AS the longest night of the year approaches, so too does Melville Midwinter.
Set against the shores of Dyoondalup Point Walter, this year’s free, family-friendly Midwinter event will be held today (Saturday June 20) with music, dance, community poetry, shadow puppetry and more, all unfolding under the dark winter sky.
Curated as an intimate and immersive experience, the night will come alive with crackling fires, lantern-lit paths, and nourishing food, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the community.
Acclaimed WA songwriter and musician Peter Bibby leads the 2026 program, shaping the soundscape for the evening and guiding audiences through a rich musical journey.
This year’s lineup of musicians includes Carla Geneve, Nelson Mondlane, and Emily Barker.
The finale will see Bibby take to the stage himself, performing alongside some of the night’s musicians to close the event.
• Melville Midwinter is a family-friendly event on the shores of the Swan River.
Winter solstice
Bibby said the event is a powerful way to connect with the community and for the artists to approach their work with fresh intention.
“In terms of artistic direction, I’m really drawn to the idea of rebirth and new beginnings that winter can represent. It’s about finding warmth in a cold world,” he says.
“I imagine the experience like a heavy storm that passes through, and then suddenly lifts, leaving everything altered and renewed.”
“We have handpicked an incredible mix of local artists whose work will resonate with both curious newcomers and the most discerning punters. For anyone familiar with my own music, they can expect to hear a selection of songs reimagined in a completely new way.
“And beyond the performances, there’s something truly special about stepping out of winter hibernation and into Dyoondalup Point Walter, with beautiful lighting, sound and atmosphere creating an immersive experience for all ages.”
Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic, or a favourite mug and enjoy the hearty soup and hot drinks on offer while they take in the roving acts.
As the sun sets, lanterns draw audiences to make their way up the hill, and meander through a curious trail of performance stations. Creative producer Zoe Atkinson said the 2026 program has been designed to gently shift expectations of a winter event.
“Melville Midwinter is about opening ourselves to winter, rather than bracing against it,” she says.
“This year’s event invites audiences into something intimate and unexpected—an evening that reframes winter as a time for connection, creativity and shared joy.”
A dance station choreographed by award-winning contemporary dancer Brooke Leeder will invite movement and reflection.
Noongar cultural educators and artists Rickeeta and Alton Walley return to Melville Midwinter with their evocative shadow puppetry, weaving story through light, movement and imagination.
Ballardong Noongar writer and educator Casey Mulder will pen a specially commissioned piece for the event, anchoring the evening with language that reflects place, season and gathering.
Melville mayor Katy Mair says Melville Midwinter remains a much-loved community event, bringing people together through shared experiences of place and performance.
“Melville Midwinter offers a unique opportunity for our community to gather and experience winter in a new way,” she says.
The event is free and accessible. Attendees are encouraged to wrap up warm and make themselves at home on the hill with friends and family.
Melville Midwinter is on 5pm-8pm at Dyoondalup Point Walter Reserve today (Saturday June 20). For more info and the full program see melvillecity.com.au/midwinter.