Melbourne's Citywide Winter Festival Now or Never Is Returning for Its Second Year in 2024

In 2023, Melbourne welcomed a brand new reason to explore the city in the thick of winter, and to make the most of the Victorian capital's arts and culture scene whether you're a local or looking for an excuse to visit. Announced in November 2022, then taking place in August 2023, Now or Never was that event — a sprawling fest filled with music, performances, installations, talks and more. Mark your calendars for 2024, because it's coming back again this year.

The dates for your diary: Thursday, August 22–Saturday, August 31. The fest returns after proving a success on its first run, which featured work from 300 artists and creatives. This year's theme: 'look through the image', which is set to hone in on imagination, emotions and contemplation.

While the program won't start being released until the end of May — with the full lineup dropping at the end of June — Now or Never will have big shoes to fill based on 2023's debut. Its highlights included Melbourne's historic Royal Exhibition Building hosting its first large-scale live music performances in over 20 years; Never Permanent, a one-day Semi Permanent headlined by Roman Coppola; and a 1.2-kilometre art trail through Docklands.

Also helping usher in the first-ever Now or Never in a big way: a 360-degree cinema dome in the Melbourne Museum forecourt; 70-plus music performances in two days in a heap of other notable Melbourne spots; sculptural illuminations and projections over the Shrine of Remembrance. And that's only a small section of 2023's program.

"After making an incredible debut last year, the City of Melbourne's newest festival Now or Never is back in 2024. The inaugural festival attracted more than 150,000 people into the city — generating almost $14 million in economic impact and supporting hundreds of local jobs and businesses," said Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp, announcing the fest's return.

"Now or Never will feature leading local and international artists and creatives across a program of groundbreaking music and audio-visual performances, immersive art installations, provocative talks, spectacular technology and much more."

"We are focussed on bringing Melbourne to life in quieter periods like over the winter months. Major events are an enormous drawcard for tourists and visitors to Melbourne, providing a significant boost to the economy," added City Activation portfolio lead Councillor Roshena Campbell.

Now or Never will pop up to cap off the coldest season of the year after RISING also fills the city with a feast of art, music and performances — a 2024 lineup that spans 105 events featuring 480-plus artists, in fact — to start off winter, running from Saturday, June 1–Sunday, June 16.

Now or Never 2024 runs from Thursday, August 22–Saturday, August 31 around Melbourne — head to the festival website for further details.