Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital and its festival and event calendar reflects that. From the bustling markets at Fitzroy Market to the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, there’s something for locals and visitors. Whether you catch an exhibition match at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park or the fireworks at Moomba Festival, there’s something for everyone. If you want to explore more, Melbourne Tours is the way to experience the city’s culture, taking you to iconic venues, hidden gems and major festivals throughout the year.
Summer Festivals in Melbourne (December – February)
Melbourne International Arts Festival
The Melbourne International Arts Festival, held in October, is one of the city’s biggest events that turns Melbourne into a global playground for creativity. With performances across dance, music, theatre and visual arts, the festival brings together international and Australian artists for boundary-pushing works. The Arts Centre Melbourne and Sidney Myer Music Bowl are just two of the many venues hosting amazing shows, it’s a big reason why Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital.
Midsumma Festival
The Midsumma Festival is a fabulous celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture, over three weeks in January. Held at various locations including the beautiful Catani Gardens and Alexandra Gardens, this accessible music festival features contemporary music, art installations and cultural performances. It kicks off with a carnival and includes the iconic Pride March in St Kilda, it’s a big event in Melbourne’s calendar.
Australian Open
Held in January, the Australian Open is more than a tennis tournament; it’s a big event that attracts international crowds to Melbourne Park. Besides exhibition matches with the world’s best tennis players, the Australian Open creates a party atmosphere with food trucks, live music venues and family friendly activities. You can also enjoy cooking classes, wine tastings and heaps of entertainment options, it’s an amazing event that goes beyond sport.
St Kilda Festival
The St Kilda Festival, in February, is one of Australia’s biggest free music festivals and a annual celebration of Melbourne’s local music. The festival takes over the beachside suburb of St Kilda, with music from various stages featuring established and emerging Australian artists. Market stalls, food trucks and the beautiful St Kilda Beach add to the atmosphere, it’s a must do for anyone wanting to experience Melbourne’s culture.
Autumn Festivals in Melbourne (March – May)
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
A must for foodies, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is all about the love of food. In March, the festival runs for several weeks with wine tastings, food markets and cooking classes across the Yarra Valley to the Mornington Peninsula. The pièce de résistance is the World’s Longest Lunch where hundreds of people sit down to a shared meal along a table stretching through the heart of the City of Melbourne. This is Melbourne’s culinary scene in all its glory, for locals and visitors from around the world.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Melbourne is the comedy capital of Australia and every April the Melbourne International Comedy Festival comes to town. With a line up of comedy acts including stand-up, musical comedy and intimate performances, the festival features local and international talent. Events are held in big venues like the Arts Centre Melbourne and smaller ones like Coburg Town Hall so there’s something for everyone. The festival is just infectious and diverse so you have to be there if you love comedy.
Moomba Festival
Melbourne’s Moomba Festival is a community festival held every March along the Yarra River. A parade, fireworks and the Birdman Rally, Moomba is Melbourne’s biggest community festival. With carnival rides, cultural performances and more, it’s a great day out for families and anyone who loves Melbourne’s cultural festivals.
Winter Festivals in Melbourne (June – August)
Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)
The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) in August is a highlight of the city’s festival calendar. One of the world’s oldest film festivals, MIFF screens films from international and Australian filmmakers. Screenings are held in iconic venues like the Forum Theatre and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) so film lovers can get up close and personal with a wide range of films from documentaries to experimental works.
Rising Festival
Rising is a relatively new addition to the Melbourne cultural landscape but has quickly made its mark with its unique mix of art installations, boundary-pushing performances and contemporary music. In June the festival takes over the city’s public spaces, Birrarung Marr and Southbank, and turns them into immersive art experiences. Rising is a celebration of Melbourne’s creative spirit and attracts locals and visitors with its innovative approach to arts and culture.
Good Food & Wine Show
Winter in Melbourne wouldn’t be complete without the Good Food & Wine Show, an event that brings together the best of Australian food and wine in one place. Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in June, this is the ultimate food and wine fest with wine tastings, gourmet food stalls and cooking demonstrations. A must for foodies looking to indulge in Melbourne’s food scene and find out what’s new in food and wine.
Spring Festivals in Melbourne (September – November)
Melbourne Fringe
The Melbourne Fringe, in September, is all about independent and alternative art. Theatre, visual art, dance performances and more. Emerging artists get to show off their stuff. Events are in weird and wonderful venues across the city, from Brunswick East to Bourke Street. It’s Melbourne’s arts scene in all its glory.
AFL Grand Final Week
AFL Grand Final Week, in September, is the highlight of the Melbourne sporting calendar. The week ends with the AFL Grand Final at the MCG, an event that brings passionate fans from all over the country. The city comes alive with festivities, parades and community gatherings, celebrating the best of Australian footy. It’s a week of intense sport and atmosphere that shows Melbourne loves sport.
