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?
Two founding members of The Saints reform with guests for national tour
Aussie rock legends The Saints will reform this November to celebrate the vinyl box set release of their iconic 1977 debut album, (I’m) Stranded – with fans getting the rare chance to see them live on tour. They’ll be performing in both Melbourne and Castlemaine as part of the reunion.
The reunion will feature founding members guitarist Ed Kuepper and drummer Ivor Hay, joined by honourary Saints: singer Mark Arm of Mudhoney, bassist Peter Oxley of Sunnyboys, and former The Birthday Party/Bad Seeds guitarist Mick Harvey.
The Whitlams 25th Love This City anniversary tour
The Whitlams are gearing up to mark a monumental milestone: the 25th anniversary of their double platinum album, Love This City. Renowned for their evocative storytelling and soulful melodies, the band will play their favourite Melbourne venue, the Corner Hotel, on 4 and 5 October as they kick off a national tour celebrating this landmark in their storied career.
Cold Chisel add two Sidney Myer Music Bowl shows to huge national tour
After selling out 16 shows across Australia to celebrate their 50th anniversary, Cold Chisel have announced six new dates nationally to meet demand -including two at Sidney Myer Music Bowl in November.
See Tim Minchin in conversation
Spend an evening in the company of internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter, musician, actor, writer and comedian Tim Minchin as he celebrates the publication of his first non-fiction book, You Don’t Have to Have a Dream. He’ll be at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on Friday 4 October.
David Walliams announces children’s shows as part of down under tour
Join author and comedian David Walliams for the David Walliams Book Show that’s touring Australia and New Zealand this September and October, promising an original, witty and interactive performance to delight kids and adults alike. The Little Britain star’s book show tour is taking place jointly with his much-anticipated world premiere comedy tour for adults – An Audience With David Walliams.
Ridin’ Hearts festival location and lineup announced
Th Ridin’ Hearts Festival has announced its 2024 lineup when the one-day spectacular returns to the Caribbean Gardens on Sunday 3 November with a star-studded line-up of country music’s hottest local and international acts. In the headline slot is US country superstar Riley Green, making his Australian debut. He’ll be joined by a lineup of artists including Cooper Alan, Josh Ross, MacKenzie Porter, Casey Barnes, Bella Mackenzie, DJ Konsky, Tanner Adell and Austin Snell.
Xavier Rudd to play at Live at the Gardens
The highly anticipated Live at the Gardens concert series has unveiled its second major artist: Xavier Rudd. Presented by Roundhouse Entertainment, the same team behind the popular A Day on the Green series, Live at the Gardens promises to bring a unique musical experience to Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens over two weekends in November.
There’s a mini laksa festival popping up in July
One of the Northern Territory’s most iconic food festivals is heading south. Melburnians will get to soak up the Darwin International Laksa Festival next month, with Collingwood’s Molly Rose Brewery hosting a pop-up event on Sunday 7 July.
Save the date for these
Also just announced:
- The Scandinavian Film Festival is on at Palace Cinemas from 19 July to 7 August.
- Liminal magazine and the Wheeler Centre have joined forces to launch the inaugural Liminal Festival for readers and writers at the Wheeler Centre from 2-4 August 2024.
- Steel Panther – the American comedy glam metal band who put spandex back into heavy metal – have announced a return to Australia following a two-year hiatus. Catch them at Margaret Court Arena on 26 October.
- Australian singer-songwriter Dean Lewis has announced a seven-date national tour to support his upcoming third studio album, The Epilogue. He’ll be at Rod Laver Arena on 8 November.
- Robert Forster, co-founder of The Go-Betweens and one of Australia’s most acclaimed singer-songwriters, announces the most fascinating tour of his stellar solo career. He’ll play 40 songs across two consecutive nights at the Brunswick Ballroom on 15 and 16 November. with completely different songs each night.
