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?
UK soccer frenzy to hit Melbourne in May
The three-game series, Global Football Week – Melbourne will see Tottenham Hotspur FC, Newcastle United FC and Arsenal Women FC headline an exciting series of international football club matches at the MCG and Marvel Stadium in May,
Little Britain star David Williams is headed to Australia
Brace yourself for an outrageously cheeky evening with one of Britain’s best-loved comedians – David Walliams is bringing his delightful new live show experience to Melbourne in October. Expect wickedly funny tales, beloved characters, and a glimpse behind the curtain at never-before-seen moments from Walliams’ storied career, all served up with his signature wit and charm.
Broadway legend Patti LuPone is coming to The Palais
Three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will bring her new concert A LIFE IN NOTES to Australia this winter, directly from Carnegie Hall.
Taiwanese indiepop stars Accusefive coming to Australia for the first time
Mandarin Pop rock band Accusefive (告五人) will bring their first live tour: Around The New World – “Amusement of the Universe” to Australia and New Zealand in June 2024. They’ll play at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena on Friday 7 June.
Emmy and Golden Globe winner Ali Wong to tour Australia
Renowned stand-up comedian and award-winning actress, Ali Wong, is excited to announce her very first Australian and New Zealand tour, Ali Wong: Live. She’ll be at the Palais in St Kilda on Thursday 11 July.
2024 Melbourne Writers Festival program released
The 2024 Melbourne Writers Festival program has been launched and it promises to be an exciting week of exploring literature, happening from May 6 to May 12, 2024. Some of the notable guests include Ann Patchett, Toshikazu Kawaguchi, and Paul Lynch, each bringing their own unique perspective to the festival.
Mother Mother to play Festival Hall in November
Canada’s biggest alt-rock export Mother Mother have announced they will be returning to Australia this November for their largest tour here yet. The tour will include a gig at Festival Hall on Thursday 21 November.
Save the date for these
Also just announced:
- Limited tickets are now available for the 2024 Autumn Series of the Urban Wine Walk. The Melbourne events include Brunswick on Saturday 4 May and St Kilda on Saturday 11 May.
- Join the Royal Hotel in Mornington for their next stand up comedy night on 4 April with headliner Akmal Saleh.
- There’s a pop-up Bendigo Moonlight Market event happening over easter on 30 March.
- Early Bird tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Queenscliff Music Festival.
- US stand up comedian and actor, Felipe Esparza, is headed to Australia in August. He’ll be bringing his Beyond Borders tour to the Comic’s Lounge in North Melbourne on Saturday 3 August.
- Join the State Library of Victoria as they shine a light on the life and iconic work of garden designer, writer and photographer Edna Walling on Tuesday 16 April. Hear from horticulturalist and Gardening Australia presenter Millie Ross, in conversation with Sara Hardy and Trisha Dixon.
- Experience an afternoon of music and entertainment under the trees in the gardens of Billilla Mansion in Brighton on 13 April. Enjoy bands on the lawn, pop up Shakespeare, dancing on the patio, kids activities and roving performers that will bring Billilla Gardens to life.
- Get set for a family-friendly afternoon of music and live performance next to Footscray Library on Saturday 6 April. Headlined by acclaimed artist Jen Cloher joined by T’HONI, Get a Taste of Creative West will feature an eclectic line up of contemporary music, circus performances, puppet shows and dance.
- Paul Dempsey is bringing back his legendary Shotgun Karaoke for an exclusive one-night performance on Wednesday 24 April (Anzac Day Eve) at the Northcote Theatre.
- Singer-songwriter Ben Lee is headed to Melbourne and will play a one-off show at The Round theatre in Nunawading on 3 May.
- Join the National Wool Museum in Geelong on 16 May for an evening of international short films and multicultural tastes of Geelong with special guest Melbourne Film Director, Rachel Chen.
- PBS’ MIDNIGHT DRIVER event returns on Saturday 20 April, this time from the beautiful surrounds of the Fairfield Amphitheatre. It’s an open air party from daylight, into sunset, and beyond.
- The Second Life Markets are on at the Abbotsford Convent on 14 April.
