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?
Public Enemy bringing 35th anniversary tour to Australia
Hall of Fame inductees, Hip-Hop revolutionaries, and social rights activists Public Enemy have announced a much-anticipated return to Australia to commence their ‘On The Grid 35th Anniversary Tour’. Fighting the power with them across the country will be none other than Australian hip-hop duo, A.B. Original. They’ll be at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena on 5 October.
Legendary UK band The Cult are coming to Melbourne
Join legends of indie rock The Cult this November for the Melbourne date of their 8424 global world tour at The Forum on 23 November, Commemorating 40 years as a band, the 8424 tour sees The Cult perform songs spanning their incredible 11-album discography including all the explosive hits from early releases such as Sonic Temple, Electric, Love, to their most recent album Under the Midnight Sun.
Busta Rhymes announces first Aussie tour in more than 10 years
Hip hop hall-of-famer Busta Rhymes is headed down under for the first time in over a decade. Catch him at Melbourne’s Festival Hall on 9 October.
NGV announces new Cats & Dogs exhibition
From cattle dogs to lap dogs, divine felines to the black cats of superstition a new exhibition coming to the National Gallery of Victoria called Cats & Dogs from 1 November that will explore humanity’s deep connection to the beloved animals through more than 250 works of art and design.
The 2025 Ocean Sounds Festival lineup has dropped
Birds of Tokyo, Boy & Bear and The Cat Empire have been announced as the headline acts at next year’s Ocean Sounds Festival that’s taking place on Phillip Island on 11 January.
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox returns to Melbourne in February
After recently performing their 1,000th show, the American jazz-swing collective Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox are bringing their Magic & Moonlight world tour to Australia in 2025. They’ll be at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on 10 February.
This year’s Melbourne Open House Weekend is now out
The program for this year’s Open House Melbourne Weekend has dropped – featuring more than 170 unique experiences across there weekend of 27-28 July so you can rediscover your city and explore some of the incredible buildings, places and spaces that aren’t usually open to the public.
The Comedians’ encore show is coming
After selling out theatres across the country last year, Mick Molloy, Lawrence Mooney, Sam Pang, and Marty Sheargold return with The Comedians 2024 Australian tour. The four Australian comedy superstars are teaming up at Hamer Hall for one night only on Friday 20 September for a night of no-holds barred, good old fashioned stand up comedy.
Save the date for these
Also just announced:
- The AFL has announced the return of its Kids Go Free Month which will provide free entry to the footy for kids aged 14 and under for rounds 16-19. Designed to coincide with the winter school holidays nationally, the game’s smallest fans will have free entry to matches played between Friday 28 June to Sunday 21 July.
- Comedian, presenter and internet sensation Max Fosh has announced his first ever international tour with his brand-new show Loophole – coming to Melbourne on 12 March.
- Mount Alexander Shire Council is hosting an exciting program of events for kids aged 0-12 and their care-givers this winter. The FLIP Winter Children’s Festival is designed for children and their big people to learn, grow and have fun together.
- US platinum-selling recording artist, songwriter and producer Madison Beer will make her Australian debut with a tour later this year. She’ll be at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena on Monday 2 September.
- Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling British band Glass Animals have announced their forthcoming Australian tour. On Wednesday 20 November, the band land in Melbourne for a performance at Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
- Having thrilled tens of thousands of fans across the country, Ministry of Sound Classical reignites a lifetime of clubbing memories as the orchestra reimagines the greatest anthems of our generation in an explosive celebration at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on 16 November.
- Australia’s powerhouse electronic duo The Presets are headlining a Live At The Gardens event at the Royal Botanic Gardens on 15 November.
- Comedian Lawrence Mooney will headline a comedy evening at the Continental Hotel in Sorrento on 4 July.
- Aussie music legends Augie March are performing at Ballarat’s Her Majesty’s Theatre on 10 August.
- Aboriginal Housing Victoria’s NAIDOC Family Day at the Collingwood Children’s Farm is back on 10 July. Join AHV’s biggest annual community event, featuring live music, dance, food and drinks, traditional crafts, games for kids, storytelling and raffle prizes.
- Kingston Arts is hosting an event on 6 July to celebrate the opening of three unique exhibitions showing as part of NAIDOC Week 2024.
- The Affordable Art Fair will transform the world-heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building from 29 August – 1 September with thousands of never-before-seen art works from over 55 of the nation’s best boutique galleries, ranging from $100 to $10,000.
- Regional Victoria’s goldmining history is shining at the Central Goldfields Art Gallery thanks to a new display of beautiful colonial and contemporary gold jewellery from the National Gallery of Australia’s collection. The latest loan under the Sharing the National Collection initiative sees 12 pieces on display at the Maryborough gallery for two years until June 2026.
