From December, Melbourne’s home of free events, Fed Square, comes alive with ‘Open Air’ – an eclectic program of free music, outdoor cinema, festivals and immersive art, inviting crowds to enjoy a superb summer of sun, sound, food and film in the heart of the city. With over 56 free events and activities, as well as an array of buzzing restaurants, galleries and bars, Fed Square is the place to enjoy Melbourne’s warm days and balmy evenings.

As the sun sets, Fed Square’s Main Stage will light up with an electrifying lineup of live music. On Saturday 1 March, don’t miss the first of two major all-ages gigs featuring trailblazers in cosmic-jazz, Sun Ra Arkestra, psychedelic-jazz group Mildlife and Melbourne favourite DJs Wax’o Paradiso. Wax’o Paradiso will set the tone for a smooth, velvety night and get the crowd dancing! Then, the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra will transport jazz and funk lovers to new, cosmic heights, before Mildlife closes the epic evening, under the stars, with their unique blend of jazz, dance and psychedelic music.

The second free gig, presented by Fed Square, on Sunday 9 March features a lineup of indie, dance and bubblegum pop sensations including Peach PRC, Carla Wehbe, and George Alice. Taking to the stage on the public holiday eve, pop-princess Peach PRC will headline the all-female show with her shimmery style of funny, sweet and powerful pop.

On Saturday 15 February, presented by Fed Square in partnership with Stick Mareebo Productions, international Soca superstars Kevin Lyttle and Alison Hinds, and UK based Solo Banton headline the Afro-Caribbean Carnival, bringing heavy weight sound systems and carnival spirit to Fed Square for its second year. Get ready to dance alongside hundreds of people decked out in vibrant carnival costumes!

After a five-year hiatus, Asia TOPA, Australia’s major triennial of Asia-Pacific performance, returns to leading arts venues across the city. Fed Square will host live music events and installations including Asia TOPA’s Opening Concert on 21 February with a lineup of major local and international acts, Nongkrong – Sarapan on 23 February, a day festival celebrating Indonesian-Australian identity, gamalan, dance music and food and Shadows in Twin Cities from 20 February to 10 March which brings together children from Jeonju, Korea and Melbourne through large-scale video installations.

Commissioned in partnership between Asia TOPA and Fed Square, Fed Square’s amphitheatre will also act as the backdrop for Bread, Circuses and Home – a free and vibrant installation and mini festival running from 28 February to 10 March of Punjabi folk music, radio programming and interactive game plays by innovative Delhi–based duo Jiten Thukral (Jalandhar, Punjab) and Sumir Tagra (New Delhi).

Returning with a curated program of major films, Melburnians can embrace open air cinema in the Square from 15 January to 8 February. The free outdoor film program celebrates many beloved genres – from Westerns to martial arts to rom coms and sci fi – and offers the perfect date night, movie club or impromptu cinema experience in the city. Celebrate Hans Zimmer’s iconic scores in blockbuster films directed by Christoper Nolan by catching Inception, Interstellar or The Dark Knight, or revel in the icon that is Dolly Parton on her 79th birthday in both 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias.

Returning for its third consecutive year, Silent Cinema with Live Scores will enchant audiences from 25 to 27 February. Experience rare silent films like Baburao Painter’s Sati Savitri (1927) and other kathas by India’s most prolific silent film directors, accompanied by live performances from composer Hari Sivanesan and his collaborators. Plus, screenings of The Lost World (1925), with a live score by Butchulla songman Fred Leone, and Sherlock Jr. (1924), with music by Blue Grassy Knoll who returns to Fed Square after last year’s stellar performance.

Fed Square’s prime location makes it the go-to community space for Victoria’s leading arts and culture festivals. As well as Asia TOPA, Midsumma Festival returns to Fed Square across January and February featuring public performance in celebration of queer POC Elders, participatory experiences and chat circles hosted by LGBTQIA+ young people and a screening of The Wiz on the closing night of Midsumma Movies, in partnership with Melbourne Queer Film Festival.

