With two long weekends in March 2024 (Labour Day and Easter) there’s a heap going on in and around Melbourne. We aim to provide you with the ultimate list of what’s on so that you will always have something to do.
This list will be updated as more March events are announced so check back regularly.
Events running throughout March 2024
- The Melbourne Fashion Festival is on until 9 March.
- The Europa! Europa! Film Festival is on until 11 March.
- The iconic Rock ‘N’ Roll musical The Rocky Horror Show is back and stars Australian superstar Jason Donovan as he reprises his role of Frank N Furter for the 2024 season. At the Athenaeum until 17 March.
- Until 17 March, Coburg Drive-In is your destination for all things OZPLOITATION. Experience the thrills, spills, and chills of iconic Australian films from the 70s and 80s, spanning horror, action, and comedy genres.
- 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 Natureat 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.
- Back by popular demand after their smashing Australian debut in 2022, the world-famous Ministry of Crab team is returning for a month-long residency at the stunning Evergreen venue within Crown Melbourne. It’s running on Wednesdays to Sundays until 27 April 2024 and bookings are essential.
- 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.
- Back by popular demand after their smashing Australian debut in 2022, the world-famous
- 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.
What’s on in and around Melbourne 1-3 March 2024:
- PHOTO Australia – the International Festival of Photography is massive event with more than 100 free exhibitions at galleries and unexpected venues around Melbourne and Victoria from 1-24 March.
- The 5th annual St Kilda Blues Festival is on 1-3 March.
- The Soul Night Market is on at Brighton Beach on 1 March.
- The Knox Festival is on Saturday 2 March in Ferntree Gully.
- The official Wentworthcon dedicated to the Australian drama Wentworth is on 2-3 March at the Pullman Melbourne on the Park.
- Head to Lincoln Park in Essendon for a free twilight concert on 2 March to see the Rogue Traders.
- The Prosecco Festival is on 2 March at the Abbotsford Convent.
- Head to the McClelland Sculpture Park in Langwarrin for the Stellar Short Film Festival on 2 March.
- The Whittlesea Garden Expo is on 2-3 March.
- The Craigieburn Festival returns on Saturday 2 March.
- Flavour Fest is a food and music festival celebrating community, culture and cuisine. It’s on at Fronteir Park, Woodlea on 2 March.
- Mordi Fest is on in Mordialloc on 2 March.
- The Essendon “Big Vinyl Dig” record fair is on at the Ukrainian Hall on 2 March.
- The Epic Vintage and Costume Market is on in Brunswick on 2 March.
- The Halloumi Festival 2024 is on in Lygon St Brunswick 2-3 March.
- Werribee’s Multicultural Music, Dance and Food Festival is happening on 2 March.
- The 2024 Flemington Family Fun Day is on 2 March.
- There will be an extensive menu for one day only curated from Melbourne’s best street food vendors in a melting pot of taste, flavours, aromas and cultures at Street Feast on Saturday 2 March, at the Dandenong Market.
- Good Vibes Day – a mini wellness festival – is on at the Mornington Park Pavillion on 2 March.
- Celebrate the continuing creative culture and traditions of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, Heide’s Traditional Owners at the third Yaluk Langa Community Day on Saturday 2 March.
- The 9th Annual Melbourne Chilli Eating Championship is on at The Beast in Brunswick East on Saturday 2 March.
- Indonesian Modest Fashion Week Melbourne on 2-3 March is about embracing and celebrating culture diversity in Victoria. It’s a chance to experience Indonesian cultures more deeply through fashion, food and art performances.
- Jazz band Ladies Be Good will perform a free concert at Realm in Ringwood on 2 March for a special event supported by the Australian Jazz Museum in the lead up to International Women’s Day.
- The Turkish Pazar Festival is back at the Queen Victoria Market for 2024 with a free, family-friendly celebration of food, music, dance, and culture on 2-3 March.
- Live music, entertainment, market stalls and motivational speakers are among a full day of activities celebrating women’s achievements at the fourth annual International Women’s Day Festival at the Pig and Whistle on the Mornington Peninsula on 2 March.
- Kaiga Convention is having a pop-up artist anime, gaming, craft, original art and pop culture market at the Melbourne Showgrounds on 2-3 March
- Buyzaar, the Indian shopping experience, is popping up at M-City in Clayton on 2 March.
