What's On

RISING 2025: Melbourne鈥檚 Winter Festival Is Back With A Bang鈥揌ere鈥檚 What鈥檚 On

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Melbourne’s beloved winter festival RISING is set to return in 2025 with a program so epic it’ll make you forget all about the cold.

What's On At Rising Festival For 2025:

Over 12 nights, from 4 -15 June, the city will transform into a pulsating playground of art, music, and performance, with 65 events, 327 artists, and a lineup that includes nine world premieres and 15 new commissions. That's a lot of events.

We've taken the hard work out of it and short-listed what we reckon are the must-sees, but if you're after the full programme, you can head to the website. 

From mind-bending installations to boundary-pushing performances, here’s your guide to the standout events you won’t want to miss.

Art That’ll Blow Your Mind

  1. intangible #form by Shohei Fujimoto
    Step into the Capitol Theatre and prepare to have your perception of reality shattered. Japanese artist Shohei Fujimoto (of TeamLAB fame) is bringing his largest installation to date, transforming the space into a living sculpture of kinetic light. Think red laser beams that respond to your movement, creating an immersive experience that’s equal parts trippy and transcendent.

  2. Saturate by Sara Retallick
    Fancy a late-night dip? Head to the City Baths for an underwater sound experience like no other. Specialized speakers will transmit a generative composition that shifts through frequencies, inviting you to literally swim through layers of sound. It’s part art, part therapy, and 100% unforgettable.

  3. Matha by Moorina Bonini
    This powerful public artwork splashed across Hamer Hall’s facade is a celebration of Yorta Yorta culture and ancestral connections to Country. Through visions of trees, waterways, and cultural belongings, Bonini shares stories of regeneration and resilience, accompanied by song from her family.

Music That’ll Move You

  1. Day Tripper
    RISING’s festival-within-a-festival is back, and it’s bigger than ever. Over eight hours, you’ll get access to a lineup spanning Melbourne Town Hall, Max Watt’s, and Night Trade. Highlights include Brooklyn shoegazers DIIV, Atlanta’s BKTHERULA, and Arnhem Land’s Ripple Effect. Plus, don’t miss the Chapter Music ‘End of an Era’ party, celebrating 33 years of indie spirit.

  2. Beth Gibbons (Portishead)
    The queen of yearning is making her long-awaited solo debut at Hamer Hall. Expect hauntingly beautiful vocals and a journey through darkness and light. It’s been over 20 years since her last solo release, so this is a rare chance to witness a legend in action.

  3. Black Star
    Brooklyn’s iconic hip-hop duo, Yasiin Bey (FKA Mos Def) and Talib Kweli, who have both randomly been here in the past year, are teaming up and hitting Melbourne together for one night only during RISING. Their razor-sharp lyricism and soulful beats are a must-see for any hip-hop fan.

Performances That’ll Challenge You

  1. Kill Me by Marina Otero
    Argentine choreographer Marina Otero brings her raw, fearless exploration of mental health and mortality to The Sumner. Expect grand dance sequences, aching vulnerability, and a performance that blurs the line between art and life.

  2. Complete Works: Tabletop Shakespeare
    Shakespeare gets a playful makeover in this inventive retelling by Forced Entertainment. Using household objects (think vases as princes and jars as Juliets), six performers condense 36 of the Bard’s plays into nine nights of pure storytelling magic.

  3. Hedwig and The Angry Inch
    The cult-favourite rock musical returns in a bold new Australian production starring Seann Miley Moore. With its glam-punk attitude and boundary-pushing storytelling, this is one theatrical experience that’ll leave you glitter-soaked and emotionally wrecked.

Experiences That’ll Surprise You

  1. Space Out Competition
    In a world obsessed with hustle, South Korean artist Woopsyang challenges you to do… nothing. Sit for 90 minutes, maintain a state of calm, and compete in the ultimate test of stillness. It’s the perfect antidote to modern life’s chaos.

  2. Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf
    The Flinders Street Station Ballroom is being transformed into a playable art exhibition featuring nine mini golf holes designed by female artists, including Miranda July and Kaylene Whiskey. Expect twists, turns, and a whole lot of fun.

  3. Night Trade
    RISING’s neon-lit night market is back, spilling through the Capitol Arcade and beyond. Whether you’re after killer cocktails, late-night eats, or a karaoke session with Mummy’s Plastic, this is the place to be after dark.

The Bigger Picture

RISING 2025 isn’t just a festival; it’s a city-wide celebration of creativity, inclusivity, and the unexpected. From the Yarra Valley’s TarraWarra Biennial to the underground soundscapes of Diagrammatica beneath Federation Square, this year’s program is a testament to Melbourne’s vibrant arts scene.

So, grab your coat, rally your crew, and get ready to dive into a winter festival that’s anything but ordinary. RISING 2025 is here to dazzle, challenge, and inspire. Tou won’t want to miss a moment.

Tickets on sale over , don't end up with FOMO.

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