Opera is once again stepping out of the theatre and into the heart of the city, with Opera for All returning to Fed Square on Saturday 14 March 2026. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the much-loved open-air concert promises a relaxed evening of world-class music, completely free and open to everyone. Presented by BMW Australia in partnership with Opera Australia, the concert is part of a global initiative that brings opera to public spaces in cities including Munich, Berlin and London. In Melbourne, Fed Square becomes the stage for an accessible celebration of one of the world’s most enduring…
Author: Melbourning
One of Melbourne’s busiest CBD pubs is about to get a serious upgrade, with Garden State Hotel announcing plans for a sprawling new Rooftop Garden set high above Flinders Lane. The 300-seat space will transform the top of the venue into an open-air escape with sweeping views across the city skyline. Designed to feel like a natural continuation of Garden State’s upbeat, social vibe, the two-level rooftop is built for relaxed city drinking rather than flashy spectacle. Think greenery, soft lighting and plenty of room to settle in, whether it’s a quick after-work drink, a long afternoon with friends or…
Mornington is set to host one of the biggest outdoor music events of the summer, with the Red Hot Summer Tour adding a new Mornington date to its 2026 run. The much-loved touring festival will roll into Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, bringing a heavyweight all-Australian line-up led by Paul Kelly. The Mornington show marks a major addition to this year’s tour, giving locals and visitors a chance to catch one of the country’s most enduring singer songwriters in a relaxed outdoor setting. Victorian dates on the tour have previously been announced for Warrnambool, Wodonga, Werribee and Bendigo. Fresh from a sold-out…
Melbourne has never been short on late night intrigue, but this summer Crown is inviting guests to step through the velvet curtains and leave the city behind. Piper’s Playhouse has arrived, transforming Crown into a decadent Parisian style cabaret club where live music, spectacle and temptation collide. Running Thursday to Saturday nights from January 15 to February 14, Piper’s Playhouse offers a fully immersive experience that feels closer to Montmartre than Southbank. A live jazz band sets the tone as soaring vocals, illusionists, sword swallowing sirens, burlesque performers and circus artists fill the room with constant movement and surprise. At…
Torquay is set to host one of the biggest coastal music events of the year when Here Comes The Sun lands at Torquay Common on Saturday 4 April 2026, aligning with the Rip Curl Pro and marking the festival’s most significant east coast moment to date. The Torquay event opens a three-stop national run for Here Comes The Sun in 2026 and comes via a new partnership with the World Surf League, formally linking live music with Australia’s premier professional surfing events. For locals and visitors already descending on the Surf Coast for Bells Beach, the festival adds a major…
Government House will once again welcome the public inside its gates on Australia Day 2026, with the return of its annual January Open Day offering a relaxed and family-friendly way to spend the national public holiday. Taking place on Monday 26 January, the free event invites visitors to explore one of Victoria’s most recognisable landmarks at their own pace. A self-guided tour of the historic State Apartments will allow guests to step inside the grand interiors that usually remain closed to the public, offering a rare glimpse into the building’s history and ongoing role in civic life. Out in the…
If you like your Sundays loud, shiny and filled with flying machinery, Bacchus Marsh Wings, Wheels and Coffee is locking in a return for 2026. The popular community event takes over the Bacchus Marsh Airfield on Sunday 1 February, running from 9am to 4pm with a full day of motoring, aviation and laid-back summer atmosphere. Held at the airfield on Cummings Road in Parwan, the event brings together an eclectic mix of classic cars, modern performance vehicles, motorcycles and aircraft. It’s a rare chance to see road and sky machines sharing the same space, with the tarmac turning into a…
New York trio the Fun Lovin’ Criminals are heading back down under for the first time in more than a decade. Celebrating their seventh studio album A Matter of Time they’re coming to three Australian cities in March 2026. In Melbourne, fans will be able to catch them at The Prince on Friday 13 March. The band is known for blending hip hop, funk, rock and jazz into a laid-back, streetwise sound that feels instantly familiar. Formed in the early 1990s, they broke through with their 1996 debut album Come Find Yourself, featuring the enduring hit Scooby Snacks. They became…
Fed Square is switching on summer nights in the city with the return of Open Air, a month-long program of free live music, outdoor cinema and cultural events running through February in the heart of Melbourne. The annual series brings warm evenings to life with performances, film screenings and large-scale celebrations designed to be shared. From major concerts to intimate cultural moments, Open Air once again turns Fed Square into a night-time meeting place for locals and visitors alike. Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks says, “Fed Square has always been the city’s gathering space and it’s now a destination…
Taking on AC/DC is one thing. Reclaiming their catalogue and flipping it into a full-throttle queer celebration is something else entirely. GAYC/DC arrive in Australia this February with a reputation that goes far beyond novelty, reframing one of rock’s most masculine songbooks into something bold, inclusive and genuinely electric. Formed by Pansy Division bassist Christopher Freeman alongside drummer Brian Welch, the band has carved out rare territory in the tribute world. Rather than parody, GAYC/DC approach the music with deep respect, a quality that’s earned them praise from critics and rock royalty alike. Kerrang! have described the band as “Glam/Sassy/Porn/Punk/Metal/Dirty…
One of Australia’s most loved children’s programs is stepping off the screen and into the museum, with ACMI and the ABC celebrating 60 years of Play School through a free, hands-on exhibition designed especially for little learners. Premiering at ACMI from 4 March to 12 July 2026, Play School: Come and Play! invites pre-schoolers and their grown-ups behind the scenes of the iconic show, revealing how an episode of Play School is made today. The Melbourne season will launch the exhibition before it tours nationally. Created with children aged two to five at its heart, the exhibition transforms familiar Play…
Frankston’s Waterfront Festival is set to light up the foreshore on 6 and 7 February, with a strong Australian music line-up and new accessibility features headlining the much-loved summer event. Now in its 27th year, the free festival is backed by a new partnership between Frankston City Council and Revive Live, an Australian Government initiative. The collaboration includes a $95,000 federal investment on top of Council’s major events funding, aimed at boosting attendance while supporting local artists and businesses. The funding will go directly towards performance fees for original Australian musicians, delivering a diverse mix of established names and emerging…