At 7pm on Opening Night, all are invited to assemble for a three-part celebration of the opening of your festival, as the bells of the city's Cathedrals, churches and schools peal in succession to herald this spectacular occasion.

The Pealing of the Bells signals a new era for Melbourne Festival. As the city resounds in glorious bell song, everyone is invited to Birrarung Marr for the start of a very special free outdoor celebration. At 7.30pm, Strange Fruit, Melbourne's much loved performance group, known for fantastic, imaginative shows, continues to ring in the Festival with Ringing the Changes.

Then at 9pm, just across the river at Alexandra Gardens, France's Transe Express takes Melburnians on a magical journey, 130 feet in the air as an orchestra of bell ringers is lifted skywards: a celestial carillon above the city.

In addition to the splendorous free outdoor events on offer, Festival Opening Night sees a wealth of premiere productions including one of Europe's most original and beautiful contemporary opera productions, the Australian debut of one of the hottest dance talents in the UK and the anticipated presentation of one of the most exciting Australian plays of recent years.

To make sure no one misses out, the Festival Opening celebration continues through the weekend, with Pealing of the Bells, Ringing the Changes and Transe Express' aerial masterpiece Mischievous Bells being performed over four nights.

Please note: In the event of bad weather, Transe Express will be unable to perform. Where possible, cancelled performances will be rescheduled.