Firelight Festival lights up Docklands this July

Firelight Festival lights up Docklands this July
Sean Car

The free Docklands Firelight Festival will return in July thanks to a record investment from the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government.

Originally due to be held in late June but postponed to July due to Victoria’s recent COVID-19 lockdown, the five-day event from Wednesday, July 21 to Sunday, July 25 will transform Docklands with flame jets, fire twirlers and flaming sculptures each night.

The family-friendly festival will provide a major boost for Docklands businesses, with tens of thousands of visitors expected to celebrate winter in Melbourne.

The 2019 festival attracted more than 75,000 visitors and generated $4 million in economic impact.

Highlights for the 2021 Firelight Festival include:

  • Nightly liquid, light and laser shows presented by Development Victoria.
  • Fire performers, twirlers and a flaming blunderbuss to warm up the crowd.
  • Giant flame sculptures in the shape of a phoenix and a deer.
  • Flame jets and fire cauldrons running the length of NewQuay Promenade and Victoria Promenade.
  • Live musical performances and entertainment including Cope Street Parade, Vardos, Lola Lovina, The Whiskey Drifters and many more.

The 2021 Firelight Festival is free; however, visitors will require tickets to attend. The festival will follow strict COVID-safe guidelines, with QR code check-ins, COVID marshals, site cleaning and capacity limits of 3500 people at New Quay Promenade and 4500 at Victoria Promenade.

The City of Melbourne is investing $1.85 million in the 2021 festival, including $850,000 from the Victorian Government to extend the event from three to five nights, after the event was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The City of Melbourne said it was continuing discussions with the state government regarding approval for the event and was working through the implications of any future state border closures on interstate suppliers. 

“Docklands businesses have been among the hardest hit by COVID-19 and this festival will shine a very warm light during the traditionally quiet winter months,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said. “The festival will provide a boost not only to hospitality and tourism businesses, it will also create jobs for production, entertainment and labour hire workers.”

“We’re in discussions with the AFL and are hopeful that the festival will coincide with a game at Marvel Stadium so footy fans can also enjoy the fire and light show.”

The festival will run from 5.30pm to 10pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and from 5.30pm to 10.30pm on Friday and Saturday •

Click here for more information.

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