From hidden laneway events to epic pop-ups, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out. Put these events and adventures in your diary for the ultimate night out.

Free night-time fun

Tina Arena Candlelight Concert

Tina Arena Candlelight Concert

See legendary artist Tina Arena as she performs an intimate concert by candlelight at Fed Square.

Open Air at the Square
Until

Open Air at the Square

Free live music and outdoor cinema, all throughout February at Fed Square.

Sidney Myer Free Concert: Symphonic Celebration

Sidney Myer Free Concert: Symphonic Celebration

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra celebrates 120 years and counting at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Summer Night Market
Until

Summer Night Market

Gather your crew for Melbourne’s favourite summer tradition – Wednesday nights from 5pm to 10pm.

Sidney Myer Free Concert: Australian Youth Orchestra

Sidney Myer Free Concert: Australian Youth Orchestra

The AYO blend the fantasy of late Romanticism with the soundscapes of digital gaming worlds.

Dean Brady Candlelight Concert

Dean Brady Candlelight Concert

An intimate outdoor candlelit concert at Fed Square with the rising Australian R&B star.

Library Cinema at narrm ngarrgu

Library Cinema at narrm ngarrgu

Each month, watch a movie on the big screen, including contemporary, classic and documentary films.

Folk Bitch Trio Candlelight Concert

Folk Bitch Trio Candlelight Concert

The homegrown indie-folk trio perform an intimate outdoor candlelit concert, free at Fed Square.

Silent Cinema with Live Scores

Silent Cinema with Live Scores

Classics of silent cinema brought to life with original scores performed live, free at Fed Square.

Sidney Myer Free Concert: 50 Years of ABC Classic

Sidney Myer Free Concert: 50 Years of ABC Classic

Celebrate 50 years of classical music on our airwaves in this love letter to ABC Classic radio.

Sidney Myer Free Concert: MSO x Find Your Voice Collective

Sidney Myer Free Concert: MSO x Find Your Voice Collective

A night of songs and stories celebrating the spectrum and depth of emotion and experience.

Laugh Lab
Until

Laugh Lab

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

Holi Festival Melbourne

Holi Festival Melbourne

Immerse yourself in Indian culture, music, dance, food and drinks at the Festival of Colours.

BMW Opera for All

BMW Opera for All

Opera’s most famous music, live under the open sky.

Fiesta De Carnival: A Portuguese-Goan Celebration

Fiesta De Carnival: A Portuguese-Goan Celebration

Enjoy a celebration of Portuguese-Goan music, dance, food and culture.

Uncharted Comedy
Until

Uncharted Comedy

Underground comedy offers raw, unfiltered stand-up every week.

Afro Caribbean Carnival

Afro Caribbean Carnival

Free day-to-night dance party, featuring Sister Nancy, General Levy and local sound systems.

Pickleball at Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street
Until

Pickleball at Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street

Pickleball returns to the rooftop at Hilton Melbourne.

Party Hard – After The Party: Soirée

Party Hard – After The Party: Soirée

An after-hours conversation on art, fashion and queer self-expression at Tasma Terrace.

Melbourne CBD Holi Festival of Colours

Melbourne CBD Holi Festival of Colours

Be covered in vibrant colours and dance to music at the Treasury Garden's Holi.

Antipodes Festival

Antipodes Festival

Street food, live performances, market stalls and cultural experiences for everyone.

Party Hard: After the Party
Until

Party Hard: After the Party

An exhibition exploring celebrations from Edwardian times to the first Sydney Mardi Gras and beyond.

Fed Square Holi: Festival of Colours

Fed Square Holi: Festival of Colours

Get ready for a vibrant explosion of colours and fun at the Fed Square Holi Festival of Colours!

Thndo
Until

Thndo

Melbourne / Naarm’s queen of soul is making her Aster debut.

Moomba

Moomba

An annual free festival held along the banks of the Yarra River.

Theatre & shows

Blanc de Blanc Encore
Until

Blanc de Blanc Encore

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

Anastasia the Musical
Until

Anastasia the Musical

Discover the romantic and adventure-filled Broadway production inspired by the beloved film.

The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey

The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey

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

Piccolo Teatro: Magic Theatre
Until

Piccolo Teatro: Magic Theatre

Specialising in astonishing magic shows and immersive live entertainment.

Moonlight Cinema
Until

Moonlight Cinema

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

Sunset Music Series
Until

Sunset Music Series

This summer, enjoy live music under the stars as the Gardens come alive with song.

Marlon Williams and Emma Donovan: Live at the Gardens

Marlon Williams and Emma Donovan: Live at the Gardens

Marlon Williams, Emma Donovan and Kee'ahn perform at Live at the Gardens.

Cut Copy and Todd Terje DJ Set: Live at the Gardens

Cut Copy and Todd Terje DJ Set: Live at the Gardens

Enjoy a hometown dancefloor takeover with Cut Copy, Todd Terje (DJ set), CC:Disco! and more.

