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?
AFL confirms KISS will play Grand Final
The AFL has confirmed that 1970s glam rockers KISS will be the pre-game entertainment at the MCG for this year’s Grand Final.
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival goes regional
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is heading to regional Victoria from 10-19 November to showcase the best local produce and culinary talent through exciting events that will attract thousands of visitors into the regions. You’ll be able to join in at Ballarat, the Yarra Valley and Gippsland.
An authentic flamenco stage show is coming to Melbourne
Authentic Flamenco by the Royal Opera of Madrid is a flamenco show performed by award-winning artists from Spain. You can catch it at The Capitol Theatre in Swanston Street from 20-28 October,
Kate Miller-Heidke tour dates 2024
Kate Miller-Heidke has announced an Australian tour for early 2024 called Catching Diamonds, with a number of Victorian venues included:
- February 2 – The Wedge PAC, Sale
- February 3 – Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon
- February 4 – Cowes Cultural Centre, Phillip Island
- February 18 – Wangaratta PAC
- February 20 – Burrinja Theatre, Upwey
- February 21 – Frankston PAC
- February 23 – Geelong Arts Centre
- February 24 – Wendouree Centre, Ballarat
- February 25 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
The Laneway Festival lineup has been confirmed
ACMI’s next blockbuster exhibition has been announced
Nature and technology will come together in a new major exhibition from one of the world’s leading immersive art collectives set to open this summer at ACMI. Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature will have its world-premiere at ACMI, taking over Gallery 4 at the Fed Square Museum from 23 November to host the art collective’s first major exhibition in Australia.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to pay tribute to George Michael
A lineup of Australian singers including Courtney Act, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, David Campbell and Gary Pinto will join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for a one-night-only event celebrating the songs of legendary singer George Michael, at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday 9 December 2023.
Absolutely huge night of gaming coming to Fed Square and ACMI
The Big Games Night Out on Thursday 5 October is major new free event as part of Melbourne International Games Week, that will transform Fed Square and ACMI into a games wonderland with free activities, tournaments and performances for fans of all ages to enjoy for the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest digital games celebration.
Save the date for these:
- School holidays are coming up between 16 September to 1 October. We’ve rounded up the ultimate list of 110 things to do with the kids in and Melbourne in the spring break so they can’t complain there’s nothing to do.
- Punk band NOFX has announced its final ever Australian tour. They’ll play Festival Hall on 26 and 27 January 2024.
- Comedian Richard Stubbs is performing a show at Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn on Thursday 5 October.
- Superstars BONEY M Featuring Maizie Williams return for The Farewell Tour Performing all their Greatest Hits including Rasputin, Daddy Cool, Ma Baker, Gotta Go Home, Rivers Of Babylon, Brown Girl In The Ring, Sunny + more with a full live band! At the Palais in St Kilda on 15 June 2024.
- Thirsty Merc will play at District 14 in Narre Warren on Friday 1 December.
- To celebrate the last days of Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion at ACMI, tickets are now only $10 until 1 October.
- Author Richard Glover will be appearing at Robinson’s Bookstore at The Glen in Glen Waverley on Thursday 30 November to talk about his new book Best Wishes.
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:
- The Italian Cultural Institute of Melbourne presents Tools For After, a Festival of Ideas (14 September – 10 October) bringing the brightest minds in design, architecture and climate science from Italy to Melbourne across multiple venues io celebrate Italian ingenuity through programs of design, architecture, science, food, cinema, and literature, through the mediums of film, visual art, design, workshops, talks, and tasting.
- The TIDAL Seafood Festival is on 15 to 17 September at San Remo. Go along and celebrate their history, quality local seafood, demonstrations and family activities.
- The Viva Mexico Festival is on from 1pm to 1am on Saturday 16 September at Retropolis in Preston. Organised by Mexicans for Melbourne, this fiesta features mariachis, tacos, street food, folk dance, kids activities, pinatas, a tequila masterclass, Mexican market and more.
- The Footscray Community Arts Makers Market is on Saturday 16 September.
- The Multicultural Festival in Ardeer on Saturday 16 September will be a kaleidoscope of traditions, fashions and foods from multicultural stalls showcasing crafts, clothing and artwork as well as flavours from around the world.
- The Waverley Gem Club Gem Craft and Mineral Show will take place over two days at Brandon Park on 16-17 September and includes displays of gemstones and minerals from work of members and their collections.
