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.

A girl and a boy reaching their hands out to touch a glass wall water feature.
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School holidays

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

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.

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

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.

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’.

Classical musicians performing with shiny brass instruments.

Orchestra Victoria: Celestial Threads

Experience a universe of sound that is simultaneously intimate, exhilarating and infinite.

An illustration of a tan coloured deer with antlers and a grey kola, with the human faces of Kirsty Webeck and Ivan Aristeguieta superimposed on the animal's heads.
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The Big Animal Quiz with Kirsty Webeck and Ivan Aristeguieta

A family-friendly live show is an hour of laughs, education and banter about animals.

Young children playing in a tunnel structure at the Children's Gallery at the Melbourne Museum.
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Autumn School Holidays at Melbourne Museum

Autumn adventures await at Melbourne Museum.

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 collection of coloured paper and pens with scissors and glue, and a home-made board game board.

Game Making

Join this workshop and create a cupboard full of DIY games to take home and play on the holidays.

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.

A man in a dinner suit and glasses upside down against a blue and black sun ray striped background.
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The Tricky Nick Magic Show

Strap in for an unpredictable rollercoaster ride through the weird mind of Tricky Nick.

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.

Portrait of Shokoofeh Azar, a woman with reddish-brown, wavy hair, wearing a dark top, in front of a bookshelf with numerous green and yellow-spined books.

Memory to Story: Migration and Exile

Learn how to deconstruct the lived experiences of migration and exile in this writing workshop.

Four people on a tour of Arts Centre Melbourne, seated in a foyer, with a large mural behind them.
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Arts Centre Melbourne Tours

Explore the rich heritage and striking architecture of Victoria’s performing arts icon.

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 busker performing in a street with a guitar around his neck and arms outstretched while singing.
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Bourke Street Mall Busking

Meet Melbourne's marvellous musicians and more in the iconic Bourke Street Mall busking program.

Comedian Sonia Di Iorio wearing yellow and pink, against a purple background.
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Sonia Di Iorio: Right Here, Right Now

A stand-up show loaded with gags about trying to live in the moment.

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.

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 video still from artist, Huiyi Xiao, showing a woman swinging a mop in front of a large blue wheelie-bin in a graffitied laneway in Melbourne.
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Huiyi Xiao: Oil and Fire

This exhibition brings together two works that address the migrant experience of 'down-skilling'.

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.

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 with long blonde hair and gold star stickers on their face, posing in front of a pink background with a surprised expression.
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Rachel Tunaley: Recovering Eldest Daughter

When Rachel was born, her identity was clear – over achieving eldest daughter.

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.

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.

Two men in brightly patterned suits leaning back with one index finger in the air and mouths open in surprise.
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The Listies

Family comedy doesn’t get any better than this.

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.

Two men wearing overalls, one pushing his fist forward, the other with his hand to his head.
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Shad and Pete Save the World

We all have problems – and who better to solve yours than two unqualified comedians?

An ancient Roman marble bust with its nose chipped off, displayed on a small square plinth.
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Rome: Empire, Power, People

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

Elton John in the 1970s wearing large spectacles and satin suit with Cher wearing Bob Mackie midriff-revealing strappy gown and Diana Ross wearing feather and sequin gown.
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DIVA

From opera stars to pop icons, celebrate the power and creativity of the diva.

Charlie Pickering wearing a suit and tie, his arms raised, in front of a calendar with F for Friday circled.
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TGIF: Melbourne International Comedy Festival Special

Charlie Pickering will be joined by some of the best comedians from the Festival.

Movie still from 'Paris, Texas' of actor Harry Dean Stanton, a man wearing a suit, tie and red baseball cap, standing in a barren desert landscape.
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Focus on Wim Wenders

Visit ACMI cinema for a trip through the filmography of Wim Wenders.

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.

Federation square on a sunny day overlooking Flinders Station and the city skyline

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.