What's on today

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

People milling around Fed Square at sunset.
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.

Black and white photograph of a busy Melbourne city intersection with trams, cars, people crossing the road, and buildings, dating from around the 1950s or 1960s.
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Making Modern Melbourne

This free exhibition examines the tumultuous twentieth century in Melbourne.

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 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 Melbourne: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop

A little girl looking at a colourful display of cushions in an art gallery.
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Children's Play: Ragnar Kjartansson

A new children's exhibition by Ragnar Kjartansson, inspired by the idea of a theatrical feast.

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.

A diamond Cartier tiara.

Talks Club: Exploring NGV’s Cartier Exhibition

Discover the history behind iconic Cartier jewels in this talk.

People looking up at the trees on a guided walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Wominjeka: journey into Melbourne Gardens with an Aboriginal guide.

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.

An Incan sun mask lying on greenery, part of the Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City virtual reality experience.
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Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City

A 4D virtual reality experience that lets you explore the Incan citadel in the Peruvian Andes.

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.

Still of young actors Keanu Reeves (left) and River Phoenix (right) from the 1991 cult classic film My Own Private Idaho.

The Best Films You've Never Seen: Queer Edition

An evening of landmark queer cinema as part of RMIT's Best Films You've Never Seen series.

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.

An exquisite Cartier diamond tiara, suspended against a black background.
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Melbourne Winter Masterpieces: CARTIER

Featuring nearly 400 extraordinary jewellery objects, alongside rare archival materials.

Workshop class participants smiling in a studio setting, holding up mosaic pots and coasters they have made.
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Mosaic Making Workshop for Beginners

Learn the art of creating beautiful mosaics from start to finish.

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.

Hands holding gelati cones in front of a Gelateria sign.
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Flavours of Melbourne Night Trail

An evening of culinary delights, cultural exploration and memorable moments.

Inside a large, darkened gallery space with projected artwork on the walls and a single person viewing.
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Occupation Studies: ngayanhurra bayarral Birrarung

A new multichannel audiovisual artwork by artist Tahlia Palmer.

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.

A concrete green water trough for horses to drink from, in a Melbourne city street.
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Footsteps Through Time: Melbourne's History Walk

Step into Melbourne’s past on this two-hour guided walking tour of laneways and hidden stories.

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.

Cruise boat on Yarra River with buildings and bridge.
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Ports and Docklands Cruise

Experience Melbourne's best scenery in Docklands on a sightseeing cruise.

Graphic illustration of a light bulb.

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind

An ensemble performs 30 plays in only 60 minutes.

Printed and framed photographs of Opera performers hanging on a gallery wall.
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Behind the Curtain with Victorian Opera

An exhibition offering a rare glimpse into the artistry and dedication of Victorian Opera.

A abstract artwork in shades of cobalt blue, red, and cream.
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Recurring Echoes: Liliana Barbieri

An exhibition celebrating 25 years of artistic practice by Liliana Di Lizio Barbieri.

Colourful glass artwork of four distinct panels.
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Colour of Time Exhibition

Colour of Time is a NAIDOC Exhibition of First Nations culture in glass, at the Athenaeum Library.

A printed swatch of fabric hanging from a solid concrete wall and draped over a wooden easel.
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Elizabeth West: Beyond The Frame

Beyond the Frame examines the shifting boundary between seeing and being.

People walking past stencil artwork of cats on a white wall in a Melbourne laneway.
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Art, History, Food and Wine Tour

The perfect introduction to Melbourne – street art, curious tales, wine tasting and tapas.

A person in a gallery setting looking at a sculpture of an oversize wooden pipe with a sculpture of a giant peeled mandarin balanced on the pipe.
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Poetry Goes No Further Than Language

Explore a moment in mid-1980s China when a group of artists began to question values about art.

A burlesque life drawing class with a sitter up front in a red dress.
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Burlesque Life Drawing

Burlesque Life Drawing is the most fun you can have with a pencil and paper.

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.

Group of young people lying on an orange floor with cushions and guitar.

Our Seventh String

A new Australian musical exploring memory, art and what it means to create.

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.

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.

A person wearing large yellow sunglasses, bright red lipstick, a blue drip coming out from one of their nostrils, and a white compression bandage around their head and chin, against a solid blue background.
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Losing Face

Strap in for a perimenopausal Weekend at Bernie’s – a wildly funny, no-holds-barred new comedy.

Workshop participants smiling and holding multicoloured mosaic tiled coasters.
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Colourful Mosaic Coaster Workshop

Come and make mosaic coasters and step into the world of colours.

A tour group gathered in front of a green neon 'Melbourne' sign, all laughing and enjoying themselves in a huddle.
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The Complete Melbourne Walking Tour

Uncover the best of Melbourne's laneways, history and more in this three hour walking experience.

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.

Discover more

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.

Crowds exploring an ornate government house room styled in blue and gold.

What's free in Melbourne this month

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

People walking by Flinders Street Station.

Monthly highlights

Make the most of your visit to Melbourne with our monthly guides to what's on in the city.

People walking across Princes Bridge at night with the Arts Centre in the background.

Entertainment

Find out what's on in Melbourne's live music venues, comedy clubs and theatres.