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?
The Weeknd is headed to Melbourne in December
The Weeknd has announced he’s coming to Australia in December and will play a gig at Marvel Stadium on 1 December. Venue presale tickets go on sale on Thursday 31 August, with the general onside on Friday 1 September.
Christina Aguelira will headline this year’s ALWAYS LIVE
Pop superstar Christina Aguelira is headed to Melbourne in November, playing for one night only as part of the ALWAYS LIVE festival at Flemington Racecourse on 25 November. So far, this year’s program features more than 60 events over 17 days including stadium shows, exclusive gigs, and intimate performances from more than 165 artists – including big names like The Veronicas, Peter Garrett and the Cat Empire – with more announcements to come.
Hot new Italian hangout opening soon in Windsor
The people who brought you Tokyo Tina are opening a new Italian joint at 168 Chapel Street in Windsor on Friday. Studio Amaro promises to be a “day-to-night Italian-inspired restaurant and basement bar” open from midday until late, seven days a week. They’re currently taking bookings.
Head to Nagambie for Comedy in the Vines
Comedy In The Vines is a new two-day Victorian festival from revered wine and comedy event producers, Grapes of Mirth, with support from the Victorian Government’s Regional Events Fund and will feature regional Australia’s biggest ever comedy lineup. It’s on at Hide and Seek Winery in Nagambie on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 November.
Melbourne Show after dark lineup announced
The Melbourne Royal Show 2023 After Dark line up has been revealed. You can catch Sheppard, Bliss N Eso, Casey Barber, Conrad Sewell, Eskimo Joe, Hot Dub Time Machine and Sneaky Sound System this year. Check the program to find out specific dates and times for each artist.
Xavier Rudd and Spiderbait to headline Ocean Sounds in January
Philip Island will be the place to be on 6 January for Ocean Sounds. The lineup has been released and in addition to Xavier Rudd and Spiderbait, the event will feature Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Sunfruits and Fonzie.
Enjoy a fun day out at an arboretum in Ferntree Gully
The City of Knox has announced the return of Wonders at the Arboretum after a three-year hiatus. This free pop-up event at the Tim Neville Arboretum in Ferntree Gully has a lineup of activities for the whole family, including food trucks and live performances. It’s on Saturday 9 September from 11am-3pm.
Save the date for these:
- The Lido in Hawthorn has announced two double feature screenings of Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986) on Friday 15 and Monday 18 September.
- The Stevie Wonder Story – the greatest Stevie Wonder Show on earth (outside of the actual Stevie Wonder) is headed to the Palms at Crown in Melbourne on 15 and 16 September and the Capital Theatre Bendigo on 17 September.
- Visit Montsalvat in Eltham on Sunday 1 October and gain a rare glimpse inside an artist’s creative process! Visit open artist studios, discover one-of-a-kind artworks and engage with practicing artists. Bring your family and friends for a picnic and enjoy the artist designed landscape of Montsalvat in the springtime.
- Former tennis star and current sports presenter Jelena Dokic will be at Robinson’s Bookshop in Glen Waverley on 21 September to promote her second book Fearless.
- Arbory Afloat is back for the Spring/Summer season and has relaunched itself as Afloat Viva Mexico this year. They’re taking bookings for 15 September onwards.
- Catch comedian Dave O’Neil at the Olinda Community House on Saturday 9 September.
- The community of Rochester is preparing for ROCHELLA – an epic day of live music, food, family fun and more in the name of recovery and resilience. At the Rochester Recreation Reserve on Saturday 14 October.
- The Screaming Jets are playing the Commercial Hotel in South Morang on Friday 16 February 2024.
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:
- Melbourne Day 2023 is on August 30, celebrating Melbourne’s 188th anniversary. There are a range of events and celebrations taking place.
- Monkey Baa Theatre Company brings Mem Fox’s beloved children’s classic Possum Magic to life on stage in Werribee from 30 August to 1 September.
- Over the span of two days, on 30 and 31 August, Rialto Piazza will undergo a captivating transformation as it blooms into a sea of 20,000 daffodils, all in support of Cancer Council’s primary fundraising initiative – Daffodil Day.
- Melbourne’s Affordable Art Fair will be held at the Royal Exhibition Building from 31 August to 2 September, showcasing high-quality contemporary art works you can purchase, valued up to $10,000.
- The Eltham Art Show is on from 31 August to 10 September.
- The immersive Friends experience is heading to Docklands from 1 September to 26 November. Recreate your favourite scenes and celebrate some of the most iconic moments from the beloved sitcom at this truly unique interactive experience.
- Relics: A New World Rises opens on 1 September at Melbourne Museum and runs until 28 January. Set in a future long after humanity’s reign, RELICS tells the story of a world where LEGO® minifigures have risen from the debris to craft intricate civilisations in discarded human artefacts, each one inspired by the object they now call home.
