Melbourne's RISING Festival Draws 680,000 in Cultural Celebration

From June 4 to June 15, 2025, Melbourne's RISING Festival transformed the city into a vibrant hub of art, music, and culture, drawing over 680,000 attendees and providing a significant boost to the local economy.

Established in 2020 to replace the Melbourne International Arts Festival and White Night Festival, RISING has quickly become a cornerstone of Melbourne's cultural calendar. The 2025 edition featured 65 events, including 15 new commissions, 9 world premieres, 5 Australian premieres, and 10 Victorian premieres, showcasing the talents of 327 artists from both local and international backgrounds.

One of the standout events was "Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf," which transformed the historic Flinders Street Station Ballroom into a playable art exhibition. The installation featured nine mini-golf holes, each designed by female artists, including acclaimed filmmaker Miranda July and Anangu artist Kaylene Whiskey.

Another highlight was "Communitas," a massive participatory music-making event led by Melbourne's electronic duo SHOUSE at Melbourne Town Hall. The event invited attendees to engage in communal dance and music creation, fostering a sense of unity and shared experience.

"BLOCKBUSTER," a free, day-to-night celebration of South Asian culture at Federation Square on June 7, featured prominent Pakistani musicians such as rapper Faris Shafi, pop star Annural Khalid, qawwali duo Zain and Zohaib, and rock artist Sherry Khattak. The event also showcased a vibrant Punjabi truck art installation and street food, evoking the bustle of Lahore.

The festival's economic impact was substantial, with over 680,000 attendees contributing to local businesses and the Victorian economy. Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks praised the festival as a "key cultural and tourism driver for Victoria," highlighting its role in stimulating Melbourne’s nighttime economy and positioning the city as an international hub for live music and performance art.

RISING 2025 also placed a strong emphasis on First Nations programming. The Melbourne Art Trams project returned, showcasing artworks by First Peoples women, curated by Victorian First Peoples curators. Moorina Bonini's "Matha," a large-scale projection on the facade of Hamer Hall, explored cultural regeneration and the deep interconnections between knowledge, Country, and cultural expression.

The festival's music program featured a diverse array of artists, including British indie-pop artist Suki Waterhouse, who performed her first-ever Australian shows at the Athenaeum Theatre and PICA Music Hub. Beth Gibbons of Portishead presented her haunting solo album "Lives Outgrown" at Hamer Hall, while Brooklyn rap legends Black Star (Yasiin Bey & Talib Kweli) performed live on stage in Melbourne for the first time ever.

RISING 2025 successfully showcased Melbourne's vibrant arts scene, blending local and international talent across various disciplines. The festival's diverse programming and emphasis on cultural inclusivity not only enriched the city's cultural landscape but also provided significant economic benefits, reinforcing Melbourne's status as a global cultural hub.