Spring is set to burst into colour across Greater Bendigo and Loddon Shire, with the 2026 Bloom destination campaign bringing more than 100 events and experiences to the region. Running throughout spring, Bloom is an invitation to explore gardens, galleries, markets, food, wine and the great outdoors, with plenty happening across Bendigo, Heathcote, Bridgewater and beyond. Rosalind Park, Conservatory Gardens and Pall Mall will be filled with seasonal blooms and colourful displays, while the Village of Gnomes has moved to Bendigo Botanic Gardens for 2026. Visitors can search for 11 cheeky hidden gnomes while exploring the heritage gardens. Bloom After…
Author: Melbourning
What happens when one of humanity’s oldest obsessions becomes the foundation for a contemporary dance work? For award-winning Naarm choreographer Trà Mi Dinh, the answer is 7 Dances for 7 People, a hypnotic new production exploring the mysterious symbolism and rhythms of the number seven. Presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy as part of Darebin FUSE Festival’s Open Access program, the work brings together seven exceptional dancers in a performance built around precision, repetition, endurance and ritual. Dinh, whose recent commissions include work with Sydney Dance Company and Lucy Guerin Inc, has a personal connection to the number seven. Having grown…
Melbourne is getting into the NFL spirit with a huge cheerleading challenge at Fed Square, where hundreds of dancers, families and sports fans will attempt to break the world record for the largest cheerleading dance. The Melbourne Cheer Challenge will take place on Sunday 6 September, ahead of the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Los Angeles Rams at the MCG on Friday 11 September in Australia’s first NFL Regular Season Game. The free event will see the legendary San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleaders teach participants their signature routine before everyone takes to the floor together in an attempt…
Alaskan rockers Portugal. The Man are heading back to Australia this October for a three-show East Coast run, including a stop at Melbourne’s Forum. Led by singer and multi-instrumentalist John Gourley, the band will bring their Denali Tour to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in support of their latest album, Shish, released last November. The Melbourne show will take place on Saturday 17 October, following the tour opener at Sydney’s Roundhouse on Wednesday 14 October. The band will then wrap things up at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Sunday 18 October. The upcoming shows mark Portugal. The Man’s return to Australia…
One of Australia’s most beloved children’s picture books is getting a musical makeover, with The Very Cranky Bear set to make its Melbourne debut at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse in January 2027. Created by bestselling Australian author and illustrator Nick Bland, the much-loved story will be brought to life with catchy songs, big laughs and plenty of heart during a strictly limited season from 13 to 16 January. Set in the Jingle Jangle Jungle, the story follows Zebra, Moose, Lion and Sheep as they search for somewhere cosy to escape a storm. Unfortunately, the cave they find already has one…
Melbourne is getting a brand new comedy night, with the Ovolo Comedy Club set to bring some of Australia’s biggest comedy names to South Yarra. The inaugural night will kick off at Ovolo Melbourne on Thursday 27 August, with comedy heavyweight Tommy Little headlining from 8pm alongside Harley Breen, Tor Snyder and other special guests. The new comedy club adds another reason to visit the colourful hotel, which is already known for its creative atmosphere, retro seventies glamour and disco-inspired style. Ovolo Managing Director, Australia Nicole Downs said the hotel’s atmosphere is the perfect setting for cocktails and comedy. “It’s…
Catching a regional train is about to get a whole lot easier, with tap and go payment technology rolling out across Victoria’s V/Line network. Passengers can now use a bank card, phone or smartwatch to tap on at stations through to Echuca, with the rest of the regional network progressively joining the system over the coming weeks. The rollout continues with the Swan Hill Line from August 23, followed by the Shepparton Line on August 30, Ararat and Maryborough on September 6, Warrnambool on September 13, Bairnsdale on September 20 and the Albury Line on September 27. Benalla and Euroa…
English rock legends Smokie are heading back to Australia next year, bringing their biggest ’70s hits and plenty of nostalgia with them on their Greatest Hits Tour. The band will make their way around the country in February and March, with Melbourne fans getting their chance to see them live at the Palais Theatre on Friday 12 March. They’ll also be at Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre on 10 March and Geelong’s Costa Hall on 13 March. Smokie are best known for a string of enduring hits including ‘Living Next Door to Alice’, ‘Lay Back in the Arms of Someone’, ‘Needles and…
Melbourne’s much-loved Winter Night Market is getting a two-week extension, giving locals two more chances to enjoy one of the city’s favourite winter traditions at Queen Victoria Market. The final two nights will take place on Wednesday 2 September and Wednesday 9 September, transforming the historic market sheds into a lively after-dark destination filled with street food, live music, fire pits, glowing light installations and plenty of shopping. The extended season will also introduce [CARDCORE] Night Market, taking over almost 2,000 square metres with Australia’s largest free TCG and pop culture event. More than 75 vendors will bring trading cards,…
The Jonas Brothers have been confirmed to headline the halftime show when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Los Angeles Rams at the MCG on Friday 11 September – Melbourne’s first NFL regular season game. Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas will perform during the historic clash, which kicks off at 10.35am AEST and will be streamed live globally on Netflix. The performance will be the first of seven American Express-presented halftime shows across the NFL’s 2026 International Games, spanning seven countries and four continents. For the Jonas Brothers, the Melbourne appearance adds another major milestone to a career that…
One of the world’s most beloved musicals is returning to Melbourne, with Disney’s The Lion King set to roar back onto the stage at the Regent Theatre from Thursday 25 March 2027. The six-time Tony Award-winning production will make its Melbourne comeback for the first time since 2015, bringing its spectacular combination of puppetry, costumes, music and storytelling to a new generation of audiences. The Lion King has now been experienced by more than 127 million people worldwide, making it one of the most successful stage productions ever created. The Australian tour is also proving hugely popular, with the current…