I subscribe to all the things so you don’t have to. This is a curated list of what’s been announced over the past week so you can save the date, or swoop on tickets, and also a list of what’s coming up soon if you’re looking to make last-minute plans.
What’s new?
Tickets released to Taylor Swift Fanposium
Ahead of Taylor Swift’s epic and hotly anticipated Eras Tour kicking off in Melbourne on 16 February at the MCG, a free Fanposium is being held at the Capitol Theatre on 11 February – just days before she goes on stage. Tickets have been released today and will probably go fast.
Free drone display over the Yarra next week
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium will be hosting a mesmerising drone show on January 16 at 9:00 pm. The event celebrates the return of beloved sharks and rays and the opening of the new $9 million Night on the Reef exhibit.
This free one-night-only show will illuminate the Yarra River, opposite Crown Casino, featuring a bioluminescent reef scene brought to life by drones gracefully maneuvering to look like sharks and other sea creatures. Spectators are encouraged to gather along the Yarra River near SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium for the best view and an unforgettable night under the stars.
Spend an evening with skateboarding legend Tony Hawk
Tony Hawk, the skateboarding icon with a career spanning decades, has left an indelible mark on the sport’s mainstream rise. From dominating competitions to creating the legendary Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game series and establishing The Skatepark Project, Hawk’s influence is immeasurable. Catch him live at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre on January 22 for a night that promises to be both nostalgic and electrifying.
Opening the show is “Birdman: or the Unexpected Virtue of a Tony Hawk Pro Skater Cover Band,” one of Hawk’s preferred Aussie bands. They’ll be rocking the stage with covers of the best tracks from Tony’s THPS series, featuring hits from Rage Against the Machine, Millencolin, and Goldfinger. Don’t miss out on this unique fusion of skate culture and music, celebrating the enduring legacy of Tony Hawk in an unforgettable evening.
Catch Queen’s 1981 Montreal gig at IMAX
Get ready for a royal rock experience like never before! IMAX is presenting “QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL” in a groundbreaking digital remaster, taking Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon’s 1981 live concert to new heights. The IMAX Experience® delivers crystal-clear images and 12-channel surround sound, bringing the iconic Queen performance to life in unparalleled quality.
Immerse yourself in the magic of one of the world’s greatest rock bands as they deliver an unforgettable setlist, including chart-toppers like “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody To Love,” “Under Pressure,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” and “We Are The Champions.” Witness Queen’s historic 1981 concert in larger-than-life detail, as if you’re in the front row – an exclusive IMAX experience you won’t want to miss! It’s on at IMAX around the world, including Melbourne, for one weekend only from 18-21 January.
Save the date for these:
- Pseudo Echo will be playing at the Espy on Friday 16 February.
- James Reyne is playing The Prince Bandroom in St Kilda on 25 and 27 January.
- Rose Tattoo are playing at The Prince Bandroom in St Kilda on 26 January.
- 1927 and Boom Crash Opera are playing at the Corner Hotel in Richmond on 9 March.
- The Alliance Française French Film Festival returns for its 35th year from Wednesday 6 March to Tuesday 2 April.
- The 2024 Teddy Bears Picnic is on at Ripponlea Estate, Elsternwick, on Sunday 25 February.
- Diesel is playing The Athenaeum Theatre on Friday 1 March.
What to do?
Never mind the naysayers, Melbourne is not dead! Here’s a round-up of things happening in and around Melbourne this weekend and over the next few weeks:
- Catch Australian pianist and piano teacher David Soo at a free lunchtime recital this Wednesday 10 January at St Paul’s Cathedral at 1pm.
- World Fare Night is on at the Dandenong Market every Thursday in January.
- Celebrate life with amazing Latin food, entertainment, music and beer at the Vida Latin Festival – on at Kings Domain 12-14 January.
- IMAX’s month-long Best Biggest Film Festival kicks off on Friday January 12, playing the most iconic releases that showcase IMAX’s stunning surround sound and immersive crystal-clear picture.
- The Portarlington Mussel Festival returns on Saturday 14 January, featuring more than 200 stalls, homemade crafts, food trucks, beer tasting, entertainment and more.
- The 2024 Melbourne Wedding and Bride Summer Bridal Expo is on at the Melbourne Showgrounds on 14 January.
- The Australian Open is back from 15-28 January
- The Great Australian Beer Festival returns to Geelong on 20 January.
- Brickvention Australia, the premier event for the Australian Lego fan community, is on 20-21 January at Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton.
- The African Music and Culture Festival is taking place on 20-21 January at the Queen Victoria Market.
- The Geelong Wedding Guide Expo is on at the Deakin University Waterfront Campus on Sunday 21 January.
- The Yarra Ranges Donkey Festival is back on Sunday 21 January.
- Australia’s premier queer arts and cultural festival Midsumma returns for 22 days from 21 January to 11 February.
- The Castlemaine Art Museum has an exhibition of the finalists in the 2023 Experimental Print Prize, running until 28 January 2024.
- Relics: A New World Rises at the Melbourne Museum runs until 28 January.
- The iconic Rye Summer Carnival is back on the Mornington Peninsula for the 2023/2024 season until 28 January.
- Catch the Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition at Southbank until 28 January.
- Play Pixar Putt at Federation Square until 30 January.
- The Koorie Heritage Trust’s 11th Koorie Art Show is on until 25 February.
- Catch the immersive digital experience Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature at ACMI until 14 April.
- Spanning more than 50,000 square metres, the Blue Lotus Water Garden is a seasonal garden at Yarra Junction containing over 40 different ponds, lakes and water features. You can see it this year until 14 April.
- Take a majestic 360-degree audio visual journey and explore iconic landscapes and connect with mesmerising animals from around the world at the BBC Earth Experience, on until 28 April.
- See more than 200 artefacts from the Titanic at the Melbourne Museum’s Titanic: The Artefacts Exhibition, running until 30 April.