Quote attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks

“Fed Square is more than just a popular gathering place, it’s a vibrant creative hub in the heart of our city and a place to experience and enjoy diverse events, day and night. From live music to tennis on the big screen, family fun, art installations, festival fun and much more – it’s free, it’s fun and it’s open to all.”

Quotes attributable to Katrina Sedgwick, Director & CEO, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co)

“The ‘Open Air’ program has something for absolutely everyone and you can experience it all for free – live concerts, headliner gigs, community and cultural performances, dance, art and film. Bring the family, meet friends and spend the day in Fed Square’s lively art galleries, museums or restaurants, before catching a free gig, film or performance in the evening!”

Don’t miss a beat this summer at Fed Square!

REKOSPECTIVE: The Art of Reko Rennie (Now open until 27 January) – REKOSPECTIVE presents more than 100 works charting the entirety of Rennie’s more than two-decade long career, inviting audiences to explore his powerful responses to specific histories, cultures and materials. REKOSPECTIVE is the artist’s largest presentation of work to date and his first-ever retrospective exhibition – including recent acquisitions and a new, never-before-seen work.

Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition (Now open until 16 February) – Enter a world of comedy, chaos and calamity in Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition, a world premiere, free ACMI exhibition that dives into the making of global-hit videogame Untitled Goose Game. Discover design material, sketches, concept art and playable versions of the locally made game from its early development, exhibited publicly for the first time.

Koorie Art Show 12 (7 December – 23 February) – The Koorie Art Show at Koorie Heritage Trust is dedicated to showcasing the work of Koorie and Victorian-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists through a statewide call for entries. These artists generously share their stories, culture, and connection to Country.

ALWAYS LIVE Yerambooee (7 December) – Wurundjeri, Woi-Wurrung and Yolngu from North East Arnhem Land present a gathering of song, ceremony and dance on an enormous sand circle in Fed Square, open and free to the public. Presented by ALWAYS LIVE, Skinnyfish Music and Fed Square.

ALWAYS LIVE Garage Band (8 December) – In collaboration with JOF and Fed Square, ALWAYS LIVE have selected 20 of the best emerging artists from all around the state to perform at a huge multi-stage event in the Main Square.

NGV Kids Summer Festival Launch (11 January) – To kick off NGV’s Kids Summer Festival and celebrate the Cats & Dogs exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, check outa live dog show in the Main Square, jump into a kids workshop or enjoy yummy free ice cream! Top off your day with free entry to the exhibition, as well as a screening of Christopher Guests’ classic Best in Show (2000) at Fed Square’s outdoor cinema.

Outdoor Cinema (15 January to 8 February) – The free summer outdoor cinema program celebrates many beloved genres – from Westerns to martial arts to Dolly Parton favourites – and offers the perfect date night, movie club or impromptu cinema experience in the city. Grab takeaway, a deck chair and gather a group together for a balmy movie night of blockbusters or classics, under the stars. Visit fedsquare.com to explore the full program of outdoor cinema, as well as session times.

Australian Open on the Big Screen (25 – 26 January) – Catch the thrilling Australian Open finals on the Big Screen, surrounded by fellow tennis fans at Fed Square.

HONŌUR (31 January) – Presented by Midsumma Festival, BEAT ENTERTAINMENT, in association with Fed Square, and produced by Performing Lines, HONŌUR elevates and celebrates the true royalty of Queer POC Elders.

Midsumma Matters (1 February) – Presented by Midsumma Festival, Fed Square and House of Muchness, Midsumma Matters is a day series of creative participatory experiences and chat circles hosted by LGBTQIA+ young people.

BMW Opera for All (1 February) – BMW Opera for All, presented by Opera Australia and Fed Square, is a global concert series that returns to Australia for its third year in 2025, exclusive to Melbourne.

