Melbourne’s 2023 events calendar will be bolstered with a series of unmissable festivals, events and experiences, thanks to the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government’s $5 million City Revitalisation Event Support Program (CRESP).
Fourteen event producers have been awarded funding to support the delivery of blockbuster experiences – including Bluesfest Melbourne, Firefly Zipline and RISING.
CRESP will bring one-of-a-kind events to the city to drive visitation, support local businesses and solidify Melbourne as a vibrant cultural hub.
The program will help to deliver a uniquely Melbourne line-up of free and ticketed events, festivals and experiences – which is expected to draw more than 1.2 million punters to the city.
For the first time, Melbourne will play host to Australia’s premiere contemporary Blues & Roots music festival. Bluesfest Melbourne will transform the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre into a vibrant festival precinct.
Over two massive days in April, Bluefest Melbourne will feature performances from international and local artists across multiple indoor stages with spectacular food, drinks and entertainment on offer.
Adrenaline junkies will be able to get their fix as Firefly Zipline returns to the banks of the Yarra from 16 December until 28 January. Melburnians can glide across the river or experience the all-new heart-stopping Quick Jump – a 10-metre freefall.
The event program will also support the return of RISING – a surge of art, music, performance and ceremony in the heart of Melbourne.
The remaining CRESP recipients and full event details will be revealed in the coming months.
The City of Melbourne will also provide more than $2 million to support free and accessible events in 2023, as part of the annual Event Partnership Program.
The City Revitalisation Event Support Program is part of the $200 million Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund – a partnership between the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government.
Visit City of Melbourne.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Sally Capp
“We’re making Melbourne’s major events calendar even more magnetic – driving the city’s sustained bounce back and cementing our title as Australia’s cultural capital.”
“The City Revitalisation Event Support Program will bring an enviable line-up of events and experiences to the city in 2023 – drawing flocks of Melburnians and visitors and boosting the local economy.”
“Together with the Victorian Government, we’re thrilled to be supporting the delivery of this eclectic mix of cultural events that can only be experienced in the city.”
Quotes attributable to City Activation portfolio lead Councillor Roshena Campbell
“Melbourne’s magnetic events calendar is what keeps bringing people back into the city.”
“We’re pleased to reveal the first round of City Revitalisation Event Support Program fund recipients, which we anticipate will be enjoyed by more than 1.2 million Melburnians next year.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Industry and Innovation Ben Carroll
“We’ll continue to invest in initiatives that attract more visitors to Melbourne, creating jobs for the future and cementing Melbourne’s status as the cultural capital of Australia.”
“From major events, to locking in some of the biggest dates in the sporting calendar, we’re building a bright future for our beloved CBD.”