Dreading winter? Here’s something to brighten your mood: Rising, Melbourne's annual festival of art, music, dance and performance, returns from May 27 to June 8 – and the final part of the program has just been announced.
“Free art after dark, fresh live music, late-night dining and artist-led conversations, clubs and lounges create even more doorways into the festival’s expansive program of new art, stories, music and dance,” says Rising artistic director and CEO, Hannah Fox. ‘l’
Opening weekend sees Fed Square and Hamer Hall transformed by ‘Midéegaadi’, a spectacular projection and sound installation by Native American artist Cannupa Hanska Luger. Originally shown in New York’s Times Square, the projections will illuminate both sites as part of Calling Country: The Land Speaks Back, alongside works by Djirri Djirri Women's Dance Group. Relax in deck chairs with hot drinks and First Nations food while soaking up the atmosphere beneath the city lights.
Fed Square will also host one of the festival’s most intriguing experiences: Sapporo Supper Club: Chīsai 小, the world’s smallest ramen-ya. Running Thursday to Saturday throughout the festival, this tiny dining space seats just two guests at a time for Hokkaido-style ramen and expertly poured Sapporo beer.
Hungry for more? Moon Bites returns with a late-night dining trail designed for pre- and post-show meals. Venues including Cathedral Coffee, Mr Mills, Melbourne Supper Club, Dom's Social Club and Bottega will serve exclusive festival menus ranging from cocktails and toasties to moon cakes and pizza.
Open Wednesday to Sunday throughout the festival, the Artist Bar at Wax Music Lounge is the place to be for pre-show meet-ups, post-show drinks and late-night sessions. Expect a rotating line-up of live music, DJs and performances from artists including Betty Grumble, Dimmy Charms and Maxine Funke. Speaking of music, one of this year’s biggest drawcards is hip hop icon Lil' Kim, celebrating rap’s enduring influence and legacy.
The inaugural Australian Dance Biennale takes over the city’s theatres, halls and public squares while the Royal Family Dance Crew takes over Fed Square. Over at Arts Centre Melbourne, acclaimed European director Florentina Holzinger presents A Year Without Summer – an explosive musical comedy blending medical science and mortality.
Meanwhile, the historic Flinders Street Ballroom will reopen as part of The Land of 1,000 Dances, where festivalgoers can join classes spanning jazz, jive, Bollywood and ballet. Day Tripper on June 6 at Melbourne Town Hall is where you need to be for eight hours of non-stop music and dance.
For those keen to dive deeper, there are artist talks and post-show discussions unpacking works like The Shepherds and Nowhere. ACMI will also present Selector: Kahlil Joseph, a film program curated by acclaimed filmmaker and artist Kahlil Joseph, alongside the rarely screened director’s cut of Beyoncé’s Lemonade.
With more than 100 events spread across theatres, clubs and public spaces, Rising 2026 is shaping up to be one of Melbourne’s biggest and boldest winter festivals yet. Get all the details via the website.
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