From 31 August to 14 September, the City of Darebin comes to life with colour, sound and community.
The annual Darebin FUSE Festival is a multi-arts extravaganza, bringing the region (and beyond) together for an all-ages, everyone welcome celebration of culture and creativity.
With ticketed events as well as a bunch of freebies, the festival features live music, cinema, workshops, installation and so much more.
This year, the team behind the event has gone above and beyond, scheduling a whirlwind of happenings across the two-week period. We’ve taken a dive into the full program (which you can do here, if you’re curious) and curated a list of what not to miss this festival season.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Ganbu Gulin: wudhanu yuwanguth
- 31 August
- Darebin Arts Centre & Ray Bramham Gardens
- Free
There’s no other way to start off the festival right than with the iconic Ganbu Gulin event, a jewel of the FUSE Festival crown. From Woi-wurrung language meaning, “One Mob: From Many to the Next”, Ganbu Gulin: wudhanu yuwanguth welcomes all neighbours, new and old, for a celebration of community on Wurundjeri Country.
The impressive musical lineup includes a triple-threat of Indigenous Australian talent: singer-songwriter Emma Donovan, who will be bringing her soul-stirring RnB styling to the stage, as well as retro rock duo Doe Eyes and rising hip-hop star Torres Green.
With the ‘FABoriginal’ 2Joocee as host, the event will also feature a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, performances by the Djirri Djirri Dancers and an address from Uncle Andrew Gardiner.
Bunjil & Paliyang
- 13 to 21 September
- Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre
- Tickets here
With a star-studded cast featuring iconic Didjeridoo player Amos Roach, violist William Vyvyan Murray and the Murrundaya Yepengna Dance Troupe, this show is a contemporary reimagining of the Kulin Nation Songline story. With choreography by Teena Moffat and Brent Watkins, this powerful and awe-inspiring performance takes audiences through the skies, waters and dreams of Country.
A Night Under the Stars with Watty Thompson and Friends
- 6 September
- Darebin Arts Centre & Ray Bramham Gardens
- Tickets here
Bush storyteller Watty Thompson is bringing a little bit of country charm to the city, evoking the intimate and enchanting feeling of a campfire. He’ll be recounting tales and singing tunes alongside friends and a few special guests. It’ll be a magical night that encapsulates everything Darebin FUSE is about – sharing, togetherness and an uplifting energy that touches one and all.
Rock-A-Bye Baby feat. Wrong Way Up
- 4 September
- Darebin Arts Centre (Grevillea Room)
- Tickets here
This dance party is made for the kids, but fun for adults as well – and so cute! Afro-disco-psychedelic-boogie duo Wrong Way Up will headline this playful daytime concert. PBS’ #1 kid-friendly music event, this one has become a family favourite, and will have coffee, babycinos, tea, hot chocolates and snacks for any hungry revellers.
FUSE Films
- 2 + 10 September
- Thornbury Picture House
- Free (bookings essential)
The Thornbury Picture House is also getting into the spirit of the festival by screening a diverse range of films across two days, all for free (which means more money to spend on popcorn and drinks).
The films include Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Australian children’s drama Paper Planes, a yet-to-be-revealed Bollywood film, a First Nations film evening featuring works by Ngarabal filmmaker and Darebin local Isaac Winzer and WINHANGANHA (Wiradjuri language: Remember, know, think) by multi-disciplinary artist Jazz Money.
FUSE Festival @ Northcote Town Hall
- 5 to 7 September
- Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre and Civic Square
- Free
Across one weekend, Northcote Town Hall will become a festival hub, filled with unlikely curiosities. Experience the magic of Tarutharu – The Kaurna Skink, a glowing, 27-meter-long lizard created by Elizabeth Close Arts and Jack Buckskin. In the main hall, discover Cochlea, a giant inflatable installation musing on gender. Enter its maze-like caverns and tubes, and rediscover your sense of play.
Kids’ activities include and fun-filled colouring sheet from artist Arkie Barton. The opening night performance will kick it all off, featuring roving performances by local drag icons Cerulean and Stone Motherless Cold.
To check out everything happening at Darebin FUSE Festival 2025, head here.
This article was made in partnership with the City of Darebin.
