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Crowds looking at a festival stage in the city.

The best free festivals in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

The best free festivals you need to visit in ³Ô¹ÏÍø this year

The NGV and Arts Centre lit up on a winter night.

What's on this weekend in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Discover things to do in ³Ô¹ÏÍø this weekend, from free events to exhibitions.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Town Hall with a line out the front for ³Ô¹ÏÍø International Comedy Festival

³Ô¹ÏÍø's best blockbuster events

The best major events on in ³Ô¹ÏÍø this year.

Festivals and events

Inside a bustling market hall

Things you can only see in the city

Uncover secret rooms, historic architecture and iconic landmarks found only in the city.

An aerial shot of ³Ô¹ÏÍø city with the MCG in the foreground on a sunny day.
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What's on in September

³Ô¹ÏÍø in ³Ô¹ÏÍø in September, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.

A view over ³Ô¹ÏÍø by night, with buildings lit up.

New Year's Eve in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

From fireworks to fancy dinners and family fun, ³Ô¹ÏÍø is the perfect place to celebrate NYE.

Red fireworks over the city viewed from a floating bar with umbrellas and lanterns.

The best restaurants to book for New Year's Eve

Book a restaurant, find fireworks near you and plan the best New Year's Eve in ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

A neon light display of Santa's sleigh being pulled by kangaroos.

The ultimate guide to ³Ô¹ÏÍø's best Christmas lights and decorations

Where to see stunning Christmas trees, the best Christmas lights and more beautiful decorations.

Two friends are seating outside a small cafe kiosk there is a sign saying mork chocolate

The best Easter offers, high teas and events in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Find Easter high teas, dining deals, events and more

Santa in front of a lit up Christmas tree in Fed Square.

Christmas in the city

See the city light up with dazzling displays, festive events and activities for the whole family.

Markets

Smiling vendor selling a range of pastries, dips and spreads at Queen Victoria Market.

Queen Victoria Market

This beloved ³Ô¹ÏÍø landmark is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere.

A crowd of people standing outside a large exhibition building on a sunny day.

The ultimate guide to ³Ô¹ÏÍø's best markets

Explore ³Ô¹ÏÍø's iconic markets.

Long line of tables covered in books.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Book Market

³Ô¹ÏÍø Book Market is a curated collection of more than 5,000 new and pre-loved titles.

Three different bao buns in a tray.

Dining events

Find the best food events in ³Ô¹ÏÍø, from food festivals to wine tastings and cooking classes.

Market stall tents with signage next to a heritage brick building, with greenery and families.
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Younghusband Market

With great music, curated stalls, hands-on workshops and delicious food, a vibrant scene awaits.

A crowded scene within the Queen Victoria Market, featuring various banners for a craft fair and market called 'CRFT*WRK'
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CRFT*WRK Market

Enjoy a monthly craft fair at Queen Victoria Market.

Aerial view of an interior market with stalls selling clothing and raft, and many people walking around and shopping in the space.

Boho Luxe Market: Christmas Edition

A design market full of handmade, ethically sourced products.

A woman walking through a Christmas shop filled with white decorations.

Where to enjoy a European-style winter in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Embrace the chill with warming treats, pop-ups and events worthy of a Northern Hemisphere winter.

Selection of market goods including packets of teas and biscuits.
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Kensington Market

An eclectic mix of homewares, culinary treats, ceramics, sustainable goods and visual art.

Vintage ³Ô¹ÏÍø tram parked next to an outdoor market stall at night.

Winter Market

Join in a welcoming winter celebration filled with food, entertainment and community spirit.

Market stallholder with her puppet toys, beside the Yarra River in the CBD.
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The Sunday Market at Southgate

Explore the Sunday Market at Southgate and meet the makers.

Market stalls in Royal Exhibition Building with floral flag display.
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The Big Design Market: Almost Winter

Enjoy a showcase of over 250 independent Australian designers, with delicious food and wine.

Family events

Girl looking out at mini village display in the garden.

The best free and cheap family activities

Find family-friendly fun and free events in ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

A family looking at a circular tank filled with jellyfish in an aquarium.

³Ô¹ÏÍø's best rainy day activities for kids

Find the best indoor family activities during the school holidays.

A young boy and girl pointing to triceratops bones in the Museum.

Free things to do with kids in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Get the kids out and explore these free events and adventures for an awesome day of fun.

