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

Free performances

Bourke Street Mall Busking
Until

Bourke Street Mall Busking

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

Sea Shanties and Folk Songs
Until

Sea Shanties and Folk Songs

Join this free weekly celebration of rollicking and spirited singing.

St Paul's Cathedral Lunchtime Concerts
Until

St Paul's Cathedral Lunchtime Concerts

Take a break and enjoy a lunchtime concert on Wednesdays.

Free Jazz Arvo at the Motley Bauhaus
Until

Free Jazz Arvo at the Motley Bauhaus

Enjoy a free afternoon of fantastic jazz and tasty tipples at this Carlton arts hub.

Premium Busking Auditions

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
Until

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

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
Until

Jazz Manouche with Adam Russo

Hear three hours of gypsy jazz guitar with Adam Russo in Melbourne's most romantic hidden bar.

Crystalline Resonance: Final Fantasy Piano Concert

Crystalline Resonance: Final Fantasy Piano Concert

Final Fantasy melodies come to life under the fingers of virtuoso pianists.

MSO Season Opening Gala: Mahler's Resurrection Symphony

MSO Season Opening Gala: Mahler's Resurrection Symphony

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's season 2025 opens with one of the greatest symphonies ever written.

Mozart by Moonlight

Mozart by Moonlight

A celebration of music, nature, and starry skies.

MSO: Brahms and Tchaikovsky

MSO: Brahms and Tchaikovsky

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performs a charming evening of classics.

KAGAMI
Until

KAGAMI

A uniquely intimate, elegiac gift to reconnect with Sakamoto’s genius.

Moomba Parade

Moomba Parade

The Moomba Parade returns with larger-than-life floats, dance troupes, community groups and more.

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical
Until

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical

The inspiring life story of the Queen of Rock, who didn’t just break the rules – she rewrote them.

Section 8 Beach Party

Section 8 Beach Party

Section 8 is once again bringing its famed Beach Party to music lovers this summer.

Holi Festival Melbourne

Holi Festival Melbourne

Enjoy the Holi Festival of Colours and be immersed in culture, music, dance, food and drinks.

Workshops by Future Archive and Jannah Quill

Workshops by Future Archive and Jannah Quill

Join these fun workshops with Melanie Read of Future Archive and electronic musician Jannah Quill.

RocKwiz's Really Really Good Friday

RocKwiz's Really Really Good Friday

Let the good times roll — RocKwiz's Really Really Good Friday show is back!

Peroveta Harmonies

Peroveta Harmonies

Join Australian Art Orchestra and Tatana Village choir to explore Peroveta Harmonies.

The Capitol Theatre Orchestra and Hello, Dolly!

The Capitol Theatre Orchestra and Hello, Dolly!

The Capitol Theatre Orchestra and a screening of the legendary classic film Hello, Dolly! (1969).

Nepal Festival Melbourne

Nepal Festival Melbourne

Celebrate Nepali culture at Federation Square.

Club 4A: Night Vision

Club 4A: Night Vision

Sydney’s celebrated Club 4A descends on Melbourne for one special night of performances.

Anna Setton

Anna Setton

This Brazilian jazz singer and songwriter is a special figure.

Anastasios Theofanous

Anastasios Theofanous

Time-travel to Greece and Cyprus with this singer and guitarist at the 2025 Antipodes Festival.

Metropolis Festival: Composing Australia

Metropolis Festival: Composing Australia

New music takes centre stage at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's Metropolis Festival.

Tiny, Fluffy, Sweet
Until

Tiny, Fluffy, Sweet

Ultra-cute content steals the spotlight in this endearing new performance premiere.

Bossa Nova Jazz with Ian Andrews

Bossa Nova Jazz with Ian Andrews

Three hours of soulful jazz in a romantic hidden bar.

Omega Ensemble: La Musica Notturna

Omega Ensemble: La Musica Notturna

A celebration of the cello 250 years in the making.

The Wonder of You: The Songs of Elvis Presley

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.

Boy & Bear at Live At The Gardens

Boy & Bear at Live At The Gardens

See indie-folk faves Boy & Bear in a headline show at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Mildlife / Sun Ra Arkestra / Wax’o Paradiso

Mildlife / Sun Ra Arkestra / Wax’o Paradiso

Dive into a mind-altering sonic collision of cosmic jazz and experimental grooves at this free gig.

The Prey and The Ruler

The Prey and The Ruler

Experience sound worlds, post-world atmospheres and deep rift drifts.

Harp Meditations

Harp Meditations

Unwind with guided meditation and live harp music from Michael Johnson, inspired by the Gardens.

Lord Mayor's Student Welcome

Lord Mayor's Student Welcome

Welcoming new and returning international, interstate and regional students to Melbourne.

