Three women dressed formally arm in arm, laughing while walking into the theatre.

The ultimate theatre guide to ³Ô¹ÏÍø

See mammoth productions of blockbuster musicals and shows, or head along to hidden venues for something a little more unique.

Unmissable theatre events

Ballet dancer wearing 1920s fringed dress performing mid-air grand jete.
Until

The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey

Jazz, tap and ballet bring Gatsby to life in a dazzling theatrical spectacle.

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

The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

Find more theatre shows

Comedy, cabaret and burlesque

A seated audience in a small club, reacting enthusiastically to a stand-up comedy show.
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Club Club at ³Ô¹ÏÍø International Comedy Festival

Come along to the unhinged late night destination of the comedy festival, Club Club!

A black smiley face made up of two black dots for eyes and a semi-circle for a smile, on a lime green background.
Until

Proudly Presents: Weird Wednesdays

Proudly Presents some of the wackiest line ups and experimental comedy that ³Ô¹ÏÍø has to offer.

The lobby of a comedy venue, with a blue velvet couch and red curtains.
Until

Sunday Night Stand Up Comedy Show

See some of ³Ô¹ÏÍø's best stand-up comedy, every Sunday night.

Performer breathing fire with head tilted at an angle.
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The Vaudeville Revue: Cabaret, Comedy and Burlesque

Experience ³Ô¹ÏÍø's most intimate variety show in a hidden gem of the city.

Stand-up comedian Tommy Little on stage in front of Spleen neon sign, holding microphone and smiling.
Until

Comedy at Spleen

Come along to the city's longest-running comedy night.

Comedian Ross Noble performing stand-up at a small venue with a brick wall background.

Basement Comedy Club

Basement Comedy Club is the hottest underground comedy club around, with big names guaranteed.

Comedian holding a microphone, standing under a spotlight in a bar with plants and bar stools.
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Laugh Lab

Come watch some of ³Ô¹ÏÍø's best comedians perform in the cosiest cocktail bar in town.

Three men dressed as elderly ladies wearing wigs, dresses and jewels in a theatre setting with a red velvet curtain and a neon LIVE sign.
Until

Granny Bingo

³Ô¹ÏÍø’s cult comedy night hosted by Australia’s nastiest nannas.

Two people on a stage giving each other a high five, one also holding a microphone.
Until

Comedy at the Coopers Inn

A comedy club featuring the best local, interstate and international stand-up comedians.

A stylised image of a woman with long red hair wearing a red V-neck shimmering dress, laughing with her head tiled back, seated in a red armchair with a red velvet curtain backdrop, an ice bucket with a bottle of Champagne on the table next to her.
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Piper's Playhouse

Step inside Piper's Playhouse, ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s most immersive cabaret.

The Town Hall at night with ³Ô¹ÏÍø International Comedy Festival banners, signage, and red and blue spotlights and people lined up in queues on the footpath.
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³Ô¹ÏÍø International Comedy Festival

The festival that takes over the city celebrates 40 years of funny - come have a laugh.

Four people wearing strapless voluminous dresses dancing the Can Can on a cabaret stage.
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Blanc de Blanc Encore

Experience an intoxicating blend of circus, cabaret, comedy and risqué glamour.

Find more comedy

Dance, circus and magic shows

A male and female dancer, bodies intertwined and wrapped with thick woven costumes.
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Flora

A dance collaboration tracing the profound influence of major events on the landscape and people.

Magician balancing one finger on a globe, suspended updside down, wearing a white suit and hat.
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Piccolo Teatro: Magic Theatre

Specialising in astonishing magic shows and immersive live entertainment.

People participating in a Capoeira Angola class, with two people dancing and moving in the centre of a seated group of onlookers.
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Capoeira Angola: Ecamar

A Capoeira Angola class blending martial arts, dance, music and culture.

Two ballet dancers, one male and one female, engaged in a dance together, both dressed in blue-toned glow-in-the-dark costumes.
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Ballet of Lights: Cinderella in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

A dancer performing as Tinker Bell with illuminated wings, arms outstretched to a wooden trunk in front of her.
Until

Ballet of Lights: Peter Pan in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

Three ballerinas on a darkened stage in glowing tutu dresses.
Until

Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

Kid's theatre and family shows

Man wearing a tuxedo performing sleight of hands tricks with a glass in front of a seated audience.
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³Ô¹ÏÍø Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

Pre- and post-theatre dining in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

A table with plates of food and cocktails, and a menu.

The George on Collins

An up-market basement venue and eatery within the historic Georges building.

Table lamp with roses in an upmarket restaurant.

Bistrot d'Orsay

Dark, moody and romantic best describe this authentic, high end French bistro.

Bowl of Japanese tempeh, egg and seaweed.

Supernormal

Asian-inspired dishes alongside delicious wines, sake, whisky and cocktails.

High-backed green stools at a restaurant bar with wine bottles and glasses on display.

Farmer's Daughters

A three-storey farm-to-table venue from Alejandro Saravia, celebrating the Gippsland region.

People standing at the bar or seated at small tables enjoying drinks and snacks.

Bodega Underground

Bodega is a late night taqueria and underground mezcaleria in the basement of the Crossley Hotel.

Terrace with set tables, bathed in red; river to left.

La Camera

Classic Italian food overlooking the river at Southbank.

Moody neon-lit entry to Miss Pearl Bar on Southbank.

Miss Pearl Bar + Dining

Experience modern Asian dining in the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Arts Precinct.

Range of Japanese dishes, viewed from above, and hands using chopsticks to select food items.

Sake Restaurant & Bar

This luxurious dining space at Hamer Hall offers premium Japanese dishes and sake.

Two friends are leaving a theatre.

The best pre- and post-theatre dining in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Fuel up before a big show or extend your city visit at these local eateries.

More to explore

A performer on stage wearing an extravagant, feathery costume.

Theatre and shows

Discover ³Ô¹ÏÍø's hit musicals, cutting-edge theatre and late-night cabaret shows.

Two friends are leaving a theatre.

The best pre- and post-theatre dining in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Fuel up before a big show or extend your city visit at these local eateries.

A fine dining restaurant with a swirling metal light fixture.

Best pre-theatre dining deals

The ultimate pre-theatre dining deals. From quick bites to feasts, here's the best for all budgets.

A spired building on a sunny day

The best kid's theatre shows on in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Featuring musical theatre, magic shows and more.

Last updated on Thu 26 Feb 2026

Only In The City

Only in this City of Ours
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 ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s premier live performance venues.

People milling around Fed Square at night.

³Ô¹ÏÍø's essential night-time events

From hidden laneway markets to epic pop-ups, ³Ô¹ÏÍø gets lit once the lights go out.

Child looking over right shoulder with delighted smile, dark dinosaur model behind.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Museum

Explore history, culture, science and nature at this popular ³Ô¹ÏÍø attraction.

Discover more

Tiered seating and red plush stage curtain.

Her Majesty's Theatre

This heritage-listed theatre has provided entertainment for ³Ô¹ÏÍø since 1886.

Rows of red seats in the historic Princess Theatre.

Princess Theatre

³Ô¹ÏÍø’s iconic Princess Theatre is regarded by many as ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s most spectacular landmark.

Paintings on the wall of gallery.

fortyfivedownstairs

A not-for-profit arts space with two galleries and a theatre.

Seating and stage in Fairfax Studio, an intimate theatre space.

Fairfax Studio

An intimate theatre presenting smaller-scale and experimental productions.