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

THE LUME Melbourne
Until

THE LUME Melbourne

Immerse yourself in Connection – breathtaking stories through First Nations art and music.

The Friends Experience
Until

The Friends Experience

Recreate your favourite scenes and celebrate iconic moments at the interactive Friends Experience.

BBC Earth Experience
Until

BBC Earth Experience

Travel the natural world in one epic audio visual experience narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

RELICS: A New World Rises
Until

RELICS: A New World Rises

A unique new exhibition where real-world artefacts meet the ingenious world of LEGO!

Submerged

Submerged

A new digital experience at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium while the Oceanarium undergoes renovations.

Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature
Until

Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature

Go on a sensory journey from the roots of a majestic tree to the human body and galaxies above.

Monopoly Dreams
Until

Monopoly Dreams

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

Theatre and shows to book

Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Until

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

The Spectacular Must Close 4 February. No Extensions Possible!

The Vaudeville Revue: Cabaret, Comedy and Burlesque
Until

The Vaudeville Revue: Cabaret, Comedy and Burlesque

Be captivated for over two hours of cabaret, burlesque comedy, sideshow and an array of surprises.

Elvis: A Musical Revolution
Until

Elvis: A Musical Revolution

The premiere of a new bio-musical exploring the extraordinary life of Elvis Presley.

Grease the Musical

Grease the Musical

Grease returns to the Australian stage in a new, multi-million dollar live production.

Mamma Mia! The Musical
Until

Mamma Mia! The Musical

The smash hit phenomenon returns for an ultimate night of music, love, laughter and friendship.

Hour of the Wolf
Until

Hour of the Wolf

Don't miss Melbourne's latest large-scale immersive theatre mystery experience.

Circus 1903

Circus 1903

An edge-of-your-seat, magical experience for young and old this summer.

The Wharf Revue: Pride in Prejudice

The Wharf Revue: Pride in Prejudice

Hilarious political satirists The Wharf Revue return to Melbourne for the first time in a decade.

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.

Drinking History Tours
Until

Drinking History Tours

Award-winning experiences of Melbourne’s secret laneways, colourful history and hidden bars.

Hidden Bars of Melbourne Walking and Drinking Tour
Until

Hidden Bars of Melbourne Walking and Drinking Tour

Discover cocktail bars, repurposed venues, shipping container bars and speakeasies.

Queen Vic Market Ultimate Foodie Tour
Until

Queen Vic Market Ultimate Foodie Tour

A fascinating guided walking tour of the city's iconic market.

History and Donuts Walking Tour
Until

History and Donuts Walking Tour

Discover the sweeter side of Melbourne on this walking tour.

Secrets of Melbourne Walking Tour

Secrets of Melbourne Walking Tour

Reemerge from a long lockdown and rediscover Melbourne through this entertaining 3-hour tour.

Melbourne Street Art Tours
Until

Melbourne Street Art Tours

Local guides treat you to some of Melbourne's underground treasures.

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 free walking tour.

High tea experiences

River cruises and boat hire

Punting on the Lake
Until

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.

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.

Submerged

Submerged

A new digital experience at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium while the Oceanarium undergoes renovations.

Kingpin Crown

Kingpin Crown

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

Heroes

Heroes

Multilevel karaoke venue with private 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

Christmas gifts under $20

Christmas gifts under $20

These gifts for $20 or less are guaranteed to get you on the nice list.

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.

The best Christmas gifts under $100

The best Christmas gifts under $100

Find foodie gifts, Maison Balzac glassware, coffee makers and Aboriginal art 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

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.

Melbourne's best sustainable fashion brands and designers

Melbourne's best sustainable fashion brands and designers

Browse iconic Melbourne stores and designs from local creatives.

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 work, these stores are open late.

Where to buy Melbourne’s best basics under $100

Where to buy Melbourne’s best basics under $100

From eco-jewellery to organic tees and tailored pants, here’s how to build the basics on a budget.

Melbourne's best homewares gifts

Melbourne's best homewares gifts

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

Melbourne shops supporting local female designers

Melbourne shops supporting local female designers

Shop with feminist makers, non-binary designers and more amazing creators.

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 Mon 4 Dec 2023

Christmas

Christmas events

Christmas events

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

Christmas eat and drink

Christmas eat and drink

Savour the season with festive feasts and rooftop drinks. Read on for Christmas catch-up ideas.

Christmas shopping

Christmas shopping

Wrap up your Christmas list and find the perfect pressies with thousands of shops to choose from.

Discover more

The best Christmas advent calendars for 2023

The best Christmas advent calendars for 2023

Countdown to Christmas with chocolate, gin, LEGO and luxe skincare.

The best Christmas gifts for women

The best Christmas gifts for women

Give her what she really wants this year: a Stanley water bottle, linen sheets and theatre tickets.

The best Disney-themed gifts you can buy in Melbourne

The best Disney-themed gifts you can buy in Melbourne

You'll find this iconic character featured on all kinds of gifts from local stores

How to pay it forward at Christmas

How to pay it forward at Christmas

Make your shopping count with these good giving ideas.