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.

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.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

A still from an animated film showing a black cat sitting on the bow of a small boat as it floats down a canal between Venetian Gothic buildings.
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Library Cinema at narrm ngarrgu

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

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.

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 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.

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.

A violinist plays in St Paul's Cathedral.
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Lunchtime Concerts

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral and fine music during a weekly lunchtime concert.

View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River
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G3 Game

Experience gaming like never before, with state-of-the-art facilities.

Three illuminated lamps with cylindrical parchment or fabric shades, decorated with various pressed flowers and small human figures.
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Pressed Flower Lamp Making Workshop

Make your room colourful and vibrant with your own pressed flower lamp.

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 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.

A man with short blond hair and his eyes closed singing into a microphone on a blue backlit stage.

The Australian Neil Diamond Show

Experience a powerful live tribute to one of music’s greatest legends.

An ancient Roman marble bust with its nose chipped off, displayed on a small square plinth.

Rome: Empire, Power, People

This Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Ancient Rome.

Three people seated around a wooden table, each reading a paperback novel.
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English Learners' Book Club

A place where English learners connect to discuss books and share ideas.

A tour guide talking to people in the Carlton Gardens, autumn leaves on the grass, the Royal Exhibition Building just visible in the background.
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Badass Women of Melbourne: Women's History Walking Tour

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

A woman holding a teddy about toe read a picture book in a library story area.
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Songbirds

Visit Southbank Library on Mondays for Songbirds, with songs, rhymes and stories for littlies.

Two young people seated on stone steps.

Saplings

Youth theatre celebrating the survival instincts of young people.

Four hot air balloons floating in front of the Melbourne city skyline during sunrise, with skyscrapers visible in the background.
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Melbourne Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight

Float over Melbourne's iconic landmarks in a sunrise hot air balloon flight.

A still from a film showing a family celebrating around a woman sitting in front of a birthday cake.
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Matinees at ACMI Cinemas

Celebrate cinema at a sensible hour with ACMI's thoughtfully curated line-up of films.

The shopfront of a Japanese-style craft workshop with brightly coloured craft materials on shelves and a neon sign.
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DIY Craft Workshops

Unleash your creativity at these workshops where everyone is a designer.

A room with coloured vinyl records displayed on illuminated shelves and a person standing in front a mixing desk with four turntables.

RISING: The Vinyl Factory – Reverb

ACMI and RISING present The Vinyl Factory: Reverb, a major exhibition of vinyl culture and music.

Three people are playing a game of quadball on a grassy field, one of them is holding the yellow ball.

Quadball Come and Try Sessions

Join a fun and inclusive come and try quadball session, perfect for beginners.

A woman walking through a display with shelves of military-style food packages.
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Taste of Combat

Honouring the vital work of the Catering Corps and the evolution of military food.

Diners seated at a restaurant table on a floating river cruise restaurant, with plates of delicious food in front of them and the water of the Yarra River in the background.
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Spirit of Melbourne Lunch Cruise

Cruise the Yarra River in elegance and comfort and savour your meal on a two-hour lunch cruise.

Five women sitting cross-legged on red blow-up pilates mats, floating on the surface of a hotel pool.

Aqua Sculpt

Enjoy an intimate yet energising session of Floating Pilates in a refined luxury setting.

A crowded scene within the Queen Victoria Market, featuring various banners for a craft fair and market called 'CRFT*WRK'

CRFT*WRK Market

Enjoy a monthly craft fair at Queen Victoria Market.

Portrait of Sir Salman Rushdie with his hand to his chin, wearing glasses, an aubergine vest and grey shirt.

An Evening with Sir Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie returns to Melbourne to discuss the transformative power of literature.

A director's chair in front of a small desk and mirror with makeup lights and a wig on a mannequin stand.

Mackenzie

A camp, dark and deranged retelling of Macbeth, set in the heights of early 2000s TV stardom.

A still image from the movie How to Train your Dragon 2, showing a boy riding a dragon with other dragons flying around them.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 in Concert

An awe-inspiring experience for the whole family.

A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
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Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

A small boat cruising along the Yarra River in the late afternoon sun, with a view of the Melbourne city skyline in the background.
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Mystery Picnic with Self Drive Boat: Melbourne Laneways

Solve clues, taste and collect pre-paid gourmet food on this unique foodie adventure.

A woman smiling and holding up a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar in a library setting.
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Stompers

Join in the Stompers fun with your toddler at North Melbourne Library every Thursday.

A library staff member holding a large owl puppet in one hand and a picture book in his other hand, standing in the children's section of a library.
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Stompers

Enjoy fun stories, songs, rhymes and activities at Kathleen Syme Library every Monday.

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.

The feet of two people on a walking tour, standing on a tiled floor.
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East Melbourne Walking Tours

Take a guided walking tour of East Melbourne to discover secrets and hear untold stories.

A smiling library worker holding up three picture books with their front covers facing out, seated cross-legged on the floor in front of library display shelves.
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Songbirds

Come along to City Library on Fridays for songs, rhymes and stories.

Discover more

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

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.