What's on in January

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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 Mrs Doubtfire The Musical with the protagonist dancing with three children.
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Mrs Doubtfire

It's a feel-good musical, poppets.

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.

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

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.
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My Fair Lady

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

A black and white photograph of a family eating a meal at the family dining table circa 1950.
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You Have a New Memory

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

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.
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Barbie: The Exhibition at Melbourne Museum

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

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.
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Gourmet Sandwich Hunt

Elevate your sandwich style with celebrity chef Darren Purchese.

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

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

Two burlesque dancers in full costume and elaborate headdresses, posing at a bar.
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Burlesque Lounge

Melbourne's sparkling burlesque dinner show experience right in the heart of the city

Still from a film showing a man with a mustache and a brown jacket looking through a shop window.
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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.
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Divine Thresholds: Icons and the Orthodox Christian World

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

Heart-shaped sunglasses with green reflections.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Pressed Flower Hanging Lantern Workshop for Beginners

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

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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World of the Book

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

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

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

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

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

Head and shoulders of a stuffed thylacine
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Jodie Grillmeier: Remembering the Thylacine

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

Person playing minigolf in an indoor venue.
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Putt and Sip Melbourne

A day of mini golf and secret bars in the heart of the city.

Old black-and-white photo of people seated on a bus, two women chatting, a man looking straight ahead.
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The Green Bus

Exhibition tracing Andrew Chapman's 55-year photographic journey through the streets of Melbourne.

A live performance of The Cat Empire band alongside a full symphony orchestra on a large stage, in front of a seated audience.

The Cat Empire with Orchestra Victoria

Enjoy a night of live music at the Bowl when The Cat Empire performs with Orchestra Victoria.

Illustrations of two children with clipboards in (real) garden setting.
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Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

A free fun outdoor seek and find adventure around the Fitzroy Gardens.

Picnic table set for dining with cushions, umbrella and dining settings, in a garden location.
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Laneways Mystery Picnic with Luxury End Location Setup

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

A young female soccer player heading the ball, wearing a red soccer uniform; teammates in the background.
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Home is Football: Belonging in Australian Soccer

Explore how the much-loved universal sport is a source of community for Australians.

People walking along a plant-lined pathway in public gardens, with city towers in the background.
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Fitzroy Gardens Heritage Tour

A journey through the heritage-listed gardens, where history and nature seamlessly blend.

A close up of a hand embroidered handkerchief showing a yellow star with blue outline and small floral motifs on a black fabric.
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Sparks in the Dark: 260 Weeks of Resilience

Celebrating the resilience of women living with the enduring impacts of the War in Afghanistan.

Dishes of food and drinks on a restaurant table.
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Putt, Wine and Taste Melbourne

A day of fun and flavour with mini golf and mystery dining in the center of the city.

A large group of people in active wear all running on a path in park.
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Run the Tan: Run Club

Start the weekend off on the right foot with a run around the Tan.

See all events in January

Discover more

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