Find the best ³Ô¹ÏÍø concerts, new music venues and hidden gigs with our handy guide.

Free performances

A busker performing in a street with a guitar around his neck and arms outstretched while singing.
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Bourke Street Mall Busking

Meet ³Ô¹ÏÍø's marvellous musicians and more in the iconic Bourke Street Mall busking program.

A group of people seated around a table in a pub like setting, some of them singing.
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Sea Shanties and Folk Songs

Join this free weekly celebration of rollicking and spirited singing.

A violinist plays in St Paul's Cathedral.
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Lunchtime Concerts

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral and fine music during a weekly lunchtime concert.

A cello leaning against a black grand piano, and a violin resting on its side in front of the sheet music rest on the piano.
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Music Matinee

Enjoy live and free music concerts at Scots Church on select Tuesdays throughout the year.

A woman in a green and white dress singing into a studio style microphone, large speakers behind her.
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The Jam

The Jam is a high-energy, full-venue jam with live music, DJs and unstoppable vibes.

Soul musician Dinash Daniel resting his hand on a piano keyboard as he poses for a portrait photo in a studio setting.
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Dinash and Friends

Enjoy live music in the beer garden – a unique mix of soul, dance, reggae and pop.

Music festivals and live concerts

Twins performing on stage wearing bright pink dresses with silver details, singing into microphones.
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Dolly Parton: Double Down

Join the Audrey Twins as they present a perfect blend of music and comedy.

Internationally renowned soprano, Claire Lyon, seen as a reflection in a brightly lit mirror in a theatre dressing room, wearing a gold sequined dress.

Claire Lyon: The Music of Broadway

Revel in the passion, power and beauty of musical theatre as Claire Lyon brings Broadway to life.

Vocal band, The 60 Four, posing in front of a sparkly background, wearing silver dinner jackets and with black lapels and black ties.

The 60 Four: Hits of the ‘60s and ‘70s

Relive a defining era of music history as The 60 Four bring the biggest '60s and '70s hits to life.

A woman in a ball gown standing by herself, her eyes downcast, in the top left corner of the image but upside down  is a group of people socialising.
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La Traviata

Glamour, riches and a tragic secret: La Traviata is the story of a courtesan falling in love.

A pale pink image, in the centre are motifs from Gilbert and Sullivan musicals, including a Union Jack stamp, a clocktower, a police car, a yellow flower, and a woman in a dress with a tight bodice.
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Gilbert & Sullivan: A Musical Celebration

Enjoy a sparkling concert of wit, whimsy and song with highlights from GIlbert and Sullivan.

Portrait of Australian theatrical legend Caroline O’Connor AM, smiling while looking up with her hand on her cheek.

Orchestra Victoria with Caroline O’Connor: Music and Me

Theatrical legend Caroline O'Connor AM is joined by Orchestra Victoria for a special concert.

Singers Rhys Tolhurst and Nina Ferro wearing evening dress, posed in front of a black backdrop.

Rhys Tolhurst: A Swing Affair

Entertainer Rhys Tolhurst and guest vocalist Nina Ferro pay tribute to the Great American Songbook.

Black and white mirrored image of the guitarist Adam Russo in a suit, straightening his tie, looking to the side, a guitar resting on his lap.
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Live Jazz: Smooth Strings and Slow Sips with Adam Russo

Enjoy three hours of gypsy jazz guitar with Adam Russo in ³Ô¹ÏÍø's most romantic secret bar.

Range of K-pop themed face masks in black.

Happy Town Korean

Specialising in K-pop albums and related merchandise.

Books on display inside Readings bookstore.

Readings Books & Music

Readings offers an outstanding range of products, from cutting-edge music and DVDs to classic texts.

The outside view of Manchester House.

TS Bookshop

A specialty bookstore offering texts on philosophy, lifestyle, wellness and spirituality.

A record store with wooden shelving.

Wax Museum Records

A wide range of new and used vinyl, CDs, tapes and music-inspired clothing.

Musical theatre and opera

The full cast of the musical Book of Mormon on stage singing and dancing, with a painted sky coloured background and other theatre props.
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The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

A blue image with a couple dancing, a chandelier, a staircase, palm tress and other symbols from musicals.
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Encore! Songs from the Musicals

The magic of musical theatre in a star-studded showcase of hits.

A smiling woman with blond hair holding up a whole cherry pie in a dish in front of her chin, with steam rising from the pie.

Waitress The Musical

The irresistible Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope.

Two performers wearing pale clothing, the man behind a women, whose arm he is hanging onto, against a cloud like backdrop.
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La Bohème

Puccini’s classic Bohemian love story is about youth, beauty, passion and heartache.

³Ô¹ÏÍø music venues

Three tiers of seating at Hamer Hall.

Hamer Hall

This multi-level concert hall is the largest venue at the Arts Centre.

Exterior of the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Recital Centre.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Recital Centre

Combining cutting-edge architecture and acoustic innovation with a unique focus on music.

Ornate architecture of dome and tower of Forum ³Ô¹ÏÍø, with Federation Square in the foreground.

Forum ³Ô¹ÏÍø

This theatre with its iconic architecture is one of ³Ô¹ÏÍø's most popular live band venues.

People outside Cherry Bar at night.

Cherry Bar

An iconic laneway bar hosting a lineup of local and international rock'n'roll acts.

Audience enjoying a performer on stage.