- RetroStar Vintage Clothing is having an epic $10 or less warehouse clearance in Brunswick East on 2-3 March.
- Wine and Cheese Fest 2024 is on at the Timber Yard in Port Melbourne on 3 March.
- The Glenferrie Festival is on in Hawthorn on 3 March – with a deconstructed parade, live music, fashion parades, more than 240 stalls and more.
- Brunswick Music Festival is happening from 3-11 March.
- The Afrobeats and Eats Festival is on 3 March in North Melbourne
- The Summer Sunset series‘ final free concert is on at the Royal Botanic Gardens on 3 March.
- The Sydney Road Street Party is happening in Brunswick on 3 March.
- Dharmaland Festival is a health and wellness festival designed to elevate, inspire and connect the community in movement, mindfulness and sustainability happening at at St Kilda Town Hall on 3 March.
- Kids Day Out is on as part of Bayside’s Autumn Fest at Basterfield Park, Hampton East on 3 March.
- The HMAS Cerberus Open Day is on 3 March.
- The South/Port Melbourne puppy pub crawl is happening on 3 March.
- Enjoy live jazz among nature at the free Jazz at the Lake event on 3 March at the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary.
- The Australian Shakespeare Company presents We May Never Meet Again: The Music of Amy Winehouse, featuring the soul-drenched voice of Elly Poletti at the Royal Botanic Gardens on 3 March.
- The annual Monash Children’s Hospital Walk fundraising event is on 3 March at Jells Park in Wheelers Hill.
What’s on in and around Melbourne 4-10 March 2024:
- The Broadway blockbuster musical Wicked will fly into Melbourne’s Emerald City at the Regent Theatre from 4 March.
- The Butterfly Club’s One Act Play Festival is on from 4-23 March
- Don’t miss Man Booker Prize winner Anne Enright in conversation with podcaster Astrid Edwards to discuss her newest novel, The Wren, The Wren at the State Library of Victoria on 5 March.
- The Alliance Française French Film Festival returns for its 35th yearn from Wednesday 6 March to Tuesday 2 April.
- The annual free Moomba festival returns over the March long weekend from 7-11 March.
- The Mornington Outdoor Living Caravan Expo is on at the Mornington Racecourse on 8-11 March.
- As the sun goes down, Wyndham Park in Werribeewill be LIT from 8-24 March for 13 spectacular and twinkling evenings with all new installations!
- UN Women Australia welcomes The Hon. Nicola Roxon, Chair of HESTA and Rachel Yang, Partner at Giant Leap to their International Women’s Day events, live in conversation in Melbourne on 8 March.
- The Soul Night Market is on at the Hastings Foreshore on 8 March.
- Scoresby Steamfest is on 9-11 March.
- The Port Phillip Mussel and Jazz Festival is on March 9-10 at the South Melbourne Market.
- The Red Hill Show is on Saturday 9 March.
- The Docklands Holi Festival is on 9-10 March.
- The Dromana Food and Drink Fair is on at the Dromana Pier Foreshore on 9 March.
- Catch Play School live in concert in Berwick on 9 March.
- Melbourne’s biggest baby and kids market, All For Kids, will be at Reservoir on 9 March.
- Join the Board Game BBQ crew for a full day of board gaming in Preston on 9 March.
- Steamrail’s biennial open days will take place at the Newport Workshops on Saturday 9 – Monday 11 March.
- Bunjil Place’s annual Global Flavour Feast is on 9 March – a day/night global food event bringing together the City of Casey’s most beloved food trucks, serving up a mouth watering array of our local cultural flavours.
- The Urban Craft Beer Crawl is heading to Collingwood for a tasty Saturday afternoon on 9 March.
- The Victorian Herpetological Society’s 2024 Reptile and Amphibian Expo is on at the Victoria Pavilion at the Melbourne Showgrounds on 9 March.
- The Yarraville Festival is on 10 March.
What’s on in and around Melbourne 11-17 March 2024:
- Learn everything you need to know about Californian wine at the California wine masterclass at Winehouse on 12 March.
- The Chamber Music Festival is being held at fortyfivedownstairs in Flinders Lane from 12-24 March.
- The Naarm-based Black & Bright First Nations Literary Festival is a four-day showcase celebrating the diverse expressions of First Nations writers and covers all genres from oral stories to epic novels and plays to poetry, and is on from 14-17 March.
