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.
Premium Busking Auditions
Enjoy some of Melbourne's best busking talent at the premium permit auditions.
Music festivals and live concerts
Jazz Blues with Kenneth White
Three hours of soulful jazz blues, with a little Latin, ska and singing.
Downtown: The Petula Clark and Carole King Essentials
Cabaret queen Amy Djuric brings the iconic songs of Carole King and Petula Clark to life.
Jazz Manouche with Adam Russo
Hear three hours of gypsy jazz guitar with Adam Russo in Melbourne's most romantic hidden bar.
Flinders Quartet: Musical Friends
The quartet present works by Eötvös, Singh, Nicolas and Borodin, at Primrose Potter.
Smells Like a Song: An Improvised Musical
Smells Like a Song is an improvised musical performed by Impro Melbourne.
Asia Street Food Festival by the Yarra
Experience authentic Asian street food that transports you to the vibrant streets of Asia.
MJ The Musical
A look into the life, music and career of one of the most influential artists in music history.
RISING: Marlon Williams
The Māori singer performs his sublime Māori-language album for the first time in Australia.
RISING: Day Tripper
The festival-within-a-festival returns with a live mixtape of music, performance and art.
Flinders Quartet: Australia Fair?
The 25th season closes with works by Dvořák, Deborah Cheetham Fraillon and Bryony Marks.
First Voices Showcase
Hear the premiere of works by First Nations composers performed by musicians of the MSO.
Reach for the Stars Fundraiser Dinner
An immersive dining experience for Tour de Cure, created by William Angliss Event Students.
Masterclass with Jaime Martín
This MSO masterclass for wind musicians is a unique opportunity to hear Jaime's insights.
Musical Storytime: Bila's Big Dance
Introduce your children to the magic of live music with Orchestra Victoria!
RISING: Amplified
The exquisite rock and rage of Chrissy Amphlett, a seismic force in a school uniform.
The Wonder of You: The Songs of Elvis Presley
Step back in time with Anthony Gerace as he brings the magic of Elvis' legendary songs to life.
The Vaudeville Revue: Cabaret, Comedy and Burlesque
Experience Melbourne's most intimate variety show in a hidden gem of the city.
Yinya dana: Lighting the Path
A powerful performance of works by Deborah Cheetham during NAIDOC Week.
Australian Contemporary Opera Company: Danielle de Niese
A spectacular one-night-only concert featuring international opera star, Danielle de Niese.
Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience
It’s time for fans – new and old – to assemble and relive every iconic moment with the MSO.
Flinders Quartet Community Concert
Enjoy a free concert of classical music for string quartet in Docklands.
Mozart and the Mendelssohns
Chief Conductor Jaime Martín presents a joyful program of classical and early romantic treasures.
Journey to the Americas
Experience Dvořák’s impassioned Cello Concerto, composed while he lived in New York.
RISING: Hedwig and The Angry Inch
It’s the Broadway smash that took the ‘rock musical’ on a glam-punk bender.
Scheherazade
A symphonic suite conjuring the brine and seaspray that accompanied Sinbad on his many journeys.
Winter Gala: Lang Lang
The singular piano sensation of this century returns with the MSO and Jaime Martin.
RISING: The Chronicles
Stephanie Lake Company’s latest creation sees twelve dancers in a new epic that chronicles a life.
The Barber of Seville
A rollicking, laugh-out-loud comedy about everyone’s favourite friendly neighbourhood barber.
The Capitol Orchestra and My Fair Lady
Enjoy an afternoon of live 1920s-style jazz and a screening of the 1964 classic My Fair Lady.
Musical theatre
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.
Wax Music Lounge
A bar and live music venue from the team behind Melbourne's legendary Wax Museum Records.
The Drunken Poet
With live Irish music, the Drunken Poet is a real locals' pub - cute, cosy and friendly.
Speakeasy Theatre
A vaudeville theatre presenting burlesque and cabaret shows, as well as comedy and circus acts.
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.
The Butterfly Club
An intimate theatre hosting quirky performances and serving cocktails in bars with kitsch decor.
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.
Last updated on Mon 5 May 2025
Only In The City
Meyers Place
Explore one of Melbourne's most iconic laneways, filled with bars, restaurants and murals.
Only in the City
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Melbourne’s most Instagrammable experiences
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Where to find buskers in Melbourne
All the city spots to catch a live show from Melbourne's best buskers.
La Mama Courthouse
One of the great independent theatres of the city with a focus on diversity and inclusivity.
Margaret Court Arena
A multi-use arena capable of hosting a wide range of sporting and entertainment events.