Winter nights in Melbourne have been transformed once again, with Lightscape 2026 now open at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, inviting visitors to step into a spectacular world of light, colour and sound until 2 August.
The after-dark adventure features a 2.1km trail with 24 immersive installations created by artists from around the world and Australia, making this year’s event the most ambitious edition yet.
A two-time Gold winner at the Victorian Tourism Awards, Lightscape has become a favourite winter tradition for locals and visitors, offering a unique way to experience one of Melbourne’s most iconic green spaces after sunset.
The journey begins with Wurundjeri artist Mandy Nicholson’s Layers of Country, setting the tone for a trail that celebrates connection, creativity and place.
Among the standout installations is the Australian premiere of Bifröst by French studio Pitaya, a dramatic tunnel of glowing arches reaching more than nine metres high. Dutch studio TOER also brings Firefly Field to life, featuring 200 floating points of light moving above the landscape.
Closer to home, Melbourne studio Chalk River Labs presents Night Parrots through intricate projection mapping, while the impressive Pealight Tree features around 6km of fairy lights carefully wrapped branch by branch by arborists and lighting technicians.
Behind the scenes, more than 150 people have helped bring Lightscape to life, working across production, lighting, security, food, horticulture and conservation teams. With the trail staged within a heritage listed environment, every installation has been carefully designed to protect the Gardens, with ongoing tree and fauna checks throughout the season.
“Winter is a beautiful season in the Gardens, and Lightscape provides a unique opportunity to explore them by night while enjoying world-class art, light and sound installations,” said Chris Russell, Director and Chief Executive of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
“This year’s trail is our most ambitious yet, bringing together amazing visual artworks, many inspired by the special plant conservation stories of the Gardens, to create a truly unique and new experience. We’re delighted to give visitors another compelling reason to experience the Gardens, one of TripAdvisor’s Top 1% of Attractions in the world, in a completely different way.”
Visitors can enjoy food, hot chocolate and mulled wine before wandering the glowing pathways, with exclusive adults only sessions also available. Getting there has never been easier, with the Gardens just moments from the new ANZAC Station.
Plan your winter night out at Lightscape 2026: https://www.lightscape-melbourne.com/
