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

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.

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.

King Arthur and knights standing on stage in medieval dress.
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Monty Python's Spamalot

A riotous retelling of the adventures of King Arthur and his loyal Knights.

Leonard Cohen wearing a hat, with a background painting of a man standing under a street lamp in the rain with city buildings in the background.

Cohen Noir

An all-star line-up celebrates the timeless music, words and wisdom of Leonard Cohen.

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.

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.

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.

Two actors holding megaphones in front of bare trees.
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Till the Day I Die

A new production of Clifford Odets' once-banned anti-fascist play, staged on the back of a truck.

Artwork showing two Punch puppet profiles, nose to nose, with coloured paint splashed over the top.
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The Very, Very, Very, Late Puppet Show

Curated by puppetry enthusiasts for puppetry enthusiasts.

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 young woman in a graduation robe holding a cupcake with a single candle, wearing a pink party hat and a sad expression.
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Party

A sharply observed and very funny satire of epically small proportions by Union House Theatre.

Actor with his hands over his face in a dark setting.
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Manifesto of Silences

A bold, Deaf-led reimagining of opera that pushes beyond the limits of traditional storytelling.

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!

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 drawing of five colorful sheep (purple, blue, yellow, orange, and red) walking on a green grassy hill with small flowers.
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Where is the Green Sheep?

A wild and woolly adventure to find that elusive green sheep.

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.

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.

The lobby of a comedy venue, with a blue velvet couch and red curtains.
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Sunday Night Stand Up Comedy Show

See some of Melbourne's best stand-up comedy, every Sunday night.

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.

Actors on stage playing characters seated as though on a panel talk show.
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Jerry Springtime Show

A parody of the world's most infamous talk show. Join a live audience as wild episodes unfold.

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.

Find more comedy

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.

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 Thu 17 Sep 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.

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Things you can only do in the city

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

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Things you can only eat in the city

Where to find the city's most iconic dishes.

Discover more

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.

Tiered seating and red plush stage curtain.

Her Majesty's Theatre

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

Person behind patterned glass panel.

St Martins Youth Arts Centre

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

Paintings on the wall of gallery.

fortyfivedownstairs

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