- Join sporting legend and author, former cricketer Ken Piesse for an author talk and signing at Robinsons The Glen on 24 August as he shares with us his new release Living the Dream.
- The Melbourne Storm is heading to Casey Fields Rugby League Complex in Cranbourne East for an open training session on Tuesday 16 July.
- Join EzyStreat in North Melbourne on 13 July for the Manila Samu’t Sari Market – a vibrant celebration of Filipino culture! Feast on Lechon, BBQ skewers, and sweet Filipino desserts, and cool off with Red Horse Beer or Manila Sunrise.
- Moon Dog Wild West in Footscray is celebrating the Fourth of July with Sweet Home Dog-abama, featuring banging tunes and competitive food eating. There’ll be American classics live and loud as well as the inaugural Wild West hot dog eating competition.
- Join Dr Norman Swan in conversation with Jacinta Parsons about how to make the right choices for your kids, at Readings Hawthorn on 1 August.
- Critically acclaimed author, humourist and master of satire, David Sedaris is returning to Melbourne for two shows only on 6-7 February 2025 at Hamer Hall. Join David Sedaris for an evening filled with storytelling, observations, unpublished tales, audience Q&As and book signings.
- Making their long-awaited Australian debut, the internationally acclaimed Singapore Symphony Orchestra are joined by 17-year-old violin sensation Chloe Chua for a spectacular performance at Hamer Hall on 14 February 2025.
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:
- This winter, Luna Park’s pavilion transforms into a wild enclosure for all kinds of creatures, feathered, furry, or fierce. Get up close and cosy with real-life, slippery, scaly critters of all kinds at the Animal Encounters sessions for a limited time only these school holidays. Sessions are available from 1-5 July and 8-12 July.
- Head to the Champions Arena at Eastland on 1 July and meet Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze.
- Head to Dandenong Market from 2-14 July for school holiday activities for kids aged 5 and over. From painting your own Market bag to creating pasta dough and veggie sculptures there’s something to engage every curious mind.
- Running over the winter school holidays from 2-12 July at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran, Roola Boola is one of Melbourne’s most successful children’s arts festivals for ages 0-12. This year’s program is jam-packed with performances, workshops, free events, music, theatre, art, craft and more.
- Family Fiesta is Monash University Performing Arts Centres’ annual event, offering children’s live and interactive art and performances at very low ticket prices or for free, from 3-6 July.
- Kids Takeover is back at the State Library, but with a fun twist: it’s happening after hours. Dance in child-friendly raves, explore illuminated art, tour the building by torchlight and so more. It’s happening on 3 July and bookings are essential.
- Rug up and enjoy a magical winter evening of light shows and miniature trains at the Diamond Valley Railway’s Winter Light Spectacular on 3 July.
- Head to the Champions Arena at Eastland on 3 July and meet Australian hockey legend Josh Simmonds,
- The Replay Festival featuring some of the best acts from this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival is happening from 4-13 July.
- The Island Whale Festival from 5-7 July celebrates the arrival of majestic whales to the waters off Phillip Island with a range of events across the festival weekend.
- Follow your nose to Cinema Nova in Carlton for the cinematic ‘scent-sation’ that is Scented Cinema: A Weekend of Whiff and Wonder. Over three days from 5-7 July, (scratch and) sniff your way through five beloved classic and cult movies via sensory supplements from bespoke fragrances, scratch-and-sniff adventures, and boxes filled with edible treats.
- Celebrate the launch of Kobi Sainty’s new exhibition at The Track Gallery in Mt Waverley for NAIDOC Week on 5 July. As a proud Palawa and Bunurong man based in Melbourne, Kobi’s artwork reflects the rich cultural heritage and contemporary experiences of First Nations peoples.
- Immerse yourself in a culinary haven featuring Australia’s finest vendors and food trucks, all under one roofn at the Home Cooking Show at MCEC from 5-7 July.
- The Cake Bake and Sweets Show is on at MCEC on 5-7 July.
- Australia’s Biggest Curated Thrift Market, ‘Fashion Thrift Society’ will be at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton on 6 July.
- Australia’s favourite whisky festival, the Whisky Show is on at the Pullman Albert Park on 6 July
- The Tarneit Firefly Night Market is back for 2024 on 6 July. Soak up the buzz as you explore market stalls, live music, cultural performances, interactive art and more.
- Join in an electrifying evening at Fire Fest in Springvale on 6 July. Get ready to witness breath-taking fire performers and thrilling fire stunts that will leave you in awe. Enjoy mesmerising fire shows and groove to the rhythm of live music that will keep you on your feet all night long.
