World-class art galleries and installations. Major events that capture the hearts of Melburnians year after year. Fed Square is anything but square.
Fed Square is home to some of Melbourne’s cultural cornerstones, including NGV Australia, the Koorie Heritage Trust, ACMI: The Australian Centre for the Moving Image, and 16 different restaurants, cafes and bars.
Since opening in 2002, Fed Square has seen more than 100 million visits and been named the 6th Best Public Square in the World.
This December sees the triumphant return of Christmas Square, which includes:
North Pole University, the virtual masterclass to rule them all. This is a 5-hour learning extravaganza encompassing baking, table decorating, makeup, cocktail mixing and more, Hosted by Tim Campbell and featuring Darren Purchese, Jade Kisnorbo, NGV Australia, Time Out Melbourne Bartender of the Year Nick Tesar and more!
Fed Actually: remember that scene in Love, Actually where the romantic tragic holds up his signs in front of his love’s house? In a nod to the Christmas classic, we’re giving the opportunity for anyone to send a message to their loved ones in Melbourne via Fed Square’s giant screen! Just pop your message online and we’ll pop it on the Digital Façade for all Melbourne to see. Now there’s a Christmas card to remember.
Koorie Krismas: the Koorie Heritage Trust are hosting a Christmas stream of their own, featuring krowd favourite Koorie Klaus! The stream will also feature live performances by First Nations musicians and a live marketplace of products by First Nations makers.
Christmas Square itself is returning to Fed Square with all the (literal) bells and whistles – drop by to enjoy the square decked-out with everything a great Christmas has, including our giant LED tree and a (Covid-safe, socially distanced) Santa’s house – with the big man himself available for distanced photos. Plus, bust out the phone and enjoy the unique VR/AR experience: Santa’s Goggles – watch the square come alive with Nordic niceties and your kids’ eyes will be doing some goggling of their own.
Meanwhile, the Chanukah Pillars of Light will be lit on a giant menorah the Atrium, each day lighting a new candle by a local luminary.
On Friday Jan 15, Fed Square launches Fed Oasis as part of Fed Summer!
The most consistent feedback we get from the public is that people want shady places to sit and relax. Fed Oasis will feature luscious grass zones dotted throughout the square, encouraging people to find their own oasis, take a seat and admire the beautiful Melbourne surroundings and views of the CBD.
There will be vibrant beanbags to relax in, elegant and equally comfortable striped deck chairs and the shade of umbrellas as far as the eye can see.
There will also be a grass covered “picnic zone” where people can lay down and lounge upon on the Swanston Street steps.
While relaxing in your own Fed Oasis you can also order food to be delivered by various Fed Square restaurants for the ultimate relaxed dining experience.
Launch will be accompanied by a First Nations smoking ceremony to cleanse the space, followed by live music, a free sausage sizzle and free ice cream
Plus: the whimsical human-sized seagulls Fifi Swoop and Fred Squawk, a Fed Fave from last February’s Fed Oasis, are back for one night only on Jan 15! These fun, troublemaking birds will wander the square interacting with the public – a very fun and social-media-friendly experience.
We will also unveil the new giant, colourful Fed Square letters – think I AM AMSTERDAM and similar styles worldwide – again very Insta-friendly.
Fed Summer also includes: Summer Films, Silent Films with Live Scores, Live Music, Summer of Sport and Grassroots activities:
As part of, Fed Summer Fed Oasis will also have live music by local performers and a series of silent films scored by a live orchestra, in partnership with ACMI!
That’s on each Friday night, around 6pm – 8pm for 4 nights (tentatively the Fridays of Jan 15, Feb 5, Feb 12 and Feb 26).
In addition, two Summer specials – Jaws and Splash – will hit the big screen too, for a classic, balmy outdoor summer cinema experience.
The Summer of Sport returns, putting the Big Screen to one of its most popular uses – enjoy free, comfy seating the square and watch the Australian Open, Formula 1 Grand Prix, AFL and more.
We will also be launching our Grassroots program – the triumphant return of free classes, such as tai chi, yoga, and more. The coming years’ schedule is bigger than it’s ever been, including activities chosen by the public in recent surveying.
