History

Inspired by the international Nuit Blanche movement, which began in Paris, White Night now takes place in dozens of cities worldwide. White Night been successful held in Melbourne from 2013 to 2019. We have also seen White Night staged Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong which provided a great opportunity to see these regional cities experience this amazing event. Stay tuned to future announcements on where White Night will take place.

In 2013 Melbourne embraced this unique opportunity created by the State Government to showcase its city and provide a platform for local, national and international artists to connect with audiences from Melbourne, Australia and around the world, for one night only.

The first White Night Melbourne in 2013 was an instant success, with 300 000 people enjoying the all-night event. Annually since then, an average of 500 000 people have ventured into Melbourne’s CBD to witness the city come alive in what has become one of the key cultural events on the Australian calendar.

In 2017 Ballarat joined Melbourne, Paris, Toronto and Sao Paulo in the international network of White Nights, making history as the first regional Australian White Night. White Night Melbourne and Ballarat went on to win the awards for Best Community Event (Victoria) and Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event (Victoria) at the 2017 Australian Event Awards. This success continued at the 2018 Australian Event Awards, winning Best Achievement in Entertainment and Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event (Victoria).

In 2018, White Night made its debut in Bendigo and Geelong, where it transformed the cities with a night of art, music, performance and culture shining brightly under the cover of darkness. White Night Bendigo and Geelong won the National Award for Best Achievement in Entertainment, as well as recognition as the Best Cultural, Arts & Musical Event (Victoria) and Best Regional Event (Victoria) at the 2018 Australian Event Awards.

In August 2019, White Night Reimagined took the best of White Nights past and extended into a three-night winter spectacular across three of Melbourne’s inner-city parks and gardens. White Night also returned to Ballarat in September 2019, where local, interstate and international artists, musicians and performers weaved a spell over the city in a celebration of art, culture and creativity.

White Night returned following a two-year absence due to Covid, taking place in Shepparton, Bendigo and Geelong in 2022 and in Ballarat in 2024.