- Lido Cinema in Hawthorn is hosting a special Q&A screening of the “feral” new Aussie feature film Birdeater with directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir on Saturday 6 July.
- Kingston Arts is hosting an event on 6 July to celebrate the opening of three unique exhibitions showing as part of NAIDOC Week 2024.
- Help enhance the bush-tucker garden at Craigieburn Community Garden on 6 July for NAIDOC Week, with a morning tea provided.
- There’s a record fair at Moondog OG in Abbotsford on 6 July.
- Head along to the Champions Arena at Eastland on 6 July and meet Australian swimming legend Mack Horton.
- Australia’s largest baby expo, the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo, is headed to Melbourne and will be at MCEC on 6-7 July.
- The Melbourne Tartan Day parade is on 7 July. Over 200 pipers, drummers and Highland Dancers will parade down Collins Street starting in front of the Old Treasury Building before turning into Regent Place.
- The Australian Chocolate Festival is happening on 7 July at Abbotsford Convent
- The Melbourne Wedding and Bridal Expo is on 7 July at MCEC
- NAIDOC Week Family Day at Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum is happening on 7 July.
- Nourish Your Mind, Body and Spirit at the Healthy Body & Soul Expo at Brunswick Town Hall on 7 July.
- The Bunurong Land Council will host a Welcome to Country and Traditional Smoking Ceremony, while the Koorie Youth Will Shake Spears traditional dance groups will perform at a NAIDOC Week Celebration at Dandenong Market on 7 July.
- On Sunday 7 July the Queen Victoria Market will host a vibrant celebration of African culture with a a day packed with joy, flavours, and unforgettable entertainment.
- One of the Northern Territory’s most iconic food festivals is heading south. Melburnians will get to soak up the Darwin International Laksa Festival when Collingwood’s Molly Rose Brewery hosts a pop-up event on Sunday 7 July.
- Be amazed by show-stopping performances and get involved with interactive workshops when Ruccis Circus turns Burrinja at Upwey into a big top until 6 July with shows for big and small and classes at the theatre.
- Berwick’s Wilson Botanic Park is set to undergo a prehistoric transformation as Dino Safari stomps into town until 7 July 2024, inviting families to journey back in time to the breathtaking wonders of the Mesozoic era.
- The Eynesbury Winter Festival runs until 14 July. Glide across the ice rink or whirl through the new carnival zone and wonderland, while indulging in delicious winter treats Other family-friendly activities include our winter solstice celebration, dedicated kids fun day, night market and food truck festival.
- The Great Moscow Circus will be at Port Melbourne until 14 July.
- Prepare to be delighted at the Arthurs Seat Eagle as faux snow flurries cascade from the summit every hour during the school holidays. Immerse yourself in cultural enrichment with yarn and yidaki sessions by Living Culture. Enjoy the thrill of nocturnal animal shows and enchanting winter night flights, offering a unique perspective of the Peninsula after dark. Until 14 July.
- This winter, explore the expanse beneath Melbourne’s iconic Marvel Stadium at Firelight Labyrinth until 14 July where a subterranean space will undergo a transformation into a mythical maze of light and sound.
- Get ready for a magical winter experience during the June/July school holidays at Winter in Williamstown until 14 July. Celebrate the chilliest season with outdoor fun, heartwarming surprises, and live entertainment.
- The Children’s International Film Festival (CHIFF) is back with a month-long celebration of cinema designed to captivate and inspire young audiences and their families until 14 July.
- Victoria’s zoos are being transformed into prehistoric playgrounds with Zoos Victoria’s new Dinos at the Zoo immersive experience providing an unforgettable journey back in time until 14 July.
- Melbourne Museum will showcase some of Victoria’s most outstanding VCE and VCE VET design and technology students withTop Designs returns for 2024. The showcase runs until 14 July.
- Prepare to be transported to a realm of wonder and awe as Gumbuya World Theme Park proudly presents ‘Gumbuya Dreaming’, a mesmerising digital light experience created by acclaimed Indigenous artist Wayne Quilliam until 21 July
- The Frozen Kingdom event at Kryal Castle running until 21 July is the perfect school holiday extravaganza, packed with spectacular knight battles, engaging theatre performances, and hands-on activities for the whole family. The icy spectacular is part of the annual Ballarat Winter Festival and offers an epic program for all ages.
- Silvers Circus will is returning to Richmond for the first time in four years until 21 July.
- Winter Glow at Geelong Adventure Park running until 21 July sees the amusement park transformed into a winter wonderland of snow, lights, fire and ice. Build snowmen, roast marshmallows, see ice sculpting, go on rides, play mini-golf, watch fire twirlers and marvel at the 2.7 million dazzling lights and hundreds of glittering installations all over the park.