- Sydney electro rock pioneers, Caligula, take the stage for a one-off performance on Friday, 11 October at The Brunswick Ballroom where they’ll pay homage to Depeche Mode, by presenting a special rendition of the iconic album “Violator” in its entirety.
- Medieval to Metal: The Art and Evolution of the Guitar makes its way to the Art Gallery of Ballarat from 12 October 2024 to 2 February 2025. In this Australian exclusive, experience 40 guitars on loan from the National Guitar Museum (USA), alongside more than 100 spectacular works of art including iconic rock photography, paintings, and illustrations on loan from Australian public and private collections celebrating the most popular instrument on the planet.
- Readying for the school holidays, Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience in Mornington has added new sessions until 14 July.
- Meet bestselling author Michael Robotham in Brighton on 8 July as he talks about his new book Storm Child.
- Catch comedian Claire Hooper at Cameo Live Comedy in Belgrave on 29 June.
- The wildly entertaining spectacle 50 Shades! The Musical Parody is headed back to Melbourne for a strictly limited run from 19-27 July.
- Melbourne’s OG Krispy Kreme store at Fountain Gate in Narre Warren is turning 18. To celebrate they’re giving away free donuts on Friday 21 June.
- Silvers Circus will is returning to Richmond for the first time in four years from 28 June to 21 July.
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 Whittlesea Aging Well Expo is on in South Morang on 18 June.
- The second Cardinia Skills and Jobs Showcase will be held on Thursday 20 June 2024 at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham.
- Monash Public Library Service’s annual literature festival, WordFest. is back for 2024. Running from 20 June – 11 July 2024, the festival brings readers and writers together for a series of author talks, writing workshops and the Monash Short Story Writing Competition.
- Garden lovers can enjoy a tour of the Government House gardens on 21 June.
- Shop, eat, drink and socialise at the Soul Night Market in Moorabbin on 21 June – a festive, foodie and makers market
- As the shortest day of the year unfolds on 21 June, embrace the energising chill of an icy morning swim in the bay at the Winter Solstice Ice Swim in Sorrento.
- Step into a world where winter magic reigns supreme, where the air is filled with festive cheer and the ground blanketed in glistening snow. From 21 June to 21 JulyNarre Warren’s sprawling field transforms into a whimsical haven, welcoming all to FROSTED – A Winter Spectacular, a celebration of Christmas in July unlike any other.
- Cire’s Food and Craft Winter Market is on in Chirnside Park on 21 June.
- Celebrate Hume Refugee Week 2024 om 21 June in Broadmeadows with cultural performances, art, music, dance and food.
- Party through the longest night of the year and celebrate the winter solstice at Scienceworks After Dark on 21 June with 18+ Planetarium and museum entry, live music and roving artists and performers.
- Celebrate International Yoga Day on 21 June at the 2024 Spirit Harmony Multicultural Festival Australia in Clayton with music, dance, fashion, comedy, singing, drumming from China, Seychelles, Mauritius, Africa, Russia, Greece, Nepal, Afghanistan, SriLankan, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Bangla Desh, India & Bollywood entertainment to celebrate International Yoga Day.
- The Seaworks Winter Solstice Festival is a free event celebrating the longest night and the shortest day of the year, marking the start of the winter season on 22 June.
- The World Refugee Festival in Pakenham on 22 June is an opportunity to celebrate the strength, resilience, and determination of those who were forced to flee their homeland and encountered all kinds of persecutions.
- On Saturday 22 June, The Belgrave Lantern Festival will fill the streets of Belgrave with entertainment, food, fun and festivity.
- Share in the warmth of local artists, makers, healers and small businesses in a beautiful day of discovering high quality handcrafted goods and holistic connection, right in the heart of Thornbury at the Thornbury Solstice Community Market on 22 June
- Experience an evening of of sacred Sufi music with the masters of the form, Qawwal – Fareed Ayaz, Abu Muhammed Qawwal and musicians for Eid at Federation Square on 22 June.