Leftfield with Paul Mac DJ Set: Live at the Gardens

Leftfield with Paul Mac DJ Set: Live at the Gardens

Enjoy a night of electronic music with Leftfield, Paul Mac and Late Nite Tuff Guy.

Thelma Plum and Sons of the East: Live at the Gardens

Thelma Plum and Sons of the East: Live at the Gardens

Hear Thelma Plum, Sons of the East and Jem Cassar-Daley perform at Live at the Gardens.

Bliss N Eso, Drapht and Horrorshow: Live at the Gardens

Bliss N Eso, Drapht and Horrorshow: Live at the Gardens

The Live at the Gardens series ends with Bliss N Eso, Drapht and Horrorshow.

More evening events to book right now

NGV Friday Nights
Until

NGV Friday Nights

Experience the NGV as it comes alive after dark

Maho Magic Bar
Until

Maho Magic Bar

A dazzling Tokyo night of mischief, magic and cocktails with Japan's sleight-of-hand superstars.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

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

Stellar Nights
Until

Stellar Nights

Embark on a journey through time and space with this guided tour at the Observatory.

Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise

Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise

Enjoy a relaxing three-hour Yarra River dinner cruise.

Kayak Melbourne

Kayak Melbourne

Guided paddling tours through Melbourne along the Yarra River and Victoria Harbour.

Melbourne Hidden Bars Walking Tour
Until

Melbourne Hidden Bars Walking Tour

Discover Melbourne's hidden bars – down alleys, in basements and behind closed doors.

Where to eat and drink after dark

The ultimate guide to late-night dining in Melbourne

The ultimate guide to late-night dining in Melbourne

These late-night venues and iconic restaurants are best visited well after dark.

The best pre- and post-theatre dining in Melbourne

The best pre- and post-theatre dining in Melbourne

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

Melbourne’s most romantic date-night restaurants

Melbourne’s most romantic date-night restaurants

Find the best restaurants to book for birthdays, anniversaries or just because.

Melbourne's best rooftop bars

Melbourne's best rooftop bars

Schedule in a rooftop sesh at Morris House, Good Heavens, Fable, Ocean 12 and more.

Melbourne's best cafes that open late

Melbourne's best cafes that open late

These Melbourne cafes are open late for evening coffee runs.

After dark dessert bars

After dark dessert bars

Discover Melbourne's best cakes, cocktails and sweet treats after the lights go down.

Where to find the best hidden bars in Chinatown

Where to find the best hidden bars in Chinatown

Take a detour to find secret basement cocktails, secluded rooftop bars and a fairytale wonderland.

The best first date bars in Melbourne

The best first date bars in Melbourne

These cute hidden gems and fun date-night spots will give you something to talk about. 

Unique first date ideas in Melbourne

Unique first date ideas in Melbourne

Ban boring dates with these cute night spots and fun activities for two.

The best late-night bars and music venues in Melbourne

The best late-night bars and music venues in Melbourne

Find intimate vinyl bars, iconic band rooms and live music bars open late.

Curious

Curious

Curious pairs bold cocktails with a selection of small bites and sharing plates.

Stalactites Restaurant

Stalactites Restaurant

One of Melbourne’s longest established and best-known Greek restaurants.

Waiters Restaurant

Waiters Restaurant

Serving unfussy, home-style Italian food to a late-night crowd since 1947.

Gimlet at Cavendish House

Gimlet at Cavendish House

An elegant cocktail bar and dining room from renowned chef Andrew McConnell.

Bodega Underground

Bodega Underground

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

Dragon Hot Pot

Dragon Hot Pot

Choose your base stock, then pick from over 100 fresh ingredients to make your own unique hotpot.

The George on Collins

The George on Collins

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

The Carlton Hotel

The Carlton Hotel

Offers a rooftop bar, dining, a cocktail bar and nightclub, right in the heart of the city.

Johnny's Green Room

Johnny's Green Room

A rooftop bar above King & Godfree with great views, tunes and Italian inspired food and drinks.

Flower Drum Restaurant

Flower Drum Restaurant

An iconic upscale Cantonese restaurant serving delicious food.

Nightlife

Nightlife

Dance the night away, sip cocktails in a stylish bar or catch some live music.​

Last updated on Mon 26 Jan 2026

Only In The City

Only in this City of Ours
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Regent Theatre

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Things you can only do in the city

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

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The best pop-up and outdoor cinemas in Melbourne

The best pop-up and outdoor cinemas in Melbourne

Find the best outdoor cinema, pop-up theatres and free movies.

Tolarno Galleries

Tolarno Galleries

One of Australia’s most stimulating exhibitors of contemporary art and design.

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The best hotels in Melbourne for families

Check out our list of family-friendly hotel stays

Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum

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