- The Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival is back for another amazing 10 day line up of events from 14-23 March.
- Nocturnal: Worlds Apart at the Melbourne Museum on 14 March is an out-of-this world adults-only night to escape to different realms and realities through after-hours talks, tours and activities.
- The Victorian Careers & Employment Expo is open from March 14 to 16, 2024 at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
- Bourne Local Markets are having a pop-up event at Collins Square on 14 March
- Soak up the evening sun as you explore St Kilda’s newest pop-up makers market on Acland Street on 14 March.
- Carlton’s Cinema Nova is hosting the Palestinian Film Festival from 14-17 March.
- The Melbourne Gin Festival is on at the Timber Yard in Port Melbourne from 15-17 March.
- The Melbourne Tango Weekend – an event to promote social tango – is back for 2024 on 15-17 March.
- Experience workshops, performances, local and international acts and experts at the Melbourne Ukulele Festival from 15-17 March.
- The Australian Ballet performs Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the State Theatre, Arts Centre, from 15 to 26 March.
- The Stonnington Volunteering Expo is on Friday 15 March at the Malvern Town Hall.
- Thomas the Tank Engine is back, and he’s bringing bubbles! Puffing Billy Railway is hosting the Day Out With Thomas: Bubble Tour on March 15-17 and March 22-24.
- The inaugural Melbourne Mod Weekend – a three day celebration of mod style and music – will be held from 15-17 March.
- Garden lovers can enjoy a tour of the Government House gardens on 15 March.
- Join the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV) for a stargazing evening at Westerfolds Park, Templestowe on Friday 15 March.
- The Train and Hobby Show is on at Sandown on 16 March.
- The Melbourne Celtic Festival will be held at Mission to Seafarers on 16-17 March
- Catch Play School live in concert in Essendon on 16 March
- ENDOVIT Fest, Australia’s very first all endometriosis affiliated full day festival lineup is coming together on 16 March at the Gaso in Collingwood, to raise awareness and show case their incredible talent for those affected by endometriosis.
- The National Trust’s beloved Vintage Clothing Sale is back in 2024 for another massive weekend at the Abbotsford Convent on 16 and 17 March 2024.
- Australia’s first hot springs wellness gathering, Awaken, returns to the Peninsula Hot Springs on 16 March.
- The Astor Theatre will have 40th anniversary screenings of cult film classic Ghostbusters on 16-17 March.
- The Mornington Peninsula Record Fair is being held at Gods Bandroom, Mornington, on 16 March.
- Meet with the RACV’s travel partners, hear about exclusive expo deals and talk to expert travel consultants at the RACV Travel Expo on 16 March.
- The Australian Romance Readers Association’s Romantic Rendezvous Melbourne event is taking place on 16 March at the Ibis Hotel.
- Want to give back to community? Have time to spare? Keen to meet new people? Want to boost your resume? Then volunteering could be for you! Find out more at the Darebin Volunteer Expo 2024 on 16 March.
- The West Footscray Festival of Colours Holi 2024 on 16 March will feature food trucks, music, colour throwing, rides and more.
- The annual Brimbank Autumn Garden Show hosted by Sunshine Golden Age Garden Club is being held on 16 March.
- The newly relocated Brunswick Op Shop is hosting a Grand Opening Party on 16 March marking 50 years serving the Brunswick community. The event will feature live music, family activities and a speech by Red Symons.
- The Indian Bazaar is recreating Mumbai’s Fashion Street by bringing in the latest Indian fashion styles and trends to The District Docklands on 16 March.
- The 91 Vintage Night Market at Ezistreat North Melbourne is happening on 16 March featuring secondhand and streetwear sellers in EziStreat’s beer garden.
- Join the Brunswick Ballroom on 16 March for an evening with acclaimed rock photographer Tony Mott. After an hour of tales from backstage, on stage, Big Day Out, touring with the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and more, you’ll have the chance to ask Tony your burning questions. And don’t forget to grab a signed copy of his book!
- Head to Central Park in Malvern East on 16 March for a morning of family fun to celebrate the opening of Stonnington’s new all abilities playground.
- Join internationally-recognised Spirit Medium and Psychic Clairvoyant, David the Medium, for his first ever, much anticipated live audience show at St Kilda’s Alex Theatre on 16 March.
