Asia TOPA — aka the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts — is returning to Melbourne in 2025 after a five-year hiatus, once again filling the city with a jam-packed lineup of dance, theatre, music and visual art performances. Part of the program was released earlier in the year, but the team seems to have saved the best for last — its nightlife events. Throughout the entire festival, which runs from Thursday, February 20–Monday, March 10, 2025, after-dark performances will take over a handful of galleries and public spaces in the city. [caption id="attachment_984006" align="alignnone" width="1920"] BLAX: Act One by YIRRAMBOI[/caption] The main highlight of the program is Art Centre Melbourne's pop-up nightclub Club 8, which brings together both contemporary performance art and club culture. This will be found in the recently renamed Leaper Family Pavilion in the Theatres Building, and it will host nine totally unique club nights across three weeks. But don't expect the team to just throw in some DJs and strobe lights, and call it a day — after all, this is an immersive performing arts piece. Dance collectives, drag artists, queer ballroom performers and experimental musicians will all be participating in these big parties, which champion radical self-expression. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic bevs will also be available on site for these nights, alongside a short menu of snacks. [caption id="attachment_984009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] INAMO Mini Ball by Nam Chops[/caption] Asia TOPA's Creative Director Jeff Khan shared, "For next year's Asia TOPA, we wanted to honour the energy and creativity of nightlife communities across the Asia-Pacific. "So many people prefer to create and experience performance in nightlife settings, and Club 8 and the wider Nightlife program challenges traditional notions of where and how culture is experienced. Clubs are made to be experienced communally: bring your crew and kick on with us." But this isn't all that;s going on after dark for Asia TOPA 2025. There'll also be a free opening night concert at Fed Square on Friday, February 21, celebrating Eastern-fusion contemporary music. On the same evening, you can head down the road to the Asia TOPA version of NGV Friday Nights to explore Yayoi Kusama's enormous exhibition before finding DJs, drinks and food in the Great Hall. Come Saturday, February 22, Narre Warren's Bunjil Place will throw a free party featuring stacks of food, performances and music. And on Sunday, February 23, you can also drop by Fed Square for a free all-day Nongkrong festival, which will champion Indonesian music and culture. [caption id="attachment_984012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Betty Apple by BW Studio[/caption] [caption id="attachment_984008" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Club 4A: Night Vision by Anna Hay[/caption] [caption id="attachment_984011" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The B_B by Performing Lines[/caption] Asia TOPA 2025 runs from Thursday, February 20–Monday, March 10, 2025 at venues across Melbourne. Head to the festival's website for more details and tickets. Top image: MaggZ by Nam Chops.