Dynamic, daring and multi-disciplinary, Darebin FUSE Festival is a chance for the community to come together locally and enjoy live gigs, cultural celebrations, exhibitions, workshops, film screenings, and hard to define but easy to love experiences.
Kicking off with the widely beloved Ganbu Gulin opening event, the festival will bring a buzz to the streets, venues and public spaces of Darebin, showing off the municipality’s unique quirky charm.
From freebies to ticketed events, here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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Ganbu Gulin
- 31 Aug – Darebin Arts Centre and Ray Bramham Gardens
Curated this year by Ethan Savage with Cultural and Curatorial Advice by Stacie Piper, the 2025 festival’s opening event is titled wudhanu yuwanguth, or “From Many to the Next”. Featuring a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, live music, cultural activities, a native planting workshop and dance performances, the accessible and family-friendly event holds a significant place in the hearts of FUSE festivalgoers.
“Ganbu Gulin 2025 will reflect on how as one mob, we are many – the outcome of our ancestors and the model for the next; from our Elders to the next generation, and to those who are new in our community,” says Savage. This year’s program is MC’d by drag artist 2joocee, and features Wurundjeri dancers, Emma Donovan, Doe Eyes and Torres Green. Presented in collaboration with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
FUSE @ Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre
- 5-7 Sept – Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre
For one weekend, the heart of the festival will be at Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre and Civic Square, which will present impressive works of puppetry. Marvel at the wonder that is Tarutharu – The Kaurna Skink, a huge glowing installation created in a collaboration between Elizabeth Close Arts, Jack Buckskin and A Blanck Canvas.
Continuing on, you’ll see Cochlea by Snuff Puppets, another massive feat sharing the stories of trans and gender diverse folks. The opening night party will feature appearances from First Nations drag artists Cerulean and Stone Motherless Cold.
PBS’ Rock-A-Bye-Baby featuring Wrong Way Up
- 4 Sept – Darebin Arts Centre Grevillea Room
Bring your little ones, and check out a joyful daytime performance from Afro-disco-psychedelic-boogie duo Wrong Way Up in PBS’ #1 kid-friendly show. Made up of Emmanuela Degery and Andrew Phillips, the Melbourne-based musical duo is best known for their technicolour aesthetic and infectious groove.
A Night Under the Stars with Watty Thompson and Friends
- 6 Sept – Darebin Arts Centre Theatre
Renowned for his raw, heartfelt Australiana sound, Watty Thompson has wowed crowds from festival stages to intimate rooms. Here, the acclaimed storyteller is bringing the country with him, hosting a community-minded bush campfire under the stars. Alongside friends, he’ll be performing his top tracks as well as giving punters a glimpse of some new ones in what’s sure to be an enchanting and touching evening.
FUSE Films
- 2 + 10 Sept – Thornbury Picturehouse
Across two days, the Thornbury Picturehouse opens its doors for six free film screenings. The selection of films is intended to highlight Indigenous voices and multicultural narratives. Catch Ang Lee’s cult-classic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Mani Ratnam’s Tamil-language drama Bombay, Robert Connolly’s Australian children’s drama Paper Planes, works by local resident and Ngarabal filmmaker Isaac Winzer and WINHANGANHA by Wiradjuri multidisciplinary artist and poet Jazz Money.
Smocks & Hot Chocs
- 13 Sept – Bundoora Homestead Art Centre
Hosted by acclaimed visual artist and textile designer Arkie Barton, this workshop will give your little one the chance to let their creativity shine, while sipping on a sweet and creamy hot cocoa. With smocks and supplies provided, this wholesome create and sip experience is designed for children ages 3 to 8.
En Masse
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- 4-10 Sept – 161 Westbourne Avenue
A collaboration between Gamilaroi and Yinarr choreographer Amelia J O’Leary, videographer Michael Carmody, and the 22-years-running performance ensemble Rawcus, En Masse is a life-sized dance work projection musing on the tension between an individual and a group.
Enki
- 6 Sept – Bar 303
Musical trio Omid Shayan, Jackson Fumberger and Mandy Goldsworthy explore a vast range of sounds in this genre-bending musical showcase. Performed on electronic violin, percussion and saxophone, they combine jazz, Iranian folk music and the sounds of the city.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with City of Darebin.
