Docklands' After-Dark Arts Festival Firelight Returns for Three Fire-Filled Nights This July

It's been three years since Docklands last lit up brightly for the flame-filled winter arts celebration that is the City of Melbourne's Firelight Festival. But inner-city precinct set to bask in that glow once more, as the free festival returns from its pandemic-enforced hiatus to deliver a huge 2022 edition next month.

From Friday, July 1–Sunday, July 3, Firelight will see Docklands come alive with a family-friendly, after-dark program of performance, entertainment, culinary delights and fire-inspired art.

This year's lineup promises plenty of reasons to yank yourself off the couch and into the night, headlined by Skunk Control's Adrift — an enchanting light installation set to transform Buluk Park into a luminous forest of light stems and giant petals.

Grace Petrou

Other works set to dazzle crowds nightly include a ten-metre-long glowing lion made of thousands of LEDs that moves to its own soundscape; and a bold laser and light show, which will light up Victoria Harbour every hour with its water jets and giant fiery phoenix.

More than 100 performers will descend on the precinct across the three-day festival, ranging from musicians and fire-twirlers to circus acts and flaming trumpeters. And with a collection of fire sculptures, flame jets and fire pits, things are sure to be super toasty as you're exploring the festival's offerings.

Of course, appetites are sorted, too, with festival vendors slinging a menu packed with wintry delights. Think, smoked meats, woodfired pizza and roasted marshmallows, washed down with hot chocolate and mulled wine.

Firelight Festival will take over Docklands nightly from Friday, July 1–Sunday, July 3. For the full program, head to the festival's website.