Left your Christmas shopping to the last minute, or just not sure what to get? These excellent experience gifts take mere minutes to book in and offer hours of enjoyment.

Blockbuster events to book

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

From polka dots to pumpkins, Yayoi Kusama comes to NGV with a world-premiere blockbuster exhibition.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast the Musical
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Disney's Beauty and the Beast the Musical

Experience Disney's new enchanting musical, Beauty and the Beast.

Monopoly Dreams

Monopoly Dreams

Enjoy a fully immersive and interactive Monopoly experience, featuring games and challenges.

A Christmas Carol
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A Christmas Carol

A big-hearted, smash-hit production of one man's transformation from resentment to redemption.

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
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Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

The inspiring life story of the Queen of Rock, who didn’t just break the rules – she rewrote them.

Punting on the Lake
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Punting on the Lake

Glide between the bays and islands of Ornamental Lake on a guided boat cruise.

Imaginator
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Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar

Experience a revived production of this iconic and unmissable musical.

Cats & Dogs
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Cats & Dogs

From cattle dogs to lap dogs, divine felines to cat superstitions, explore more than 250 works.

Brickvention

Brickvention

See displays of LEGO builds in all sorts of themes and genres.

Dear Evan Hansen

Dear Evan Hansen

Enjoy this brand new production of the Broadway smash-hit.

Sister Act
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Sister Act

Don’t miss the Broadway and UK smash hit musical, direct from London’s West End.

Foodie experiences, tours and tastings

Bakery Hill Whisky Distillery Tour and Tasting
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Bakery Hill Whisky Distillery Tour and Tasting

Learn how Bakery Hill produces its malts on a tour and tasting led by a distiller.

Flavours of Melbourne Night Trail
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Flavours of Melbourne Night Trail

An evening of culinary delights, cultural exploration and memorable moments.

Barista Basics
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Barista Basics

Craft and perfect your coffee skills.

Melbourne Foodie Culture Tour
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Melbourne Foodie Culture Tour

This walking tour introduces you to Melbourne's favourite foods, architecture and stories.

Learn to Cook Thai
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Learn to Cook Thai

Join a hands-on cooking class, featuring two of Thailand’s favourite dishes.

Rosso Coffee Experience: Specialty Coffee Roastery & Cafe

Rosso Coffee Experience: Specialty Coffee Roastery & Cafe

North Melbourne’s hub for coffee: expert roasting, gourmet food and hands-on experiences.

Little Lon Distilling Co

Little Lon Distilling Co

Melbourne city's only distillery and cocktail bar serving handcrafted, small batch spirits.

Chocolate Family Adventure Day
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Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

River cruises and boat hire

Punting on the Lake
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Punting on the Lake

Glide between the bays and islands of Ornamental Lake on a guided boat cruise.

Melbourne River Cruises

Melbourne River Cruises

Sit back and relax as your captain details the history of Melbourne on a river cruise.

Kayak Melbourne

Kayak Melbourne

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

GoBoat Melbourne

GoBoat Melbourne

Be your own captain by renting a picnic boat, with no boat licence required.

On a Boat

On a Boat

Experience the Yarra River by boat - skipper yourself or choose a skippered cruise.

Waterbikes Australia

Waterbikes Australia

Experience the latest in outdoor adventure: eco-friendly inclusive waterbikes.

Classic Steamboat Cruises

Classic Steamboat Cruises

Public and private cruises and transport to events along the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers.

Lady Cutler Melbourne Showboat

Lady Cutler Melbourne Showboat

Cruise Melbourne on the Lady Cutler Melbourne Showboat, offering a range of cruising events.

Melbourne walking tours

Chocoholic Tours

Chocoholic Tours

This chocolate walking tour visits some of the city's best chocolatiers with exclusive experiences.

Hidden Secrets Tours

Hidden Secrets Tours

Indulge and discover the city's hidden charm with Melbourne's original laneway walking tours.

Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways
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Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways

Solve clues, taste and collect pre-paid gourmet food on this unique foodie adventure.

The Complete Melbourne Walking Tour
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The Complete Melbourne Walking Tour

Uncover the best of Melbourne's laneways, history and more in our3 Hour Walking Experience.

The ultimate guide to walking tours in Melbourne

The ultimate guide to walking tours in Melbourne

Guided tours that weave through Melbourne's hidden gems, foodie spots and street art.

Melbourne Sights Walking Tour

Melbourne Sights Walking Tour

Uncover the stories behind Melbourne's landmarks, gardens and events on this walking tour.

Art, History, Food and Wine Tour
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Art, History, Food and Wine Tour

The perfect introduction to Melbourne – street art, curious tales, wine tasting and tapas.

Sports Precinct Walking Tour
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Sports Precinct Walking Tour

Explore Melbourne's sports precinct on foot with a local guide, including a tour of the MCG.

Best gigs to book

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Chinese New Year

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Chinese New Year

The MSO celebrates cross-cultural connections through music at this celebratory performance.

Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert

Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra bring to life Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Relax with Max

Relax with Max

Enjoy a unique blend of funk, soul, afro-beat, R&B and gospel from these legends.

As We Speak

As We Speak

Bèla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer and Rakesh Chaurasia perform live at Hamer Hall.

