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.
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Italian Festa and Expo

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

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.

Two three-dimensional botanical sculptural paintings by artist Josh Davison hanging side-by-side on a pale coloured gallery wall.
Until

Joshua Davison

More Life is a solo exhibition by artist Joshua Davison.

A little girl looking at a colourful display of cushions in an art gallery.
Until

Children's Play: Ragnar Kjartansson

A new children's exhibition by Ragnar Kjartansson, inspired by the idea of a theatrical feast.

A delicately painted porcelain plate with a blue design depicting waves around the outside and a burning landscape in the centre.
Until

Margaret Ackland: Reflections

Margaret Ackland’s elegant still lifes serve up the uneasy truths of contemporary life.

An Australian landscape watercolour painting by Maxine Wade, of a large gum tree by a body of water, in muted shades of green, blue, tan and cream.
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Maxine Wade: Land For Sale

This exhibition features Australian landscapes painted in watercolour.

Red laser beams dance across the water’s surface,
Until

Multimmersion: Upside Down V2

A contemplative exploration of light, space and reflection transforms the Yarra River – Birrarung.

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.

A painting of a woman in a pink dress, against a blue background.
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Emily Dober: My World

Enjoy the world of artist Emily Dober in The Gallery at City Library.

Inside a large, darkened gallery space with projected artwork on the walls and a single person viewing.
Until

Occupation Studies: ngayanhurra bayarral Birrarung

A new multichannel audiovisual artwork by artist Tahlia Palmer.

A geometric-shaped portrait of a seated woman with red hair wearing a green dress.
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Mark Niehus: Different Midnights

A collection of paintings, moving image and free verse that explore the experience of solitude.

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

Kylie Watson: Love Letters

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

A monumental carved wooden sculpture on display in a gallery setting.
Until

Impractical Companions

A group exhibition exploring the quiet, often invisible spaces of companionship.

Light beams form geometric planes and vast three-dimensional environments.
Until

PRESENCE

A totalising encounter of lasers and sound.

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 tour at the Immigration Museum, looking over a table with a video display.

Immigration Museum Guided Highlights Tour

Immigration Museum Guided Highlights Tour

Last updated on Mon 3 Nov 2025

Only In The City

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Large brass percussion instruments installed on a wall in a darkened gallery space.
Until

Revivification

What happens to creativity when it is no longer bound to a living body?

People in a corridor viewing artwork the walls.
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We Belong – Art Exhibtiion

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

Printed and framed photographs of Opera performers hanging on a gallery wall.
Until

Behind the Curtain with Victorian Opera

An exhibition offering a rare glimpse into the artistry and dedication of Victorian Opera.

Art photograph of a female floating on water viewed from above.
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Physis: Elemental Bodies

An exhibition of works by photographic artist Lilli Waters.