The ultimate Melbourne live gig guide

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

Find the best Melbourne concerts, new music venues and hidden gigs with our handy guide.

Free performances

A violinist plays in St Paul's Cathedral.
Until

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.
Until

Sea Shanties and Folk Songs

Join this free weekly celebration of rollicking and spirited singing.

A busker performing in a street with a guitar around his neck and arms outstretched while singing.
Until

Bourke Street Mall Busking

Meet Melbourne's marvellous musicians and more in the iconic Bourke Street Mall busking program.

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.
Until

Music Matinee

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

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

PRESENCE

A totalising encounter of lasers and sound.

Still from an immersive cinematic experience featuring surreal architecture and drawings of humans transformed into video.
–

XYZZY REDUX

Experience projections on the façade of Hamer Hall.

Music festivals and live concerts

Artist George Maple in profile, her head leaning back on a wall; black and white.

George Maple Album Launch

George Maple launches her brand-new album, Metamorph at Radio Nacional.

A man seated at a grand piano plays while a woman in a white spotted evening dress sings in a hotel lobby.
Until

The Grand Jazz Dinner Show

A spectacular live jazz dinner-and-show with a four-course menu included.

Silhouettes of an orchestra on stage, performers standing, violin bows in the air.
–

Australian Chamber Orchestra: From Winter's Stillness

A soul-stirring evocation of ancient landscapes and Northern light.

Portrait of Australian theatrical legend Caroline O’Connor AM, smiling while looking up with her hand on her cheek.

Morning Melodies: Orchestra Victoria with Caroline O’Connor

Theatrical legend Caroline O'Connor AM is joined by Orchestra Victoria for a special concert.

A lighting display that shows a red design with a square and a light above and below.
–

Now or Never

Twelve days of art, ideas, music and technology await - a festival of new dimensions.

The Dome reading room of State Library Victoria showing the upper level balconies, and rows of desk fanning out from the centre, all bathed in a pink light.

Library Up Late x Now or Never

State Library Victoria transforms after-dark for Now or Never with music, art and performances.

A pianist in a white road plays the piano while looking upwards, holographic shapes flowing in the background.

Philip Glass: Piano Etudes + In the Upper Room

A unique concert experience celebrating the legacy of visionary composer Philip Glass.

A musician performing on stage with purple-lit cloud like patterns as a backdrop.

SOMNIA: William Basinski / Bendik Giske

An overnight, durational sleep concert featuring landmark works of ambient and experimental music.

DJ and producer Zalina, her hands resting on either side of her head, wearing a strapless top, her long dark hair falling past her shoulders.

Chuleo Club: A.Chal/Slim Soledad/LIZZ/Dinamarca/Zalina

Rooted in Latinx club sounds, community and underground energy: loud, intimate, unrelenting.

Two members of Octave One, a Detroit techno music group, both wearing black clothing and looking directly at the camera.

Finding Figaro: Octave One/Sleep D x Hybrid Man/JNETT/Baby G

An all-night journey through electronic music’s past, present and future.

Headshot of sound and light artist Robin Fox, a man with a thick long white beard and long hair, wearing sunglasses, standing in front of a rocky coastline and water.

Closing Night: Robin Fox/MY DISCO/Jeho Yun + Kyoungjin So

Where industrial force and rhythmic intensity collide.

A person dressed as Elton John, with big glasses and feathered shoulder pads, seated at a piano on stage with two spotlights.
–

The Music of Elton: 40 Years of MSO x Elton John

The MSO celebrates the music of Elton John.

Four members of the Irish folk band The High Kings posing in a serious way with a backdrop of an Irish flag.

The High Kings: The Rocky Road Tour

A celebration of Irish folk on a global stage.

Three classical musicians surrounded by glittering scolls and stars.

The Wagner Gala Concert

A landmark, one-night-only musical event to mark the reopening of the Ian Potter State Theatre.

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.

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.

A large green toned area with people gathered for a breathwork class, a projected The Breath Haus sign.

The Breath Haus x Now or Never

An invitation to slow down and experience sound, breath and space in a profoundly different way.

DJ Derrick Gee wearing a white shirt, and glasses, he has shoulder length dark hair and is in a room with a blurred background.