Crystalline Resonance: Final Fantasy Piano Concert

Crystalline Resonance: Final Fantasy Piano Concert

Final Fantasy melodies come to life under the fingers of virtuoso pianists.

New Year's Eve (& The Day Before) Gala Concerts

New Year's Eve (& The Day Before) Gala Concerts

These gala concerts are Melbourne’s favourite way to ring in the new year.

Taylor Sheridan

Taylor Sheridan

Enjoy a concert by a luminous force in the Australian music scene.

Boris Brejcha

Boris Brejcha

German techno phenomenon Boris Brejcha returns this January for a massive show.

Double Shot Maggie
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Double Shot Maggie

High-energy traditional Irish music with a punk twist.

Jack Jones

Jack Jones

With 20 years of music under his belt, the enigmatic singer is one of Australia’s iconic musicians.

Kygo: World Tour Part Two

Kygo: World Tour Part Two

See the global superstar, producer and DJ in concert, with special guests Cyril and Xandra.

Richard Clapton

Richard Clapton

Spend an evening with this revered singer and songwriter and his band.

Workshops and hands-on activties

(re)makerspace series: Soft Plastic Into Glasses Case
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(re)makerspace series: Soft Plastic Into Glasses Case

Learn how to make your own handcrafted glasses case from soft plastic waste.

Mosaic Class: Turkish Lamp Workshop
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Mosaic Class: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Learn about ancient mosaic art and create a beautiful Turkish lamp.

Paint and Sip Class: Ceramic Bowls and Plates
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Paint and Sip Class: Ceramic Bowls and Plates

Immerse yourself in the delightful and creative experience of Paint and Sip class.

Resin Art Class: Tray and Cheeseboard
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Resin Art Class: Tray and Cheeseboard

Make abstract art and discover the magic of working with resin.

The best activities and attractions

Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade

Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade

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

Cinema Nova

Cinema Nova

Cinema Nova is Melbourne's home of quality arthouse and contemporary cinema.

Melbourne Skydeck

Melbourne Skydeck

This 300m high public observation deck captures everything that is special about Melbourne.

Oche

Oche

A blend of superlative cuisine, cocktails, and state-of-the-art electronic darts gaming experience.

Ballers Clubhouse

Ballers Clubhouse

Melbourne's largest bar and games venue, in the heart of Chinatown.

Holey Moley Golf Club

Holey Moley Golf Club

Holey Moley offers a mini golf course and bar with 27 themed holes plus a karaoke room.

Kingpin Crown

Kingpin Crown

Entertainment destination at Crown, with bowling, laser tag and the Playtime arcade.

Heroes

Heroes

Vibrant and lively vertical laneway of private karaoke rooms, open mic karaoke bar and rooftop bar.

Yum Sing House Restaurant & Karaoke Bar

Yum Sing House Restaurant & Karaoke Bar

Modern Asian dining and late-night karaoke with the hedonistic spirit of 1960s Hong Kong.

Fortress Melbourne

Fortress Melbourne

Fortress Melbourne is the home of games, located over two levels inside Emporium Melbourne.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

One-stop entertainment venue with arcade games, bowling lanes, dodgem cars and cocktail bar.

O'Brien Icehouse

O'Brien Icehouse

Ice arena for public skating and ice sports events, located in Docklands.

More gift shopping ideas

The best Father's Day gifts under $50

The best Father's Day gifts under $50

Where to buy the best affordable gifts for Father's Day.

The best hidden shops and pop-ups in Melbourne

The best hidden shops and pop-ups in Melbourne

Find secret stores, fashion pop-ups and more.

Melbourne's most instagrammable shops

Melbourne's most instagrammable shops

Our guide to the best looking shops in Melbourne, guaranteed to light up your Instagram feed.

Where to go late-night shopping in the Melbourne CBD

Where to go late-night shopping in the Melbourne CBD

Whether you're looking for a last-minute gift or browsing after class, these stores are open late.

Melbourne's best homewares gifts

Melbourne's best homewares gifts

Gift the best lighting, indoor plants and interior decor this Christmas.

Melbourne's most iconic shops

Melbourne's most iconic shops

These iconic Melbourne shops are home to some of the city's most colourful retail characters

Last updated on Thu 21 Nov 2024

Christmas

Christmas things to do

Christmas things to do

Explore a wonderland of events and dazzling decorations as the city comes to life this Christmas.

Christmas eat and drink

Christmas eat and drink

Feeling festive? Sip mistletoe martinis at a rooftop bar or dine under the lights in a laneway.

Christmas shopping

Christmas shopping

Shop the city's iconic laneways, malls and arcades to find the perfect pressie.

Discover more

The best Christmas gifts under $100

The best Christmas gifts under $100

Find foodie gifts, Maison Balzac glassware, and coffee makers for their home.

Melbourne's best Christmas gifts for kids

Melbourne's best Christmas gifts for kids

Treat the kids in your life to a little something special from Melbourne's best boutiques

Shop to Win
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Shop to Win

Do your Christmas shopping at Melbourne's iconic shopping spots for your chance to win prizes.

The best Christmas gifts under $50

The best Christmas gifts under $50

These gift ideas from the city's best small businesses are all home runs.