Plan ahead for New Year's Eve with transport, road closure and accessibility info.
The ultimate Melbourne live gig guide
Find the best Melbourne concerts, new music venues and hidden gigs with our handy guide.
Free performances
Bourke Street Mall Busking
Meet Melbourne's marvellous musicians and more in the iconic Bourke Street Mall busking program.
Sidney Myer Free Concert: Symphonic Celebration
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra celebrates 120 years and counting at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Sidney Myer Free Concert: Australian Youth Orchestra
The AYO blend the fantasy of late Romanticism with the soundscapes of digital gaming worlds.
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
A night of songs and stories celebrating the spectrum and depth of emotion and experience.
Music Matinee
Enjoy live and free music concerts at Scots Church on select Tuesdays throughout the year.
Nick & Nora's Melbourne
A roaming saxophonist plays jazz, playful swing and bold modern covers, every Friday from 8pm.
Special offer
AO Hilltop
Unwind after work, catch up with friends or view the live action from the AO26 on the big screen.
Music festivals and live concerts
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.
Marlon Williams and Emma Donovan: Live at the Gardens
Marlon Williams, Emma Donovan and Kee'ahn perform at 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.
Sunset Music Series
This summer, enjoy live music under the stars as the Gardens come alive with song.
New Year's Eve and The Day Before Gala Concerts
Ring in 2026 with Marina Prior, Lucy Durack, Simon Gleeson and the Australian Pops Orchestra.
The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight
Classical meets metal in a thunderous candlelit concert experience.
Denis Walter: My All Time Favourites
Beloved entertainer and broadcaster Denis Walter reflects on his extraordinary 55-year career.
Claire Lyon: The Music of Broadway
Revel in the passion, power and beauty of musical theatre as Claire Lyon brings Broadway to life.
The 60 Four: Hits of the ‘60s and ‘70s
Relive a defining era of music history as The 60 Four bring the biggest '60s and '70s hits to life.
Rhys Tolhurst: A Swing Affair
Entertainer Rhys Tolhurst and guest vocalist Nina Ferro pay tribute to the Great American Songbook.
La Traviata
Glamour, riches and a tragic secret: La Traviata is the story of a courtesan falling in love.
Gilbert & Sullivan: A Musical Celebration
Enjoy a sparkling concert of wit, whimsy and song with highlights from GIlbert and Sullivan.
Orchestra Victoria with Caroline O’Connor: Music and Me
Theatrical legend Caroline O'Connor AM is joined by Orchestra Victoria for a special concert.
MSO Chinese New Year Concert
Join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and special guests as they usher in the Year of the Horse.
Christmas at Crown Melbourne
Celebrate the festive season with Santa, a giant tree and carousel, plus carol singing.
New Year's Eve at Fortress: Final Boss Battle
Leave 2025 on a high score and ring in the New Year at the Home of Games.
New Year's Eve at Cameo
Celebrate the night with great views, signature cocktails, and free-flow Champagne and canapés.
MJ The Musical
A look into the life, music and career of one of the most influential artists in music history.
New Year's Eve Twilight Cruise: Early Fireworks
Enjoy the beautiful skyline at sunset on a family-friendly cruise, and ring in 2026 in style.
New Year’s Eve at Stamford Plaza
Celebrate the arrival of 2026 with a lavish buffet dinner and DJ at Stamford Plaza Melbourne.
The Vaudeville Revue: Cabaret, Comedy and Burlesque
Experience Melbourne's most intimate variety show in a hidden gem of the city.
New Year's Eve at Past / Port Rooftop
Celebrate New Year's Eve at Melbourne’s newest rooftop with DJs, drinks, and terrace views.
Cats the Musical
Be thrilled by the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical, Cats.
New Year's Eve Dinner at Sassy Italian
Celebrate the new year with an unforgettable dinner featuring live music and Italian cuisine.
New Year's Eve Merchants' Ball
Celebrate your New Year's Eve with unlimited cocktails, canapes, and live entertainment.
New Year's Eve at The General Assembly
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at General Assembly on the Yarra River with ultimate firework views.
New Year's Eve at Arbory Bar
See out the year with an epic, all-inclusive Rio de Janeiro-themed party for the ages.
New Year's Eve at Plus 5
Ring in 2026 at Plus 5 with great views, fireworks, a DJ, and festive cocktail and dining packages.
New Year's Eve at Flemington Racecourse
Enjoy New Year’s Eve celebrations with food trucks, pop-up bars, music, family activities and more.
