Lightscape Melbourne
Another winter, another lit-up garden display, with this after-dark festival getting Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne a-glowing.
Overview
Here's one way that 2025 is certain to dazzle: with Lightscape and its luminous path through the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne making a comeback this winter. Walking through stunning lights as far as the eye can see, moseying beneath a canopy of glowing multi-coloured trees, wandering between ribbons of flashing beams, taking the most lit-up route through nature that you can imagine — you'll be able to do all of this again, just like in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
If you attended in past years, this fourth Lightscape stint does have surprises in store. 2025's event will feature 20-plus stunning new installations. So, no matter whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, you haven't seen this. Exactly what'll be on offer hasn't been revealed as yet, but it'll be on display from Friday, June 20–Sunday, August 10.
Lightscape first hit Australia in 2022 after initially taking over gardens across the United Kingdom and the United States. Developed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the UK, it has understandably proven a huge success — and more than two-million people wandered along its glowing trails in a season overseas.
2024's Melbourne event featured the return of the popular Winter Cathedral, which is made out of glowing bulbs — and also the vibrant Laser Garden. Also included last year: Submergence, letting patrons move through suspended — and colour-changing — lights by the thousands, for instance, and Lili with its glowing three-metre-tall flowers.
Whatever is on the agenda in 2025, prepare to see the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne illuminated by immersive and large-scale pieces scattered along that lengthy walking route, including sparkling trees, shimmering walkways and bursts of colour that look like fireworks. Prepare to feel like you're being bathed in radiance — and ample neon — as well.
Pop-up food and drink stalls are usually a feature, too, as scattered throughout Lightscape — selling, we always hope, mulled wine to keep hands warm in the thick of winter.
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