Overview
You can encounter the weird and wonderful within the crisp white walls of one of Melbourne's major galleries, but the Melbourne Fringe Festival's open program is where the city's art scene truly gets down and dirty. Just announced, this year's massive lineup is brimming with fearless, independent shows, from one-on-one encounters to large-scale outdoor spectacles that take pleasure in the experimental and unusual.
Running from Tuesday, September 30–Sunday, October 19, the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2025 offers more than 500 events. Presented in theatres, laneways, living rooms, beaches and carparks, nowhere is too strange to stumble upon a stage. Stacked with local and international talent, expect three weeks of singing, dancing, comedy and circus — often at the same time — performed in fascinating ways.
Credit: Carlin and Camera
As always, theatre is a rousing highlight, with two shows exploring Australian identity at this year's festival. Award-winning comic and broadcaster Sammy J presents Fiasco: A Burke & Wills Musical, a satirical reimagining of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition as a raucous live concert. Meanwhile, The Lucky Country sees director Sonya Suares explore what it means to belong through an original score paying tribute to Aussie musical greats, from Jimmy Barnes to Baker Boy.
Of course, live music is also a major focus. Making the journey from NYC, the iconic basement piano bar, Marie's Crisis, is popping up for three nights only at Trades Hall, with Broadway pianists Adam Tilford and Kenney Green-Tilford leading showtune sing-alongs. Lung Swara is another must-see, featuring renowned Indonesian artist Cahwati Sugiarto and local experimental musicians Aviva Endean and Matthias Schack-Arnott, as they blend Javanese song and dance with visceral sonic textures.
Credit: NickMickPics
There are also genre-defying works that refuse expectations. Comedian Tom Ballard returns to Melbourne Fringe Festival with Jks: A comedy? — taking audiences behind the scenes on the bizarre night a comedy legend died. Plus, celebrated Hawaiian-Australian performer Lilikoi Kaos presents Too Much, a one-woman cabaret show blending circus, comedy and storytelling that details her life growing up in the circus, her Pasifika heritage and the contradiction of being too much, but not enough.
"Melbourne Fringe Festival is the city's creative playground, a place where anyone can share their art, from first-time makers to some of Australia's most celebrated artists," says Melbourne Fringe Creative Director and CEO Simon Abrahams. "It's democracy in action: no invitation needed, no permission required. This is Melbourne's independent arts scene in all its bold, brilliant, messy glory."
Credit: Duncographic
Melbourne Fringe Festival is happening from Tuesday, September 30–Sunday, October 19, across multiple venues and locations. Head to the website for more information.
Top image: Max Roux.