Melbourne International Games Week 2025
Presented by Creative Victoria in partnership with Fed Square and ACMI.
A massive free party, a retro arcade, a Mario Kart battle and a family rave. The Square becomes a games and game culture-lovers paradise during MIGW – a hub for free entertainment and activity for all ages.
This Melbourne International Games Week, Big Games Night Out is back – and this year you can check out (and play!) the new nostalgic gaming arcade installation ELECTRIC ARCADIA as part of the activations.
Kids and families can come early to BGNO for their own Little Games Night Out – a family-friendly program of entertainment and fun, featuring a free family rave and a bubble party.
Mario Kart afficionados can once again test their skill as part of the of Kart Tournament for their chance to win some great prizes, and ACMI’s new playable exhibition Game Worlds will be open, offering late-night access during BGNO.
WHAT’S ON?
Thursday 9 October, 4pm–late | Main Square, Atrium, The Edge, KHT + ACMI
A huge takeover of the Square, with free events, activations and entertainment celebrating all things games and games culture – and all free. Step back in time with a retro arcade. Join in life-sized tabletop game adventures. Check out local games at the Games Market. Play vintage games, new games, local games and esports. See the best in cosplay fashion and bring the kids for free family-friendly fun.
Thursday 9 October, 4pm–6pm | Main Square + Atrium
Kids and families can come early to enjoy a special Big Games Night Out program for the young and the young at heart. Dress up, party together at Joey Lightbulbs’ Family Rave and enjoy free-to-play family-friendly games. Kids can get their face painted, catch the colour and creativity of the Cosplay Runway, join in Just Dance activations and live entertainment from Australia’s Favourite Bubbleman Dr Hubble.
Friday 10 October, 4pm–10pm | The Edge
This action-packed event is set to showcase the ultimate racing skills of 64 skilled competitors as they vie for the coveted title of King of Kart Champion. The stakes are high, with the winner being rewarded with a fantastic prize package including a brand-new Switch 2 Console, controller and a generous voucher.
3–9 October, 12pm–7pm + open late for BGNO | Birrarung Building
Jump back into the lost era of games culture at this vintage video arcade. Designed in collaboration with Melbourne’s champion of nostalgia, Callum Preston (Video Land), and interactive artist Louie Roots, ELECTRIC ARCADIA captures the spirit of 80s adventure films sprinkled with futuristic 90s techno – all wrapped up in the warm embrace of a classic mall arcade.
Open daily during MIGW + late-night access during BGNO on Thursday 9 October, 4pm–late | ACMI
Check out ACMI’s major new playable exhibition celebrating videogames from the 1970s to today. Experience ACMI after dark at Big Games Night Out with exclusive late-night access. Game Worlds is a ticketed event.