The ultimate Melbourne live gig guide

Find a show in Melbourne, from intimate gigs to epic festivals and live musical theatre.

A stage with a grand facade to look like a building, with crowds waiting for a band to come on stage.

Free performances

A violinist plays in St Paul's Cathedral.
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Lunchtime Concerts

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral and fine music during a weekly lunchtime concert.

A group of people seated around a table in a pub like setting, some of them singing.
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Sea Shanties and Folk Songs

Join this free weekly celebration of rollicking and spirited singing.

A cello leaning against a black grand piano, and a violin resting on its side in front of the sheet music rest on the piano.
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Music Matinee

Enjoy live and free music concerts at Scots Church on select Tuesdays throughout the year.

The grand pipe organ inside St Michael's Uniting Church in Melbourne, features gold-colored vertical pipes arranged in columns within a dark carved wooden frame under a dark blue vaulted ceiling.
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St Michael's Organ Recital

Enjoy a free lunchtime organ recital at St Michael's Uniting Church.

The four female members of the Flinders String Quartet posing in front of a vintage yellow and green Melbourne tram.
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Flinders Quartet Open Rehearsals

Three open rehearsals offer a rare opportunity to observe the Flinders Quartet prepare to perform.

Music festivals and live concerts

Fish-eye lens view of a mall venue with musicians on a small stage surrounded by audience.
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Mellowdias Thump

An improvised soul and rap music event featuring live bands, producers and DJs.

A crowd of young music fans enjoying an outdoor concert from the front row railings.

Live at the Gardens: Push Over | 40 Years of The Push

The Push celebrates 40 years of championing young people and Australian music.

The three male members of the rock band DMA's in a room, all looking directly at the viewer, two of them wearing caps.

Live at the Gardens: DMA'S

DMA'S unveil a headline tour to mark the announcement of their upcoming fifth studio album.

Singer-songwriter Cat Power, wearing denim, standing in front of cotton fields.

Live at the Gardens: Cat Power

The American singer-songwriter returns to perform her album The Greatest in full.

A photo of the four members of the band Wolf Alice sitting on a grassy field outdoors.

Live at the Gardens: Wolf Alice

UK rockers Wolf Alice return to Australia in December and headline Live at the Gardens.

The four band members of the Hoodoo Gurus.

Live at the Gardens: Hoodoo Gurus

Hoodoo Gurus 45th anniversary Rewind Tour – All Killer, No Filler at Live at the Gardens

A live performance of The Cat Empire band alongside a full symphony orchestra on a large stage, in front of a seated audience.

The Cat Empire with Orchestra Victoria

Enjoy a night of live music at the Bowl when The Cat Empire performs with Orchestra Victoria.

A bar table with cocktails and snacks.

Mr Mills

Visit Mr Mills' Music Room every Friday for live music and limited-edition gin cocktails.

Special offer
String section of an orchestra with violins and music stands with score.

Corpus Medicorum: Concert 4

The fourth and final concert of the 2026 Tour de Force Series, featuring Dvorak and Shostakovich.

Jazz musicians performing including guitarist, percussion, trumpet and double bass.
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The Jazz Alchemists

These virtuosos explore the boundless realms of improvisation.

Cartoon of Charlie Brown and Snoopy standing outside in the snow in front of a small Christmas tree, with Snoopy's kennel in the background covered in festive decorations.

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Mina Yu Trio with Miss George

A night of jazz paying tribute to the nostalgic innocence of Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

Older musicians standing in a row with their hands raised.

The Countdown Years

This is your invitation to celebrate a time when TV and radio ruled our world.

A Timor-Leste man wearing traditional clothing and a circular gold pendant in front of a rough concrete wall.

Timor Leste: Our Voices, Our Stories

A landmark concert celebrating Timor-Leste’s most exciting voices.

A close up of a woman on stage playing reknowned jazz singer and civil rights activist, Nina Simone.
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Black Is The Color Of My Voice

Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live.

Three entertainers in formal attire in front images of the Melbourne skyline and fireworks.
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Australian Pops Orchestra New Year's Eve Gala Concerts

With Caroline O'Connor and Mark Vincent, plus John Foreman and the Australian Pops Orchestra.

