Melbourne's must-see exhibitions

A colourful art exhibition with a sculpture and letter painting on the walls.

From giant interactive installations to pop-up galleries featuring internationally renowned art, these exhibitions cannot be missed.

Free exhibitions

Black and white photograph from the 1960s of model, Twiggy, wearing a mini-dress at the Melbourne Cup.
Until

Swinging 60s

This exhibition looks at what it was like to live in Victoria during the 1960s.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
Until

The Story of the Moving Image

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

Historic photo of protesters at a women's rights demonstration.
Until

Protest Melbourne

An exhibition about Victoria's long history of public protest.

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
Until

Making Memoir of a Snail

Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.

A woman walking through a display with shelves of military-style food packages.
Until

Taste of Combat

Honouring the vital work of the Catering Corps and the evolution of military food.

Man wearing traditional Italian dress - red hat, green waistcoat, holding an Italian flag in front of the Exhibition Building.
–

Italian Festa and Expo

Celebrating all thing Italian at the Royal Exhibition Building and Museum Plaza.

A person's hands holding up a timber-framed oil painting of a farmland landscape with blue skies.
–

Maria Radun: In the Moment

Oil paintings inspired by the diverse landscapes of Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Installation view of the Spartans & Anzacs exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance, with people walking around the space, reading panels and looking at displays.
Until

Spartans & Anzacs

This exhibition invites reflection on the enduring values forged in conflict.

Black and white photograph of a busy Melbourne city intersection with trams, cars, people crossing the road, and buildings, dating from around the 1950s or 1960s.
Until

Making Modern Melbourne

This free exhibition examines the tumultuous twentieth century in Melbourne.

Close-up view of a hand-woven wall covering featuring a textured beige background with minimalist geometric designs.
–

Camille Laddawan & Kokoro Kimura (JP): Aura

An exhibition of new works by Camille Laddawan and Kokoro Kimura (JP).

View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River
Until

St Michael’s Grammar School: Twelve

An exhibition celebrating St Michael’s Grammar School's Visual Art and Design Graduates of 2026.

A realist artwork of mandarins nestled in white fabric.
Until

Genevieve Gadd-Carolan: Always A Student

A reflection of the commitment to the lifelong pursuit of learning and artistic discovery.

Low-angle, eye-level outdoor shot displays a sculpture replica of the Statue of Liberty's hand holding the green torch against a brown brick building facade on the right side of the frame, with tall skyscrapers against a blue sky in the background.
Until

Nick Crawford: Avenues

An exhibition of photographs made while walking the streets of New York City.

A black and white photograph of a family eating a meal at the family dining table circa 1950.
Until

You Have a New Memory

An exhibition that explores how and why we remember, through the lens of the Library's collections.

Light grey textured bark fragments placed on a warm, golden-brown metallic or painted surface.
–

Jessica Row: If a tree falls in the urban forest...

An exhibition by Jessica Row inspired by the trees in naarm/Melbourne.

Painting of a large brick building on a corner with a tree in the foreground and some parked cars.
–

VAS Christmas Salon

This showcase celebrates small and affordable artworks perfect for holiday gifting.

A mixed-media artwork on an oversized playing card.
Until

The Community Art Card Project

Gallery visitors can engage in collaborative art-making to create an installation.

Mossy bird's nest balanced between twig branches on a tree.
Until

Design X Nature

An outdoor exhibition of artworks exploring how natural systems inform creative practice.

A abstract artwork in shades of cobalt blue, red, and cream.
Until

Recurring Echoes: Liliana Barbieri

An exhibition celebrating 25 years of artistic practice by Liliana Di Lizio Barbieri.

Two women in a gallery with white walls and highly polished black floors observing two pieces of abstract photographic art hung on the wall.
Until

Andrew Browne: Lux Sublimata

A new exhibition of photo-based imagery on satin banners by Melbourne artist Andrew Browne.

Blockbuster exhibitions

Two individuals talking to each other inside Melbourne Museum at night, with blue lighting.
Until

Nocturnal: Museum After Dark

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

Events, talks and tours

A wall covered in framed images and photographs and displayed very close together.

Art and Heritage Collection Tour

Take a free guided tour of the art and heritage collection at Melbourne Town Hall.

People on a small tour at the Immigration Museum, in an empty room with columns and a tiled floor.

Immigration Museum Guided Highlights Tour

Gain new perspectives on immigrant life at this must-visit destination.

Last updated on Mon 3 Nov 2025

Only In The City

Only in the City
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.

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 Melbourne experiences and secret spots.

Multiple plates on a white table cloth.

Things you can only eat in the city

Where to find the city's most iconic dishes.

Discover more

People in a corridor viewing artwork the walls.
Until

We Belong – Art Exhibtiion

Experience the creativity, identity and perspectives of deaf and hard of hearing young people.

Art photograph of a female floating on water viewed from above.
–

Physis: Elemental Bodies

An exhibition of works by photographic artist Lilli Waters.

Oil painting of a vintage Sunbeam mixer, casting a shadow on a green wall.
–

The Hylton Mackley Artist of the Year Award

See an exhibition of the finalists for the Victorian Artists Society's Artist of the Year Award.

Exhibition piece of artwork on a blank wall, sepia illustrations with occasional words on an undulating surface.
–

Kylie Watson: Love Letters

An exhibition exploring how the artist book has a natural connection with printmaking.