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

Festivals

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.

The red-lit interior of the Royal Exhibition Building, with people seated on the plastic-covered floor.
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Now or Never

Arts, ideas, sound, technology; a festival of new dimensions for Melbourne/Narrm.

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.

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.

Flinders Street Station lit up in blue at dusk during Melbourne's RISING festival, with city buildings in the background.
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RISING: Melbourne

A festival of new art, music and performance in the heart of Naarm/Melbourne each winter.

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.

Everything you need to do in Melbourne this Christmas

Everything you need to do in Melbourne this Christmas

Plan your festive adventures every week in the leadup to Christmas.

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.

A lion dance performer surrounded by crowds.

Where to see traditional lion dance performances in Melbourne

Celebrating Lunar New Year in Melbourne? Here's where to see lion dances and dragon parades.

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 crowd of people with umbrellas watching a purple-lit stage outdoors.

Guide to Diwali in Melbourne

Find where to celebrate Diwali in Melbourne at these blockbuster festivals and events.

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 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.

Graphic rendition of multicultural peple with cameras, clapper board and microphone.

Multicultural Film Festival

Experience a night of film, culture and connection at MFF 2026: A Million Stories.

A neon light display of Santa's sleigh being pulled by kangaroos.

The ultimate guide to Melbourne's best Christmas lights and decorations

Where to see stunning Christmas trees, the best Christmas lights and more beautiful decorations.

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.

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.

View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River
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Magic School of Confidence

Come and learn magic.

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.