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 Companyexternal link, the Australian Balletexternal link and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestraexternal link.
Every night performances are staged at venues including the Victorian Arts Centreexternal link, the Malthouse Theatreexternal link, Her Majesty's Theatreexternal link, and the Princessexternal link, Regentexternal link and Athenaeumexternal link theatres.
Dance
Dance is a dynamic part of Australia's performing arts culture. Melbourne is home to the internationally acclaimed Australian Balletexternal link, as well as a number of diverse contemporary dance companies.
Music and opera
Victorian performances by Opera Australiaexternal link are supported by the State Orchestra of Victoria. There are also regular performances by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestraexternal link and the Australian Chamber Orchestraexternal link – or one of the bands or artists that regularly perform live in Victoria's nightspots.
Galleries
The National Gallery of Victoriaexternal link (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 Centreexternal link at Federation Squareexternal link, 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 Gaolexternal link
- Melbourne Museumexternal link
- Old Treasury Museumexternal link
- the Immigration Museumexternal link
- ANZ (Australia and New Zealand) Banking Museumexternal link
- Scienceworksexternal link
- the Australian Racing Museumexternal link
- the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) Museumexternal link.
Learn more at Museum Victoriaexternal link.
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 Festivalexternal link (March)
- Melbourne International Flower and Garden Showexternal link (March)
- the Melbourne Fashion Festivalexternal link (March)
- Moomba Festivalexternal link (March)
- Melbourne International Comedy Festivalexternal link (April)
- Melbourne International Jazz Festivalexternal link (May – June)
- RISINGexternal link (May - August)
- Film Festivalsexternal link (all year round).
Check what's on in Melbourne
To explore art and cultural activities in Melbourne visit:
- Visit Victoriaexternal link or Multicultural Victoriaexternal link – for a full list of cultural events and activities
- Creative Victoriaexternal link – 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.