Festival Hub: Trades Hall is located on the corner of Lygon Street and Victoria Street in Carlton. The main entrance is via Lygon Street where you will be greeted by friendly Melbourne Fringe volunteers during the festival.

Please read the downloads for more information on how to get to the venue and navigate once inside:

Getting to Festival Hub: Trades Hall – Visual Guide

Fringe Common Rooms Access (Outside of Festival)

Unfortunately the external Lygon Street lift is currently out of order.

During Fringe – alternative step-free access is via the driveway on Lygon Street around the northern end of the building, heading towards the courtyard. Please ask any of the friendly Melbourne Fringe volunteers at the Lygon St entrance for assistance.

Step-free access to Fringe Common Rooms outside of Fringe – please call the Duty Manager on 0451 232 089 upon your arrival at Trades Hall and a staff member will guide you to the alternative step free entrance.

Once inside the building, there is a fully operational internal lift to reach Trades Hall level 1 and Fringe Common Rooms.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience.

The Festival Hub will host a dedicated Quiet Space for neurodivergent attendees to take a break from the festival’s hustle and bustle. The Quiet Space will be available every night the Festival Hub is open, from 5:30-10:30pm each night (4:30-9:30pm on Sundays).

The Quiet Space will feature a textile installation by Renay Barker-Mulholland, along with a low-sensory playlist curated by Naavikaran (more information below):

Love Is The Answer  (The Universe Awaits)
Nush – Interplanetary Peace 
Naavikaran – ZAI KI NAKA
Emily Wurramara – Yaka Yelyukwa (Rain Song)
Terez Sliman – You Are

Weaved with intentions of hope and desire, Love Is The Answer (The Universe Awaits) is a short, curated playlist by Naarm based storyteller Naavikaran, featuring four multi-hyphenate IBPoC women and non-binary musicians from across the world.

The playlist features Eelam-Tamil multidisciplinary creative Nush, Warnindhilyagwa singer-songwriter Emily Wurramara, Palestinian ambient artist Terez Salim and an offering by Naavikaran herself in her Native language.

“I wanted to create a playlist that doesn’t rely on English or mainstream sounds; so that the music can allow permission for rest, wild imaginations and magic. If it feels safe and accessible, I would like you to feel held by the music and the intentional care with which it’s been selected, and be reminded of the ancient legacies it carries. May you be connected to your ancestors, the land upon which you are and the wider universe. May you be free. The playlist is a reminder too of our capacity to ground, care for, and enrich ourselves and each other.”

You can search and filter for all access information on our website to find the events and information that meet your access needs.

Search Events Here 

Where this symbol is displayed, one or more sessions will be Auslan interpreted. Check the ‘Accessibility’ section on each event page for dates of Auslan interpreted sessions.

If you would like more information, please email info@melbournefringe.com.au.

There is a hearing loop available at the venue for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

This service enhances the live event experience for people who are blind or have low vision. An audio describer uses a small transmitter to describe what is happening in an event or how something looks at an exhibition. People using this service use a personal listening device enabling them to experience the event from anywhere in the space. Check the ‘Accessibility’ section on each event page for dates of audio described performances.

These performances are open to everyone but have been specifically designed to create a safe and welcoming environment for those who would benefit from a more relaxed environment – this could include people with autism, sensory sensitivities and/or learning disabilities, as well as those living with anxiety or who have experienced trauma. They allow audience members to stim, hum and move around as they please, and changes are made to the lighting and sound to make them lower sensory.

Check the ‘Accessibility’ section on each event page for dates of these performances and Relaxed/Low Sensory guides to support the inclusion of patrons on the day.

For these performances, captions are displayed on a screen enabling the audience to read what is being said. Open Captioning is always in view and cannot be turned off. Closed Captioning can be activated or deactivated by the viewer. Check the ‘Accessibility’ section on each event page for dates of captioned performances.

This symbol indicates that audiences can understand and engage with the event without a comprehensive understanding of the English language.

If you are Blind or have low vision, this rating system will help you decide if an event is suitable for you.

Fully Accessible – event is entirely sound-based with no visual component.

Partially Accesible – event is primarily sound-based with visuals only incidental to the work or sight isn’t essential to engage properly with the work.

If you are Deaf or hard of hearing, or if English isn’t your primary spoken language, this rating system will help you decide if an event is suitable for you.

Fully Accessible – contains no sound, music or dialogue so Deaf or hard of hearing audiences can engage fully with the event.

Partially Accesible – has minimal dialogue and some background music or sounds, or may be fully subtitled, so Deaf and hard of hearing audiences can have close to the full experience of the event.

You can book your tickets online via the event page or by calling Ticketing on 03 9660 9666. You can discuss any specific access needs by calling Ticketing on 03 9660 9666 or emailing boxoffice@melbournefringe.com.au.

If you need to, you can reach the Ticketing team through the National Relay Service at no additional charge.

TTY users: phone 13 36 77 then ask for 03 9660 9666
Speak and Listen users: phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 03 9660 9666
Internet relay users: connect to the NRS (internet-relay.nrscall.gov.au) then type in 03 9660 9666

If you have a Companion Card, you qualify for a second ticket (free!) to bring along a companion. If you have a Carer Card, you qualify for a concession-priced ticket. To book, please call Ticketing on 03 9660 9666 or email boxoffice@melbournefringe.com.au.

We will be working with Travelers Aid to transport people with Mobility Needs from North Melbourne Station to Arts House and Trades Hall for the following events on the following days:

Friday 11 October
Open Day at Trades Hall and Conduit Bodies at Arts House
5.00pm – 11.00pm

Saturday 12 October
Conduit Bodies and Closing Party at Arts House
7.00pm – 12.30am

Sunday 13 October
Conduit Bodies at Arts House
12.30pm – 3.30pm
For enquiries please contact our finance and administration support staff.

Phone: (03) 9654 2600
Mobile: 0498 023 959
www.travellersaid.org.au

Guide dogs and assistance animals are welcome at Fringe Common Rooms and at all our Festival venues – from public spaces to someone’s living room.

Arts Access Victoria (AAV) is Melbourne Fringe’s accessibility partner. AAV is dedicated to an ambitious agenda of social and artistic transformation for all Deaf and Disabled people. For more information, visit artsaccess.com.au.