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 busker performing in the street playing an electric guitar with his head facing downwards looking at the instrument.
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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.
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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.

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

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

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

Ragged-edge photo from contact sheet, two men, one with hands clasped in front of him, the other seated brushing his hair from his face.

The Teskey Brothers: 10 Years of Half Mile Harvest

Kicking off the Melbourne International Jazz Festival with a day of soul, funk, jazz and blues,

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
Two individuals talking to each other inside Melbourne Museum at night, with blue lighting.
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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.
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NGV Friday Nights: Cartier

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

Illuminated panels with shades of red on a black background.
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Melbourne International Jazz Festival

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

A commemorative gathering with a choir performing in front of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, and an audience seated on chairs in the forecourt.

Commemoration in Concert

Experience an unforgettable evening of music and reflection at the Shrine of Remembrance.

Woman holding an acoustic guitar, seated on a ball amid clouds, her head back singing.

Amy Raw Raw ROAR

Psychedelic pop art folk funk blues songs, rapping, poetry, candid stories and more.

Three African drummers wearing colourful clothing while drumming with their hands on stage.
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African Music and Cultural Festival

Celebrate the best of African culture with music, food, fashion, film, dance and art.

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.

The four members of the comedic Wham Bam Thank You Jam Band on a stage in front of a pressed metal wall.

The Wham, Bam, Thank You Jam

A one-of-a-kind improvised musical comedy jam where anything can happen, and often does.

Group dancing in a Melbourne laneway, led by a man in a bright green and yellow shiny outfit.

Silent Disco Tour: ABBA Theme with Disko Duk Duk

An ABBA themed silent disco tour of Melbourne, hosted by Disko Duk Duk.

Jazz vocalist Michelle Nicolle performing live on a stage alongside jazz guitarist Hugh Stuckey.

Michelle Nicolle & Hugh Stuckey

Hear jazz singer Michelle Nicolle alongside guitarist Hugh Stuckey.

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.

Man with no hair singing into a microphone live on stage, another person on stage in the background, the entire image bathed in a warm yellow-orange light.

Relax with Max

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

Storytime with Jane Godwin and Anna Walker

Storytime with Jane Godwin and Anna Walker

Join Jane Godwin and Anna Walker for a special Storytime.

Two people standing in front of a large pink spiky wall of speakers in an exhibition space.
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Reverb: A Journey into Sound

ACMI and RISING present Reverb: A Journey Into Sound, a major exhibition of vinyl culture and music.

People watching a fireworks display over the City of Melbourne from a boat on the Yarra River.

New Year's Eve Fireworks Cruise

Celebrate in style with an all-inclusive harbour and river cruise departing Docklands.

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.

Musical theatre 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.

A full orchestra on a stage in front of a large cinema screen showing a still from the movie Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Celebrate 25 years of The Fellowship of the Ring with Howard Shore’s score performed live.

Singers and dancers on a theatre stage in a scene from A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, with spotlights and stage sets.
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A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

An inspiring, exhilarating, energetic musical memoir.

Six female performers on a purple lit stage in costumes and striking poses, all singing into microphones they hold in their hands.
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SIX the Musical

SIX the Musical makes its royal stage return to Melbourne's Comedy Theatre.

Opera, orchestras and classical music

Seated musician playing a keyboard instrument with music.

Handel and Bach

Featuring Handel's Water Music and JS Bach's The Art of Fugue.

Three young musicians seated together in a row against a wood panelled wall; black and white.

Austral Salon of Music September Recital

A recital from three young musicians from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.

Opera singer Sumi Jo performing on stage in an evening gown with arms outstretched.

Sumi Jo Melbourne Masterclass

Grammy-winning soprano Sumi Jo mentors emerging opera singers in a rare public masterclass.

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.

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.

Opera singers, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Georgia Wilkinson, smiling and standing next to each other in front of a black background.

Morning Melodies: Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Georgia Wilkinson

Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Georgia Wilkinson perform at this Morning Melodies concert.

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.

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.

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 Reverb: A Journey Into Sound, 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.

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.

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.

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 28 Jul 2026

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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.