- Step into a world where winter magic reigns supreme, where the air is filled with festive cheer and the ground blanketed in glistening snow. Until 21 July Narre Warren’s sprawling field transforms into a whimsical haven, welcoming all to FROSTED – A Winter Spectacular, a celebration of Christmas in July unlike any other.
- Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill is hosting its annual Winter Wonderlights event from until 21 July. By day Sovereign Hill delights with ‘snow’ falling in the streets and much-loved theatre, food and activities. Then, as the sun goes down it really shines, with changing light projections bringing the famous streetscape to life in a spectacular display of colour and movement.
- Immerse is a multidisciplinary arts event in Knox until 28 July 2024, turning the City of Knox into a living art gallery.
- Rug up and celebrate winter at Grazeland in Spotswood, and enjoy lively winter displays, live entertainment, fire pits and hearty food and drinks at their annual Winter Wonderland event, every weekend until Sunday 28 July.
- Experience Hybycozo’s larger-than-life geometric sculptures called Deep Thought brought to life through high level metal fabrication. It will be on display at Bunjil Place in Narre Warre until 28 July as part of the City of Casey 2024 Winter Arts Festival.
- The immersive Melbourne hit Lightscape returns to transform the Botanic Gardens after dark with a reimagined trail and brand new installations. Surround yourself with the interactive Submergence as well as the beloved Winter Cathedral and Laser Forest at Fern Gully. It’s running this year until 4 August.
- Mount Alexander Shire Council is hosting an exciting program of events in Castlemaine for kids aged 0-12 and their care-givers until 4 August. The FLIP Winter Children’s Festival is designed for children and their big people to learn, grow and have fun together.
- Object of Projections -An exhibition of works by Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon is showing at the Substation Galleries in Newport until 24 August.
- Melbourne’s Bayside is home to one of the most important fossil areas in all of Australia, dating back roughly 5-6 million years of age. From giant Killer Sperm Whales that ate other whales, to monstrous sharks half as long as a basketball court, Prehistoric Bayside showcases the tumultuous lives of these bizarre beasts, displaying this groundbreaking fossil material for the first time at Brighton Town Hall until 25 August.
- Celebrating culture, nostalgia, and the pursuit of happiness, the Immigration Museum’s expansive exhibition Joy features seven Victorian-based artists showcasing their interpretations of joy through immersive installations, until 29 August.
- Visited by more than 10 million people around the world and earning a spot on CNN’s “must-see” list, The Art of the Brick is running until 31 August at the Melbourne Showgrounds. This brand new, immersive version of Nathan Sawaya’s iconic LEGO art exhibit features original collections, over 100 sculptures made from more than 1 million bricks, a LEGO safari, moving installations, 360 degree projections, and much more.
- Jump aboard the Skyline Ferris Wheel that promises breathtaking views of Melbourne’s cityscape, truly a one-of-a-kind vantage point to see a unique perspective of the CBD and beyond. It’s at the Polly Woodside Park next to MCEC until September.
- Endless play abounds at ACMI this winter, as world premiere exhibition Beings comes alive until 29 September 2024. Comprised of 13 artworks drawn from the 20-year career of international art and design collective Universal Everything – including the premiere of four brand new artworks – Beings features an assortment of curious characters born from code.
- From glowing desserts and gelato to luminescent beverages, Dessertopia Neon Nights 2024 guarantees a culinary journey that transcends the ordinary – now running until 29 September 2024 at 342 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne.
- Hair Pieces at the Head Museum of Modern Art runs until ^6 October and explores the evocative and complex significance of hair in contemporary culture through a selection of recent Australian and international works of art.
- Coming to Melbourne from the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London and on display until 6 October at the NGV, the Australian premiere of Africa Fashion features nearly 200 works, including couture, bespoke and ready-to-wear fashions, and body adornments, from over 50 designers from more than 20 countries and regions on the African continent.
- The internationally exclusive blockbuster exhibition, Pharaoh at the NGV celebrates three thousand years of ancient Egyptian art and culture through more than 500 objects on loan from the British Museum, including monumental sculpture, tomb and temple architecture, coffins and funerary objects, as well as a significant display of exquisite ancient Egyptian jewellery. You can see it until 6 October.
- Melbourne Museum will be exhibiting one of the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossils in the world until 20 October – the first real T. rex to ever be shown in Victoria, 66 million years after first roaming Earth.
- The enchanting and timeless tale of Belle and her Beast has been brought to life in a reimagined production of Beauty and the Beast boasting all the spectacle and grandeur audiences know and love. The incredible new production is playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre until 24 November.
