What's on in January

–
Large crowd of people watching a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

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

A scene from the musical My Fair Lady with Eliza Doolittle in a pink dress and hat and Henry Higgins in a tweed three-piece suit.
–

My Fair Lady

Celebrating 70 glorious years since its debut, Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady returns to Melbourne.

A scene from Mrs Doubtfire The Musical with the protagonist dancing with three children.
–

Mrs Doubtfire

It's a feel-good musical, poppets.

Participants on the State Library Victoria Unlocked guided morning tour inside the iconic dome at State Library Victoria in Melbourne.
Until

State Library Victoria Unlocked

Join an exclusive guided tour and experience State Library Victoria before the doors open.

A child posing in an alcove in a rainbow mural.
–

School holidays

Entertain the whole family over the school holidays with these kid-friendly events and activities.

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

Spartans & Anzacs

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

A green linocut of a flower and foliage printed on paper and a fabric tote bag.
Until

Tote Bag Block Printing Workshop

Style your bag just the way you like it with block printing in this beginner's workshop.

A children's themed three-tiered platter of high tea treats, alongside a teddy bear, drinks and Christmas baubles.
–

Le Petit FestiviTea

Little ones can join the festive celebrations with a high tea just for them.

Ice hockey players on the ice during a match.
–

Melbourne Ice Women: Australian Women's Ice Hockey League

The Australian Women's Ice Hockey League takes over O'Brien Icehouse in a formidable on-ice battle.

Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston in a desert setting leaning against a tree wearing sunglasses.

An Evening with Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul

Join Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, live in conversation.

A black and white photograph of a family eating a meal at the family dining table circa 1950.
Until

You Have a New Memory

An exhibition that explores how and why we remember, through the lens of the Library's collections.

Two female singers, portraying country music icons, as part of the tribute show Dolly and Friends.

Dolly & Friends: Roots & Rhinestones

A candlelight acoustic celebration of the music of Dolly Parton.

Egg yolk pouring out of a long sub sandwich with cheese and salad.
Until

Gourmet Sandwich Hunt

Elevate your sandwich style with celebrity chef Darren Purchese.

Light grey textured bark fragments placed on a warm, golden-brown metallic or painted surface.
–

Jessica Row: If a tree falls in the urban forest

An exhibition by Jessica Row inspired by the trees in naarm/Melbourne.

Oil painting of a still life featuring red flowers in a dark vase, paired with ceramic jars, a red book, and scattered red apples on a red tabletop.
–

The Victorian Artists Society Studio

Showcase of the range of artistic practices that continue to be taught in the historic VAS Studio.

Art photograph of a female floating on water viewed from above.
–

Physis: Elemental Bodies

An exhibition of works by photographic artist Lilli Waters.

Kids on the grass outside the Shrine of Memorial, holding kit bags and smiling.
Until

Shrine Kids

Embark on a family adventure with this engaging program designed for discovery at every turn.

Picnic table set for dining with cushions, umbrella and dining settings, in a garden location.
Until

Laneways Mystery Picnic with Luxury End Location Setup

Follow clues to secret foodie stops and end at a luxury picnic location.

Painting of a large brick building on a corner with a tree in the foreground and some parked cars.
–

Victorian Artists Society Christmas Salon

This showcase celebrates small and affordable artworks perfect for holiday gifting.

Still from a film showing a man with a mustache and a brown jacket looking through a shop window.
Until

Matinees at ACMI Cinemas

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

Mick Jagger tribute artist, singing into a microphone backlit by purple and pink lights.

Totally Stonez: The Rolling Stones Show

Capturing the sound, look and attitude that defined generations.

Byzantine icons of Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist, their heads haloed in gold.
Until

Divine Thresholds: Icons and the Orthodox Christian World

Discover centuries of craftsmanship, devotion and momentous history in this new landmark exhibition.

People standing at the front of a riverboat at dusk, with a bridge on the horizon and city buildings to the side.
–

Golden Hour Cruises

Experience the magic of summer's golden hour aboard this cruise.

