What's on in August

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A crowd of people mingling inside Forum Melbourne.

Discover things to do in Melbourne in August, from free events to exhibitions, attractions and places to visit.

Two individuals talking to each other inside Melbourne Museum at night, with blue lighting.
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Nocturnal: Museum After Dark

Experience Melbourne Museum after hours, when the doors stay open and the night belongs to adults.

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
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Making Memoir of a Snail

Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.

A small tour group looking up from the ground floor of the La Trobe Reading Room.
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State Library Victoria Unlocked

On this exclusive tour, gain access to State Library Victoria before the doors open to the public.

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.

People walking towards a red illuminated archway that reads Winter Night Market.
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Winter Night Market

The Winter Night Market returns to the iconic Queen Victoria Market sheds.

Visitors enjoying an evening event at the National Gallery of Victoria, seated on stools under shadowy lighting.
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NGV Friday Nights: Cartier

NGV Friday Nights shine with Cartier, featuring live music, flims, food and drinks.

Novelty wind-up chattering teeth against a yellow background.
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Basement Comedy Club: Weekend Showcase

Bringing you the biggest names and best comedians in the country, and beyond.

Illustration of a crane looming over a public housing apartment building.
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Library Cinema at narrm ngarrgu

Each month, watch a movie on the big screen, including contemporary, classic and documentary films.

A dark interior space, with smoky purple rounds of light, silhouettes of people's arms pushing into these open spaces.
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Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

Installation view of the Spartans & Anzacs exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance, with people walking around the space, reading panels and looking at displays.
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Spartans & Anzacs

This exhibition invites reflection on the enduring values forged in conflict.

Black and white photograph of a busy Melbourne city intersection with trams, cars, people crossing the road, and buildings, dating from around the 1950s or 1960s.
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Making Modern Melbourne

This free exhibition examines the tumultuous twentieth century in Melbourne.

The back of a woman arching her back with her hands on her head looking at the sky with a sunny glow all around her.
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Winter Special Meditation Class

Weekly meditation class with complementary snacks this winter until the end of August.

Four rows of people sitting smiling and laughing.
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Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled

Enjoy stand-up comedy from future stars and celebrity guest headliners.

A person on a stage, speaking to a seated live audience at a venue hosting stand-up comedy.
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Comedy Therapy

A weekly night of stand-up where comedians try to solve the audience's problems.

Performers on stage in Queen Vic Market sheds, with children seated on the ground and onlookers standing.
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Cachivaches Latin Market

A vibrant cultural event celebrating the best of Latin American traditions in Melbourne.

Characters from the PAW Patrol TV series performing live on a theatre stage, with streamers in the air above them and a large audience watching them.
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PAW Patrol Live: Race to the Rescue

The beloved pups of PAW Patrol hit the stage in this interactive live show.

Two different hands holding two wine glasses, resting on a restaurant's dining table, a plate of food and napkins also on the table.
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Mystery Sidedoor City: Wine and Asian Fusion Bites

Enjoy off-menu bites and paired drinks at a hidden Melbourne venue on this guided tasting adventure.

A group of smiling participants in a studio workshop setting, holding glass-domed terrariums.
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Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.

East Melbourne library exterior with large glass-paned facade and porch doorway.

East Melbourne Library 20th Birthday

Enjoy live jazz, free BBQ, children's activities, workshops and library tours.

Author Cory Doctorow wearing heavy dark-rimmed spectacles, resting his head on his fist.

Cory Doctorow: Ensh***tification

The tech critic discusses the broken promise of the utopian internet.

Four women standing and holding up small mosaic lamps in front of a circular neon sign.
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Mosaic Art Classes Melbourne: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop

A Melbourne AFL player cheering himself and his team on the field with his mouth wide open, both his fists clenched and by his side as he runs.

AFL Round 22: Melbourne v Fremantle

The run to finals is heating up the MCG where Melbourne faces Fremantle on a Saturday afternoon.

Smiling photography teacher and participants standing in a graffitied laneway in Melbourne.
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DJB Photography Class: Full Manual Mode

Bring along your DSLR or mirrorless camera on this highly rated beginner photography course.

A yellow vintage phone on a wooden table illuminated by a desk lamp, part of an interactive theatre installation at the Malthouse Theatre.
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The Nightline

A crafted theatrical audio-installation experience inspired by late-night anonymous voice messages.

Pianist Yitzhak Yedid leaning on a piano with one hand on his face, smiling warmly.

Yitzhak Yedid – Niggunim: Music of the Jewish Soul

Step into a sound world that evokes memory, longing and imagination.

A little girl looking at a colourful display of cushions in an art gallery.
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Children's Play: Ragnar Kjartansson

A new children's exhibition by Ragnar Kjartansson, inspired by the idea of a theatrical feast.

A young child wearing a dressing gown, looking at an open picture book in her lap, blurred twinkling lights behind her.
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Bedtime Storytime

Hop into your pyjamas, grab your favourite teddy and enjoy bedtime stories.

Four cabaret performers surrounded by pink and yellow feather fans.
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Cabaret Ridiculous

An hour of variety entertainment that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

Red laser beams dance across the water’s surface,
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Multimmersion: Upside Down V2

A contemplative exploration of light, space and reflection transforms the Yarra River – Birrarung.

Anna Goldsworthy, a middle-aged woman wearing a black top, her arms are resting on a bench in front of her, she has shoulder length brown hair.

Melbourne Conversations: The God We Made

Author and musician Anna Goldsworthy discusses the threat and promise of artificial intelligence.

A person spooning food from a large salad bowl onto a plate they hold in their hands.
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Local Lunch Club

Live well, eat well, together at Kathleen Syme Library.

Two members of Octave One, a Detroit techno music group, both wearing black clothing and looking directly at the camera.

Finding Figaro: Octave One/Sleep D x Hybrid Man/JNETT/Baby G

An all-night journey through electronic music’s past, present and future.

Bowls and sauce-making tools on a bench in a restaurant setting.
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Learn to Cook Thai: Pad Thai and Papaya Salad

Join a hands-on cooking class, featuring two of Thailand’s favourite dishes.

A drawing of three dolls dressed in kimonos against a mint green background.
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Japanese Storytime

Visit City Library for immersive Japanese language storytime.

People looking up at the trees on a guided walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Wominjeka: journey into Melbourne Gardens with an Aboriginal guide.

Market stallholder with her puppet toys, beside the Yarra River in the CBD.
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The Southbank Makers Market

Explore the Southbank Makers Market every Sunday on the promenade at Southgate.

Crowd dancing under signage in dark-lit venue.

NGV Teens: Art Party

An electrifying line-up of music, art, dance and live performances.

Jazz musicians performing including guitarist, percussion, trumpet and double bass.
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The Jazz Alchemists

These virtuosos explore the boundless realms of improvisation.

A woman with two red plaits and a white cap holds up a picture book in a kids library area.
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Stompers

Bring your child to Library at The Dock on Tuesdays for a lifelong love of books.

See all events in August

Discover more

An aerial shot of Melbourne city with the MCG in the foreground on a sunny day.
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What's on in September

Things to do in Melbourne in September, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.

Young kid sitting on the shoulders of an adult in a large crowd of people watching a show.

Melbourne for free

Discover free things to do in Melbourne, including galleries, museums, events and festivals.

Young child, in front of an artsy background, looking up at something.

Family and kids

Find things to do with the kids, from family-friendly events to fun attractions and workshops.

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.