- The Stay Gold Record Fair is happening in Brunswick on 16 March.
- The Brighton Classic Car Show is on at Firbank Grammar Oval in Brighton on Sunday 17 March.
- The 10th Anniversary Croatian Cultural Festival is on in Footscray on 17 March.
- The City of Whittlesea Community Festival will be held on Sunday 17 March.
- The Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway’s March public running day is on 17 March
- That’s Amore Cheese in Thomastown is having a ricotta festival on 17 March.
- The New to You preloved markets are on at the Williamstown Town Hall on 17 March.
- The MY Mount Eliza Run and Fun Festival is on 17 March.
- Build yourself a boat out of cardboard and plastic bottles and paddle it across the Middle Brighton Harbour at the Recycle Regatta on 17 March to raise funds for teen mental health.
- The Glen Eira Electric Vehicle Expo is on in Caulfield on 17 March
- The Melbourne Colour Frenzy colourful fun run is on at Jells Park, Wheelers Hill, on 17 March.
- Celebrate all things Porsche and kick off the Grand Prix week at the South Melbourne Porsche & Coffee meet on Sunday 17 March 2024, 8am – 10am.
- Renowned singer-songwriter Clare Bowditch is playing at Bayside City Council’s Live and Local event at Balcombe Park, Beaumaris on Sunday 17 March.
- Catch Play School live in concert in Ringwood on 17 March.
- The Brunswick puppy pub crawl is on 17 March.
- The Brimbank Park Running Festival is on 17 March.
- Banyule Council’s pet and sustainability-focused Eco Festival 2024 is being held at Petrie Park in Montmorency on 17 March.
- The City of Whittlesea’s second annual pet expo is happening on 17 March in South Morang.
- Bacchus Marsh Witchfest is on 17 March.
- The Moorabbin Record Fair is happening at the Stomping Ground Brewery and Beer Hall on 17 March.
- The Hume 2024 Holi Festival of Colours is happening in Cragieburn on 17 March.
- Get ready to run and get covered in vibrant colours at the SunFest Colour Run 2024 in Sunbury on 17 March.
- The Celebrate Mooroolbark annual autumn festival is on 17 March.
- Check out the Bricknanza Lego Market in Elsternwick on 17 March where there will be second hand, new and used lego sets, parts, minifies, rare pieces and accessories.
What’s on in and around Melbourne 18-24 March 2024:
- Frankston’s legendary street art festival, the Big Picture Fest, returns from 18-24 March. The city centre will be taken over by a jam packed lineup of world-renowned street artists transforming buildings and laneways into an explosion of colour and movement.
- Participate in Japanese and Chinese paper crafts, Greek Zorba dancing, Korean food tasting and enjoy traditional South American dance, try Bollywood dancing or Zumba, listen to the beat of African drums or feast on a free multicultural afternoon tea at Stonnington’s Harmony Week celebrations in Prahran from 18-22 March.
- Tuesday mornings from 19 March to 4 June you can go behind the scenes at the Australian Ballet including a tour of the wardrobe department and watching the daily class.
- The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is on at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens from 20-24 March.
- Catch Play School live in concert in Eltham on 20 March.
- The Boroondara Volunteer Expo 2024 is on at the Hawthorn Arts Centre on Wednesday 20 March.
- The Australian Formula One Grand Prix is on at Albert Park from 21-24 March.
- Catch the Melbourne Women in Film Festival -at ACMI from 21-25 March.
- Catch Play School live in concert in Mornington on 21 March.
- Elwood Bathers is holding an Oyster Festival on Thursday 21 March.
- The Lynbrook Easter Market is on from 3-8pm on Friday 22 March.
- The Yarra Glen Outdoor Living and Caravan Expo is on 22-24 March at the Yarra Glen Racecourse.
- Rumbia – the Latin Dance Festival designed to teach, inspire and celebrate Latin dance and music is taking place on 22 to 25 March.
- The Melbourne Celtic Festival on Tour will be at the Frankston Arts Centre on Friday 22 March.
- The Viva Health and Wellbeing Festival is on at MCEC on 22-24 March,
- The Berwick Pro Rodeo is on 22 March.
- Check out the Tiny Homes Expo at the Mornington Racecourse on 22-24 March
- The Game Expo (TGX) is Melbourne’s latest convention, providing an inclusive and welcoming space for anyone who loves gaming and pop culture. It’s on at MCEC from 23-24 March.
