Returning for a third year, Now or Never has made a clear mark as Melbourne’s freshest festival of bold art and new ideas. The formula of groundbreaking cultural works in some of our city’s most historic buildings makes for an exciting result, and the 2025 program continues the festival’s effervescent streak, kicking off on August 21 with ten days jam-packed with events.
Now Or Never Guide At A Glance
- For A Rhythmic Night Out
- For Mind-Boggling On A Budget
- For A Fascinating, Future-Forward Discussion
- For Interactive, Dystopian, Dark Comedy
- For A Freebie
- The Full Guide
But for the uninitiated, this festival may seem rather enigmatic. Between esoteric event descriptions and artistic acts that lean niche, choosing which event to attend may feel offputting to the average punter. If this is you, don’t shy away. We think everyone should get around this energetic winter fest, so we’re here to help.
We’ve picked a handful of events from the program and made it easy to grasp what they’re all about, so you can decide which align with your vibe.
The Best Events For Now Or Never Festival 2025
For A Rhythmic Night Out
Image: rRoxymore | Supplied
If you want to warm up on a winter night by hitting the dance floor, Now or Never has four club nights that will bring loud, pulsating beats to Melbourne’s Town Hall. Our pick is the Resident Advisor event on Friday August 29, featuring deft-handed DJs that will guarantee a mix of top-notch tracks. The line-up includes New York-based DJ Python making his Down Under debut, DJ Plead going back-to-back with rRoxymore and local fave Yarra.
For Mind-Boggling On A Budget
Image: Matria | Supplied
The Royal Exhibition Building interior will morph into a womb-like space with the installation of a giant inflatable artwork within, which you can visit for free during the daytime over the first four days of the fest. But for an experience that’ll leave a lasting impression, it’s worth spending just $35 to access one of the after-dark events held within the installation. The boldest choice will be the Amber McCartney x Shapednoise event on Saturday, August 23, which is a hybrid dance and sound piece. This is for the open-minded - it’s set to be an unusual experience. But certainly one you won’t forget.
For A Fascinating, Future-Forward Discussion
The prospect of possible immortality is one that never fails to captivate, and one of the panel talks at Now or Never this year is tantalisingly titled ‘How to Live Forever’. Neuroscientist Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston believes we can “abolish death”, and will share the emerging science behind brain preservation that could grant immortality. Intrigued? It’s happening at the Wheeler Centre on Wednesday, August 27.
For Interactive, Dystopian, Dark Comedy
An innovative take on comedic physical theatre, Crisis Actor blends interactive digital integration with a dystopian lens. Audience members will use their own phones to influence the performance, which takes place in a post-disaster dystopian setting. It’ll be zany, but also an acerbic commentary on prominent elements of the current zeitgeist, like the attention economy and the spectacle of victimhood. But while the subject matter sounds serious, you’ll still get plenty of laughs.
For A Freebie
Image: Einder | Supplied
Like many Melburnians, you might be tightening your metaphoric belt this winter. That’s understandable. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t still witness some of the best bits of Now or Never. There’s several free installations you can see, like the huge, ethereal artwork entitled Einder that will billow across the ceiling of the Town Hall during the festival’s first week. Or if you liked the sound of pulsating club rhythms that make up much of the events program but can’t cough up the ticket price, you’re in luck. There’s a free opening night party at Federation Square on August 21, featuring one of Now or Never’s music headliners, German electronic pioneer Moritz Van Oswald, as well as local dancefloor veterans Sleep D and Kia.
To explore the full Now Or Never program, head to the website.
Main image credit: Burdi Burdi | Supplied
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