A small playground on a sunny day

The best playgrounds in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

We've rounded up the best adventure parks and playgrounds.

A magician holding a crystal ball against a purple background.
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³Ô¹ÏÍø Magic Festival

Casting its spell with performances and workshops for all ages this winter.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Bluey stage show human and puppet cast with tree background.
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Bluey's Big Play

This is Bluey brought to real life as you’ve never seen it before.

Young kid sitting on the shoulders of an adult in a large crowd of people watching a show.

³Ô¹ÏÍø for free

Discover free things to do in ³Ô¹ÏÍø, including galleries, museums, events and festivals.

Everything you need to do in ³Ô¹ÏÍø this Christmas

Everything you need to do in ³Ô¹ÏÍø this Christmas

Plan your festive adventures every week in the leadup to Christmas.

Characters from the PAW Patrol TV series performing live on a theatre stage, with streamers in the air above them and a large audience watching them.
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PAW Patrol Live: Race to the Rescue

The beloved pups of PAW Patrol hit the stage in this interactive live show.

Spanish flamenco dancers swirling the skirts of their brightly coloured dresses.

Spanish Language Fiesta: 10 Years of Culture

A vibrant Spanish cultural festival with live music, dance, food and interactive experiences.

Four women standing and holding up small mosaic lamps in front of a circular neon sign.
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Mosaic Art Classes: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop in ³Ô¹ÏÍø!

Theatre & musicals

The exterior of a city theatre lit up pink at night.

The ultimate theatre guide to ³Ô¹ÏÍø

What's on in ³Ô¹ÏÍø's theatres, clubs, cabaret bars and comedy spots.

A train station lit up in rainbow lights

³Ô¹ÏÍø's best drag shows and queer-friendly venues

Find burlesque life drawing, cabaret and the best queer-friendly venues in ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

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.

Female cast members from the musical Pride & Prejudice performing in Regency style costumes on a stage, all wearing yellow rubber gloves and singing into microphones they are holding.
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Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)

The musical comedy sensation, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), premieres in ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

A silhouette of a person dancing on a stage with a pink floor, in front of screens displaying the words "ONE LAST PASS"
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Heartbreak Hotel

The sold-out RISING hit Heartbreak Hotel returns to steal your heart again.

A musician holding a violinist under his arm, seated on a surreal natural setting featuring acacia wattle and gum leaves, as if floating in space against a pale background.
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³Ô¹ÏÍø Chamber Orchestra: Overgrown Paths

Violinist Sophie Rowell and Helen Morse lead a luminous fusion of poetry and music.

Actor Sarah Ruhl posing with her hand on her face and looking blankly ahead in a dark navy room.
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Eurydice

A luminous, poetic reimagining of the Greek myth, directed by multi-award-winner Gary Abrahams

A seated group of improv comedians, all looking seriously at the camera.
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Improvised Comedy: The Remix

Improvised comedy from true stories, sampled and remixed to create comedy gold.

Mid-face downwards view of a creature in a grey overcoat with an elephant's head.
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Ganesh Versus the Third Reich

After 15 years touring the world, Back to Back Theatre’s legendary production returns to ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

A woman in Regency-period costume including a white bonnet, white neck ruff and a red checked dress with puffed sleeves; holding a tea cup and saucer.

Dining with Jane Austen with Lise Rodgers

Join Lise Rodgers for a presentation delivered in costume on dining in the time of Jane Austen.

An actor in a suit, shirt and tie, holding a pair of glasses under his chair, with curly brown hair, looking serious.
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Julius Caesar

A thrilling new production of Shakespeare’s political masterpiece.

A scene from a movie where a person is being pointed at by a crowd of people in 1980s era formal attire.

Pandemonium at the Prom: Murder Mystery Dinner Experience

Unmask the killer across three courses of dinner and drama in an 80s prom night turned murder scene.

Music and gigs

A museum visitor in an exhibition space using a screen, surrounded by display objects.

Australian Music Vault

A celebration of Australian contemporary music – past, present and future.

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 stage with a grand facade to look like a building, with crowds waiting for a band to come on stage.

The ultimate ³Ô¹ÏÍø live gig guide

Concert halls and music venues hosting live music this week

Exhibitions and Expos

People walking around the outdoor balcony area in front of the Royal Exhibition Dome.

Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade

The Royal Exhibition Building opens its doors to a unique view unseen for 100 years.

