What makes an Australian festival special is the way it can breathe new life into the city and structures we've long grown accustomed to, transforming them into something utterly new. For Melbourne, Now or Never – the arts, music and cultural experience that has taken over the city for the past four years – is one such festival that knows how to make the city transcend.
Now or Never has dropped its 2026 programming and performer lineup – and if you're down for some out-of-the-box experiences, immersive art installations and conversations brimming with exciting interlocutors, then we've broken down exactly what you need to know, below.
What are the 2026 program highlights I should know about?
This year's programme is already pretty stacked with plenty of cultural experiences, art installs and performances – but these are the ones we think are worth booking in for early...
Philip Glass: Piano Etudes + In the Upper Room
When: Friday 21 August from 6:30–9:45pm
Where: Royal Exhibition Building
The pioneering American composer and pianist (you might have heard his compositions for films like The Hours or The Truman Show), will be celebrated by Maki Namekawa and Orchestra Victoria in a riveting three-hour-long performance of two of his major works.
A Sexual History of the Internet
When: Tuesday 25 August from 7:30–9pm
Where: State Library Victoria – La Trobe Reading Room
It's no secret we're big fans of L.A.'s Mindy Seu – we even featured her in our Forbidden Issue. Fresh from an appearance at Vivid Sydney, Seu now brings Melbourne into the fold of her two-part project: a participatory lecture performance and an artist book, tracing the pervasive and perverse origins of our digital tools.
The Breath Haus x Now or Never
When: Saturday 22 August from 4:30–7pm
Where: Royal Exhibition Building
Probably the coolest breathwork class you'll attend this year – The Breath Haus is hosting a 90-minute guided breathwork experience where meditation and live music merge to create a sensory experience. It'll be led by Yolnu songmen, Daniel and David Wilfred, of Hand to Earth, along with Bhairavi Raman (violin), Peter Knight (electronics/trumpet), and Helen Svoboda (bass).
SOMNIA: William Basinski / Bendik Giske
When: 10pm Saturday 22 August until 8:30am Sunday 23 August
Where: Royal Exhibition Building
There isn't much that perks our ears up like the phrase "An overnight, durational sleep concert under the Dome". And this one, led by Californian avant-gard composer William Basinski and Berlin-based saxophonist and performance artist Bendik Giske sound just like the kind of mind-bending experience we're down for. Attendees will be settled into individual beds under the grand frescoed Dome of the historic Royal Exhibition Building. Take it as an invitation to float between states of consciousness and contemplation until dawn.
Derrick Gee’s Radio Hour
When: Wednesday 26 August from 7–8:30pm
Where: Melbourne Recital Centre – Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
Sydney's Derrick Gee is one of the country's most trusted and beloved voices in music journalism – and his Solid Air show (which has hosted guests like Fred again.., PinkPantheress and Japanese Breakfast) is going live in Melbourne as: Radio Hour. It's part-talk show and part-listening party, where he'll be calling on esteemed musician friends from his personal Rolodex – including Julia Jacklin and Michael Kucyk.
When and where is it happening?
It'll be running from 19-30 August 2026 in Melbourne (Naarm). Events will be hosted across the city at venues like Melbourne Town Hall, the Evan Walker Bridge, the State Library of Victoria, Hamer Hall, ACMI and The Wheeler Centre.
You'll be able to find the exact venue for each individual event listed on the Now or Never website.
When and where to buy tickets
You can purchase tickets online through the Now or Never website.
To book a ticket, simply click 'Get Tickets' on the event page you'd like to attend. For free events, click 'Register Now' to reserve your spot and receive event updates. Digital tickets and event reminders will be sent to your email.
Please note: Tickets for music events at Melbourne Town Hall and the Royal Exhibition Building will be emailed closer to the event date. This helps prevent ticket scalping and makes it easier for you to find your tickets when you need them.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Now or Never team at [email protected].