- Beat the winter blues at a shopping and wellness extravaganza at the Ibis Hotel in Glen Waverley on 22 June.
- Welcome to Brunswick’s 4th annual Hot Sauce and Chilli Festival is taking place on 22 June.
- The Collingwood Children’s Farm’s 21st annual winter solstice bonfire is on 22 June
- Winter Solstice at CERES Community Environment Park in Brunswick East on 22 June honours the longest night of the year. Come warm your hands by the fire, sip on some mulled wine and feast on locally made, winter-warming food.
- Get a taste of the hidden gems of the Yarra Valley with a weekend full of wine tasting, live music, delicious bites and stunning scenery across nine participating family-run wineries at the Shortest Lunch on 22-23 June.
- The Vintage and Modern Toy Fair is on at Malvern Town Hall on 23 June.
- I Wore It Once is a high quality, curated pre-loved fashion market that’s taking place in Mornington on 23 June.
- The Beaconsfield Holistic and Psychic Expo is on 23 June.
- Celebrating 50 years since ABBA’s iconic win at Eurovision 1974 with “Waterloo,” ABBA Day Downunder at Williamstown Town Hall on 23 June will immerse you in the magic of ABBA like never before!
- Visit Collins Square’s Queer Art Pop-up Gallery until 28 June and bid on the incredible pieces from Wayde Wiradjuri, an Aboriginal queer artist who uses his own experiences as a person of colour who identifies as gay living in Australia to create stunning and meaningful pieces of art. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Minus18 Foundation; a registered Australian charity that supports initiatives for LGBTQIA+ youth in Australia.
- 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.
- The Broadway sensation Wicked looks at what happened in the Land of Oz… but from a different angle. See it at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre until 30 June.
- Victoria’s zoos are being transformed into prehistoric playgrounds with Zoos Victoria’s new Dinos at the Zoo immersive experience providing an unforgettable journey back in time until 14 July.
- Melbourne Museum will showcase some of Victoria’s most outstanding VCE and VCE VET design and technology students withTop Designs returns for 2024. The showcase runs until 14 July.
- Prepare to be transported to a realm of wonder and awe as Gumbuya World Theme Park proudly presents ‘Gumbuya Dreaming’, a mesmerising digital light experience created by acclaimed Indigenous artist Wayne Quilliam until 21 July
- Object of Projections -An exhibition of works by Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon is showing at the Substation Galleries in Newport until 24 August.
- Celebrating culture, nostalgia, and the pursuit of happiness, the Immigration Museum’s expansive exhibition Joy features seven Victorian-based artists showcasing their interpretations of joy through immersive installations, until 29 August.
- Visited by more than 10 million people around the world and earning a spot on CNN’s “must-see” list, The Art of the Brick is running until 31 August at the Melbourne Showgrounds. This brand new, immersive version of Nathan Sawaya’s iconic LEGO art exhibit features original collections, over 100 sculptures made from more than 1 million bricks, a LEGO safari, moving installations, 360 degree projections, and much more.
- Jump aboard the Skyline Ferris Wheel that promises breathtaking views of Melbourne’s cityscape, truly a one-of-a-kind vantage point to see a unique perspective of the CBD and beyond. It’s at the Polly Woodside Park next to MCEC until September.
- Endless play abounds at ACMI this winter, as world premiere exhibition Beings comes alive until 29 September 2024. Comprised of 13 artworks drawn from the 20-year career of international art and design collective Universal Everything – including the premiere of four brand new artworks – Beings features an assortment of curious characters born from code.
- Hair Pieces at the Head Museum of Modern Art runs until ^6 October and explores the evocative and complex significance of hair in contemporary culture through a selection of recent Australian and international works of art.
- Coming to Melbourne from the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London and on display until 6 October at the NGV, the Australian premiere of Africa Fashion features nearly 200 works, including couture, bespoke and ready-to-wear fashions, and body adornments, from over 50 designers from more than 20 countries and regions on the African continent.