Midsumma Movies Closing Night (2 February) – Presented by Midsumma Festival in partnership with Melbourne Queer Film Festival, the landmark 1978 film The Wiz will be shown as part of Fed Square’s series of outdoor summer cinema.

Soli by Candlelight (4 February) – emerging Melbourne-based Ethiopian songstress Soli will perform gospel-inspired R&B originals surrounded by thousands of twinkling candles, in the first of three stunning Candlelight Concerts at Fed Square.

Ross Wilson and The Peaceniks by Candlelight (5 February) – Australian music pioneer, founder and songwriter for Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock, Ross Wilson, together with his band The Peaceniks, will bring classic rock hits to the Square, in a live performance under the stars.

Teeks by Candlelight (6 February) – to celebrate Waitangi Day, Maori artist Teeks will perform by Candlelight, sharing their soulful tunes.

Lunar New Year (9 February) – Fed Square is celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Snake with a range of exciting performances and activities! Come see the dragon dancers in action or join in a Tai Chi or Gentle Chinese Dance class.

Afro-Caribbean Carnival (15 February) – Melbourne will come alive with the energy of the Afro-Caribbean Carnival, featuring two international superstars, heavyweight DIY sound systems and hundreds of carnival lovers decked out in vibrant costumes.

The Future & Beyond (15 – 16 February) – a weekend of insightful talks, performances, and screenings inspired by ACMI’s world premiere exhibition The Future & Other Fictions. Packed with free and ticketed events, The Future & Beyond includes an immersive choose-your-own-adventure game that sees you craft your own sci-fi movie masterpiece.

Shadows in Twin Cities (20 February – 10 March) – Presented by ArtPlay, Asia TOPA, Fed Square and the Jeonju Cultural Foundation, Shadows in Twin Cities brings together children from Jeonju, Korea and Melbourne, enabling them to converse through live video and art. The activity takes place in three parts: “Meet Me”, “Watch Me Fly” and “Find My Shadow”.

Bread, Circuses and Home (28 February – 10 March) – a free public installation and mini-festival at Fed Square by innovative Delhi–based duo Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra. A vibrant display of Punjabi folk music, radio programming and interactive game plays, Bread, Circuses and Home is a celebration of the unique ways that cultures adapt, survive and transform in the wake of international migration. Bread, Circuses and Home is a collaboration between Asia TOPA, Fed Square, the artists and Melbourne’s diverse Punjabi communities.

Asia TOPA Opening Concert (21 February) – Asia TOPA’s Opening Concert will turn the Square into an open-air haven of eclectic beats, celebrating Asian-Pacific performance. Japanese born and Melbourne-based Shio will open the night, before Tokyo-based experimental pop band Tam Tam hits the stage. A soon to be announced major music act will headline the unforgettable evening.

Nongkrong – Sarapan (23 February) – Presented by Asia TOPA, Art Centre Melbourne and Fed Square, the Square will be transformed into a space to nongkrong or ‘hang out’, with food, performances, music and activities that explore Indonesian-Australian culture and identity.

Silent Cinema with Live Scores (25 – 27 February) – A mini film and live music festival over three days, featuring classics of silent cinema, presented with live original scores performed by some of Australia’s most exciting composers.

Summer Gig (1 March) – Starting at sunset, Wax’o Paradiso sets the mood with their smooth, trippy grooves, followed by the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra, taking jazz to cosmic heights. Mildlife wraps up the evening with hypnotic jazz-funk that’ll leave you floating. It’s free, all-ages, and an epic summer live music experience not to be missed!

Summer Gig (9 March) – Carla Wehbe’s soulful R&B will kickstart the night. Then we dive into George Alice’s edgy indie-pop, and, after the Moomba fireworks light up the summer sky, get ready for Peach PRC’s unapologetic, bubblegum-punk energy. It’s free and for everyone.

To download images to represent each event, click here.

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