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?
Chris Isaak touring Australia for the first time since 2016
Chris Isaak has announced he’s touring Australia in April for the first time since 2016. In Victoria he’ll be playing at A Day On The Green at Mount Duneed Estate on 6 April, and at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda on 16 April.
Sleep under the stars at the iconic Hanging Rock
The opportunity to camp at the iconic Hanging Rock site happens only once a year – and this year it is on 17 February. Bookings are essential – it costs $70 per campsite, with six people max allowed.
Hit West End play The Woman In Black coming in June
The hit play Woman in Black has been successful in the West End for three decades, and now it is coming to Melbourne. John Waters and Daniel MacPherson will star in this adaptation when it hits the Athenaeum Theatre in June.
Radio Birdman announce farewell tour in June
Radio Birdman, legendary outsiders of Australian rock and roll, celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2024. This truly landmark achievement will see the ARIA Hall of Fame inductees take the stage for a series of special farewell performances around the country. The tour will include two dates on 21 and 22 June at Thornbury’s Croxton Bandroom.
Yothu Yindi to headline the Brunswick Music Festival
The Brunswick Music Festival is back for 2024 and the lineup for this year has been announced – with headline act Yothu Yindi. The festival will span 9 days from 3-11 March, with more than 60 gigs at 30 venues around Brunswick.
State Library launches new podcast celebrating the people and stories of Victoria
The State Library of Victoria has launched a new podcast, The Chapters, which sheds light on remarkable, real-life tales of vibrant characters who have shaped Melbourne and beyond. Each episode features one of the State Library’s expert librarians joining host Tess McLaughlan to delve into the true stories of some of Victoria’s most compelling people.
Aireys Inlet Music Festival lineup announced
The Aireys Inlet Music Festival, revealed its impressive local lineup for its anticipated return on March 15-17, 2024. Celebrating its 18th year as a boutique festival, the event will be held in six venues throughout the town, such as Aireys Pub, Great Ocean Road Gin Tasting Room, Sunnymead Hotel, The Captain of Aireys, and the Lighthouse Tea Rooms. The Push FReeZA stage, showcasing the finest local emerging bands, will once again be hosted at Great Ocean Road Mini Golf.
Save the date for these
Also just announced:
- Test your eating skills and compete against fellow banh mi enthusiasts to see who can devour the most banh mi in record time at a Banh Mi eating competition in Abbotsford on 4 February.
- The Melbourne Storm Family Day is on Saturday 3 February at Gosch’s Paddock.
- Two of Melbourne’s most popular and long-running markets – The Rose St. Artists’ Market and Queen Victoria Market – will combine to provide a platform for emerging fashion designers as part of Melbourne Fashion Week on 24 February.
- The one-man hit musical show, Cricket the Musical is coming to the Memo Music Hall in St Kilda on 10 February.
- Connection must close at The Lume on 4th February. On the final evening of the experience, join in for an intimate celebration with a live performance by Alice Skye.
- The Greater Dandenong Sustainability Festival returns to the Dandenong Market on Sunday 25 February 2024.
- Dilruk Jayasinha is now one of the most in demand headliners on the Australian comedy scene. You can catch him live at Classic in Elsternwick on 9 February.
- Nongkrong Festival proudly presents a series of immersive events to celebrate the rich tapestry of Indonesian and diasporan culture at the Collingwood Yards on 3 February.
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 Melbourne International Film Festival returns to Bunjil Place from Thursday 1 February – Sunday 4 February 2024 to present some of the best in the recent film program.
- The Melbourne Pool and Spa Show is on at Jeff’s Shed from 2-4 February.
- The Peninsula Film Festival is on 2-4 February.
- Queer Connections: Celebrating LGBTIQA+ History in Port Phillip is a new exhibition opening as part of Midsummer on 2 February and runs until 26 April.
- Fed Square’s Summer at the Square program kicks off on 3 February featuring a curated program of film and music – with something new each night of the week until 29 February.
- The Hungrian goulash festival is on in Wantirna on Saturday 3 February
- The free Whittlesea Country Music Festival is on 3 February
- The Richmond Urban Wine Walk is on 3 February,
- The annual Dome Under Film Festival returns to the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks for its fourth year, offering a weekend filled with back-to-back fulldome films on 3-4 February
- Opera Australia’s Opera for All free concert is on in Federation Square on 3 February.
- The Waitangi Day Festival 2024 is on at the Werribee Racecourse on 3 February.
- The Summer Sunset series is on at the Royal Botanic Gardens with a free concert every Sunday from 4 February until 3 March.
- The Aussie Classic Car Show is being held at the Mornington Racecourse on Sunday 4 February.
- The Victoria Street Lunar Festival returns in 2024 by welcoming in the Year of the Dragon in Richmond and Abbotsford on 4 February.
- The Second Life markets are on in Cremorne on 4 February.
- The Yarraville Comic and Toy Fair is on 4 February
- Springvale’s annual Lunar New Year Festival is on 4 February
- Around 53,000 people are expected in St Kilda for the Midsumma Pride March on 4 February.
- The Croydon Psychic and Wellbeing Expo is on at the Dorset Gardens Hotel on 4 February.
- Australia’s premier queer arts and cultural festival Midsumma is running until 11 February.
- The Koorie Heritage Trust’s 11th Koorie Art Show is on until 25 February.
- 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.
- 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.