170 Russell

A live music venue with gigs seven nights a week.

Crowd of people waiting to be served at the bar area of the Toff in Town.

The Toff in Town

A boutique bar and bandroom offering late-night cocktails in train carriage booths.

Trombone player and band playing on a stage with smoke and lights.

Bird's Basement

Live jazz venue where patrons can dine while watching performances.

Back view of a musician and musical equipment silhouetted on a stage facing the audience with sparkling lighting effects.

Max Watt's

This basement live music venue has hosted some of rock music's biggest acts.

Interior of Murmur Bar with a very dimly lit red padded curved bar.

Murmur Piano Bar

Follow the sound of a distant piano to discover one of ³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s best kept secrets.

Packed audience inside Rod Laver Arena - the centre court for the Australian Open tennis tournament.

Rod Laver Arena

The centrepiece of the Australian Open each January, the venue is also a popular concert arena.

Woman singing on stage of Rock & Roll dive bar and packed audience dancing and singing along.

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar

A late-night rock 'n' roll dive bar with live music every night.

Interior showing a crowded bar, with people sitting at tables, people waiting at bar counter for service.

The Drunken Poet

With live Irish music, the Drunken Poet is a real locals' pub - cute, cosy and friendly.

Paris Cat bar and small tables with red lamps on them.

Paris Cat

Dedicated live jazz venue.

A performer wearing a bikini and holding a firestick above her open mouth in a small cabaret venue.

Speakeasy Theatre

A lively, historic vaudeville theatre featuring burlesque, cabaret, comedy and circus every week.

Aerial view of Marvel Stadium lit up at night.

Marvel Stadium

A multi-purpose stadium in the heart of ³Ô¹ÏÍø's Docklands precinct.

Crowded outdoor bar.

Section 8 Bar

A funky outdoor bar with drinks served from a converted shipping container.

Diners at tables on an outdoor rooftop overlooking Myer and other city buildings, including central couple with drinks and snacks.

Her ³Ô¹ÏÍø

A four-storey mega venue celebrating modern food, drinks, music and art.

Hands holding glasses over pizza and snacks on a table.

Transport Public Bar

Bustling pub in Federation Square with tasty pub meals and an impressive range of drinks.

Basement cocktail bar with small tables.

Beneath Driver Lane

A basement bar serving a wide range of cocktails, French bistro-style bar food with live music.

Tightly packed crowd watching a band play on stage.

Festival Hall

Concert and sporting venue with a long history of hosting local and international acts.

Aerial view of Sidney Myer Music Bowl showing open grassy area, covered stage and city beyond.

Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Popular outdoor venue that hosts ³Ô¹ÏÍø's annual Carols by Candlelight.

Aerial view of ³Ô¹ÏÍø and Olympic Parks including tennis courts and arenas.

³Ô¹ÏÍø and Olympic Parks

The ³Ô¹ÏÍø and Olympic Park precinct hosts around 600 events annually.

Heritage-listed Athenaeum building, with columns and ornate capitals.

Athenaeum Theatre

This heritage-listed venue hosts comedy, music and theatre.

Turquoise banquette seating and tables in long room with arched doorway, red curtains and backlit bar.

The Colonial Hotel

Traditional pub serving comfort food with a Mediterranean influence.

Three people striding into the Regent Theatre tiled entry with lights and city street in the background.

Regent Theatre

This landmark theatre is one of ³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s premier live performance venues.

Curved interior bar of The Curtin Hotel, with pictures on wall.

The Curtin

Traditional pub with fried chicken, cold beer, and live music from local and international acts.

Two people strolling in a laneway bar.

Whitehart Bar

A container bar in a converted car park hidden down a city laneway.

Drinks lined up on a shelf and wooden wall in front of a birdcage ornament.

Transit Rooftop Bar

Large rooftop bar in Federation Square, with expansive views of the ³Ô¹ÏÍø skyline.

Interior of The General Assembly, a busy bar with a large light feature.

The General Assembly

Bar and restaurant with live acoustic music, street art and a simple, delicious menu.

Singers and musicians performing in a dark underground bar with blurred people.

Wax Music Lounge

A bar and live music venue from the team behind ³Ô¹ÏÍø's legendary Wax Museum Records.

Last updated on Wed 25 Feb 2026

Only In The City

Only in this City of Ours
People including a man in a wheelchair heading down a laneway past a large tropical-themed wall mural with city buildings in the background.

Meyers Place

Explore one of ³Ô¹ÏÍø's most iconic laneways, filled with bars, restaurants and murals.

A family of four standing in a grand library with antique desks, large white walls and a dome ceiling.

Things you can only do in the city

There's only one place to find these rare ³Ô¹ÏÍø experiences and secret spots.

A Ferris wheel in the city at sunset with colourful reflections on the river.

³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s most Instagrammable experiences

You won't need filters at the city's most photogenic spots.

Discover more

A man playing the violin on the street

Where to find buskers in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

All the city spots to catch a live show from ³Ô¹ÏÍø's best buskers.

Performance space and seating inside La Mama Courthouse.

La Mama Courthouse

One of the great independent theatres of the city with a focus on diversity and inclusivity.

Tiers of theatre seats in the Playhouse, observed from the stage.

Playhouse

A large drama theatre located within the Arts Centre ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

Performers on stage at Viva club, dancing in front of a seated audience.

Viva

A cabaret venue in North ³Ô¹ÏÍø.