The Rink 2023

Overview

RISING Melbourne is back for 2023, and the lineup is, frankly, ridiculous. There's a giant Archie Rose negroni tank, a sci-fi wine wall pouring tap vino from Glou Sustainable Wine Bar, and Night Trade, the festival's pop-up hub, which has taken over the grounds of St. Paul's Cathedral.

It's everything we love about Melbourne under moonlight: the food, the arts, the community and the char-grilled Filipino BBQ skewers.

But no visit to RISING this year is complete without a visit to The Rink. This is Melbourne's new annual ice-skating tradition, where visitors can skate on the banks of Birrarung Murr, under an enormous Big Top and a blanket of stars.

When you've done a few laps, you can refuel rink-side, with buttered popcorn, hot dogs (both meat and vegan), loaded fries, hot pies from Pie Thief and woodfired pizza from Fugazi. There will also be free-flowing cocktails from Archie Roach and boozy hot chocolates, courtesy of the guys at Mork. If you're going to attempt any reverse triple axels, we suggest you do them before your hot chocolate.

RISING runs from June 7 to June 18, but The Rink is sticking around until July 8. Entry is free, but skating at The Rink will set you back $22. That gets you up to 90 minutes of skate time. Children under 12 must skate with an adult. Ironic mittens and pompom beanies are highly recommended.

The Rink, 2022.

Images: supplied.