With summer officially in the air, Fed Square is set to bring warm summer nights in the city to life with the return of Open Air, a month-long program celebrating music, culture and engaging performance – free and open to all, right in the heart of Melbourne.
Across the height of summer, Fed Square comes alive with live music, performances, outdoor cinema and cultural celebrations that spill into the night. Featuring a diverse mix of free events — from intimate moments to big, collective experiences — Open Air brings together local voices and global talent in a season designed to be shared.
Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks said, “Fed Square has always been the city’s gathering space and it’s now a destination for incredible performances and events – all free and open to all ages. Programs like this that bring Victorians and visitors together showcase once again why Melbourne is the cultural capital and Victoria is the creative state.”
Melbourne Arts Precinct Director s CEO Katrina Sedgwick said, “We’re proud to once again present Fed Square’s hugely popular Open Air festival this February. Featuring live music concerts, cinema under the stars, dance parties, sound systems and performance art. Summer is the perfect time to come together, settle into Fed Square, and enjoy the very best of Melbourne’s arts and culture – and all of it is free.”
Live Music
Illuminating Fed Square across three magical nights from February 10–12, Candlelight Concert Series returns with a stellar line-up of Australian talent, with support from Fever. Bring a picnic, settle beneath the stars or grab an alfresco table at one of the Square’s restaurants and soak up the sounds of the iconic Tina Arena who will bring her THANK YOU MELBOURNE show – part of her milestone celebrating 50 years in the music industry – to the Square, local favourites Folk Bitch Trio and First Nations RCB star Dean Brady. Each artist will take the stage for one unforgettable evening, framed by thousands of flickering candles and Melbourne’s iconic skyline.
All performances will be Auslan interpreted and will have an accessible viewing area.
Bringing world-class and genre-bending performances to everyone, FRANÇOIS K, ΣTELLA, and GANAVYA LIVE will transform the heart of Melbourne on February 28 into a vibrant celebration of global sound and connection for all. From the legendary beats of New York DJ François K, to the electrifying sounds of Greek artist Σtella, and the transcendent vocals of Ganavya, this night will unite global icons with Melbourne audiences.
A high-energy performance of queer artistry is set to light up the Fed Square stage, headlined by New Orleans icon Big Freedia. Known for electrifying crowds and championing self-expression, Big Freedia will lead an all- out celebration of queer culture and community on February 27. Presented by Fed Square and All the Queens Men, this live music event brings bold, euphoric New Orleans bounce to Melbourne.
A pulsating street party will hit the city’s home of culture on February 21 with the return of Afro Caribbean Carnival, presented by Fed Square and Stick Mareebo Productions. Featuring pioneering Jamaican dancehall artist Sister Nancy and General Levy, a key figure in the UK Jungle and Drum and Bass scene, alongside a lineup of powerhouse local sound systems, Melbourne will be swept up in infectious beats that will be felt in your bones and a vibrant splash of colour. With live music, street food, and performance, this celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture brings movement and joy to the heart of the city.
For a summer soundtrack that’s anything but ordinary, experience The Fab Four like never before on February 26 with a special DJ set from The Beatles Dub Club - the ultimate Magical Mystery Tour right in our own backyard. After an explosive debut in 2022, The Beatles Dub Club has taken stages by storm at Glastonbury, Boomtown, Latitude, Isle of Wight, Camp Bestival, and Green Man, blending covers, remixes, and tracks from arguably the greatest band in history. Spanning reggae, ska, Latin, hip hop, dub, funk, house, and more, Melbourne is up next to experience The Beatles’ iconic music in electrifying new ways – all with a fresh summer spin.
Back to turn up the volume, Garage Band returns on February 7, spotlighting Victoria’s next wave of musicians. In collaboration with internationally acclaimed artist JOF (Joseph O’Farrell), this multi-stage event amplifies the voices of young talent through workshops, mentorship, and a huge day of live performances. Applications are now open for bands and musicians under 21 who want to take part. For those not taking part, come down and don’t miss the chance to support Victoria’s next generation of artists!
Outdoor Cinema
Following a packed spring series, Fed Square’s Outdoor Cinema continues into summer presenting two specially curated film programs for families, cinephiles and everything in-between.
Presenting a razor-sharp program of film titles diving headfirst into the absurdities of modern life and inviting audiences to laugh, wince, and reflect, Outdoor Cinema: In Defence of Satire will continue the screenings from February 2–5. From Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb to Robert Altman’s The Player – these films don’t just entertain; they provoke, dissect, and expose.
Rounding out the season’s film program, Open Air’s best-kept secret returns: Silent Cinema with Live Scores, presented with support from InsiteArts. Celebrating the city’s love for cinema and live music, the festival features a curated selection of classic silent films from around the world, each brought to life with live scores performed by some of Australia’s leading musician-composers. Experience the magic as local DJ Lori brings sound to one of Australia’s greatest silent films, the newly restored For the Term of His Natural Life, starring Eva Novak and George Fisher (Feb 16); see the haunting beauty of The Fall of the House of Usher with a live DJ score by Emelyne (Feb 17); step back into the golden age of cinema and experience Charlie Chaplin’s 1936 masterpiece Modern Times like never before as it’s paired with a bold new live score performed by Sally Ford and the Idiomatics (Feb 18); listen on as Blue Grassy Knoll perform a rousing score to Buster Keaton’s The General in a special 100th anniversary screening; and to mark Lunar New Year, see the landmark of Chinese silent cinema The Goddess accompanied by live score from Chinese-Australia musician Mindy Meng Wang C Burkhard Dallwitz (Feb 20).
Performances
City Sessions returns on February 22, with the city skyline as its backdrop. Presented by Fed Square and Cypher Culture as part of On&On Festival and Open Air, dancers from across the country and internationally take to the Square as their stage, bringing an electric atmosphere of street dance battles, showcases, live DJ sets and music that capture the energy, skill, and creativity of the street dance community. Recognised as one of the nation’s most anticipated street dance events, City Sessions unites local creatives in a vibrant celebration of collaboration, exchange, and artistic expression.
This Valentine’s Day (February 14), fall in love with Indonesian culture at Nongkrong – Pasar Senja, a vibrant celebration, supported by Garuda Indonesia, of what it means to be both Indonesian and Australian. Bringing together music, performance, visual arts, and community experiences, Nongkrong – Pasar Senja (translated in English to Twilight Fair) offers a chance to explore Australian-Indonesian identity, creativity, and connection – perfect for a cultural night out with friends, family, or that special someone.
For the full Open Air program at Fed Square, visit fedsquare.com/events/open-air-at-the-square