New Orleans bounce, Beatles remixes and a trio of global electronic visionaries close out Open Air at the Square.
Fed Square’s month-long Open Air at the Square program wraps up in spectacular fashion this week, with three nights of free live music that span dancehall-inspired Beatles remixes, high-octane New Orleans bounce and transcendent genre-bending sounds from some of the world’s most respected electronic artists.
The final stretch of Open Air brings the party energy, kicking off Thursday with The Beatles Dub Club reimagining the Fab Four’s catalogue through reggae, dub and house lenses. Friday sees New Orleans icon Big Freedia bring the bounce, while Saturday closes things out with a triple bill featuring house pioneer François K, Greek synth-pop artist Σtella and Grammy-nominated vocalist Ganavya. All events are free and open to all ages.
Here’s everything happening at Fed Square from 23 February to 1 March.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
The Fall of the House of Usher (1928), with live DJ set by Emelyne
- 25 February
- 8pm
- Free
Jean Epstein’s mesmerising 1928 adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic horror tale screens with a new live DJ score by Emelyne. Expect a brooding blend of post-punk, trip-hop, jungle and industrial techno with classical undertones, perfectly suited to the film’s unsettling atmosphere of decay and dread. It’s gothic cinema meets underground club culture under the stars.
The screening, which was set for 17 February as part of Fed Square’s free Open Air at the Square summer program, will now take place on 25 February at 8pm in the Main Square.
The Beatles Dub Club
- 26 February
- 8pm
- Free
If Sergeant Pepper had been a DJ, this is what his set would sound like. The Beatles Dub Club brings UK DJ Chris Arnold to Fed Square for a magical mystery tour through the Fab Four’s catalogue, reimagined through reggae, ska, Latin, hip hop, dub, funk, house and even drum and bass. Since its explosive debut in 2022, the project has packed out stages at Glastonbury, Boomtown, Latitude, Isle of Wight, Camp Bestival and Green Man, earning a personal endorsement from Fatboy Slim along the way. It’s a fresh twist on some of the most beloved songs ever written, perfect for a summer evening under the stars.
Big Freedia + Friends
- 27 February
- Free
Direct from New Orleans, the Queen of Bounce herself brings a high-octane celebration of LGBTQIA+ hip hop and queer culture to Fed Square. Big Freedia is widely credited with bringing bounce music from the New Orleans underground to global audiences, collaborating with Beyoncé, Drake and Kesha while becoming a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility. Presented by Fed Square and All the Queens Men, this show promises bold, euphoric New Orleans bounce and a full-scale celebration of queer culture and community. Get ready to move.
Insects of Melbourne Launch
- 28 February
- 10am
- Free, register here
Head to Fed Square for the launch of the new Insects of Melbourne guide on Saturday February 28 with a free morning of talks, tours and tiny critters.
The event brings together insect experts, academics and conservation leaders to shine a light on urban biodiversity across the city. Attendees can check out stalls from insect organisations, take a guided tour of the Test Garden with Fed Square’s Head Gardener Russell Larke, and grab a free copy of the guide. A collaboration between City of Melbourne, Fed Square and Heartscapes, the guide spotlights some of the most common, rare and curious insects you might find around Melbourne.
François K | Σtella | Ganavya Live
- 28 February
- Free
Three global acts unite for Open Air’s closing night, bringing together an evening of transcendent, genre-bending sounds. François K is a legendary New York DJ and producer whose work has shaped house, garage and electronic music since the late 1970s. Greek artist Σtella (Stella) brings her distinctive blend of synth-pop and new wave, drawing inspiration from Greek pop, disco and global electronica. Grammy-nominated vocalist Ganavya rounds out the bill, the New York-born, Tamil Nadu-raised artist whose music blends jazz, South Indian classical tradition and poetic improvisation into something hypnotic and transcendent.
Holi Festival of Colours
- 28 February – 1 March
- 12pm
- Free
Melbourne’s biggest Holi celebration returns to The Paddock for a two-day explosion of colour, music and community. Presented by Aussizz Group, this free festival transforms Fed Square into a living canvas as thousands of people throw safe, non-toxic coloured powders into the air, creating clouds of pink, yellow, green and blue against the city skyline. DJs spin throughout the day to keep the energy high, while food stalls serve up street food favourites, sweet treats and cold drinks. When the sun sets, Holi After Dark takes over with illuminated festivities and fresh energy that keeps the celebration going under the stars. Registration required but entry is free for everyone.
Game Worlds at ACMI
- On now until 29 March
- ACMI
- $30+
ACMI’s blockbuster playable exhibition transports you inside the worlds of more than 30 iconic videogames, from global hits like Minecraft, World of Warcraft and The Sims to anticipated Australian release Hollow Knight: Silksong. Featuring 44 playable experiences, rare concept art, original design materials and four newly commissioned microgames from Australian developers, it’s the museum’s most popular show since 2018’s Wonderland.
Wurrdha Marra
- Daily
- The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
- Free
Meaning ‘Many Mobs’ in the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language, this dynamic exhibition space on the ground floor of NGV Australia showcases masterpieces and new works from the NGV’s First Nations art and design collection. Featuring artists including Tony Albert, Treahna Hamm, Kent Morris, Marlene Gilson, Rover Thomas and Christian Thompson, the display celebrates the central role of art in passing down important cultural knowledge.
Browse the full Open Air at the Square 2026 program here.
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