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Family-Friendly Highlights at RISING 2025
RISING is back from 4 – 15 June 2025, transforming Melbourne’s CBD into a vibrant playground of music, theatre, dance, and public performances. Over 12 nights, the festival will take over laneways, arcades, underground basements, and grand theatres, bringing an unmissable lineup of world-class international and local artists to the heart of the city.
Families can look forward to immersive art, outdoor performances, and spectacular light displays.
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RISING 2025 Family-Friendly Highlights Include:
Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf
Flinders Street Station will transform into a playful, art-filled mini golf course with Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf. Nine unique holes designed by female artists, each featuring creative obstacles and challenges.
Experience Miranda July’s quirky take on the game, Kaylene Whiskey’s fusion of pop culture and Anangu traditions, and Saeborg’s latex creatures. Other featured artists include Nabilah Nordin, Delaine Le Bas, and Natasha Tontey, alongside BKTHERULA, Soda Jerk, and Pat Brassington.
For ages 12+
Date: 4 June — 31 August 2025
Time: Play times vary, allow 45—60 minutes to experience the exhibition
Location: Flinders Street Station
Price: $26-$35
Space-Out Competition
A public competition where the challenge is to do nothing. In a world where productivity is king, this event asks participants to abandon their to-do lists and find serenity in stillness. Led by South Korean artist Woopsyang, Space-Out invites teams of up to three people to sit for 90 minutes in complete calm, free from distractions like technology or laughter. It’s a fun and quirky way to reconnect with the present moment, and with live sports commentary, spectators will cheer on those attempting to “space out” for the longest.
Date: 9 June 2025
Time: 3 pm
Location: QV Melbourne
Price: FREE
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Intangible #Form
A stunning kinetic laser installation by Shohei Fujimoto, intangible #form transforms The Capitol Theatre into a dreamlike, ever-evolving ocean of floating prisms and light. For the first time in Melbourne, Fujimoto uses data-mapping technology to convert the theatre’s iconic architecture into a vast, immersive space. This installation is an abstract journey, where lasers flicker and change form, inviting visitors to lose themselves in a visual and auditory exploration of space and perception.
Date: 4 – 15 June 2025
Location: The Capitol – RMIT
Price: FREE
Matha
Matha is a multimedia artwork by Moorina Bonini (Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri, Wiradjuri), celebrating cultural regeneration through visual projections and music. Projected onto the façade of Hamer Hall, the piece combines Yorta Yorta language, film, and song to explore the deep connection between Country, knowledge, and cultural practices.
Date: 4 – 15 June 2025
Location: Hamer Hall Façade
Price: FREE
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SHOUSE Communitas
A musical experience where everyone becomes part of the band, SHOUSE Communitas invites you to join in spontaneous music-making and create an uplifting, collective sound. Following the success of last year’s event, SHOUSE returns to Melbourne with their infectious concept of mass-musicking.
Bring an instrument, your voice, or simply your energy — it’s all about making music together and celebrating creativity and connection. This inclusive event welcomes families of all musical backgrounds to share in the joy of live performance.
Date: 8 June 2025
Time: 4 pm
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St, Melbourne
Price: FREE
Blockbuster
A vibrant celebration of South Asian culture, Blockbuster brings Punjabi art, music, and food to Melbourne’s iconic Federation Square. This free, all-ages event showcases live Pakistani R&B, rap acrobatics, Sufi music, and more. Throughout the day, explore a kaleidoscopic art program, sample street food, and enjoy curated films. The event wraps up with a vibrant celebration featuring technicolour lights and a high-energy dance party..
Date: 7 June 2025
Venue: Fed Square
Price: FREE
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FAQs for Families at Rising 2025
1. What is Rising? Rising is Melbourne’s annual festival celebrating art, performance, and culture, transforming the city with immersive installations, live performances, and unique family-friendly experiences across various venues.
2. Is Rising 2025 suitable for children and families? Absolutely! Rising 2025 offers a variety of family-friendly events and activities, including interactive installations, performances and workshops.
3. Are there any free events for families at Rising 2025? Yes! There are several free events that families can enjoy, including Blockbuster, SHOUSE Communitas, Matha, intangible #form and Space-out.
4. Are there age restrictions for certain events? Some events may have age recommendations or restrictions due to the nature of the performances or installations. These will be clearly outlined in the event descriptions on the Rising 2025 program.
5. Are the venues accessible for families with prams and strollers? Most venues for Rising 2025 are pram and stroller-friendly. However, we recommend checking specific venue details to ensure accessibility, as some installations or events may involve stairs or uneven terrain.
6. What should I bring for my family to enjoy Rising 2025? To make the most of your experience, we recommend bringing comfortable clothing, water bottles, sunscreen, and a hat for outdoor events. Don’t forget your camera to capture the magical moments.
7. Where can I find more information on the festival? You can find up-to-date information, including event details, schedules, and ticketing, on the Rising 2025 website and through their social media channels.
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We try our best to provide accurate information on kid-friendly events around Victoria but do recommend parents check details directly to confirm dates, times, prices as some details may be subject to change.
