Three women dressed formally arm in arm, laughing while walking into the theatre.

The ultimate theatre guide to Melbourne

See mammoth productions of blockbuster musicals and shows, or head along to hidden venues for something a little more unique.

Special ticket offers

Two actors performing on a stage with purple curtains and a piano.

The Glass Menagerie

Enjoy piano bar cocktail hour before the show, with live music and a free drink, from 6.30pm.

Special offer

La Traviata

Catch a short free performance on the Regent Theatre steps & score 70% off select tickets.

Special offer

Unmissable theatre events

The full cast of the musical Book of Mormon on stage singing and dancing, with a painted sky coloured background and other theatre props.
Until

The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

Half of a woman's face with a large plastic ant resting on her cheek, a man looking on in the background though completely blurred.
Until

Head Thorax Abdomen

Part black comedy, thriller and tragedy, this dark play contemplates life's un-lived possibilities.

The actors Richard Roxburgh, Damon Herriman, and Toby Schmitz - three middle aged men smiling at the camera all wearing dark suit jackets and white shirts.
Until

ART The Play

A razor-sharp comedy about friendship, ego and the chaos a single opinion can cause.

An actor in a suit, shirt and tie, holding a pair of glasses under his chair, with curly brown hair, looking serious.
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Julius Caesar

A thrilling new production of Shakespeare’s political masterpiece.

Actress Alison Whyte portraying a character in the play The Glass Menagerie, holding a small glass figurine; black and white photo.
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The Glass Menagerie

A contemporary revival of one of the most beloved and enduring works of the 20th century.

A smiling woman with blond hair holding up a whole cherry pie in a dish in front of her chin, with steam rising from the pie.
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Waitress The Musical

The irresistible Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope.

Actor playing Hamlet, holding a skull and gesturing.

Marathon Hamlet

A bold, site-specific reimagining of Hamlet, staged across three National Trust heritage sites.

A person wearing a gold crown and bright red tights sitting on a vintage armchair, giving a peace sign. Another person in a top hat and a light-coloured outfit is sitting next to them, holding a white parasol over both of them. They are in a room with a white textured wall and a patterned rug.
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RISING: We Come To Collect – A Flirtation, With Capitalism

Off-Broadway comedy-theatre that drags us into the darkness with a wink and a snarl.

Actor Sarah Ruhl posing with her hand on her face and looking blankly ahead in a dark navy room.
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Eurydice

A luminous, poetic reimagining of the Greek myth, directed by multi-award-winner Gary Abrahams

A silhouette of a person dancing on a stage with a pink floor, in front of screens displaying the words "ONE LAST PASS"
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Heartbreak Hotel

The sold-out RISING hit Heartbreak Hotel returns to steal your heart again.

Two young people seated on stone steps.
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Saplings

Youth theatre celebrating the survival instincts of young people.

A performer wearing a white trench coat and a pig's snout nose, carrying a chicken head mask under one arm, her other arm raised above her head, standing on a stage in front of a yellow curtain.
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Animal Farm

George Orwell’s classic allegory is unleashed - this isn’t the farm you thought you knew.

Find more theatre shows

Kid's theatre and family shows

Two performers wearing bright costumes on a stage.
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Magic, Mirth and Mystery

Enjoy a family magic show at Piccolo Teatro Magic Theatre.

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 bearded man looking fearfully over the top of a paper model of a streetscape resting on an open book, alongside a drawing of a young woman with a scarf on her head.
Until

The Bookbinder

A dark fairy-tale brought to life by inventive puppetry, paper art, shadow play and storytelling.

An illustration from the book 'You & Me and the Land of Lost Things', of the two cartoon characters, You and Me, wearing cardboard box helmets and space suits, on an adventure.
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Andy Griffiths’ YOU & ME and The Land of Lost Things

Get ready for action, imagination, and extremely questionable navigation.

A magician holding a crystal ball against a purple background.
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Melbourne Magic Festival

Casting its spell with performances and workshops for all ages this winter.

Bluey stage show human and puppet cast with tree background.
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Bluey's Big Play

This is Bluey brought to real life as you’ve never seen it before.

Characters from the PAW Patrol TV series performing live on a theatre stage, with streamers in the air above them and a large audience watching them.
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PAW Patrol Live: Race to the Rescue

The beloved pups of PAW Patrol hit the stage in this interactive live show.

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.

Comedy, cabaret and burlesque

A black smiley face made up of two black dots for eyes and a semi-circle for a smile, on a lime green background.
Until

Proudly Presents: Weird Wednesdays

Proudly Presents some of the wackiest line ups and experimental comedy that Melbourne has to offer.

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.

Performer breathing fire with head tilted at an angle.
Until

The Vaudeville Revue: Cabaret, Comedy and Burlesque

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

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.

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.

Comedian holding a microphone, standing under a spotlight in a bar with plants and bar stools.
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Laugh Lab

Come watch some of Melbourne's best comedians perform in the cosiest cocktail bar in town.

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.

Find more comedy

Dance, circus and magic shows

Magician balancing one finger on a globe, suspended updside down, wearing a white suit and hat.
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Piccolo Teatro: Magic Theatre

Specialising in astonishing magic shows and immersive live entertainment.

Two ballet dancers, one male and one female, engaged in a dance together, both dressed in blue-toned glow-in-the-dark costumes.
Until

Ballet of Lights: Cinderella in a Sparkling Show

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

Three ballerinas on a darkened stage in glowing tutu dresses.
Until

Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show

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

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.

Bowl of Japanese tempeh, egg and seaweed.

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.

A spired building on a sunny day

The best kid's theatre shows on in Melbourne

Featuring musical theatre, magic shows and more.

Last updated on Thu 23 Apr 2026

Only In The City

Only in this City of Ours
Three people striding into the Regent Theatre tiled entry with lights and city street in the background.

Regent Theatre

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

People milling around Fed Square at night.

Melbourne's essential night-time events

From hidden laneway markets to epic pop-ups, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out.

Child looking over right shoulder with delighted smile, dark dinosaur model behind.

Melbourne Museum

Explore history, culture, science and nature at this popular Melbourne attraction.

Discover more

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.

Paintings on the wall of gallery.

fortyfivedownstairs

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

Seating and stage in Fairfax Studio, an intimate theatre space.

Fairfax Studio

An intimate theatre presenting smaller-scale and experimental productions.