Major events

Featured

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.

People holding loaves of bread outside a bakery stall with signage.
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³Ô¹ÏÍø Food and Wine Festival

A 10-day feast bringing the best-of-the-best from Australia and the world, direct to your lips.

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.

People sitting on cushions on a vast lawn in front of a large outdoor movie screen.
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Moonlight Cinema

Kick back with a film under the stars at ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s most spectacular open-air cinema.

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.

Performers on stage in Queen Vic Market sheds, with children seated on the ground and onlookers standing.
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Cachivaches Latin Market

A vibrant cultural event celebrating the best of Latin American traditions in ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

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.

Red and green native correa flowers.
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³Ô¹ÏÍø Friends Plant Sale

³Ô¹ÏÍø Friends are hosting an autumn plant sale at Royal Botanic Gardens.

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.

People crowded into the Royal Exhibition Building for a market.
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The Makers and Shakers Market

Enjoy 185 top-tier makers of homewares, food and fashion.

A person dressed in yellow, holding a small yellow bunny close to their face, the entire image drenched with a yellow filter.

Lygon Street Market

Celebrate your Easter Sunday at The Lygon Street Market.

Rows of iced and fruit-topped pastries.
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Baker's Dozen

It's baking, it's caking, and it's yours for the taking.

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.

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 girl and a boy reaching their hands out to touch a glass wall water feature.
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School holidays

Entertain the whole family over the school holidays with these kid-friendly events and activities.

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.

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.

An illustration of a tan coloured deer with antlers and a grey kola, with the human faces of Kirsty Webeck and Ivan Aristeguieta superimposed on the animal's heads.
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The Big Animal Quiz with Kirsty Webeck and Ivan Aristeguieta

A family-friendly live show is an hour of laughs, education and banter about animals.

Young children playing in a tunnel structure at the Children's Gallery at the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Museum.
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Autumn School Holidays at ³Ô¹ÏÍø Museum

Autumn adventures await at ³Ô¹ÏÍø Museum.

A man in a dinner suit and glasses upside down against a blue and black sun ray striped background.
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The Tricky Nick Magic Show

Strap in for an unpredictable rollercoaster ride through the weird mind of Tricky Nick.

Theatre & musicals

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

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 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.

Ballet dancer wearing 1920s fringed dress performing mid-air grand jete.
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The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey

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

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.

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.

A male magician in a top hat and suit on a smoky stage, holding a yellow and green fan and performing a trick.
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Illusionaire Family Magic Show

Sam Angelico is back in ³Ô¹ÏÍø performing his family-friendly show Illusionaire.

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.

An illustration featuring a stylized face in bold red and yellow colours.
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Fuel

Fuel is a solo play from acclaimed playwright Robert Reid, examining the dark side of mateship.

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.

A man on stage in a white t-shirt speaking into a microphone and using his hands.

Veteran Performing Artist Showcase

A showcase of multidisciplinary works performed by established Veteran Artists.

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.

A performer with a standing audience looking on in the NGV, stained glass visible and purple lighting.
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NGV Friday Nights

Experience the NGV as it comes alive after dark

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.

A drypoint etching in monotones depicting an industrial scene.
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Louise Donovan: Common Ground

Nineteen everyday moments in intimate drypoint by ³Ô¹ÏÍø artist, Louise Donovan

An aerial shot of the Shrine of Remembrance on a sunny day with the city and parklands in the background.

What's open in ³Ô¹ÏÍø on the Anzac Day public holiday

Best things to do on the Anzac day public holiday.

A person wearing an apron, seated at a table as part of am art workshop, using a paintbrush to apply paint to paper.
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Festival of Veterans Arts

Enjoy this veteran-led arts festival with exhibitions, performances, workshops and family events.

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.

Elton John in the 1970s wearing large spectacles and satin suit with Cher wearing Bob Mackie midriff-revealing strappy gown and Diana Ross wearing feather and sequin gown.
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DIVA

From opera stars to pop icons, celebrate the power and creativity of the diva.

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.

Sport

Essendon AFL football player with arms outstretched during a match.

AFL Round 13: Essendon v Carlton

Celebrate the long weekend on King’s Birthday Eve by watching Essendon play Carlton live at the 'G.

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.

Western Bulldog AFL football players on the field during a match.

AFL Round 12: Western Bulldogs v Collingwood

Watch the Bulldogs and the Pies play live at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

A Hawthorn AFL player with arms outstretched in a celebratory fashion, on the footy field.

AFL Round 6: Hawthorn v Port Adelaide

Hawthorn plays Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium for AFL's Round 6.

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.

Two Essendon AFL players high fiving each other, in side profile, on the footy field.

AFL Round 8: Essendon v Brisbane Lions

Essendon play the Brisbane Lions at Marvel during Round 8.

St Kilda AFL football player with the ball during a match.

AFL Round 12: St Kilda v Hawthorn

Come along to see this not-to-be-missed game between St Kilda and Hawthorn live under the lights.

An Essendon player moments are a kick with his leg still high in the air and pink boots on.

AFL Round 3: Essendon v North ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Don't miss this clash between the Bombers and the Roos.

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.