The ultimate theatre guide to Melbourne

See blockbuster musicals and shows, catch a comedy set or head along to hidden venues for something unique.

The exterior of a city theatre lit up pink at night.

Unmissable theatre events

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.

Dark image of a Dracula figure lit with red light on stage.
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Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest

A bold, cinematic reimagining of the gothic classic.

A scene from the musical My Fair Lady with Eliza Doolittle in a pink dress and hat and Henry Higgins in a tweed three-piece suit.
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My Fair Lady

Celebrating 70 glorious years since its debut, Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady returns to Melbourne.

A scene from Mrs Doubtfire The Musical with the protagonist dancing with three children.
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Mrs Doubtfire

It's a feel-good musical, poppets.

A young person with long blonde hair, wearing a green satin top and making an animated, expressive gesture with hands up near their face against a solid olive-green background.
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Tegan Higginbotham: Follow That Turtle!

Award-winning comedian Tegan Higginbotham is back with an unmissable hour of stand-up gold.

View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River
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Special Features: Improvised Movie and Documentary

Special Features is a hilarious, completely unscripted cinematic experience developed for the stage.

Two young women in school uniform in a purple room, one holding forward an American football.
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Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical

Packed with teen drama and iconic throwback hits.

A performer lying on the ground, clutching her belly and holding a soft toy, against a red background.
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Heir

A pregnant therapist has a stranger in her office who seems to know things about her he shouldn't.

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.

A clown cabaret performance with two people standing on a stage, one of them is spotlit.
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Spawn!

A variety cabaret gathering an eclectic ecosystem of clown and alternative comedy.

Artwork for RocKwiz's Very Merry Christmas show, with stylized single colour depictions of host Julia Zemiro and quizmaster Brian Nankervis standing next to a red Christmas tree; on a blue background.

RocKwiz's Very Merry Christmas

RocKwiz returns with the best Christmas present you could hope for in 2026!

The empty spot lit stage and seating area at the theatre venue Club Voltaire.

Mading Jock & The Homies

Come along to a comedy show with Mading Jock and the homies.

Performer on stage doing circus tricks, acrobats hanging in the air.
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Fijian Flying Circus

A world-first fusion of Fijian storytelling and contemporary circus.

Top down view of a jumble of small miscellaneous items, including miniature toys, a marker, and small plastic figurines.
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Yeah Sure, Why Not!

Proudly presents an immersive, cursed, comedy variety show experience that's different every month.

Close-up of woman's face with pursed lips.
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Hannah Camilleri: Dinner Hannah Show

Award-winning clown Hannah Camilleri brings her loose, playful, absurd comedy show to Fringe.

Three young people sitting casually in a gutter against an old brick building, relaxed and enjoying a laugh.
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This is Our Youth

A raw, witty and deeply human portrait of youth on the precipice of adulthood.

Find more theatre shows

Kid's theatre and family shows

Man wearing a tuxedo performing sleight of hands tricks with a glass in front of a seated audience.
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Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

A dancer wears a vibrant green, light-up ballerina-style tutu dress with a matching crown, and large, glowing translucent fairy wings spread out behind her, standing against a dark background.
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Ballet of Lights: Peter Pan in a Sparkling Show

Peter Pan lights up Neverland in a dazzling dance spectacle.

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.

An illustration from the book The Very Cranky Bear, showing a black bear with hands on hips looking cranky against a blue background.
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The Very Cranky Bear

A grumpy bear, four unlikely friends and one brilliant sheep.

A digitally-drawn image of Cinderella as a ballerina, with the pumpkin carriage behind her.
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Storytime Ballet: Cinderella

Fall under the spell of Cinderella, an interactive Storytime Ballet experience for children.

Opera performances

Four classical musicians surrounded by glittering scrolls 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.

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.

Dance, circus and magic shows

Dark image of a Dracula figure lit with red light on stage.
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Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest

A bold, cinematic reimagining of the gothic classic.

The hidden entrance to Piccolo Teatro with a red door and lit up signage above.
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Piccolo Teatro: Magic Theatre

Specialising in astonishing magic shows and immersive live entertainment.

Three ballerinas on a darkened stage in glowing tutu dresses.
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Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

A young girl stands on stage with fallen ballerinas all around her in a production of The Nutcracker.
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The Australian Ballet: The Nutcracker

Rediscover the childlike joys of the holiday season with the magic of The Nutcracker ballet.

A ballet company performing on stage with ballerinas forming a guard around a central dancer.
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The Stuttgart Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty

Germany’s premier ballet company returns to Melbourne with a dazzling classic.

A dramatic stage moment from a production of The Nutcracker ballet, showcasing classic choreography under theatrical lighting.
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The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker returns to Melbourne's Regent Theatre this Christmas with a live orchestra.