A group of performers in dark clothing closely huddled together, leaning sideways against a grand architectural column indoors.
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Lingua Madre by M.Collective and Alchemy Consort

A musical celebration of language, identity and belonging through song and storytelling.

Members of group Seventh Wonder in a black and white images imposed on a beige background.
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Fleetwood Mac Orchestrated

Celebrating 50 years of Rumours.

Three tenor singers singing into hand-held microphones in front of the bar in a restaurant setting.

The Three Tenors

An operatic dining experience worth sharing, with an irrepressible trio of Tenors.

With One Voice inclusive community choir singing together while wearing branded black shirts and festive Santa hats in an outdoor public space.
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With One Voice: City Square Carols

You're invited to sing in the City Square, and help spread some festive cheer With One Voice.

Two musicians performing against a vibrant purple background, one playing a double bass on the left and another playing a violin on the right.
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Melbourne Chamber Orchestra + Blackwood: Resonance

Mozart meets new music in this dazzling creative celebration.

Two female singers, portraying country music icons, as part of the tribute show Dolly and Friends.

Dolly & Friends: Roots & Rhinestones

A candlelight acoustic celebration of the music of Dolly Parton.

Black and white image of Dr. L. Subramaniam wearing a white shirt holding a violin.

Dr. L. Subramaniam

Witness one of the world’s greatest violinists in his Melbourne Recital Centre debut.

Musicians Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier singing vigorously into one microphone.

Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier

Catch a live performance by multi-awarding winning musicians Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier.

Musicians performing on stage with guitar and double bass.

Ramble Tamble: Xmas Show

The four-piece band set Bird's alight with their tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Singer Wendy Matthews smiling warmly on stage holding a microphone.

Wendy Matthews in Concert

Don’t miss this special live evening with Australian music icon, Wendy Matthews.

People on the back of a flatbed truck in a tree and fern setting.
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Mimpi

Exploring the intersection of experimental music, Javanese song and ritualistic dance.

Two performers on a stage, a man dressed in a suit, looking at a man with his arms outstretched suspended by an aerial rope above a low pool of water.
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Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan

A dazzling new operatic work by some of Australia’s most acclaimed creative talents.

Two musicians performing against a warm, orange gradient backdrop. On the left, a musician sits playing a cello, while on the right, a musician stands playing a violin.
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Melbourne Chamber Orchestra + Grosso: Confluence

A captivating showcase of the oboe's expressive power.

Choirs and singalongs

A grey-haired conductor wearing a black shirt, with empty concert hall seats behind him.
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A Classical Christmas

Experience Sir James MacMillan's new Christmas music, Christmas Oratorio.

Collins Street Baptist Church.

The People's Messiah

Join the Essendon Choral Society, Singularity and Melbourne Opera for a singalong choral concert.

A choral singer in black with other members of the choir behind her.
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Handel's Messiah

Join the MSO and an all-Australian cast for Handel’s Messiah – a Christmas tradition.

With One Voice inclusive community choir singing together while wearing branded black shirts and festive Santa hats in an outdoor public space.
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With One Voice: City Square Carols

You're invited to sing in the City Square, and help spread some festive cheer With One Voice.

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra performing on stage with Christmassy star lights projected on the backdrop over their heads.

Noël! Noël!: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra

A cherished annual tradition, reimagined each year with the orchestra's signature flair.

A song sheet resting on a dark wooden surface, with christmas bells on top.

Classic Kids: Christmas

Join the MSO for a magical performance perfect for the whole family.

A large choir, the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir standing on tiered rows behind an orchestra, performing at the historic Melbourne Town Hall.

Handel's Messiah

The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir present Handel’s Messiah masterpiece.

An orchestra dressed in red suits playing on a stage that is decorated in festive and seasonal Christmas decorations.

Morning Melodies: Christmas Melodies

Join in the seasonal celebration of a Morning Melodies Christmas concert.

An indoor shot of Bird's Basement jazz club, showing a dimly lit stage illuminated with purple and blue lights and a glowing neon sign that reads 'Bird's Basement' above the drums. In the foreground, empty plush blue chairs are arranged around small dining tables facing the empty stage.

A Very Melbourne Christmas

A celebration of Christmas, music and Melbourne’s vibrant live music scene.

