Overview
Heading to Marvel Stadium at Melbourne's Docklands usually means watching a game of AFL. Or, you could be hitting up the venue to see a gig. Moseying beneath the space to wander around an underground light show and labyrinth definitely isn't normally on the cards. That'll change come winter, with the city's Firelight Festival returning for 2024 — and, for the first time, bringing the Firelight Labyrinth with it.
The fest itself is a three-day affair over the last weekend in June, running from Friday, June 28–Sunday, June 30 at New Quay Promenade, Victoria Promenade and Harbour Esplanade. On the agenda, as in past years: fire performers, fire pits, fire drums, flame jets, fire arches and fire sculptures. There'll also be live music, African drumming, and an array of stomach-warming food and drink options — such as dumplings, smoked meats, paella, churros and hot chocolates.
Flame-filled arts — and bites to feast on and beverages to sip while you're enjoying them — aren't the only drawcard this year, though. Cue more than 144,000 lights beaming beneath Marvel Stadium, with the labyrinth sticking around for over two weeks from Friday, June 28–Sunday, July 14. Accordingly, this year's Firelight Festival is also a huge tourist attraction for locals and visitors alike, especially if you want to see a key Aussie Rules venue in a new light — literally.
As well as all of those sources of luminousness, the Firelight Labyrinth will feature immersive audio, making the experience an audio-visual maze.
While the festival is free to attend — you'll need your wallet for whatever you eat and drink — the Firelight Labyrinth is ticketed, costing $37.50 for adults.
"The festival is a firecracker for the local economy — injecting $4.7 million last year in three days. We're expecting to see double the support for traders this winter with the Firelight Labyrinth experience spanning 17 days," said Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp.
"Firelight Festival is a beacon of light for Docklands' traders — driving 100,000 visitors to the precinct in 2023, creating 700 jobs, and delivering a smouldering serving of arts and culture on Melbourne's stunning waterfront," added Activation portfolio lead Councillor Roshena Campbell.
Firelight Festival will take over Docklands nightly from Friday, June 28–Sunday, June 30, with the Firelight Labyrinth running from Friday, June 28–Sunday, July 14. For further details — and presale tickets from Wednesday, May 1, then general tickets from Thursday, May 2 — head to the festival's website.