Arts and culture

Melbourne’s calendar is full of major cultural events and festivals. Whether you love films, flowers, fashion or food, there is a Melbourne event for you.

Melbourne theatre

Melbourne is home to the Melbourne Theatre Company, the Australian Ballet and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Every night performances are staged at venues including the Victorian Arts Centre, the Malthouse Theatre, Her Majesty's Theatre, and the Princess, Regent and Athenaeum theatres.

Dance

Dance is a dynamic part of Australia's performing arts culture. Melbourne is home to the internationally acclaimed Australian Ballet, as well as a number of diverse contemporary dance companies.

Music and opera

Victorian performances by Opera Australia are supported by the State Orchestra of Victoria. There are also regular performances by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra – or one of the bands or artists that regularly perform live in Victoria's nightspots.

Galleries

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Australia's oldest public gallery, is one of Melbourne's favourite cultural venues with international exhibitions featured throughout the year. Another favourite NGV gallery in Melbourne is the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square, which houses 20,000 Australian works including the contemporary and innovative Indigenous collection.

Museums

Our museums will keep you and your kids entertained all year. Some of Melbourne's most popular museums include:

• the Old Melbourne Gaol 
• Melbourne Museum
• Chinese Museum
• Old Treasury Museum
• the Immigration Museum
• ANZ (Australia and New Zealand) Banking Museum
• the National Sports Museum
• Scienceworks
• the Australian Racing Museum
• the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) Museum.

Learn more at Museum Victoria.

Events and festivals

We’re proud of the world-class events and festivals that we hold throughout each year. Here are some of our major festivals and events:

• Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (March)
• Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (March) 
• the Melbourne Fashion Festival (March)
• Melbourne International Comedy Festival (April)
• Melbourne International Jazz Festival (May – June)
• Melbourne Festival (October)
• Film Festivals (all year round).

Check what's on in Melbourne

To explore art and cultural activities in Melbourne visit:

• Visit Victoria or Multicultural Victoria – for a full list of cultural events and activities
• Creative Victoria – for general information on arts and culture in Victoria.

Please note: The information, services and views expressed that may appear on any linked websites are not necessarily endorsed by the Skilled and Business Migration Program and the Victorian Government. It is recommended that you make your own enquiries as to the appropriateness and suitability of the information on this site for your particular circumstances.