Festivals

Packed crowd of people cheering, holding their hands up, and watching an event outside.

There's always a festival going on in Melbourne, whether it's film, comedy, arts, music, food or design. Check out the current events below.

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.

A lighting display that shows a red design with a square and a light above and below.
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Now or Never

Twelve days of art, ideas, music and technology await - a festival of new dimensions.

A group of six actors and actresses standing in a line in front of a purple branding board with MIFF printed on it.
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Melbourne International Film Festival

Experience eye-opening cinema at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Large lettering saying FIRELIGHT above a stage at the Firelight Festival with two large flames shooting into the air at either end.
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Firelight Festival

Melbourne’s epic winter festival returns to Docklands for three fiery nights.

Illuminated panels with shades of red on a black background.
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Melbourne International Jazz Festival

A city-wide celebration of jazz, improvisation and boundary-pushing contemporary music.

Rainbow lights on water jets and a giant bauble on the river at night.

The ultimate guide to Melbourne’s best Christmas events

Seek out Christmas movies, festive pop-ups, glittering decorations and more.

A wide-angle photo taken from the top steps of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, looking down a paved forecourt and across parkland towards the city skyline at dusk.
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Open House Melbourne Weekend

Open House Melbourne Weekend connects you with good design – explore buildings, places and spaces.

A woman looking at a display of Formula 1 racing suits in an exhibition.

The best Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix events in Melbourne

Map out your perfect Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix weekend in Melbourne.

A laneway lit up with hanging fairy lights

The best hidden Christmas events and laneway pop-ups in Melbourne

Find the best laneway street parties, free workshops, pop-up events and gigs.

Asian-style glowing lanterns at night.
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Colours of Asia: First Light of Spring

Asian street food, live performances and spring celebrations at Queen Victoria Market.

A woman walking through a Christmas shop filled with white decorations.

Where to enjoy a European-style winter in Melbourne

Embrace the chill with warming treats, pop-ups and events worthy of a Northern Hemisphere winter.

A glowing archway of red lights in a garden at night.

9 things in Melbourne you can only do in winter

Find the best festivals, markets and projections coming to Melbourne this winter.

Crowds looking at a festival stage in the city.

The best free festivals in Melbourne

The best free festivals you need to visit in Melbourne this year

Santa in front of a lit up Christmas tree in Fed Square.

Christmas in the city

See the city light up with dazzling displays, festive events and activities for the whole family.

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Melbourne's best blockbuster events

The best major events on in Melbourne this year.

Flinders street station lit up in blue lights at night

7 things Melburnians will do even if it's raining

From AFL games and night markets to winter festivals and theatre shows.

See all festivals

Discover more

A line of woman holding guitars in an identical pose on a stage in front of a green curtain.
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Ragnar Kjartansson: Mercy

NGV presents Ragnar Kjartansson's first-ever Australian exhibition.

Two First Nations individuals sitting back to back on the ground outdoors, engaged in a traditional weaving activity near a body of water.
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FUTURE COUNTRY: Country Road + NGV First Nations Commissions

The second iteration of the Country Road and NGV First Nations Commission initiative.

A discarded Victorian blouse with long sleeves and a high collar, placed on a grey surface.

Meet the Makers Refashioners

An insightful conversation discussing how garments once deemed waste are redesigned.

An impressionist-style painting of a blueish street tree in front of a house with a low fence.
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Victorian Artists Society: Winter Select Exhibition

The highly anticipated Select exhibitions showcase VAS member artists working across all mediums.