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?
Spend an evening with Rebel Wilson at Hamer Hall
Comedian and actress Rebel Wilson is coming to Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on May 14, 2024, for an evening you won’t soon forget. The scene-stealing star of Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids is set to take the stage with a refreshingly candid, funny, and inspiring conversation about her unconventional journey to Hollywood success and self-love.
Sunbury 2024 to commemorate five decades since iconic music festival
50 years after its first electrifying run, Hume City Council is holding a commemorative event celebrating the Sunbury Pop Festival at one big show at The Nook on Saturday 13 April 2024. Headlining will be rock greats Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks, Richard Clapton, and Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows.
Bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert heading down under for inspirational talks
Worldwide bestselling author of Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert is headed to Australia next year. Join her at Melbourne Town Hall in February 2025 and be inspired to live the vibrant, fulfilling life of your dream.
Buzzcocks to play in Northcote this November
The Buzzcocks are coming back to Australia for the first time since 2016. Their tour will take them to the Northcote Theatre on Saturday 2 November.
Retrospective exhibition of Josh Muir artworks at Koorie Heritage Trust
JXSH MVIR: Forever I Live is the first major solo retrospective exhibition of the late Josh Muir (born 1991), following his passing in 2022. It will open at the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT), 9 March to 14 July 2024.
Karnivool announce Tri Continental Drift Tour
Perth metal band Karnivool have announced gigs in Melbourne this May. They’ll be playing at the Northcote Theatre on 29 and 30 May and The Pier at Frankston on 31 May.
Night of Ideas at the NGV
The Night of Ideas (La Nuit des Idées), presented by the French Embassy in partnership with the NGV and the Institut Français, is a special event filled with talks, debates, performances, and more. It’s a chance to delve into thought-provoking discussions on global issues. Originating from the Institut Français in 2016, this event has reached over 190 cities worldwide. Now, for the first time, it’s coming to Melbourne on Friday, March 1, 2024.
Bendigo Pride Festival 2024 program launched
The rainbow community in Bendigo is gearing up for more than ten days of queer events at the Bendigo Pride Festival from March 13-24. They’ve just launched their 2024 program and it is full of art shows, drag events, dance parties, poetry readings and more.
Mega list of 190+ events happening in and around Melbourne in March 2024
In case you missed it, we’ve published a bumper list of things to see and do in Melbourne throughout March 2024. With two long weekends (Labour Day and Easter) next month, the calendar is jam-packed.
Save the date for these
Also just announced:
- The Geelong International Elvis Festival is returning for 2024 with 6 completely different concerts over four nights at the Sphinx from 7-11 November.
- The inaugural Melbourne Mod Weekend – a three day celebration of mod style and music – will be held from 15-17 March.
- The Astor Theatre will have 40th anniversary screenings of cult film classic Ghostbusters on 16-17 March.
- Victoria is set to welcome a new world class running festival this autumn as the inaugural Ballarat Marathon transforms one of the state’s largest regional cities on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April.
- 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.
- 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.
- Australia’s premier wine authority, Halliday Wine Companion, is bringing back its popular Urban Cellar Door event in Melbourne on 21 March, showcasing a selection of the nation’s best wine producers in one setting.
- Australia’s most anticipated motoring event, Motors & Masterpieces, is gearing up to make its debut at the Melbourne Showgrounds from 22-24 November, 2024.
- From 19-21 July, experience a lineup of culinary creators from all corners of the country and a whole host of activations at The Little Food Market making its debut at Melbourne’s iconic Royal Exhibition Building.
- Catch comedian Tony Martin’s stand up show at the Royal Hotel in Mornington on 7 March.
- Acclaimed bestselling author Christos Tsiolkas will join in conversation with Corrie Perkin about his latest novel, The In-Between at the Toorak/South Yarra Library on 6 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.
- 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.
- iFLY Melbourne has announced it will be hosting the 2024 Australian Open Indoor Skydiving Championships from 24-26 October.
- Meet your favourite Vixens players, see the 2024 dress presentation, hear from players and coaches as they are interviewed on the big stage and get your Vixens merchandise signed at the Melbourne Vixens Fan Day on 4 April at Fed Square.
- Experience first-hand the raw and mesmerising story of former world number 4, popular tennis commentator and best-selling author, Jelena Dokic at Marnong Estate Mickleham on 19 April.
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 Localise the Love photography exhibition will focus on capturing portraits of business owners and operators along Sydney Road Brunswick. It opens on Wednesday 28 February.
- ICON – an exhibition of photos by acclaimed photographer Steve McCurry is on at Seaworks in Williamstown from 28 February to 19 May.
- ‘Donate, Don’t Waste’ Thrift Market and Circular Economy Fair is on at the University of Melbourne on 28 February.
- The Glen Eira Storytelling Festival kicks off on 28 February and runs until 2 March.
- Fed Square’s Summer at the Square program features a curated program of film and music – with something new each night of the week until 29 February.
- The Summer Sunset series is on at the Royal Botanic Gardens with a free concert every Sunday until 3 March.
- 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.
- 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.
- Joan Lindsay’s My Day of Days exhibition runs until 30 March, exploring her personal connection to St Valentines Day at the National Trust Property Mulberry Hill.
- 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.
- Pentridge Prison’s exhibition Crime Time TV is a fascinating and nostalgic journey through the history of Australian crime television, running 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.
- The Science Gallery at the University of Melbourne’s exhibition – NOT NATURAL – explores our increasing ability to control nature and the plethora of possibilities and ethical dilemmas that come with that power. Running until 29 June.