- The St Andrews Festival is on Saturday 23 March.
- The Thornbury Apothecary’s Autumn Community Market is taking place on 23 March.
- Catch Play School live in concert in Box Hill on 23 March.
- Get ready for some of that old razzle dazzle, Chicago is back bigger and better than before, at Her Majesty’s Theatre from 23 March. It’d be a crime to miss it.
- The Annual Easter Extravaganza at Overnewton Castle in Keilor is on 23 March – a magical day for the family with a fabulous three tiered high tea, games and activities.
- 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 opens on 23 March and runs until 14 July.
- The Indian Bazaar proudly presents Eid Bazaar, for all your Eid shopping, at Burwood One Shopping Centre on 23 March.
- Slow Food Spotswood farmers’ market is relocating to a new location and is celebrating with a family-friendly gala relaunch on 23 March.
- Wyndham Holi, Melbourne’s largest festival of colours its celebrating 10th year in Wyndham Vale on 23 March.
- Northern Melbourne Marathi Mandal- Holi 2024 is happening in Coburg on 23 March.
- The Melbourne Fashion Hub’s 2024 pop-up store is on 23 and 24 March in Collingwood, featuring designers from LCI Melbourne, RMIT, and Whitehouse Institute of Design who will showcase and offer for sale an array of first-to-market designs.
- Take the whole family down to Croydon Main Street for a pre-Easter Funday filled with fun activities and sweet treats on 23 March.
- Grab a hot slice of pizza at The Pizza Sessions in Federation Square on 23-24 March – part of this year’s Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
- The Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival is on 24 March in Croydon.
- Whitehorse Culture Fest is on 24 March at the Strathdon House and Orchard Precinct, Forest Hill. Expect free activities, tasty bites, cultural displays, and music that will have you tapping your toes.
- The Rowville Bridal Expo is on at the Rowville Community Centre on 24 March.
- Join JATRA in Melbourne – a vibrant cultural extravaganza celebrating Nepal’s rich heritage at Fed Square on 24 March.
- The Box Hill Record Fair is on at the Box Hill Town Hall on Sunday 24 March.
- The Boroondara Antique and Collectables Fair is on at the Hawthorn Arts Centre on 24 March.
- The Epping Psychic and Wellbeing Expo is on 24 March.
- Returning for its twenty-second year on Sunday 24 March 2024 , Stonningtons Pets in the Park will be a furry-filled family day of demonstrations, workshops, performances, and stalls.
- The Easter Eggstravaganza is on as part of Bayside’s Autumn Fest in Brighton East on 24 March.
- Catch Play School live in concert in Caulfield on 24 March.
- Melbourne’s biggest baby and kids market, All For Kids, will be at Thomastown on 24 March.
- The Manningham Family Festival at Finns Reserve is taking place on 24 March.
- The Ballara Receptions Wedding Expo in Eltham is on 24 March.
- The sausage dog pub crawl is on in Brunswick East on 24 March.
- If you’ve ever wanted to do your bit for the environment but not sure where to start, head along to the free Nillumbik Environmental Volunteer Expo on Sunday 24 March at Edendale Community and Environment Farm in Eltham.
- The Apollo Parkways Easter Market will be on in Civic Drive, Greensborough, on 24 March.
- The Pentridge Makers Market is happening in Coburg at Pentridge Piazza on 24 March.
- The Monash Rangbarse Holi Celebration is happening at Jells Park, Wheelers Hill, on 24 March
- Dust off your party boots and support businesses in the Lower Johnston Street district of Collingwood at the third LOJO Festival on 24 March – each hosting a unique food, culture or music experience.
- Keysborough’s Big Picnic on 24 March will feature free activities, live music, performances and more as well as the annual easter egg hunt.
- The Lions Music and Picnic Day in Taylors Lakes on 24 March is a day of music, food and fun for all ages.
- The Wyndham Harbour craft market is on 24 March.
- The Aquarium Society of Victoria is hosting its first Fish Fair for 2024 in Clifton Hill on 24 March. The Fish Fair is an indoor “car boot sale” with vendors selling direct from tables in the hall.
What’s on in and around Melbourne 25-31 March 2024:
- Garden lovers can enjoy a twilight tour of the Government House gardens on 25 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 March with 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.