White Night extends to three nights in winter for 2019

Melbourne’s White Night festival has been given an overhaul — and it’s set to get even bigger next year. Here’s what to expect.

Melbourne’s biggest after dark party, White Night, is getting a facelift ahead of its return this August.

Since launching six years ago, the festival has been held as a 24-hour, single-day event in February.

But this year will see White Night Reimagined expand to a three-day festival, running from 7pm to midnight on August 22-23, and 7pm-2am on August 24.

Artistic director David Atkins will return for his third and final stint at the helm.

“I’m really excited; there’s been a lot of significant changes made to White Night this year, including new sites, precincts and events,” said Atkins.

“It’s also the first time we’ve held it in winter, which is a game changer since it gets darker earlier, so the light displays are more visible and for an extended period of time.”

The extravaganza will also include a range of food and live music experiences.

And from next year, White Night will become part of a new and bigger winter festival, uniting with the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

White Night artistic director David Atkins with renowned puppeteer Joe Blanck, who is creating a huge lion puppet for 2019 White Night. Picture: Tim Carrafa

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This year’s event will be held at Birrarung Marr, Treasury Gardens and Carlton Gardens with each location carrying a separate theme.

Birrarung Marr will be the Physical Realm featuring 42 acrobats, aerialists, singers and actors.

Treasury Gardens will be the Sensory Realm including lighting, audio installations, projections and interactive artworks.

And Carlton Gardens will be home to the Spiritual Realm with a 10m long lion puppet and trees that illuminate with stories celebrating indigenous Australia.

White Night will also continue in regional Victoria this year with Ballarat welcoming the event for a third time on September 21 before Bendigo and Geelong play host to Winter Festival events in 2020 and 2021 respectively.