Things to do

Featured

A large street art mural of two elderly people

Free things to do in Melbourne every day

Have a grand day out on a budget at Melbourne's best free experiences, attractions and exhibits.

The exterior of a city theatre lit up pink at night.

The ultimate theatre guide to Melbourne

What's on in Melbourne's theatres, clubs, cabaret bars and comedy spots.

Crowds milling around the Vic Market sheds at sunset.

The ultimate guide to Melbourne's best markets

Explore Melbourne's iconic markets.

Melbourne for free

Scattered pile of artworks in different mediums and colours.
–

Collectors' Delight

Explore an eclectic collection of unframed works and rediscovered pieces from VAS artists' studios.

Four people seated in a row under dark purple lights, one person laughing.
Until

Comedy at the Charles Dickens Tavern

A lineup show of some of the best homegrown and international stand-up comedians live in the CBD.

Selection of market goods including packets of teas and biscuits.
Until

Kensington Market

An eclectic mix of homewares, culinary treats, ceramics, sustainable goods and visual art.

Two First Nations individuals sitting back to back on the ground outdoors, engaged in a traditional weaving activity near a body of water.
Until

FUTURE COUNTRY: Country Road + NGV First Nations Commissions

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

Entertainment

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.
Until

Waitress The Musical

The irresistible Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope.

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.

A conductor and orchestra inside a grand cathedral space.

Victoria Chorale: Mozart's Great Mass

Victoria Chorale presents Mozart's Great Mass in C Minor – Mozart at his most daring and innovative.

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.

Only In The City

Only in this City of Ours
Smiling vendor selling a range of pastries, dips and spreads at Queen Victoria Market.

Queen Victoria Market

This beloved Melbourne landmark is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere.

The entrance to a shop in a grungy staircase.

The ultimate guide to Curtin House

Discover the secret boutiques, restaurants and bars hidden inside this iconic vertical laneway.

A waterfall cascading down rocks surrounded by green trees

Melbourne’s secret gardens and green spaces

Take a break from indoors with a stroll through these city-side parks.

Family and kids

Play School exhibition with signature teddy and toys.
Until

Play School: Come and Play

A hands-on, playful exhibition where families can discover how the beloved TV show comes to life.

A male magician in a top hat and suit on a smoky stage, holding a yellow and green fan and performing a trick.
–

Illusionaire Family Magic Show

Sam Angelico is back in Melbourne performing his family-friendly show Illusionaire.

A large dinosaur model with its mouth open in a park setting.
Until

Dinos at the Zoo

Let your imagination run wild as you explore the trail of dinosaurs at Melbourne Zoo.

A group of people dressed at pirates posing on an old ship.
Until

Pirate Day at Polly Woodside

Come along and experience the pirate life aboard Melbourne's tall ship.

Melbourne walks and tours

Four people on a tour of Arts Centre Melbourne, seated in a foyer, with a large mural behind them.
Until

Arts Centre Melbourne Tours

Explore the rich heritage and striking architecture of Victoria’s performing arts icon.

The Priscilla Queen of the Desert bus model from the Australian Performing Arts Collection, which is part of the Arts Centre Melbourne archive.
Until

Collection Store Tours

Experience unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the Australian Performing Arts Collection.

A tour guide talking to people in the Carlton Gardens, autumn leaves on the grass, the Royal Exhibition Building just visible in the background.
Until

Badass Women of Melbourne: Women's History Walking Tour

Take a guided walk to uncover the hidden stories of everyday women who shaped Melbourne.

People looking up at the trees on a guided walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Until

Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Wominjeka: journey into Melbourne Gardens with an Aboriginal guide.

Coming soon

A large and colourful Indonesian festival costume display of a tiger with a lion's mane, peacock feathers and pink and yellow fringing.

Satay and Reog Festival

A celebration of culture and fun for all.

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

RISING: Melbourne

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

A nighttime photo of a path in a park, illuminated by vibrant orange, green, and pink light beams and strings creating an immersive light installation; part of Lightscape at Royal Botanic Gardens.
–

Lightscape

Melbourne's favourite winter tradition Lightscape returns to Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

An exquisite Cartier diamond tiara, suspended against a black background.
–

Melbourne Winter Masterpieces: CARTIER

Featuring nearly 400 extraordinary jewellery objects, alongside rare archival materials.

Discover more

The NGV and Arts Centre lit up on a winter night.

What's on this weekend in Melbourne

Discover things to do in Melbourne this weekend, from free events to exhibitions.

The city reflecting colourful lights over the river at night.

What's on this week in Melbourne

Discover things to do in Melbourne this week, from free events to exhibitions.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.

Man and woman taking a photo of the CBD while standing on a bridge over the Yarra River.

Attractions and sights

Explore Melbourne's attractions, from laneways and street art to lush parks and grand galleries.