Comedy, cabaret and burlesque

Comedian Ross Noble performing stand-up at a small venue with a brick wall background.

Basement Comedy Club

Basement Comedy Club is the hottest underground comedy club around, with big names guaranteed.

Two people on a stage giving each other a high five, one also holding a microphone.
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Comedy at the Coopers Inn

A comedy club featuring the best local, interstate and international stand-up comedians.

Performer breathing fire with head tilted at an angle.
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The Vaudeville Revue: Cabaret, Comedy and Burlesque

Experience Melbourne's most intimate variety show in a hidden gem of the city.

A comedian on a small stage in front of a blue curtain making a face into a microphone.
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Sunday Laughternoons

End your weekend on a high note with a secret lineup of very good comedians.

Comedian Lloyd Langford holding a microphone in his hand and performing stand-up comedy on a stage against a red curtain.
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Cheap Tuesday Stand-Up Comedy

Enjoy the best comedians doing their new, and new comedians doing their best.

Stand-up comedian Tommy Little on stage in front of Spleen neon sign, holding microphone and smiling.
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Comedy at Spleen

Come along to the city's longest-running comedy night.

Top down view of a jumble of small miscellaneous items, including miniature toys, a marker, and small plastic figurines.
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Yeah Sure, Why Not!

Proudly presents an immersive, cursed, comedy variety show experience that's different every month.

Stand-up comedian Sam Campbell, talking into a microphone they hold in their hand, performing live on stage.
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Main Stage: Stand-Up Comedy

Have a laugh with stand-up comedy from Australia's best comedians, plus international drop-ins.

Find more comedy

Pre- and post-theatre dining in Melbourne

A table with plates of food and cocktails, and a menu.

The George on Collins

An up-market basement venue and eatery within the historic Georges building.

Table lamp with roses in an upmarket restaurant.

Bistrot d'Orsay

Dark, moody and romantic best describe this authentic, high end French bistro.

Exterior of Supernormal restaurant on a winter's night, with pedestrians walking past, the view though the window is of a warm inviting space.

Supernormal

Asian-inspired dishes alongside delicious wines, sake, whisky and cocktails.

High-backed green stools at a restaurant bar with wine bottles and glasses on display.

Farmer's Daughters

A three-storey farm-to-table venue from Alejandro Saravia, celebrating the Gippsland region.

People standing at the bar or seated at small tables enjoying drinks and snacks.

Bodega Underground

Bodega is a late night taqueria and underground mezcaleria in the basement of the Crossley Hotel.

Terrace with set tables, bathed in red; river to left.

La Camera

Classic Italian food overlooking the river at Southbank.

Moody neon-lit entry to Miss Pearl Bar on Southbank.

Miss Pearl Bar + Dining

Experience modern Asian dining in the Melbourne Arts Precinct.

Range of Japanese dishes, viewed from above, and hands using chopsticks to select food items.

Sake Restaurant & Bar

This luxurious dining space at Hamer Hall offers premium Japanese dishes and sake.

Two friends are leaving a theatre.

The best pre- and post-theatre dining in Melbourne

Fuel up before a big show or extend your city visit at these local eateries.

More to explore

A performer on stage wearing an extravagant, feathery costume.

Theatre and shows

Discover Melbourne's hit musicals, cutting-edge theatre and late-night cabaret shows.

Two friends are leaving a theatre.

The best pre- and post-theatre dining in Melbourne

Fuel up before a big show or extend your city visit at these local eateries.

A fine dining restaurant with a swirling metal light fixture.

Best pre-theatre dining deals

The ultimate pre-theatre dining deals. From quick bites to feasts, here's the best for all budgets.

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The best kid's theatre shows on in Melbourne

Featuring musical theatre, magic shows and more.

Last updated on Tue 6 Oct 2026

Only In The City

Only in the City
Inside a bustling market hall

Things you can only see in the city

Uncover secret rooms, historic architecture and iconic landmarks found only in the city.

A family of four standing in a grand library with antique desks, large white walls and a dome ceiling.

Things you can only do in the city

There's only one place to find these rare Melbourne experiences and secret spots.

Multiple plates on a white table cloth.

Things you can only eat in the city

Where to find the city's most iconic dishes.

Discover more

Paintings on the wall of gallery.

fortyfivedownstairs

A not-for-profit arts space with two galleries and a theatre.

Person behind patterned glass panel.

St Martins Youth Arts Centre

Bold and disruptive theatre made with children and teenagers for adult audiences.

Tiered seating and red plush stage curtain.

Her Majesty's Theatre

This heritage-listed theatre has provided entertainment for Melbourne since 1886.

Rows of red seats in the historic Princess Theatre.

Princess Theatre

Melbourne’s iconic Princess Theatre is regarded by many as Melbourne’s most spectacular landmark.