Melbourne International Arts Festival is Australia's premier celebration of international performing and visual arts and Melbourne's flagship cultural event.

Since first being staged in 1986 as the third Spoleto Festival (with Spoleto, Italy, and Charleston, USA), Melbourne Festival quickly forged an unique identity and remains the only festival in Australia to be born from international heritage.

Held over 17 days each October, Melbourne Festival is the pre-eminent destination festival in the nation, ensuring interstate and international visitation by exclusively debuting and premiering some of the finest national and international artists and companies.

Each Festival brings an unparalleled feast of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia and outdoor events from renowned and upcoming Australian and International companies and artists to Melbourne.

Through excellence, diversity and accessibility, Melbourne Festival presents the best possible artistic experience to as many people as possible. It proudly offers a wide variety of venues and ticket prices, plus many free events.

The 2007 Festival was attended by almost half a million people and included 593 performances that featured 1079 artists from 13 countries.

Kristy Edmunds will direct her fourth and final Festival in 2008. The Artistic Director for the 2009 and 2010 Festivals is Brett Sheehy.

The 2008 Melbourne International Arts Festival will take place between 9 - 25 October.