Comfort Food Cabaret: A Mid-century Menu

Comfort Food Cabaret: A Mid-century Menu

Step into Robin Boyd's iconic home for a cocktail, a tasting menu and a themed cabaret performance.

Melbourne Holi Festival

Melbourne Holi Festival

Enjoy a colourful celebration of Holi in Melbourne's Kings Domain Gardens.

Lake Street Dive at Live At The Gardens

Lake Street Dive at Live At The Gardens

Lake Street Dive play an outdoor show at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

MSO: Joined with Gold

MSO: Joined with Gold

Why do so many great poets celebrate the ‘crack that lets the light get in’?

Daniil Trifonov plays Rachmaninov

Daniil Trifonov plays Rachmaninov

The talented pianist returns with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Ray Chen in Recital

Ray Chen in Recital

The renowned violin virtuoso makes his highly anticipated return to Hamer Hall.

Morning Melodies
Until

Morning Melodies

Celebrating 40 years, the Morning Melodies season will amaze audiences once again.

Beetlejuice The Musical

Beetlejuice The Musical

The musical to give Melbourne the fright of its life in 2025.

Sorcery and Swing: 1920s Magic and Music Dinner

Sorcery and Swing: 1920s Magic and Music Dinner

Step into the a vaudevillian dinner show, featuring 1920s tunes and magic.

China National Symphony Orchestra Chorus

China National Symphony Orchestra Chorus

Experience the magic of the China National Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

Musical theatre

Disney's Beauty and the Beast the Musical
Until

Disney's Beauty and the Beast the Musical

Experience Disney's new enchanting musical, Beauty and the Beast.

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical
Until

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical

The inspiring life story of the Queen of Rock, who didn’t just break the rules – she rewrote them.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar

Experience a revived production of this iconic and unmissable musical.

Beetlejuice The Musical

Beetlejuice The Musical

The musical to give Melbourne the fright of its life in 2025.

Melbourne music venues

Hamer Hall

Hamer Hall

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

Melbourne Recital Centre

Melbourne Recital Centre

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

Forum Melbourne

Forum Melbourne

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

Cherry Bar

Cherry Bar

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

170 Russell

170 Russell

A live music venue with gigs seven nights a week.

The Toff in Town

The Toff in Town

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

Bird's Basement

Bird's Basement

Live jazz venue where patrons can dine while watching performances.

Max Watt's

Max Watt's

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

Murmur Piano Bar

Murmur Piano Bar

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

Rod Laver Arena

Rod Laver Arena

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

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar

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

Wax Music Lounge

Wax Music Lounge

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

The Drunken Poet

The Drunken Poet

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

Paris Cat

Paris Cat

Dedicated live jazz venue.

Speakeasy Theatre

Speakeasy Theatre

A vaudeville theatre presenting burlesque and cabaret shows, as well as comedy and circus acts.

Marvel Stadium

Marvel Stadium

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

Section 8 Bar

Section 8 Bar

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

Her Melbourne

Her Melbourne

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

Transport Public Bar

Transport Public Bar

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

Beneath Driver Lane

Beneath Driver Lane

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

The Butterfly Club

The Butterfly Club

An intimate theatre hosting quirky performances and serving cocktails in bars with kitsch decor.

White Rabbit Record Bar

White Rabbit Record Bar

Hybrid music store, cafe and bar.

Festival Hall

Festival Hall

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

Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Sidney Myer Music Bowl

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

Melbourne and Olympic Parks

Melbourne and Olympic Parks

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

Athenaeum Theatre

Athenaeum Theatre

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

The Colonial Hotel

The Colonial Hotel

Traditional pub serving comfort food with a Mediterranean influence.

Regent Theatre

Regent Theatre

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

The Curtin

The Curtin

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

Whitehart Bar

Whitehart Bar

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

Transit Rooftop Bar

Transit Rooftop Bar

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

The General Assembly

The General Assembly

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

Last updated on Thu 2 Jan 2025

Only In The City

Check out these Melbourne experts’ top city picks

Check out these Melbourne experts’ top city picks

Curated lists of all the best restaurants and shopping spots in Melbourne.

How to spend 24 hours in Melbourne

How to spend 24 hours in Melbourne

From secret street art to seasonal events, you’ll find something for everyone.

Only in the City

Only in the City

There’s more to explore, only in the city.

Discover more

Fun things to do for teens in Melbourne

Fun things to do for teens in Melbourne

Free exhibitions, festivals, arts and crafts and ice skating.

Melbourne River Cruises

Melbourne River Cruises

Sit back and relax as your captain details the history of Melbourne on a river cruise.

GoBoat Melbourne

GoBoat Melbourne

Be your own captain by renting a picnic boat, with no boat licence required.

The ultimate theatre guide to Melbourne

The ultimate theatre guide to Melbourne

What's on in Melbourne's theatres, clubs, cabaret bars and comedy spots.