White Night expands in 2019

By Rowan Webb

Victoria’s annual White Night will return to Melbourne across three nights in August.

Returning August 22-24, the festival will be re-imagined and expanded to new precincts. Carlton Gardens, Birrarung Marr and the National Gallery of Victoria will showcase live performance, installation and projections. 

“White Night Reimagined will make Melbourne come alive during the quieter winter months, bringing us the best entertainment, art and culinary experiences from Victoria and across the world,” said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula.

Having been traditionally held in warmer months, the festival’s move to winter has been welcomed by local business owners.

President of the Yarra River Business Association John Forman was thrilled with the announcement. 

“Extending over three nights and expanding the program and changing the date to winter is what needed to occur and the majority of traders are very supportive of the change in direction,” Forman said.

“Having the event as a centrepiece of an expanded winter creative campaign is very clever and will be incredibly beneficial to the Victorian economy and Melbourne brand”.

White Night artistic director David Atkins and his team said they had been “elated and energised by the new undertaking”. The festival’s mix of music, visual and performing arts is aiming to help the city come alive during the quieter period.

For more information about the program, visit whitenight.com.au/Melbourne