Federation Square lit up this year with the five clans of the Kulin Nation, who performed a glorious welcome to country and paid respect to the land and elders both past and present.
As a new initiative in 2016, Haircuts by Children invited audiences to get out of theatres and onto the streets and into unusual locations, most often for free.
Other highlights included the eight Melbourne Art Trams that dazzled both tourists and daily commuters across the city, and Les Tambours de Feu which led 11,000 people around the CBD streets and laneways over three nights in a percussion filled parade.
Audiences leapt to feet with enthusiasm for shows all across the Festival, but with particular relish for Canada’s Les 7 Doigts de la Main dancing with crutches in Triptyque.
The 31st Melbourne Festival featured over 60 Melbourne exclusive events, with over 719 artists from 17 different countries and across 38 venues.
