RISING 2026 Melbourne: Family Friendly Events at Melbourne’s Winter Festival

From 27 May to 8 June 2026, Melbourne’s city centre transforms into a large-scale playground of music, performance, art and shared experiences as RISING returns for another ambitious winter festival. Taking over theatres, public squares, galleries and unexpected urban spaces across Melbourne, the festival brings together hundreds of local and international artists, inviting audiences to experience culture in new and immersive ways.

While RISING is often recognised for bold contemporary art and late-night performances, the 2026 program makes it clear that the festival is not only for adults. Families, teenagers and young creative audiences will find plenty to explore, from free outdoor celebrations and interactive installations to participatory theatre experiences designed especially for teens.

With more than 100 events, including world premieres, Australian premieres and large-scale public artworks, RISING continues to position Melbourne as one of Australia’s most exciting cultural destinations during winter.

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At its heart, RISING is about gathering together in shared spaces. Streets become stages, historic buildings reopen for new audiences, and familiar city locations take on completely different identities. The festival encourages visitors to move through the city, discover unexpected performances and experience Melbourne after dark in ways that feel welcoming and accessible for families as well as seasoned arts lovers.

One of the standout family-friendly highlights takes place at Fed Square, where God Save the Queens: Let Dance Reign (Sat 6 June 2026) transforms the square into a free, all-ages Pasifika block party. As evening falls, live music, dance performances and community celebration combine in an energetic outdoor event that invites audiences to participate rather than simply watch. Internationally acclaimed performers The Royal Family Dance Crew lead the festivities alongside musicians, DJs and choirs representing Pasifika culture and contemporary performance.

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Dance also takes centre stage inside the historic Flinders Street Station Ballroom, which reopens as the venue for Land of 1000 Dances (27 May — 7 June 2026). Once a legendary social dance hall, the ballroom returns to its original purpose through a program of accessible dance classes open to all ages and abilities. Participants can try everything from salsa and jazz to Bollywood, ballet and vogueing, guided by experienced dance teachers and performers. The experience connects Melbourne’s cultural history with contemporary movement, allowing visitors to actively take part rather than remain spectators.

In the retail heart of the city, Emporium Melbourne hosts Furby Chorus and FRIENDS (27 May — 21 June 2026), a playful installation that appeals strongly to younger audiences. Familiar robotic companions gather within a sculptural environment and periodically come to life through movement and sound. The installation explores the evolving relationship between humans and technology while remaining approachable and curious in tone, making it an easy cultural stop for families exploring the CBD during the festival.

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Teenagers are given a rare opportunity to become performers themselves through Monsteen (4 — 14 June 2026), presented at SIGNAL, the City of Melbourne’s creative studio dedicated to young people. Designed specifically for participants aged 12 to 17, the work blends immersive theatre, role-playing and collaborative storytelling. Participants create characters within a supernatural high school world inspired by cosplay and gaming culture, navigating friendships, rivalries and personal identity through performance. Rather than watching a scripted show, teens help shape the narrative in real time, making it one of the most distinctive youth-focused experiences in the RISING program.

Dance fans will also find a major performance highlight at Hamer Hall within Arts Centre Melbourne, where The Royal Family Dance Crew present Defend the Throne (Sun 7 June 2026). Known globally for choreography featured in major pop performances and music videos, the internationally celebrated troupe brings a high-energy showcase combining street dance, storytelling and large-scale stage production. The performance offers teenagers and young dancers a chance to experience world-class choreography live, while families with older children can share an introduction to contemporary dance culture.

Beyond performance venues, RISING continues its strong commitment to free public art experiences. At City Square, Barkindji artist Kent Morris presents FLOWER POWER (27 May — 8 June 2026), an immersive installation centred on the story of the murnong, or yam daisy, once a vital food source for First Peoples across southeastern Australia. The work invites visitors to walk through a reflective field of imagery and sound, encouraging conversations about ecology, history and cultural resilience.

As night arrives, the exterior of Hamer Hall becomes a projection canvas for Calling Country: The Land Speaks Back (27 May — 8 June 2026). Large-scale moving images celebrate First Peoples dance traditions and connections to land, featuring works by local custodians alongside international Indigenous artists.

Another highly visible element of the festival appears across Melbourne’s streets through the First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams. Newly commissioned artworks transform everyday public transport into moving galleries celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists connected to Victoria.

For families looking for meaningful things to do in Melbourne this winter, RISING provides an opportunity not only to watch art but to participate in it, explore the city together and introduce children and teenagers to new creative worlds.

RISING runs 27 May to 8 June 2026. Explore program.

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RISING 2026 Melbourne: Family Friendly Events at Melbourne’s Winter Festival

RELATED: Where to Go Roller Skating with Kids in Melbourne

RELATED: Where to find the best street art in Melbourne

RELATED: Skate Parks in Melbourne you need to visit

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