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.

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.

Crowds thronging a street with leafy trees, tent stalls and stage with lighting and live performance as part of the Antipodes Greek Festival.
–

Antipodes Festival

Lonsdale Street comes alive with Greek food, live music, dancing and entertainment for all ages.

A hand attaching a small, black oval metal disc to a grey t-shirt with a safety pin.
Until

Radiant Pavilion

Discover the work of 300+ contemporary jewellery and object artists in events across Melbourne.

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 runway model wearing a tailored white long-sleeved shirt walks toward a darkened audience filled with photographers taking photographs.
–

PayPal Australian Fashion Festival

The Festival returns with a new name, but is the same Melbourne fashion institution.

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.

A group of older adults smiling and interacting at a table during a community gathering.
Until

Victorian Seniors Festival

Celebrate Victorian Seniors Festival with free and low-cost events for older Victorians.

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 group of friends picnicking at the Music Bowl.

Melbourne's best blockbuster events

The best major events on in Melbourne this year.

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

A man holding a piece of paper with a satchel on his shoulder, pointing his arm towards brightly lit shops on the other side of the road behind him.
–

Being Human Festival

Bringing Australian humanities research to life in imaginative and engaging ways.

A woman with tightly curled hair peeking out from behind some flowers.
–

Alter State

A disability-led arts initiative celebrating Deaf and Disabled artists, creativity and culture.

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.

A woman in a blue t-shirt and red bucket hat welcoming a child with arms wide.

Deaf Festival

Celebrating Deaf culture and connecting communities with stalls, entertainment and fun for all ages.

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

An asymmetrical pearl necklace featuring unique, double-pointed pearls arranged in a single strand that cascades into decorative loops and rings along one side.
Until

Lean In

A contemporary jewellery exhibition of three of Australia's most accomplished jewellers.

A collection of strange but cute statuettes of small animals displayed on a green moss-covered multi-tier stand at a market stall.
–

Ugly Cutie Market

A two-day art market bringing together over 130 artists, makers and wonderfully unusual creations.

Two thick, patterned metal rings sit on a dark surface, with one lying flat and the other standing on its edge.
Until

The God In Small Things: Group Exhibition

Australian and international contemporary jewellers contemplate: can jewellery save the world?

Two theatrical costumes on display in front of a red curtain, featured in the ENCORE! exhibition at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts.
Until

Encore!

50 Objects. 50 Years. One Collection. Treasures from the Australian Museum of Performing Arts.