The Light in Winter Festival

Local Community



Be warmed this winter with The Light in Winter Festival at Federation Square! This free twenty day event runs from 1st – 21st June with a program full of art, music and performance that is sure to inspire. In this blog
C&G take a look at the festival and pick a few must-see highlights. 


The Festival

The Light in Winter Festival began in 2007 with a single mission: to bring Melbourne’s multicultural communities together through a light-inspired program in order to ‘warm’ the city in winter. 

This year’s festival coincides with The International Year of Light and showcases the oldest and newest sources of light, and these form the basis of the festival’s many exhibitions, screenings and performances. For extra winter fun, the festival concludes with a solstice celebration!

Highlights:

Molecule of Light

The Molecule of Light laser installation is making its world premiere at The Light in Winter Festival! Created by renowned UK artist Chris Levine, the installation uses multiple laser systems to display millions of moving light beams. The beams connect with the central structure at Federation Square and then scatter in patterns and shapes along the ground. To find out more, click here.

Essential Bergman: Selected by David Stratton

This exhibition offers movie fans the opportunity to enjoy a special screening in honour of ‘the master of cinematic light’, Ingmar Bergman. Ten iconic films have been selected by film critic and broadcaster David Stratton, including The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, and Cries and Whispers. To find out more, click here.

Campfire Program: Leempeeyt Weeyn’

This event was created by artist Vicki Couzens for The Light in Winter Festival’s inaugural year in 2007, and explores the oldest form of human-made light – fire – in a celebration of Indigenous culture. Different forms of artistic expression: poetry readings, music, dance and more, are utilised over the festival’s duration to tell stories and share experiences. To find out more, click here.

The New Palm Court Orchestra with Doug de Vries

This musical event of Brazilian inspired music showcases the talents of Doug de Vries, a leading expert on Brazilian guitar and one of our country’s greatest guitarists. Featuring original compositions, this show presents lively music in the carnival spirit! To find out more, click here.

Flow

Flow brings Federation Square to life with a digital garden of flower sculptures. The futuristic flowers are connected by streams of light, and can be ‘awakened’ with hand gestures. This innovative project is the work of Melbourne’s own Ethno Tekh. To find out more, click here.