White Night Returns With More Round-the-Clock Art Partying

Sure, Melbourne has a lot of cool things happening, pretty much all of the time. But White Night is something special. It's hard to find anything much cooler than an entire night of live music, movies, roving performers and pop-up art. It attracted huge audiences in its inaugural run last year, and the recently released 2014 program looks even better; a cultural playground from dusk 'til dawn.

In a celebration of music, art, fashion, theatre and performance, White Night will feature a mix of free and ticketed entertainment, spread out over 12 hours. The events on offer are quite extensive so the program has been separated into regions defined by areas of the diverse cityscape for your convenience.

The Lucky Dip region will feature a kaleidoscope of sideshow spectaculars, promising the thrills and delights of carnival culture all the way up central Swanston Street. Of particular note is A Vogue Idea, which sees Matthew Linde lead a group of more than 30 identically dressed models through some of Melbourne’s fanciest venues, in an exploration of how fashion informs human interaction and the tradition of opening night.

Flinders Street Station and Fed Square will again be a focal point this year as they showcase projections, installations, photography and dance. The station will again be transformed into a stunning light display (Wonderland) and an extensive program list is available at ACMI and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia as well.

Bourke Street Mall will feature the J+R&B Music Stage, dedicated to rhythm and blues that will be programmed by Julie O’Hara. And the Vortex region of Southbank Pedestrian Bridge will become an immersive cocoon of light — a dazzling installation in the centre of the river.

The great thing about White Night last year that it had something for everyone. You don't have to be into dance or theatre or art to appreciate the fun. It's a night to celebrate the city's passions, yes, but it's also a chance for all Melbournians to explore their city in a way that is otherwise impossible, in the night that is like no other.

White Night 2014 will be on February 22 from 7pm 'til 7am. Check the website to see the full program.