Melbourne’s iconic landmarks are lighting up after dark as the city rolls out a new program of projections celebrating spring, major sporting events and the city’s night-time culture.
The $2 million Light Up Melbourne program will see buildings and streets across the CBD illuminated over the coming months, with projections already appearing on Melbourne Town Hall and Princes Bridge.
The city’s newly crowned floral emblem, the Swamp Everlasting, is currently being projected onto the facade of Melbourne Town Hall to mark the arrival of spring.
Meanwhile, Princes Bridge will glow blue and white ahead of the Cats and Blues clash, celebrating the completion of a major facelift of the historic landmark.
Footy fans will soon have even more reason to look up, with Melbourne Town Hall and Flinders Street Station set to feature NFL projections from 6 to 11 September. The displays, delivered in partnership with Visit Victoria, will celebrate Australia’s first regular season NFL game.
The projections arrive ahead of a packed six months of major sporting events, including the AFL finals, Spring Racing Carnival, Australian Open Golf, Boxing Day Test, Australian Open and Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Other Light Up Melbourne highlights include Water Stories, which will illuminate Hamer Hall with First Peoples artworks depicting water animals of the Birrarung from 12 to 26 September.
The program will also continue with AFL Finals Series projections across Melbourne Town Hall on selected dates in September.
Beyond the temporary projections, new decorative lighting will be installed across CBD laneways including Hosier Lane, Hardware Lane and Collins Street, while lighting will be upgraded in hospitality precincts including Flinders Lane, Little Bourke Street and Healey Lane.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the program would help make Melbourne more inviting after dark.
“We’re lighting up Melbourne – making Australia’s number one nightlife city even more vibrant, welcoming and safe after dark.”
“By lighting up our iconic landmarks, we’ll give people another reason to visit the city, stay longer and support our restaurants, bars and local businesses.”
