A classic story is coming to life along the Murray River, with Wonderland on the Murray now running across Echuca Moama as a large-scale Alice in Wonderland sand sculpture trail. Open until 9 March 2026, the free event transforms public spaces throughout the twin towns into a family-friendly adventure, featuring handcrafted sand installations created by Sandstorm Events. The trail begins at the historic Port of Echuca, where visitors follow Alice as she tumbles down the rabbit hole and enters a world of wonder. From there, the journey continues through the Port precinct and Aquatic Reserve, with eight sculptures depicting iconic…
Author: Melbourning
The final gaps of the Australian Open’s AO Live concert series for 2026 have been filled in. Organiser today revealed support acts set to join some of the biggest names playing Melbourne Park this summer. The headline shows were announced last year, confirming a mix of local stars and international heavy hitters across multiple nights. The series sees The Kid LAROI, Spacey Jane and The Veronicas share the stage with Reneé Rapp, Peggy Gou and Sofi Tukker as part of the tournament’s after-dark entertainment. Newly announced supports add depth to each night. The Kid LAROI’s January 28 performance will feature…
A new Australian production of The Diary Of Anne Frank is heading to Melbourne in 2026, with award winning producers Drew Anthony Creative bringing the acclaimed staging to the Athenaeum Theatre from 4 March 2026. The season follows a sold out and critically praised run at Perth’s Heath Ledger Theatre and forms part of a broader east coast tour, with the production set to move on to Sydney’s State Theatre after Melbourne. Based on the diary of Anne Frank, the play tells the true story of a 13 year old Jewish girl living in hiding with her family during the…
Peninsula Hot Springs is rethinking summer wellness with the launch of Cool Moments, a three-month program designed to help guests stay refreshed through the hottest part of the year. Running until 31 March 2026, Cool Moments transforms the Mornington Peninsula retreat into a cooler, calmer sanctuary, introducing chilled experiences, shaded spaces and mist-filled pockets throughout the property. A key addition is the new Cool Zone, created specifically for warm weather bathing. The area features temperature-lowered pools, misting activations, shaded lounging and seasonal food and drinks, offering relief during peak summer days while maintaining the Springs’ signature sense of calm. Guests…
St Kilda Festival will take over the foreshore once again on 14 and 15 February 2026, bringing more than 100 Australian acts to multiple stages across the suburb and drawing an expected crowd of more than 350,000 people. Ahead of the full program announcement on 14 January, organisers have revealed the major headline artists across both days, confirming BARKAA and Selve as Saturday’s First Peoples First headliners, followed by Jessica Mauboy, Mental As Anything and Sneaky Sound System on Big Festival Sunday. The two day event opens on Saturday 14 February with the 20th edition of First Peoples First, a…
A Brunswick 7-Eleven car park is about to swap parked cars for pumping bass, with Australia’s first convenience store rave landing in Melbourne this January. Running from 9am to 1pm on Saturday January 17, the CELSIUS x 7-Eleven Brunswick Rave will turn an everyday servo stop into a full morning party. At the centre of it all is a mystery headline DJ who clocked more than 900 million global streams in the past year, supported by Ben Silver, Brown Suga Princess, NIVA and Ya Girl Party B. The pop-up event is part of the launch of CELSIUS Sparkling Raspberry Peach,…
After a 23 year hiatus, Katrina Mathers is heading back to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with a new show that leans into midlife, memory loss and the strange emotional baggage of household appliances. The double cancer survivor and former Moosehead Award winner returns with Anything But The Dyson and Other Excellent Monologues, premiering at Collingwood’s Black Box Theatre at Trainscendence. It marks her first MICF appearance in more than two decades and her most personal work yet. Written and performed by Mathers, the show brings together her own material alongside work from other local female writers. The result is…
The Alliance Française French Film Festival is set to return in 2026 following a record-breaking year that welcomed almost 199,000 attendees nationwide, cementing its status as Australia’s largest national film festival and the biggest celebration of French cinema outside France. Ahead of the 37th edition, the festival has unveiled its official trailer and offered an early “avant-goût” of seven standout films from the upcoming program. The festival will run from 3 March to 26 April 2026 across the country, with Melbourne screenings scheduled from 4 March to 8 April. The preview selection signals another strong year for contemporary French cinema.…
Melbourne’s summer of tennis will get a lively soundtrack this January, with AO Hilltop hosting a free open-air music event to mark the opening of the Australian Open main draw. Canadian Club Racquet Club will take over its familiar perch at Birrarung Marr for a launch party featuring Sydney DJ and producer Young Franco, alongside Nite Theory and Alex Hayes. Set against views of the Melbourne skyline and the Yarra, the event doubles as a social warm-up before the first balls are struck at Melbourne Park. Young Franco has built a reputation for energetic, crowd-friendly sets that blend electronic, disco,…
Melbourne’s love affair with good food and drink will be on full display next autumn, with the Wine & Cheese Fest locked in for its 13th outing. The popular tasting event returns on Saturday 14 March 2026, taking over The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne for a full day dedicated to Australian wine, artisan cheese and gourmet producers. Designed for casual sippers and serious food lovers alike, the festival offers an easy, all-in-one way to sample a wide range of local flavours. Across the day, attendees can enjoy unlimited tastings from boutique wineries, independent cheese makers and specialty food producers,…
Melbourne’s school holiday calendar is set to burst into colour this January, with the NGV Kids Summer Festival bringing a packed program of free activities to the city for a full week of creativity and play. Running from 10 to 16 January 2026, the festival transforms NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia into family-friendly hubs of art-making, performance and movement. Across the week, kids can dance under the Great Hall canopy, take part in drawing workshops, enjoy storytelling sessions and join live performances designed to spark imagination and get young visitors moving. At the centre of the…
This list is updated regularly, so be sure to check back. What’s on throughout January 2026 What’s on in and around Melbourne 1-11 January 2026 What’s on in and around Melbourne 12-18 January 2026 What’s on in and around Melbourne 19-25 January 2026 What’s on in and around Melbourne 26-31 January 2026 What’s on in regional Victoria 1-31 January 2026