- Augie March are playing a matinee show in the Gershwin Room at The Espy on Saturday 6 April.
- The Science Gallery’s first Friday Night Social of the season is on 5 April where you can experience their latest exhibition with the backdrop of a live DJ set, performance art, food and drink and more.
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:
- Melburnians are in for a treat as Cannoleria, the beloved cannoli specialist, partners with cherished local bakery, Cobb Lane, to create the perfect Easter cannoli – the Hot Cross Bun Cannoli. They’ll be available from 25 March until 1 April (unless sold out prior).
- Garden lovers can enjoy a twilight tour of the Government House gardens on 25 March.
- The Australian Ballet performs Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the State Theatre, Arts Centre until 26 March.
- Get ready to laugh when the Melbourne International Comedy Festival takes over town – on this year from Wednesday 27 March to Sunday 21 April
- The Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal Public Running Day is on 29 March.
- The Berwick Easter Festival is happening on 29 March – 1 April.
- The Kids Day Out is held annually as part of the Good Friday Appeal at the Melbourne Convention and and Exhibition Centre. It’s on this year on 29 March and will be full of activities for young and old including a fun fair, classic cars show, sporting zone and of course, the heart-warming Teddy Bear Hospital.
- The Bacchus Marsh Easter Fest is on at Maddingley Park, Bacchus Marsh, on 29 March.
- The Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron’s Annual Easter Art Show is being held 29 March – 1 April.
- The Melbourne Holi Festival taking place over the Easter long weekend 29-31 March promises to be a three-day colourful extravaganza.
- The Conquest Games Convention, Melbourne’s Easter Games Convention, is on at the Coburg Town Hall 29-31 March.
- The Mornington Tourist Railway’ Easter Egg-spress train is running on 30-31 Marchwith the Easter Bunny on board.
- The Easter Model Train Expo is on in Diamond Creek 30-31 March.
- The Giant Easter Egg Hunt is on in Chirnside Park on 30 March.
- The Diamond Creek Eggstravagant Easter Egg Hunt and Family Picnic is happening on 30 March.
- The Easter Bunny visits Macleod Village on Saturday 30 March.
- Fairfield Village’s roving Easter Bunny will be handing out eggs to the kids on 30 March.
- Join in the Easter egg hunt at Monty Village in Were St Montmorency on 30 March.
- The Zimbabwe Easter Challenge is an exciting community festival held over the Easter weekend at Tatterson Park Keysborough on Saturday 30 March.
- Melbourne’s Easter Carnival 2024 at Whitehorse Civic Centre Precinct is happening 30-31 March with amusements, rides, showbags, an Easter egg hunt and more.
- More than 30,000 premium Chocolatier eggs are up for grabs at the Great Luna Park Easter Egg Hunt on 30 and 31 March.
- Join in the Easter egg hunt at Bottega 188 in Mt Eliza on 30 March.
- The Australian Ballet performs Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the State Theatre, Arts Centre until 26 March.
- Joan Lindsay’s My Day of Days exhibition runs until 30 March, exploring her personal connection to St Valentines Day at the National Trust Property Mulberry Hill.
- The Alliance Française French Film Festival returns for its 35th year, running until Tuesday 2 April.
- NGV Triennial 2023 is a powerful snapshot of the world today, captured through the work of over 100 artists, designers, and collectives at the forefront of global contemporary practice. Until 7 April.
- Tim Minchin’s Groundhog Day: The Musical is playing at the Princess Theatre until 7 April.
- 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.
- Pentridge Prison’s exhibition Crime Time TV is a fascinating and nostalgic journey through the history of Australian crime television, running 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.
- ICON – an exhibition of photos by acclaimed photographer Steve McCurry is on at Seaworks in Williamstown until 19 May.
- The Science Gallery at the University of Melbourne’s exhibition – NOT NATURAL – explores our increasing ability to control nature and the plethora of possibilities and ethical dilemmas that come with that power. Running until 29 June.
- Melbourne Museum will showcase some of Victoria’s most outstanding VCE and VCE VET design and technology students when Top Designs returns for 2024. The showcase runs until 14 July.
