The city reflecting colourful lights over the river at night.

What's on this week in Melbourne

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

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

See the very best of Australian standup comedians perform four days a week during the holidays.

The Town Hall at night with Melbourne International Comedy Festival banners, signage, and red and blue spotlights and people lined up in queues on the footpath.
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Melbourne International Comedy Festival

The festival that takes over the city celebrates 40 years of funny - come have a laugh.

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.

People holding loaves of bread outside a bakery stall with signage.
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Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

A 10-day feast bringing the best-of-the-best from Australia and the world, direct to your lips.

A performer with a standing audience looking on in the NGV, stained glass visible and purple lighting.
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NGV Friday Nights

Experience the NGV as it comes alive after dark

Ballet dancer wearing 1920s fringed dress performing mid-air grand jete.
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The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey

Jazz, tap and ballet bring Gatsby to life in a dazzling theatrical spectacle.

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.

An early watercolour painting of Melbourne's Yarra River.
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Yarra: Stories of Melbourne's River

Explores the chequered history of the stream we call the ‘city’s river’.

Diners in a darkened restaurant, spotlights playing on their food and drinks.
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The Magic Table

Experience an immersive 3D dinner show, perfect for curious minds of all ages.

Young comedian holding a microphone, his hand gesturing, wearing a red jacket.
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JJ Pantano: Parental Guidance Required

Cheeky, clever and unfiltered comedy from one of the world’s most exciting young comedians.

Comedian wearing pink blonde wig, holding a hat with tiny figures of herself above her head.
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Lucy Best: Unbelievable

The one-woman comedic storyteling show is a roller-coaster ride of true tales.

Magician balancing one finger on a globe, suspended updside down, wearing a white suit and hat.
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Piccolo Teatro: Magic Theatre

Specialising in astonishing magic shows and immersive live entertainment.

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.

Two people holding 3D printed creations made from scrap plastic; other 3D printed creations on the table in front of them.

Crush, Melt, Recycle

Drop by the Library at The Dock Makerspace and discover what really happens to plastic waste.

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.

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

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop in Melbourne!

The back of two people standing and looking at an 18th century oil painting in a heavy gold frame hanging on a white gallery wall.
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Best of NGV International Tour

Join an expert for a guided tour to uncover the unexpected and overlooked within the NGV Collection.

A group of people on a guided walk of the Royal Botanic Gardens, with the tour guide pointing at plant specimen.
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Free Guided Walk

A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

A still from the film Redress showing a man and a woman in chef uniforms preparing food at a stainless steel counter in a professional kitchen.

French Film Festival Dinner

A unique dinner inspired by the film Redress, followed by a screening of the film at the Kino.

Watercolour travel sketch with detail of church and city skyline.
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Travel Sketching with Watercolour Pencil

Talk a walk around East Melbourne, sketching and learning tips and techniques. Note: sold out

The open-sided Explorer Bus at Royal Botanic Melbourne Gardens on a path with foliage.
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The Explorer Bus Melbourne

Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis from the comfort of an open-air minibus.

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.

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 seated group of improv comedians, all looking seriously at the camera.
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Improvised Comedy: The Remix

Improvised comedy from true stories, sampled and remixed to create comedy gold.

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.

A black and white montage of men playing musical instruments.
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The Harmonix Experience

Expect jazz with swagger and funk with soul, playing every second week at Bird's.

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.

A person wearing blue rubber gloves creating an Ikebana arrangement, which is the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging.
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Botanica 001: Ikebana Workshop

A contemporary ikebana workshop exploring form, balance and negative space in an intimate setting.

Children gathered around a person in an Easter bunny costume during an outdoor event under a blue sky.
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Skyline Melbourne Easter Egg Hunt

Join Skyline Melbourne and the Easter Bunny for an egg-citing Easter Egg Hunt

A drypoint etching in monotones depicting an industrial scene.
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Louise Donovan: Common Ground

Nineteen everyday moments in intimate drypoint by Melbourne artist, Louise Donovan

Two people smiling, sitting together and looking closely at an open book on a table.
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English Reading Circle

Join a free, fun program to improve your English reading skills at North Melbourne Library.

Comedian Annie Boyle wearing a denim shirt and holding white roses in her hand, reclining and with a neutral expression on her face.
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Annie Boyle: To All The Boys I've Loved Before

Annie Boyle presents an hour of comedy as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

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.

Three men in singlets and shorts running down a laneway with the walls covered in street art.
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Laneways Discovery Running Tour

Run Melbourne’s laneways, street art and history on this 8km tour with stories, sights and coffee.

Portrait of Australian artist and dancer, Vali Myers, with red hair, thick black eye makeup and tattoos on her face and hands, holding her pet fox.

Love and Art: The World of Vali Myers

Go beyond the canvas and explore the creative legacy of Australian artist and dancer, Vali Myers.

A woman in overalls performing stand up comedy holding a microphone with one hand outstretched.
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Girl Power Comedy Hour

Let the most hilarious women in Australia cast a spell on you.

Pianist Amy Rita, a woman with long brown hair staring intently straight ahead, wearing a dark jacket.

Piano Day Concert

Swiss-Australian pianist Amy Rita performs original piano works for World Piano Day.

A person wearing an apron, seated at a table as part of am art workshop, using a paintbrush to apply paint to paper.
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Festival of Veterans Arts

Enjoy this veteran-led arts festival with exhibitions, performances, workshops and family events.

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.

Discover more

People milling around Fed Square at sunset.

What's on today

Discover free events, epic festivals and shows on in Melbourne today.

The NGV and Arts Centre lit up on a winter night.

What's on this weekend in Melbourne

Discover things to do in Melbourne this weekend, from free events to exhibitions.

A view of Fed Square on a sunny day with yellow umbrellas in the foreground and the city skyline in the background.

What's free in Melbourne this month

Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.

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.