- Head up to Silvan for the annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival, on from 16 September to 15 October. More than a million flowering spring bulbs are on show. There’s also live entertainment, delicious food and more.
- The Indian Performing Arts Convention is headed to the Alexander Theatre at Monash University on 16-17 September, celebrating creativity and featuring acclaimed artists from India, Singapore and Australia.
- Carnival of the Animals is a circus escapade stage show for the whole family, on at the Playhouse in the Arts Centre from 16-23 September.
- Explore 85 acres of flowering cherry trees at the annual Blossom Festival at Cherryhill Orchards over two weeks from 16 September to 1 October. There are a range of additional experiences for the cherry lovers, including high teas and wine and dine packages.
- The Stonnington Arts Festival is on Saturday 16 September at the Malvern Town Hall. It’s an annual celebration bringing together the vibrant and diverse arts community of Stonnigton.
- Abbotsford Convent’s Wine and Vine Fest is back this year on 16 September – bringing together some of Australia’s best and boutique wine makers and customers under one roof.
- The Ikebana International Melbourne Annual Exhibition, a celebration of Japanese traditional floral art, is coming to Labassa Mansion in Caulfield North on 16-17 September.
- Head to the Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway for a ride on their 1.2km long track on Sunday 17 September.
- The Doveton Show is on 17 September – an affordable alternative to the Melbourne Royal SHow.
- The Melbourne Cocktail Festival – a week-long celebration of Melbourne’s bars and nighttime culture – takes place from 18-24 September. This year it includes a Bar Safari with discounted cocktails across Melbourne so you can discover some of the city’s hidden gems.
- The Australian Ballet is performing Swan Lake at the State Theatre from 19 to 30 September.
- The beloved children’s book dog Hairy Maclary is turning 40 and Robinson’s bookshops will be hosting the birthday celebrations during the school holidays from 20-28 September at Airport West, Fountain Gate, Greensborough, Frankston, Glen Waverley, Maribrynong and Werribee.
- Melbourne Royal Show (fomerly Royal Melbourne Show) is on from 21 September to 1 October.
- The critically acclaimed Broadway stage musical production of Winnie the Pooh is headed to the Comedy Theatre from 21 to 24 September.
- Australia’s biggest EV show – the Melbourne Electric Vehicle Show – is headed to Jeff’s Shed from 22-24 September.
- Youth Fest 2023 is on at Queens Park Moonee Ponds on Friday 22 September, featuring live music, free activities, food trucks, market stalls and more.
- The Astronomical Society of Victoria is hosting a public stargazing night at Caulfield Race Course on 22 September.
- Head to Federation Square for the 3rd Chinese Traditional Cultural Festival on 23-24 September, presenting Chinese dance and music performances, traditional Chinese culture shows and Chinese musical instruments.
- The Queen Victoria Market Moon Festival is on 23 and 24 September. This is a free two day celebration of harvest and thanksgiving featuring delicious food, cultural performances, live music and interactive activities for the whole family to enjoy.
- Mont de Lancey in Wandin North is hosting its first Spring Festival on 23 and 24 to September. Explore the gardens and buildings and participate in a range of activities and demonstrations.
- The Driftork X Tuned “Sideways Festival” is on at Calder Park Reaceway on Saturday 23 September,
- The Mellow Art Market featuring more than 80 stalls showcasing creatives is on 23-24 September at Crown promenade.
- The Werribee River Association is hosting its inaugural River FEST on Sunday 24 September. Commemorating World River’s Day, the festival celebrates the Werribee River, the iconic platypus and the communities that call it home.
- 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.
- Have an out of this world time at the IMAX Spacetember Film Festival, screening a range of space related cult classics on the 7-storey screen from 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.
- Catch the Archibald Prize Exhibition at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Art Gallery until 5 November.
- “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.
- The immersive Friends experience is on in Docklands until 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 at the Melbourne Museum 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.
- Moulin Rouge the Musical has returned to the Regent Theatre, running until 24 December. Get your tickets here.
- Consisting of over 850,000 items, a significant portion of the Australian Performing Arts Collection (APAC) is now available to the public via behind-the-scenes tours of the Collections Store, located at Hamer Hall. Tours are on Sundays until 31 December.
- The Castlemaine Art Museum will present an exhibition of the finalists in the 2023 Experimental Print Prize, running until 28 January 2024.
