Get ready to light up your winter, 91¹û¶³´«Ã½!

Every July, gathers the most exceptional and audacious art, music, technology, and innovation from all over Australia and the world and unleashes them across the city and the state.

Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ is back for 2025 — and it’s bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever! Every July, this epic festival transforms the city into a glowing playground of art, light, music, and technology. Think late nights, bright lights, and massive adventures perfect for the whole family.

From 2–20 July, 91¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s streets, landmarks, and hidden corners will be bursting with free and ticketed events from some of the world’s most creative minds. It’s all about chasing away the winter blues and diving into a world of imagination, wonder, and unforgettable memories.

Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ is a celebration for everyone — locals, visitors, little adventurers, and curious grown-ups alike. So get ready for a few late nights and get ready to explore a city that shines just as bright as your kids’ faces when they see it all come to life!

Family Friendly Illuminate Highlights for 2025 include:

Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½: Night Visions

The all-new after dark experience exclusively conceived by Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½, step outside the boundary of what you know as Night Visions transforms the secrets of 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Botanic Garden into a gateway to the unknown. Fuelled by cutting-edge light, lasers, projections and sound, journey along an extraordinary path where the latest in immersive technology reimagines the beauty of nature into sensory realms of colour and sound.

more info here

Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½: Universal Kingdom: The Next Era

Dinosaur fans, get ready — 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Zoo is going Jurassic for 2025 Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½
Step back in time and into Universal Kingdom: The Next Era, the latest dino-filled adventure lighting up 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Zoo after dark. These prehistoric party animals are taking over in the most roar-some way!

more info here

Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½: Horizons

Get ready, 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ – this is going to be HUGE!
For one night only, Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ is taking over 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Oval with a Drone and Light Spectacular like Australia has never seen before!
Horizons will light up the night sky with hundreds of dazzling drones, incredible sound, lighting, and huge screens — all celebrating our place, our people, and our bright future. It’s going to be a multi-sensory adventure you’ll never forget!

more info here

Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½: City Lights

City Lights is back — and it’s bigger and brighter than ever, lighting up the CBD with all-new free installations, interactive experiences, stunning projections, and incredible roaming performances by world-renowned artists and creative studios. From 4 – 20 July, for 17 magical nights, explore 91¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s icons and hidden gems — from the vibrant East End all the way to the sparkling Festival Plaza.

more info here

Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½: Base Camp

Base Camp returns to Lot Fourteen for 2025 Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½, transforming it once again into the city’s favourite free pop-up winter village!

Think cosy firepits, mouth-watering food, refreshing drinks, and hidden laneways packed with the best of 91¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s local vendors. Whether you’re grabbing a bite between adventures or just kicking back with a drink by the fire, Base Camp is the perfect spot to chill out and warm up.

more info here

Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½: Lights up the Central Market

Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ is teaming up with the iconic 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Central Market to bring even more magic to the heart of the city!
From 04–19 July, the Market will shine bright with Proximity State by artist Miles Dunne, Plus, kick off your weekends with something truly special – Melbourne’s Born in a Taxi will bring their incredible Illuminated Angels to life with dazzling roving performances on Friday 04 July and Friday 18 July from 6:30–7:30pm

more info here

List of events in Photo View

Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ will take place from 2 – 20 July 2025
With a mix of free and ticketed, indoor and outdoor experiences, you can access the full program

You might also be interested in

  • Brrrrr… baby it's cold outside! But that doesn't mean there aren't HEAPS of different ways you can have fun with your kids in 91¹û¶³´«Ã½. There's roughly 13 weeks of Winter for us to enjoy and below are plenty of indoor play ideas, winter events and warm spots to hide from the weather. Head to a museum such as MOD., find out what is happening during the Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ event this year, or visit one of our favourite indoor play centres.

  • The 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Park Lands are home to unique playspaces where kids and families can be active and let their imaginations run wild. We’ve compiled a list to make it quick and easy to pick a city playground that will please kids of all ages and abilities.

  • Exploring 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ with kids is a great way to spend an afternoon, a full day, or even a weekend. When’s the last time you caught a train, tram, or bus in the CBD? It’s even easy to drive in and park the car. Visiting the city screams adventure, the kids love it, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We’ve compiled some of the best things to see and do and places to eat and stay in the 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ CBD and North 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ with your family this winter.