Docklands to ignite with Firelight Festival this July

Docklands will blaze into Melbourne’s ultimate winter playground when the much-loved Firelight Festival returns from Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6, promising three spectacular nights of free, family-friendly fun on the waterfront.

Spanning NewQuay Promenade, Victoria Promenade, Harbour Esplanade, Buluk Park and Docklands Central Park, this year’s Firelight Festival is set to be bigger and brighter than ever, drawing crowds with a vibrant mix of light, art, music and Melbourne’s favourite winter bites.

For the first time, the festival will extend its magical glow onto the water with the Light the Night Boat Display, inviting boat owners to deck out their vessels in dazzling lights and compete for the Firelight Festival People’s Choice Award.

Festivalgoers can also experience a Melbourne-first with internationally renowned Tasmanian artist Amanda Parer debuting her monumental inflatable sculptures, Man and Fantastic Planet, which will tower over Docklands with luminous scale and beauty.

Firelight staples will be back in full force, delivering an irresistible winter spectacle of crackling fire pits, flame jets, blazing arches and lit-up sculptures. Nearly 50 fire artists, dancers, musicians and roving performers will keep the crowd entertained all weekend long, providing a warm, glowing antidote to Melbourne’s winter chill.

Foodies can expect almost 40 food trucks serving up winter favourites – from sizzling street eats to sweet s’mores and steaming hot chocolate.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece called Firelight Festival “the blazing hearth of Melbourne’s winter events calendar,” tipping more than 80,000 people to flock to Docklands for the event and deliver a $6 million boost to the local economy.

“Alongside fiery favourites like fire pits and flame jets, this festival will shine even brighter with Amanda Parer’s luminous, larger-than-life art installations,” Cr Reece said.

For full program details and times, visit Firelight Festival.