A classical concert performance with a choir and orchestra performing inside St Paul's Cathedral, the altar in the background.

Victoria Chorale Christmas Concert

Come along to Victoria Chorale's much loved Christmas concert.

An ensemble of bouzouki players, all wearing black suits, playing on a small stage in a room.

Christougenna: A Bouzouki Christmas

Hear traditional Greek Christmas carols reimagined for bouzouki orchestra.

The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic orchestra and choir in St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne.
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Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Carols in the Cathedral

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic presents Carols in the Cathedral concerts conducted by Andrew Wailes.

The 60 Four, an Australian vocal quartet and tribute act, all wearing matching silver grey suits, white shirts and black ties, posed with Christmas bauble decorations hanging around them.

Christmas Proms by The 60 Four

The 60 Four bring their acclaimed Christmas Proms to Melbourne for one festive performance.

A massive outdoor crowd, many wearing red festive Santa hats gathers for an evening Carols by Candlelight concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl with the city skyline visible behind the illuminated canopy stage.
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Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight

A cherished tradition featuring live performances on Christmas Eve.

Musical theatre, performances and live scores

A young boy in a red woolen jumper looking scared with his hands to his cheeks, two bad men looking through the window behind him.
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Home Alone in Concert

Experience the beloved comedy classic with John Williams' charming score performed live by the MSO.

Opera, orchestras and classical music

Two performers wearing pale clothing, the man behind a women, whose arm he is hanging onto, against a cloud like backdrop.
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La Bohème

Puccini’s classic Bohemian love story is about youth, beauty, passion and heartache.

A person in a pink suit with a large headdress and heavy make-up, smiling and holding a microphone.

Opera Up Late with Reuben Kaye

A wild ride through the world of opera with a decidedly queer lens.

A hand-painted illustration of a young swan holding a trumpet under its wing, musical notes playing from the trumpet.
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The Trumpet of the Swan

From the author of Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little comes a magical live concert experience.

Two performers on a stage, a man dressed in a suit, looking at a man with his arms outstretched suspended by an aerial rope above a low pool of water.
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Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan

A dazzling new operatic work by some of Australia’s most acclaimed creative talents.

The best listening rooms and bars playing vinyl

People seated on banquette couches at an open air rooftop bar with the Melbourne skyline in the background.

Her Melbourne

A four-storey mega venue celebrating modern food, drinks, music and art.

Table of coffees, sandwich and cakes, one hand holding coffee raised over table to left.

Good Measure

Stylish and fun neighbourhood-style cafe by day, bar by night.

People seated outside the brick Caretaker's Cottage bar on a winter's day as light is fading.

Caretaker's Cottage

Smart drinks, top tunes and good times in a beautiful old cottage.

Melbourne music venues

Three tiers of seating at Hamer Hall.

Hamer Hall

This multi-level concert hall is the largest venue at the Arts Centre.

Exterior of the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Melbourne Recital Centre

Combining cutting-edge architecture and acoustic innovation with a unique focus on music.

Ornate architecture of dome and tower of Forum Melbourne, with Federation Square in the foreground.

Forum Melbourne

This theatre with its iconic architecture is one of Melbourne's most popular live band venues.

People outside Cherry Bar at night.

Cherry Bar

An iconic laneway bar hosting a lineup of local and international rock'n'roll acts.

Audience enjoying a performer on stage.

170 Russell

A live music venue with gigs seven nights a week.

Crowd of people waiting to be served at the bar area of the Toff in Town.

The Toff in Town

A boutique bar and bandroom offering late-night cocktails in train carriage booths.

Intimate basement jazz club featuring a brightly lit stage with a neon sign that reads 'Bird's Basement'. The venue is filled with elegant blue velvet dining booths and tables set under dim, atmospheric purple lighting.

Bird's Basement

A live jazz venue where patrons can dine while watching performances.

Back view of a musician and musical equipment silhouetted on a stage facing the audience with sparkling lighting effects.

Max Watt's

This basement live music venue has hosted some of rock music's biggest acts.

Interior of Murmur Bar with a very dimly lit red padded curved bar.

Murmur Piano Bar

Follow the sound of a distant piano to discover one of Melbourne’s best kept secrets.

