Maho Magic Bar, the Japanese magic bar that dazzled Melbourne audiences in 2023, is set to return this spring with a fresh line-up of tricksters, illusions and cocktails. The immersive experience will run from Tuesday 25 November 2025 to Sunday 15 February 2026 at Spiegel Haus Melbourne, a new two-level entertainment precinct on Lonsdale Street. Presented by Broad Encounters, Maho Magic Bar invites guests into a neon-lit Tokyo-inspired space where Japan’s sleight-of-hand masters perform at close range. Audiences can expect mischief, laughter, and a revolving repertoire of jaw-dropping tricks while enjoying a menu of premium Japanese cocktails and non-alcoholic options.…
Author: Melbourning
The Old Vic’s five-time Tony Award-winning production of A Christmas Carol will return to Melbourne in 2026 for a strictly limited five-week season at the Comedy Theatre, with performances beginning Thursday 27 November. Conceived and directed by Matthew Warchus (Groundhog Day, Matilda the Musical) and adapted by playwright Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), the acclaimed stage production has been hailed by audiences worldwide. In 2025 it will play London, New York and Melbourne. “We’re delighted to welcome The Old Vic’s heartwarming production of A Christmas Carol back to the Comedy Theatre for an incredible fourth consecutive year,” said Marriner Group Joint…
Daniel Johns will step back on stage this November for the first time in more than five years, presenting four special nights of film, music and storytelling in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Newcastle. Melbourne fans can see him at The Palais in St Kilda on Thursday 13 November. The shows mark the worldwide premiere of Johns’ short film, What If The Future Never Happened?, directed by James Medlam. Each screening will be framed by an intimate, hour-long onstage conversation in which Johns shares unseen photos, archival footage and unreleased recordings from his own collection. Fans can expect rare demos, including embryonic Neon…
Melbourne is about to gain its first new CBD bypass in a quarter of a century, with the Wurundjeri Way extension opening to traffic on Monday, 27 October. The major milestone in the West Gate Tunnel Project is expected to ease congestion across the city and improve connections between the inner west, Docklands and the CBD. The new four-lane link will connect Dynon Road at West Melbourne with Wurundjeri Way at Docklands, offering a direct alternative to Spencer and King streets. It is forecast to carry more than 10,000 vehicles a day from opening, increasing to 15,000 once the twin…
Australian powerhouse vocalist Dami Im has returned with Bubble, the first single from her forthcoming album Stormy Weather, due mid-2026. Released via Distro Direct and Dami Army, the track signals a fresh chapter for the singer-songwriter, fusing her signature vocal power with a playful jazz-pop sound. Bubble captures a sense of whimsy against the backdrop of modern chaos, offering an escapist fantasy of simplicity, love, and lightness. Its dreamy tones and jazz-inspired textures connect back to Dami’s early roots as a pianist and performer, while pointing toward the full vision of her upcoming album. To celebrate, Dami has also announced her Stormy…
The Red Hot Summer Tour is back in 2026 with an all-Australian line-up, headlined by one of the nation’s most enduring songwriters, Paul Kelly. The outdoor festival series will feature Missy Higgins, The Cruel Sea, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers and Jess Hitchcock alongside the legendary musician, and in Victoria will come to Warrnambool, Werribee, Wodonga and Bendigo. Kelly, whose career spans more than four decades and 30 albums, said he is looking forward to returning to the tour. “The band and I have many great memories from our last Red Hot Summer tour. We’re looking forward to making some…
This Christmas, Melbourne audiences can expect laughter, music and a cheeky twist on a festive classic when Love Actually? The Musical Parody returns to the Athenaeum Theatre from 5 December. The Off-Broadway hit, from the creators of Friends! The Musical Parody, reimagines the beloved rom-com Love Actually in a riotous stage send-up designed for audiences aged 15 and over. Following a sold-out Australian premiere season in Melbourne last year, the show is now set for a three-city East Coast tour, opening in Sydney at Darling Quarter Theatre on 27 November, before heading to Brisbane Showgrounds from 11 December. Promoter Ashley…
The international sensation Blanc de Blanc Encore will be performed in Melbourne for the first time, with the champagne-fuelled circus and cabaret spectacular opening at Spiegel Haus Melbourne on 29 October for a three-month season. Created and produced by Brunswick-based Strut & Fret, the production promises a night of vintage French glamour, world-class circus, live music, and cheeky comedy in an intimate Spiegeltent setting. The show has wowed audiences worldwide with its mix of acrobatics, singing and comedy, and is now finally making its Melbourne debut following seasons across Australia and beyond. The arrival marks Strut & Fret’s first home-city presentation…
Mattel is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a major activation at Chadstone these September school holidays, transforming the retail hub into an immersive playground from Saturday 20 September to Sunday 5 October. The program spans toys, fashion, music and lifestyle, showcasing some of the company’s most iconic brands – Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price – while highlighting Mattel’s cultural impact over eight decades. Families can dive into Mattel Adventure Camp, an interactive setup featuring a life-size Barbie Dream Camper, a Hot Wheels Monster Truck campfire jump, obstacle courses and a Speed Snap Track. Kids receive a limited-edition Chadstone x Mattel…
Attention Swifts: Taylor Swift will celebrate the launch of her new album with a worldwide cinema event. The pop superstar has announced Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, an 89-minute “release party” experience screening in movie theatres from October 3 to 5. Timed to coincide with the album’s release date, the cinematic event will feature the premiere of the first music video from the record, for the single The Fate Of Ophelia. Fans can also expect behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot, lyric videos for other songs, and “never-before-seen personal reflections” from Swift on her twelfth studio album. According…
The AFL, in partnership with the Victorian Government, has confirmed the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade will take place on Friday 26 September, with an expanded program and new features designed to elevate the fan experience. The Parade will again see the two Grand Final teams travel in Toyota HiLux vehicles along a fan-friendly route through the Melbourne Park precinct, Birrarung Marr and over the William Barak Bridge before finishing at Yarra Park. The day will culminate with the official presentation of the teams and the Premiership Cup on the Macca’s Footy Fest stage at midday. Entertainment kicks off…