- Club Vegas is coming to the Athenaeum Theatre from 1-3 September, set to dazzle audiences of all ages in a glittering, lavish, breathtaking, modern nod to the glamour and over-the-top glitz of yesteryear on the famous Las Vegas Glitter Strip.
- Monash University Performing Arts Centre’s Progress Festival continues until 2 September. This biennial festival of ideas and performance will delve into the theme of connectivity, examining the benefits and challenges of living in a highly connected world.
- Melbourne’s brand new festival Now or Never is on until 2 September.
- The Malaysia Hawker Festival is on 2-3 September at Queen Victoria Market. It’s two days celebrating Malaysian food, culture and community.
- The Zero Waste Victoria Festival is on Saturday 2 September at Fed Square.
- The 25th Kyneton Antiques Fair is on the weekend of 2-3 September.
- Experience arts, film, music, markets and more at Darebin’s Spring multi-arts festival FUSE from 2-17 September.
- Dads skate for free at the Sk8house in Carrum Downs this Father’s Day from 11am to 5pm.
- Villa Alba Museum’s Welcome Spring Open Day is on Sunday 3 September with floral decorations and two presentations (additional cost) on Victorian-style posies & Tussie Mussies, and an illustrated talk on Spring Carnival Racewear.
- Gather your family and friends for an authentic taste of Mexico at the historic Mission to Seafarers in the heart of Melbourne’s Docklands at the Pozole and Tamales Festival on Sunday 3 September.
- Showcars Melbourne and Acland Street Traders Association is hosting the 9th Fathers Day Car and Bike Show in Acland Street, Shakespeare Grove and O’Donnell Gardens in St Kilda. This is a car lovers festival with a family vibe.
- The Dandenong Market is holding a Curry Festival on Fathers Day, Sunday 3 September. From India’s delightful spices to Thailand’s fiery creations, and South Africa’s rich heritage to Mauritius’ tropical paradise – this festival promises an unforgettable celebration of diverse curry cultures!
- Melbourne Connect Innovation Week is on between 4-8 September https://melbconnect.com.au
- “Developers Make Shit Neighbours” – a new stage show about a couple of battlers feeling the pressure of living across the road from a noisy high-rise construction site. Playing at La Mama HQ in Carlton from 6 to 17 September.
- The Snuff Puppets have announced a brand-new puppet festival – Snuffest – is event presenting mesmerising large-scale theatre, film, installations, workshops and unmissable parties. On at the Footscray Drill from 6 September to 7 October.
- The 2023 Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA) presents a stellar program of films from Korea’s top filmmakers. On from 7 to 11 September at ACMI in Federation Square.
- The Diamond Creek Rotary Town Fair takes place on Saturday 9 September.
- The Puffing Billy Running Festival is on in Belgrave on 9-10 September. Can you beat a steam train?
- The Warratina Lavender farm in Wandin North is hosting a woodworking expo from 9-17 September. Featuring stunning woodwork including furniture, toys, boards, platters and more. On Saturdays during the expo you can watch wood-turning demonstrations by local woodworkers.
- The Footscray First Annual Community Fun Day is being held on Sunday 10 September at the Footscray Bowls Club.
- Steam Rail Victoria will be operating a heritage “red rattler” on the Alamein Line on Sunday 10 September. These are 55 minute round trips from Ashburton to Flinders Street.
- A Heritage Family Day is on at Schwerkolt Cottage Museum Complex in Mitcham on Sunday 10 September with lots of free activities for the kids.
- The One Fine Day Baby Expo returns to the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton on 10 and 11 September. With over 100 boutique pregnancy, maternity, baby and toddler brands for you to try and buy from, expert advice and hands-on courses, beautiful facilities and plenty of entertainment for the little ones including meet & greets with CoComelon.
- Mambo Mania – a series of events where “dance and art collide” is happening at the District Docklands until 29 September.
- Art Lovers Australia’s More is More exhibition celebrates maximalists who love more colour, more texture and more layers. It’s on at their Collingwood Gallery until 30 September.
- ACMI’s winter blockbuster exhibition Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion celebrates women and gender-transcending superstars from more than 120 years of moving image history. You can catch it until 1 October.
- Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature is running at the Melbourne Museum until 8 October.
- Shantaram: the Journey from Punishment to Peace is a free immersive exhibition at Pentridge Prison until 15 October. Experience the captivating story of Gregory David Roberts, the renowned author of Shantaram and former inmate who transformed his life from punishment to peace.
- nightshifts – a contemporary art exhibition that considers the importance of solitude is on display at the Buxton Contemporary Art Museum until 29 October. The exhibition shifts in and out of focus like a dreamscape and features works from the Michael Buxton and University of Melbourne collections alongside new commissions.
- “Smells Like A Song” an improvised musical performed by the Impro Melbourne players who pull an entire musical together out of thin air and audience suggestions. Playing various Friday nights until 10 November.
- Moulin Rouge the Musical has returned to the Regent Theatre, running until 24 December. Get your tickets here.
