Skip to main content

                    YIRRAMBOI Festival

                    Indigenous person lying reclined on floor
                    In the local languages of the Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung peoples, YIRRAMBOI means TOMORROW.

                    ​​​YIRRAMBOI festival platforms the interconnectedness and diversity of First Nations creatives, locally, nationally and internationally.

                    A 10 day feast of mediums spanning the breadth of artistic expressions with a collective voice of resilience and evolutionary practices. Emerging, mid-career and established First Nations creatives taking back space to crack open the heart of Melbourne, revealing the hum of country beneath. 

                    Will you hear it?

                    Australia's premier First Nation's festival YIRRAMBOI is back, bigger and better than ever – with a jam-packed program of spectacular ​performances, innovative commissions and world premieres.  

                    The ten-day celebration will takeover Melbourne (Naarm) from 4 to 14 May, showcasing the talent and diversity of emerging and established First Nations creatives locally, nationally and internationally.

                    YIRRAMBOI brings together the work of more than 300 creatives across 170 shows at 40 Melbourne venues and locations. More than 80 per cent of the program will be making its Australian debut. 

                    ​Other YIRRAMBOI Festival 2023 program highlights include: 

                    • Five world premiere commissions – including Alluvium by Stone Motherless Cold, a biopunk drag cabaret show, and MEETRA-Rise Up! The Ballad of James Arden, a powerful piece of theatre led by Gunditjmara/Kokatha singer-songwriter, David Arden, 
                    • Gunai/Kurnai & Yorta Yorta DJ and Producer, DJ PGZ, brings his dark, underground club sound to Melbourne Town Hall's iconic Grand Organ on Sunday 7 May.  
                    • A unique collaboration with the Dark Mofo festival – connecting with the Palawa people of Tasmania to highlight cross-cultural connections and kinship between the two countries.  
                    • The festival is open to audiences young and old, including Bubup's Fest for children and families to participate in music and fashion workshops on Sunday 7 May. 

                    YIRRAMBOI's international collaborations through a double-bill of dance works by Canadian First Nations choreographers Lara Kramer and Jeanette Kotowitch, alongside local artists Brent Watkins and Jada Narkle.

                    YIRRAMBOI Festival thanks its partners including First Peoples: Creative Victoria, VicHealth, Australia Council, Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM), Metro Tunnel Arts Program and the Canadian Government.

                    For the full program and to purchase tickets, visit YIRRAMBOI.

                    Stay in touch

                    Keep updated with the YIRRAMBOI festival on Facebook, Instagram and the festival website.

                    2019 YIRRAMBOI Festival

                    From 2 to 12 May 2019, Australia’s premier First Peoples arts and cultural event YIRRAMBOI Festival filled the city with an exciting program of free and low cost events across music, dance, theatre, film, exhibitions, markets, fashion parades, family-friendly events, talks and symposiums, at more than 25 different venues.

                    2017 YIRRAMBOI Festival

                    In May 2017, the City of Melbourne, in partnership with First Nations People and Creative Victoria, hosted a city-wide ‘blak out’, a moving celebration of local and international Indigenous-led dance, music, visual art, theatre, film, talks and more. 

                    The festival included more than 60 events over ten days, delivered by 370+ First Nations artists in Melbourne’s laneways, public spaces and arts venues from 5 to 14 May 2017.

                    The festival was co-created with First Nations people and all works were created, choreographed, produced, directed and performed by Indigenous artists. The festival was supported by YIRRAMBOI's Elders Council of Kulin Nations people, and celebrated more than 60,000 years of continuous artistic and cultural practice.

                    We’d like to thank our partners, artists and the community for their support throughout the festival.

                      Was this page helpful?

                      If you'd like to give more feedback or ask a question, please contact us.