The gorgeous, after-dark experience, Lightscape, is coming back to the Royal Botanic Gardens for a fifth season. Wander through the green heart of Melbourne and feel enchanted by 15 new and returning installations. As you journey along the 2.1km path, you’ll feel dazzled by sparkling light tunnels, a field of moving ‘fireflies’ and more. Lightscape will illuminate Melbourne from Friday June 12 to Sunday August 2.
Lightscape 2026
After delighting visitors in the UK and US, Lightscape made its debut in Melbourne in 2022. With its glowing installations and dreamy soundscapes, it quickly became one of the must-do events of the winter season, winning the Gold twice at the Victorian Tourism Awards. And thanks to the new ANZAC Station on the Metro Tunnel, it’s now even easier to visit this event.
Grab a cosy hot chocolate or some mulled wine from the Welcome Zone to keep you warm along the trail. If you’re hungry, there will also be a range of delicious food to enjoy.
Amble beneath the stars, and marvel at new displays. Highlights include the Australian premiere of Bifröst by French studio Pitaya. This spectacular piece is a 20-arch tunnel of cascading light. Look forward to Firefly Field by Dutch studio TOER, where you’ll see 200 glowing lights hover and zip around the grass.
Alongside the new commissions, you’ll see returning favourites, like the popular, 30-metre Winter Cathedral and a reimagined Fire Garden, which will burn with a circular spiral of 150 candles.
For the first time, there will be adults-only evenings, making the dreamy trail the perfect spot for your next date night. There will also be relaxed sessions, allowing those who may need a more supported environment to enjoy the experience, such as people with sensory sensitivities, learning disabilities, autism, mobilities challenges, anxiety or dementia.
There’s so much to take in, so it’s best to allow 90 minutes so that you can appreciate everything without feeling rushed. As this is an outdoor event, remember to rug up.
Key info:
📅Friday June 12 to Sunday August 2. Wednesday to Sunday and daily during the school holidays.
🎫$36 to $46 for adults
📍Entrance is via the Observatory Gate, near the Visitor Centre, 100 Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3004
To learn more about it, click here.