Packed audience inside Rod Laver Arena - the centre court for the Australian Open tennis tournament.

Rod Laver Arena

The centrepiece of the Australian Open each January, the venue is also a popular concert arena.

Woman singing on stage of Rock & Roll dive bar and packed audience dancing and singing along.

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar

A late-night rock 'n' roll dive bar with live music every night.

Interior showing a crowded bar, with people sitting at tables, people waiting at bar counter for service.

The Drunken Poet

With live Irish music, the Drunken Poet is a real locals' pub - cute, cosy and friendly.

Paris Cat bar and small tables with red lamps on them.

Paris Cat

Dedicated live jazz venue.

A performer wearing a bikini and holding a firestick above her open mouth in a small cabaret venue.

Speakeasy Theatre

A lively, historic vaudeville theatre featuring burlesque, cabaret, comedy and circus every week.

Aerial view of Marvel Stadium lit up at night.

Marvel Stadium

A multi-purpose stadium in the heart of Melbourne's Docklands precinct.

Crowded outdoor bar.

Section 8 Bar

A funky outdoor bar with drinks served from a converted shipping container.

People seated on banquette couches at an open air rooftop bar with the Melbourne skyline in the background.

Her Melbourne

A four-storey mega venue celebrating modern food, drinks, music and art.

People walking around inside a bar with a large monitor on the wall screening a sporting match.

Transport Public Bar

A bustling pub in Federation Square with tasty pub meals and an impressive range of drinks.

Basement cocktail bar with small tables.

Beneath Driver Lane

A basement bar serving a wide range of cocktails, French bistro-style bar food with live music.

Tightly packed crowd watching a band play on stage.

Festival Hall

Concert and sporting venue with a long history of hosting local and international acts.

Aerial view of Sidney Myer Music Bowl showing open grassy area, covered stage and city beyond.

Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Popular outdoor venue that hosts Melbourne's annual Carols by Candlelight.

Heritage-listed Athenaeum building, with columns and ornate capitals.

Athenaeum Theatre

This heritage-listed venue hosts comedy, music and theatre.

Turquoise banquette seating and tables in long room with arched doorway, red curtains and backlit bar.

The Colonial Hotel

Traditional pub serving comfort food with a Mediterranean influence.

Audience in curved rows of seating looking towards the stage curtain inside the Regent Theatre.

Regent Theatre

This landmark theatre is one of Melbourne’s premier live performance venues.

Curved interior bar of The Curtin Hotel, with pictures on wall.

The Curtin

Traditional pub with fried chicken, cold beer, and live music from local and international acts.

Two people strolling in a laneway bar.

Whitehart Bar

A container bar in a converted car park hidden down a city laneway.

Interior of The General Assembly, a busy bar with a large light feature.

The General Assembly

Bar and restaurant with live acoustic music, street art and a simple, delicious menu.

Singers and musicians performing in a dark underground bar with blurred people.

Wax Music Lounge

A bar and live music venue from the team behind Melbourne's legendary Wax Museum Records.

Last updated on Thu 12 Nov 2026

Christmas

Christmas starts only in the city
Start here
A man and woman dancing next to a woman dressed in a Santa outfit who is using a DJ deck.

Christmas things to do

The city’s wrapped and ready with magical moments, twinkling lights and festive fun.

A man and woman sitting at a table full of food with a Christmas tree in the background.

Christmas eat and drink

Savour the city’s festive flavours with rooftop bars and menus made for merry moments.

Two women holding several shopping bags while they walk through a shopping arcade decorated for Christmas.

Christmas shopping

Start ticking off your list in the city’s iconic laneways, arcades and malls.

Start here

Discover more

A man playing the violin on the street

Where to find buskers in Melbourne

All the city spots to catch a live show from Melbourne's best buskers.

Tiers of theatre seats in the Playhouse, observed from the stage.

Playhouse

A large drama theatre located within the Arts Centre Melbourne.

Performance space and seating inside La Mama Courthouse.

La Mama Courthouse

One of the great independent theatres of the city with a focus on diversity and inclusivity.

The red interior of the cabaret venue Viva, with a central stage surrounded by curved rows of seating, each with small tables nearby.

Viva

A cabaret venue in North Melbourne.