Derrick Gee’s Radio Hour

Part music talk show, part communal listening experience.

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.

Visitors enjoying an evening event at the National Gallery of Victoria, seated on stools under shadowy lighting.
Until

NGV Friday Nights: Cartier

NGV Friday Nights shine with Cartier, featuring live music, flims, food and drinks.

Dancers in a group leaping into the air with arms raised on ropes.
–

Zerial

The ultimate cabaret spectacular, packed with powerhouse vocals, aerial performances and dance.

The full cast of the musical Book of Mormon on stage singing and dancing, with a painted sky coloured background and other theatre props.
Until

The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

Illuminated panels with shades of red on a black background.
–

Melbourne International Jazz Festival

A city-wide celebration of jazz, improvisation and boundary-pushing contemporary music.

Characters from the PAW Patrol TV series performing live on a theatre stage, with streamers in the air above them and a large audience watching them.
–

PAW Patrol Live: Race to the Rescue

The beloved pups of PAW Patrol hit the stage in this interactive live show.

Sepia toned collage of American composer and songwriter Burt Bacharach, behind him are three female singers from the 1960s and 70s, singing into microphones they hold.

The Burt Bacharach Songbook

The Burt Bacharach Songbook promises an evening of superb musicianship and stunning vocals.

Pianist Yitzhak Yedid leaning on a piano with one hand on his face, smiling warmly.

Yitzhak Yedid – Niggunim: Music of the Jewish Soul

Step into a sound world that evokes memory, longing and imagination.

A flared photo showing a grand piano and matching piano stool, in a red carpeted room with cream coloured walls.

Lyrical Lunchtimes in the Library

Enjoy a classical music performance in the historic Supreme Court Library.

The four members of the Flinders Quartet seated with their instruments in cases beside them, inside a stationary vintage W class Melbourne tram.

Flinders Quartet: New Light

A performance of Beethoven’s majestic late quartet, plus luminous works by Bacewicz and Dodd.

Crowd dancing under signage in dark-lit venue.

NGV Teens: Art Party

An electrifying line-up of music, art, dance and live performances.

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

The Jazz Alchemists

These virtuosos explore the boundless realms of improvisation.

Musical theatre, opera and live scores

The full cast of the musical Book of Mormon on stage singing and dancing, with a painted sky coloured background and other theatre props.
Until

The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

A smiling woman with blond hair holding up a whole cherry pie in a dish in front of her chin, with steam rising from the pie.
Until

Waitress The Musical

The irresistible Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope.

A still image from the movie How to Train your Dragon 2, showing a boy riding a dragon with other dragons flying around them.
–

How to Train Your Dragon 2 in Concert

An awe-inspiring experience for the whole family.

A still image of David Bowie as a character from the movie Labyrinth.

Labyrinth: In Concert

Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert with a live band is coming to Melbourne.

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

La Bohème

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

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.
–

Home Alone in Concert

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

The best listening rooms and bars playing vinyl

Diners at tables on an outdoor rooftop overlooking Myer and other city buildings, including central couple with drinks and snacks.

Her Melbourne

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

Two people standing in front of a large pink spiky wall of speakers in an exhibition space.
Until

Reverb: A Journey into Sound

ACMI and RISING present The Vinyl Factory: Reverb, a major exhibition of vinyl culture and music.

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.

Trombone player and band playing on a stage with smoke and lights.

Bird's Basement

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.

Diners at tables on an outdoor rooftop overlooking Myer and other city buildings, including central couple with drinks and snacks.

Her Melbourne

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

Hands holding glasses over pizza and snacks on a table.

Transport Public Bar

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.

Aerial view of Melbourne and Olympic Parks including tennis courts and arenas.

Melbourne and Olympic Parks

The Melbourne and Olympic Park precinct hosts around 600 events annually.

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.

Drinks lined up on a shelf and wooden wall in front of a birdcage ornament.

Transit Rooftop Bar

Large rooftop bar in Federation Square, with expansive views of the Melbourne skyline.

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 Tue 7 Jul 2026

Only In The City

Winter Only in the City - Checkout the cold list

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.

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.

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

Playhouse

A large drama theatre located within the Arts Centre Melbourne.

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.