some works have content warnings or physical requirements

What Sells Out

• Works by high-profile international artists
• Immersive/participatory experiences
• Intimate small-capacity works
• Opening and closing events
• Works with strong word-of-mouth

What Usually Has Availability

• Large-scale public installations (no booking)
• Music events at larger venues
• Performances with longer runs
• Late-night programs mid-week

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Practical Guide

What to Wear

RISING is a winter festival. The city is cold after dark.

Essentials:

• Warm coat (you'll be outside between events)
• Comfortable shoes (lots of walking)
• Layers (venues vary from heated to outdoor)
• Gloves and scarf (for late-night)

Style Note: RISING audiences embrace creative fashion. Express yourself—you'll fit right in.

Getting Around

Best Approach: Walking

The CBD is compact and RISING venues cluster in walkable areas. Walking between events lets you discover public installations.

Public Transport:

• Trains run extended hours during RISING
• Night buses available
• Free tram zone covers much of the CBD

Rideshare: Useful for late-night returns home

Driving: Not recommended. Parking is expensive and limited.

Food and Drink

Festival Bars: RISING often operates pop-up bars at key venues.

Nearby Options:

• Southbank restaurants (pre-theatre)
• CBD laneways (late-night)
• Chinatown (open late)

Tip: Many RISING experiences run 60-90 minutes. Plan dinner before or after, not between tight bookings.

Accessibility

RISING is committed to accessibility:

• Many venues are wheelchair accessible
• Auslan-interpreted performances
• Audio-described works
• Relaxed performances for some events
• Contact the accessibility team via the website for specific needs

Check Individual Events: Accessibility varies by venue and work. The program indicates accessibility features.

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Sample RISING Nights

Casual Evening

6:00 PM: Early dinner in Southbank 7:30 PM: Ticketed performance at Arts Centre 9:30 PM: Walk through Federation Square installations 10:30 PM: Drinks at a laneway bar 11:30 PM: Home

Deep Dive Night

5:00 PM: Arrive CBD, explore public art 6:30 PM: Quick dinner 8:00 PM: Major ticketed work 10:00 PM: Late-night installation 11:30 PM: RISING Late club event 2:00 AM: Late-night dumplings 3:00 AM: Home

Free Night

7:00 PM: Meet friends at Fed Square 7:30 PM: Walk the free installation trail 9:00 PM: Food trucks or cheap eats 10:00 PM: Continue exploring public works 11:00 PM: Drinks and debrief

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What Makes RISING Different

From Traditional Festivals

• No clear boundaries: Art spills into everyday spaces
• Active participation: Audiences aren't passive
• Late-night focus: Designed for after dark
• Risk-taking: Works that challenge and provoke
• City as venue: Melbourne itself is transformed

From White Night

RISING inherited White Night's DNA but evolved:

• Deeper programming: Not just one night
• More intimate works: Not just spectacle
• Critical engagement: Art that makes you think
• Extended experience: 12 days of discovery

The Melbourne Context

RISING reflects Melbourne's identity:

• Laneway culture embraced
• Four seasons in one day acknowledged
• Creative risk-taking celebrated
• Community and participation valued

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History and Vision

Origins

RISING launched in 2021, combining the legacies of:

• Melbourne International Arts Festival (1986-2019)
• White Night Melbourne (2013-2019)

The merger created something new—a festival that's neither purely high art nor purely spectacle, but something in between.

Artistic Vision

RISING's programming philosophy:

• Contemporary and experimental: Cutting-edge work
• Local and international: Australian artists alongside global names
• Accessible ambition: Big ideas made engaging
• City-wide canvas: Art everywhere, not just in venues

Impact

RISING has quickly become a fixture in Melbourne's cultural calendar:

• Draws 500,000+ attendees
• Commissions new Australian work
• Attracts international artists and attention
• Positions Melbourne as a contemporary arts leader

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Beyond the Program

Fringe and Unofficial Events

During RISING, the city buzzes with adjacent activity:

• Galleries extend hours
• Bars host related events
• Restaurants create special menus
• Independent artists stage their own work

Industry and Professional

RISING includes professional programs:

• Artist talks and panels
• Industry networking
• Workshops and masterclasses
• International exchange

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Planning Checklist

4-6 Weeks Before

• Sign up for RISING newsletter
• Block festival dates in your calendar
• Review program when released
• Create shortlist of must-see works
• Book ticketed events immediately

1 Week Before

• Confirm your bookings
• Check weather forecast
• Plan your nights
• Arrange transport (if staying late)
• Charge devices for navigation

During RISING

• Check daily updates (program changes possible)
• Allow time between events
• Stay warm
• Stay open to surprises
• Share discoveries with friends

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is RISING family-friendly?

Some events are, but RISING skews adult-oriented. Check individual work descriptions for age recommendations.

Do I need to book everything in advance?

No. Many public installations are free and require no booking. But ticketed works can sell out.

What if I only have one night?

Prioritise: one ticketed work + walking the free public art trail + drinks at a festival bar.

Is it all "weird art"?

RISING includes experimental work, but also music, dance, and accessible experiences. There's range.

What time should I arrive?

Most action starts around 7 PM and runs until late. Peak hours are 9 PM – midnight.

Can I do RISING on a budget?

Absolutely. Public installations are free. Many music events are affordable. Walking is free.

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Final Thoughts

RISING isn't a festival you consume—it's one you experience. The program is a starting point, but the real magic happens in the unexpected: the installation you stumble upon at midnight, the conversation with a stranger about what you just witnessed, the city transformed by darkness and light.

Melbourne has always been a creative city. RISING is where that creativity gets pushed to its edges—where artists take risks, where audiences become participants, and where the line between art and life blurs beautifully.

Come with curiosity. Leave with stories you'll tell for years.

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Related Content

Related Guides

• Melbourne Events Calendar 2026
• Melbourne Comedy Festival 2026
• Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2026

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Last updated: January 2026. RISING program and dates subject to official announcements. Always verify on rising.melbourne.