Firelight Festival is returning to Docklands this winter from July 1 - 3 with fire, liquid, light, laser and crystal shows.
A never-seen-before lighting installation, a spectacular liquid, light and laser show and a giant crystal lion will ignite Docklands this winter as part of the City of Melbourne’s Firelight Festival.
The event will return after a two-year hiatus, enticing tens of thousands of visitors to witness firey installations, pop-up performances, live entertainment and foodie feasts from 1 to 3 July.
The 2019 Firelight Festival attracted more than 75,000 people over three days, delivering $4 million into the local economy.
Docklands Firelight Festival program:
- A new lighting installation, which will transform Buluk Park into a magical forest with brilliant light stems and colourful petals stretching 6 metres into the air
- A 10-metre crystal lion shimmering with thousands of LED lights, which will roam the festival emitting a spine-tingling soundscape
- A seven-minute liquid, light and laser show with water jets featuring a larger-than-life fiery phoenix, playing every hour at Victoria Harbour
- More than 100 performers, including dazzling fire breathers and twirlers, flaming trumpeters, roving entertainers, musicians and other artists
- 40 fire pits and drums, 35 flame jets, two fire sculptures and two fire arches.
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More than 20 food vendors will offer seasonal delights to warm even the coldest winter nights, from smoked meats, soup and woodfired pizza to mulled wine, hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows.
There will be activations located along New Quay Promenade, Victoria Harbour Promenade and Harbour Esplanade to drive visitation and spend at businesses across the precinct.
Festivalgoers can also take advantage of the Docklands Dollars program, which offers up to $210 cashback on spending on hotels, restaurants and entertainment in the precinct.
For the first time, Firelight Festival 2022 will be a carbon-neutral certified event.
“After two long years, Firelight Festival is back in Docklands with awe-inspiring installations, mesmerising light shows, foodie feasts, fire twirlers, flaming trumpeters, live music and family-friendly entertainment to celebrate our city in all its wintery glory,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.
“It’s part of our record $25 million investment in events to bring confidence to our city, enliven our streets and laneways, and cement Melbourne’s place as Australia’s cultural capital.
“Gather your family and friends, pop on your winter woolies and head on down to Docklands to enjoy everything that Melbourne has to offer during the cosy winter months.”
“We know Docklands has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and events like Firelight Festival are critical to its economic recovery. Firelight will bring Docklands to life and drive visitation to local businesses,” councillor Roshena Campbell added.
“Nearly 90 per cent of those who attended Firelight Festival pre-pandemic said they visited Docklands specifically for the event. They spent an average of $75 with local traders during their visit, providing a direct economic boost.”
For more detail and the full program, visit the Firelight Festival website.
