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.

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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 community book fair event, featuring tables lined with independent publications, with attendees browsing and interacting with stallholders.
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Emerging Writers' Festival

The Emerging Writers' Festival boasts performances, panels and workshops for all aspiring writers.

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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.

A shirtless man wearing a bright orange suit jumps enthusiastically inside a distorted, circular panoramic view of a city square under a sunset sky.
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Melbourne Fringe Festival

Melbourne Fringe Festival returns with 500+ exciting, boundary-pushing arts events.

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Victorian Seniors Festival

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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Ragnar Kjartansson: Mercy

NGV presents a major solo exhibition of Icelandic artist, Ragnar Kjartansson.

A colourful abstract painting hung on a wall above a concrete bench and next to an indoor olive tree.
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Gregory Ladner: Garden of Eden

A new solo exhibition celebrating colour, movement and the abundance of nature.

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 geometric-shaped portrait of a seated woman with red hair wearing a green dress.
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Mark Niehus: Different Midnights

A collection of paintings, moving image and free verse that explore the experience of solitude.