Heart-shaped sunglasses with green reflections.
Until

CabErotiq

Like a glimpse into a bacchanalia celebration, mysteries await in an old bank vault.

A cylindrical mosaic glass table lamp featuring a colourful orange and yellow daisy pattern, being made at a craft workshop.
–

Mosaic Lamp Making Workshop for Beginners

Create your own glowing mosaic lamp in a class suitable for beginners.

Tour leader showing three walking tour participants a page from an open notebook he holds, on a Melbourne city footpath.
Until

Deeper Melbourne Walking Tours

Walking tours burrowing into history and culture, drawing on local knowledge.

An illustration from the book The Very Cranky Bear, showing a black bear with hands on hips looking cranky against a blue background.
–

The Very Cranky Bear

A grumpy bear, four unlikely friends and one brilliant sheep.

Hands holding up coastal seashell wind chimes featuring delicate floral painted designs on the bottom scallop shells.
Until

Decoupage Seashell Wind Chime Workshop

Create your seashell wind chime in this relaxing, beginner-friendly decoupage workshop in Docklands.

Performer breathing fire with head tilted at an angle.
Until

The Vaudeville Revue: Cabaret, Comedy and Burlesque

Experience Melbourne's most intimate variety show in a hidden gem of the city.

A decorated lampshade featuring homemade paper and pressed flowers.
Until

Pressed Flower Hanging Lantern Workshop for Beginners

Create a magical botanical lantern using real pressed flowers, handmade paper, and warm LED lights.

Interior of a bar decorated with colourful lamps, small paintings hanging on the red walls, with small tables and chairs arranged in the space.
Until

Melbourne Hidden Bars Walking Tour

Discover Melbourne's hidden bars – down alleys, in basements and behind closed doors.

A dancer wears a vibrant green, light-up ballerina-style tutu dress with a matching crown, and large, glowing translucent fairy wings spread out behind her, standing against a dark background.
Until

Ballet of Lights: Peter Pan in a Sparkling Show

Peter Pan lights up Neverland in a dazzling dance spectacle.

Grilled cheese toastie on a plate.
Until

Vego Toastie Hunt

Elevate your vego sandwich with celebrity chef Darren Purchese.

Portrait of a woman with her face painted blue and embellished with gold stars, wearing a colourful, fan-like headdress.
–

Passage: The Art of Atong Atem

NGV presents the first-ever major solo exhibition of contemporary artist Atong Atem.

Looking over a blurred shoulder at a table with books displayed.
Until

World of the Book

Experience the rare, the sacred and the iconic in this one-of-a-kind exibition.

A small boat cruising along the Yarra River in the late afternoon sun, with a view of the Melbourne city skyline in the background.
Until

Mystery Picnic with Self Drive Boat: Melbourne Laneways

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

On a film set with a crew member shooting stop motion figures.
–

Lifelike

Lifelike is a major new exhibition celebrating the magic of movie puppetry in all its forms.

People high up in a tree with red flowers
–

a/part: Hoda Afshar

A selection of photographic and video projects by Melbourne-based artist Hoda Afshar.

A Georgian room with marble fireplace and a large Christmas tree.
–

A Taste Of Christmas

Current exhibition, Taste and Temptation, has been transformed for the festive season.

Head and shoulders of a stuffed thylacine
–

Jodie Grillmeier: Remembering the Thylacine

Photographic portraits from museum collections reflecting the legacy of the thylacine.

Barbie dolls from an exhibition, specifically featuring a light-skinned doll with a 1959-inspired look and a dark-skinned doll with braided hair, against a pink background.
–

Barbie: The Exhibition at Melbourne Museum

Barbie: The Exhibition makes its Australian debut at the Melbourne Museum.

See all events in January

Discover more

Crowd of people seated on the grass watching the Moonlight Cinema in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
–

What's on in February

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

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.

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.

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.