New Year's Eve at Ocean 12
View the fireworks from Ocean 12's Rooftop terrace, with live music and great views.
New Year's Eve at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Dive into 2026 and celebrate in style with stunning views, delicious food and live entertainment.
New Year's Eve at The Emerald Peacock
Ring in the new year at The Emerald Peacock, for an unforgettable night.
New Year's Eve at Rooftop at QT
Celebrate with Melbourne’s skyline at your feet, cocktails in hand, and the city buzzing below.
New Year's Eve at Blossom Rooftop Bar
Join a New Year's Eve party to remember with the best views of Melbourne's fireworks.
New Year's Eve at Taxi Kitchen
Ring in 2026 with Disco Fever, panoramic views and a five-course feast.
New Year's Eve at Afloat
See out the year in style at Afloat's all-night Copacabana Beach themed extravaganza.
New Year's Eve Celebration Zones
Ring in the new year with family-friendly entertainment, food trucks and fireworks.
New Year's Eve Party Cruise
Escape the city hustle and toast to the New Year on a stylish, unforgettable river cruise.
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame’s immortal story of life on the riverbank is brought to life.
New Year's Eve H2o at Metropolis: Sunset on the Yarra
Party at Metropolis, the hottest venue for New Year's Eve, directly in front of the fireworks.
New Year's Eve at Blackbird
Celebrate your New Year's Eve in style, with two unforgettable ways to enjoy your night.
Anastasia the Musical
Discover the romantic and adventure-filled Broadway production inspired by the beloved film.
New Year’s Eve Under the Stars at Riverside Pavilion
Enjoy waterfront glamour, delicious food and live entertainment as you welcome 2026 in style.
New Year's Eve at Transit Rooftop Bar
Ring in 2026 with cocktails, canapés, DJs and one of Melbourne’s best rooftop fireworks views.
New Year's Eve at The Boatbuilders Yard
Celebrate New Year's Eve under the stars at the Boatbuilder's Yard.
Readings Books & Music
Readings offers an outstanding range of products, from cutting-edge music and DVDs to classic texts.
TS Bookshop
A specialty bookstore offering texts on philosophy, lifestyle, wellness and spirituality.
Rocksteady Records
An independent record store, specialising in vinyl releases and CDs with a local focus.
Minotaur Entertainment
Minotaur is Melbourne’s premier pop culture store, with books, collectibles, magazines and more.
Heartland Records
An independent record store for music lovers selling vinyl, CDs, DVDs and merchandise.
Musical theatre and opera
Cats the Musical
Be thrilled by the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical, Cats.
Anastasia the Musical
Discover the romantic and adventure-filled Broadway production inspired by the beloved film.
Saturday Night Fever
Award-winning Drew Anthony Creative is bringing Saturday Night Fever to Melbourne.
Melbourne music venues
Melbourne Recital Centre
Combining cutting-edge architecture and acoustic innovation with a unique focus on music.
Forum Melbourne
This theatre with its iconic architecture is one of Melbourne's most popular live band venues.
The Toff in Town
A boutique bar and bandroom offering late-night cocktails in train carriage booths.
Murmur Piano Bar
Follow the sound of a distant piano to discover one of Melbourne’s best kept secrets.
Rod Laver Arena
The centrepiece of the Australian Open each January, the venue is also a popular concert arena.
The Drunken Poet
With live Irish music, the Drunken Poet is a real locals' pub - cute, cosy and friendly.
Speakeasy Theatre
A lively, historic vaudeville theatre featuring burlesque, cabaret, comedy and circus every week.
Transport Public Bar
Bustling pub in Federation Square with tasty pub meals and an impressive range of drinks.
Beneath Driver Lane
A basement bar serving a wide range of cocktails, French bistro-style bar food with live music.
Festival Hall
Concert and sporting venue with a long history of hosting local and international acts.
Melbourne and Olympic Parks
The Melbourne and Olympic Park precinct hosts around 600 events annually.
The Curtin
Traditional pub with fried chicken, cold beer, and live music from local and international acts.
Transit Rooftop Bar
Large rooftop bar in Federation Square, with expansive views of the Melbourne skyline.
The General Assembly
Bar and restaurant with live acoustic music, street art and a simple, delicious menu.
Wax Music Lounge
A bar and live music venue from the team behind Melbourne's legendary Wax Museum Records.
Last updated on Wed 17 Dec 2025
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La Mama Courthouse
One of the great independent theatres of the city with a focus on diversity and inclusivity.
