Melbourne’s summer calendar is bursting with life as Fed Square unveils ‘Open Air’—a sprawling program of music, film, festivals, and art. With over 56 free events, the city’s go-to hub is set to be the perfect spot for long summer nights, good food, and unforgettable experiences.
The Main Stage will light up as the sun goes down, kicking off with an unmissable night of music on Saturday, 1 March. Cosmic jazz meets psychedelic grooves when Sun Ra Arkestra, Mildlife, and DJs Wax’o Paradiso take over. Expect deep beats, hypnotic saxophones, and a dance floor under the stars.
The rhythm keeps rolling on Sunday, 9 March, with a high-energy mix of indie, dance, and bubblegum pop. Peach PRC headlines an all-female lineup, joined by Carla Wehbe and George Alice for a night of shimmering melodies and sing-along anthems.
The Afro-Caribbean Carnival returns on Saturday, 15 February, transforming Fed Square into a sea of colour and rhythm. Global soca icons Kevin Lyttle and Alison Hinds lead the charge, with UK-based Solo Banton bringing his reggae-infused sound. Expect booming bass, vibrant costumes, and non-stop dancing.
Asia TOPA, the triennial celebration of Asia-Pacific performance, is back after five years. Fed Square will be a hub of activity, hosting music, dance, and interactive art. Nongkrong-Sarapan on 23 February showcases Indonesian-Australian creativity through gamelan, dance beats, and culinary delights. Shadows in Twin Cities, running from 20 February to 10 March, connects children from Korea and Melbourne through large-scale video installations. Meanwhile, Bread, Circuses and Home, from 28 February to 10 March, brings Punjabi folk music, interactive games, and radio programming to the amphitheatre.
A special cinematic treat arrives on Tuesday, 25 February, as Fed Square hosts Ramayana and Other Tales with a live score by internationally acclaimed veena virtuoso Hari Sivanesan. Paired with a contemporary and classical Indian soundscape, this rare screening will feature restored silent films from the archives of India’s legendary directors, Baburao Painter and Dadasaheb Phalke. These partially lost films, painstakingly digitised by the National Film Archive of India, tell legendary stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The lineup includes Shree Krishna Janma (1918), chronicling Krishna’s early life, Raja Harishchandra (1913), a tale of unwavering principles, and Lanka Dahan (1918), showcasing Hanuman’s journey to Lanka. Sati Savitri (1927) and Bhakta Prahlad (1926) add to the collection, bringing powerful narratives of devotion and resilience. Hari Sivanesan and the South Asian Music Ensemble will create a rich, immersive experience, blending classical Indian and contemporary sounds to revive these cinematic treasures.
For movie lovers, the outdoor cinema at Fed Square screens everything from Westerns and sci-fi to martial arts classics and rom-coms. From 2 January to 8 February, catch Hans Zimmer’s unforgettable scores in Christopher Nolan’s masterpieces like Inception and The Dark Knight, or celebrate Dolly Parton’s 79th birthday with 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias. Bring a blanket, grab some snacks, and settle in for a perfect night at the movies.
Fed Square’s summer lineup is an open invitation to soak in the city’s vibrant culture. Whether it’s a night of jazz, a dance-filled carnival, or an al fresco film screening, there’s something for everyone to enjoy—all for free. Check out the full program at fedsquare.com and plan your perfect summer escape.
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