First Nations festival YIRRAMBOI returns to Narrm this May with its most ambitious program yet, spanning a breadth of artistic expression.
Taking centre stage in Melbourne’s arts precinct for its fifth iteration, YIRRAMBOI (meaning ‘tomorrow’ in the local languages of the Boon Wurrung and Woi Wurrung peoples) will explore four powerful anchors: Legacy, Joy, Reclamation, and Akin.
Deeply rooted in purpose, the festival platforms expressions of culture, identity, unity and truth through evolutionary and experimental practices that break away from preconceived notions of First Nations art.
YIRRAMBOI Festival
- 1 to 11 May, 2025
- Various venues across Narrm
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
Legacy of cultural knowledge
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While YIRRAMBOI may have begun in 2017, the festival’s co-leads emphasise its deep connections to thousands of years of cultural tradition.
“We are honoured to have inherited the legacy of YIRRAMBOI and to be trusted as the caretakers of such a powerful platform. YIRRAMBOI may be perceived as a young festival, taking its opening bow in 2017; however, the spirit of the festival comes from 4,000 generations of cultural knowledge and over 230 years of resilience,” said YIRRAMBOI Co-Lead, J-Maine Beezley (Wakka Wakka/Kabi Kabi).
Fellow Co-Lead, Sherene Stewart (Taungurung/Filipino) added: “The 2025 program is evolutionary, explorative, diverse, and deeply rooted in purpose, amplifying the voices of now, presented in unwavering truth. It’s with immense pride, we again create a platform where brilliant First Nations minds from across the globe converge—where old stories awaken, and new narratives are forged.”
World premieres and Australian exclusives
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This year’s program features an impressive lineup of world premieres, including banj ba walert: water and possum by Stacie Nicholson-Piper, an immersive story honouring Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Vicki Nicholson-Brown and exploring Wurundjeri traditions of possum skin drums and water dance.
HOLDING S P A C E by Apryl Day and Jirra Lulla will offer a film, photography, and visual art exhibition exploring connections to place, while Dr. Paola Balla’s Blak Women’s Healing takes over Arts House, amplifying the voices and lived experiences of Aboriginal women.
One major honour for the festival is There’s Something I’ve Been Meaning To Tell You…, a powerful new theatre work by internationally acclaimed Cree-Saulteaux Métis artist Margo Kane. Running 3-4 May at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Show Room, this one-woman show poses powerful questions about territory, identity and where we stand.
Performance artist Joshua Pether returns with Monster In The Cyborg Body, a reimagined sun-up-to-sundown performance merging two pivotal works from his artistic journey. First performed at YIRRAMBOI 2017, Monster became something of an urban legend for those lucky enough to witness it. This 12-hour reimagined performance at The Channel invites audiences to drop in and experience Pether’s work at their own pace.
Celebrating joy through food and performance
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The festival is also serving up some delicious entertainment with its food program. Mabu Mabu Sunday Roast with Elaine Crombie and Elayin Open offers a “drag-ish sit-down lunch” featuring dishes made of Native Torres Strait Islander ingredients alongside bottomless mimosas.
Back by popular demand is the Mabu Mabu Bottomless Drag Brunch with Chocolate Boxx and 2Joocee.
Reclamation through art and storytelling
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The theme of reclamation runs strong through several works, including ENOKi’s Wonderland by Darcy McConnell, a world of visual art, music, movement and sensory play for children at ArtPlay.
Iluka Sax-Williams takes over the SIGNAL building with Dabana, meaning “to fill up” or “pour in” in Taungurung language. Meanwhile, The Black Woman of Gippsland by Andrea James presents a gripping modern mystery set on her grandmother’s Country.
Akin: Global First Nations connections
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The theme of Akin explores connections between First Nations peoples across the globe. We are the land we walk upon, a visionary installation at Immigration Museum, intertwines stories of protocol and connection to Country from First Nations artists from opposite corners of the earth.
From Aotearoa comes Sorry For Your Loss by Cian Parker, a heartfelt and hilarious story about growing up with a sometimes-there-mostly-not Dad. Mythosoma by Body Island presents a living, symbiotic ritual where healing, creation, and reciprocity converge through Indigenous mythologies, street dance, and contemporary somatic practices.
A special highlight will be Table for 6, featuring six extraordinary women—visionaries who have shaped the industry and redefined arts—coming together for what’s described as “a raw, unfiltered and deeply moving conversation.” This theatre dinner show pays tribute to bold women who have paved the way in the arts, featuring Kylie Belling, Lily Shearer, Dr. Lynette Narkle, Margo Kane, Rachael Maza, and Rhoda Roberts, hosted by Emily Wells.
YIRRAMBOI is offering a 25% discount exclusively to YIRRAMBOI mailing list subscribers on selected events. Head to yirramboi.com.au and sign up to claim your discount code. Offer ends Thursday 13 March, 10pm.
For more information, head here.