Exterior of ³Ô¹ÏÍø Convention and Exhibition Centre at dusk with people crossing the road in front.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Convention and Exhibition Centre

Big ideas, bold experiences...this is where ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s most exciting events come to life.

Two individuals talking to each other inside ³Ô¹ÏÍø Museum at night, with blue lighting.
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Nocturnal: Museum After Dark

Experience ³Ô¹ÏÍø Museum after hours, when the doors stay open and the night belongs to adults.

An early watercolour painting of ³Ô¹ÏÍø's Yarra River.
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Yarra: Stories of ³Ô¹ÏÍø's River

Explores the chequered history of the stream we call the ‘city’s river’.

A colourful woven artwork with different textures and patterns representing a map.
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Hyperworlds: Unreal Cartography

An exhibition from Allanah Sarafian exploring maps as emotional and ideological objects.

An obscure image with monochrome tones resembling plumes of smoke.
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Kate Hunter: Unicellular

Unicellular intersects personal stories with sounds and images that reflect the overlooked.

Display of sculptural moulded clay figures.
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Are You Lonely Tonight? I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

A group exhibition around the theme of loneliness, at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art.

An ancient Roman marble bust with its nose chipped off, displayed on a small square plinth.
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Rome: Empire, Power, People

This ³Ô¹ÏÍø-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Ancient Rome.

Small sculpture made from coloured glass displayed on a wooden base and white pedestal.
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Robert Croft and Cam Michael

Artists Robert Croft and Cam Michael present their solo exhibitions at Jump Left.

A person holding paintbrushes stands in an art studio with a colorful abstract painting hanging on the wall.
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Anna Pelc: All the Places I’ve Been

A retrospective exhibition that brings together artworks created over the past decade.

Renaissance-style painting of a woman screened onto a window frame.
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Fuga: Art Soirée by Drasko Boljevic

View the windows in the laneway of ³Ô¹ÏÍø Place and meet the artist.

A black and white detail of a bridge pylon showing metal and stone construction.
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Greg Branson: Manifesto ³Ô¹ÏÍø

This exhibition invites viewers to see ³Ô¹ÏÍø through the lens of influential photographers.

Sport

Women's netballers during a game, one player holding the ball while others surround her.

SSN Round 9: ³Ô¹ÏÍø Vixens vs Queensland Firebirds

Start with Mother's Day lunch, then watch the Vixens take on the Firebirds.

A large group of people in active wear all running on a path in park.
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Run the Tan: Run Club

Start the weekend off on the right foot with a run around the Tan.

³Ô¹ÏÍø AFL football player kicking the ball on the field during a match.

AFL Round 10: ³Ô¹ÏÍø v Hawthorn

Come along to the 'G to get involved in this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

A St Kilda AFL football player on the field during a match, with his fist clenched and raised in a victory pump.

AFL Round 14: St Kilda v GWS GIANTS

Catch all the action when the Saints take on the GIANTS at Marvel Stadium.

Crowd of seated AFL fans wearing Big Freeze branded beanies.

AFL Round 13: Collingwood v ³Ô¹ÏÍø

The Big Freeze game between Collingwood and ³Ô¹ÏÍø is celebrating its 12th anniversary.

Essendon AFL football players on the field during a match giving each other a high five.

AFL Round 10: Essendon v Fremantle

Watch Essendon and Fremantle on Sunday afternoon at the MCG.

Western Bulldog AFL football fans with flags in the stands during a match.

AFL Round 11: Western Bulldogs v ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Watch the Western Bulldogs battle ³Ô¹ÏÍø live at Marvel Stadium on a Sunday afternoon.

Misty lights on the oval as AFL football players line up before a game.

AFL Round 11: Richmond v Essendon

Come along to Dreamtime at the 'G on Friday night to celebrate Indigenous culture and history.

Discover more

Christmas tree and decorations at Fed Square at night.
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What's on in December

³Ô¹ÏÍø in ³Ô¹ÏÍø in December, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.

Large crowd of people watching a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
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What's on in January

³Ô¹ÏÍø in ³Ô¹ÏÍø in January, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.

Crowd of people seated on the grass watching the Moonlight Cinema in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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What's on in February

³Ô¹ÏÍø in ³Ô¹ÏÍø in February, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.

A Ferris wheel lit up with LED lights at night.
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What's on in March

³Ô¹ÏÍø in ³Ô¹ÏÍø in March, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.