Light shows and festivals in Melbourne, including Lightscape

Melbourne's favourite illuminated event is back again for a fourth year, with more than 20 dazzling new light installations to meander through in wonderment. From June 20 to August 10, take a nighttime stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens and experience luminous pathways, lit-up tree canopies, soothing soundscapes and more spectacular sights.

Choo choo! The Train of Lights is back on the tracks for 2025 and ready to captivate passengers with a magical winter journey through the Dandenong Ranges for a fourth year. Australia’s favourite steam train Puffing Billy will be your conductor for this trip that illuminates the natural beauty of the region with thousands of dazzling lights.

As a chill settles over the city each winter, Rising returns with a nocturnal vengeance. This year, the much-loved arts festival will take place across twelve nights from June 4-15, with a red-hot program featuring 65 events, 327 artists and nine world premieres.

Continuing Rising’s legacy of unlocking hidden corners of the city, the 2025 program will spill into laneways, arcades, underground basements and grand theatres. It's set to transform Melbourne into an after-dark playground. As part of the festival, the Capitol Theatre will be transformed thanks to a massive kinetic light installation by Shohei Fujimoto. For more info and to view the full program, head to the website.