Melbourne Cup Carnival
At the famous Flemington Racecourse on Epsom Road, the Melbourne Cup Carnival is high fashion, world class racing and a social scene. In November, it’s known as “the race that stops a nation” with a series of races that attract visitors from all over the world. Beyond the races there’s fashion competitions, live music and food stalls, it’s a Melbourne spring institution.
Cultural and Community Events
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is one of Melbourne’s biggest cultural events, with festivities in Chinatown and surrounding areas. Traditional lion and dragon dances, market stalls with authentic Chinese food and cultural performances showcasing Melbourne’s Chinese community. A great opportunity to experience Asian culture and celebrate the lunar new year.
Greek Festival of Antipodes
Melbourne’s Greek culture is celebrated at the Greek Festival of Antipodes every March on Lonsdale Street. Traditional Greek music, dance and food stalls with Greek delicacies. A fun and cultural event to experience Melbourne’s multiculturalism and taste the Mediterranean.
Diwali Festival
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated big time in Melbourne every October. At various venues including Federation Square, there’s rangoli displays, traditional dance and Indian food. The highlight is a fireworks display that lights up the night sky, symbolising the victory of light over darkness. Diwali is a beautiful celebration of Indian culture and Melbourne’s diversity.
Music and Arts Festivals
White Night Melbourne
White Night Melbourne is an extraordinary all-night arts festival held in August, turning the city into an outdoor gallery. With art installations, live performances, and light projections, White Night offers visitors a chance to experience Melbourne’s cultural capital status in a unique and captivating way. From the State Library of Victoria to the National Gallery of Victoria, the festival showcases the best of the city’s arts and creativity.
Melbourne Music Week
Melbourne Music Week (MMW) is a week-long celebration of the city’s thriving music scene, held every November. Featuring performances from both local and international artists across various music venues and concert halls, MMW covers genres from electronic to indie rock. The festival also includes workshops and talks, making it a comprehensive celebration of Melbourne’s contemporary music culture.
Unique Melbourne Events You Shouldn’t Miss
Night Noodle Markets
The Night Noodle Markets are an annual Asian street food festival in November at Birrarung Marr. With food stalls from some of Melbourne’s best restaurants, live music, cultural performances and city views it’s a must do for foodies and anyone who loves Melbourne’s culture at night.
Open House Melbourne
Open House Melbourne is an annual event in July where the public can get access to some of the city’s most iconic buildings, from historic landmarks to modern architecture. With guided tours and special access to places like the Royal Exhibition Building and South Melbourne Town Hall, Open House is your chance to learn about Melbourne’s built heritage and urban development.
Royal Melbourne Show
The Royal Melbourne Show is held every September at the Melbourne Showgrounds and is a traditional event that celebrates Victoria’s rural heritage. Livestock competitions, craft markets and carnival rides for all ages. A family friendly event and a taste of country life in the city.
Melbourne Festivals and Events
Here is a quick guide to some of the major festivals and events in Melbourne throughout the year. Not a comprehensive list but gives you an idea of what’s on across the seasons.
| Season | Festival/Event | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Melbourne International Arts Festival | December – January | A global showcase of arts, including theatre, music, and dance. |
| Midsumma Festival | January | Melbourne’s premier LGBTQIA+ arts and culture festival. | |
| Australian Open | January | One of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, featuring world-class matches. | |
| St Kilda Festival | February | Australia’s largest free music festival, held on the shores of St Kilda Beach. | |
| Autumn | Melbourne Food & Wine Festival | March | A celebration of Melbourne’s culinary scene with events across the city. |
| Melbourne International Comedy Festival | April | One of the world’s largest comedy festivals, with performances across various venues. | |
| Moomba Festival | March | Melbourne’s largest free community festival, featuring a parade, fireworks, and the Birdman Rally. | |
| Winter | Melbourne International Film Festival | August | Showcasing local and international films, with premieres and retrospectives. |
| Rising Festival | June | A cultural festival with art installations and performances transforming Melbourne’s public spaces. | |
| Good Food & Wine Show | June | A gourmet event featuring tastings, masterclasses, and cooking demonstrations. | |
| Spring | Melbourne Fringe Festival | September | A platform for independent artists to showcase their work across various genres. |
| AFL Grand Final Week | September | A celebration of Australian football, culminating in the Grand Final at the MCG. | |
| Melbourne Cup Carnival | November | A premier horse racing event with fashion competitions and social activities. |
Conclusion
Melbourne’s got a festival and events calendar that’s got something for everyone. Whether you’re into arts and culture, sport or food and wine, the city’s got a myriad of experiences throughout the year. Each season brings a new wave of events so there’s always a reason to get out and about and explore this great city.
FAQs
When is the best time to visit Melbourne for festivals?
Best time to visit for festivals depends on what you’re into. Summer is good for arts and music festivals, autumn is good for food and wine. Winter and spring have their own unique events like the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
How do I get tickets to Melbourne’s big events?
Tickets for Melbourne’s big events can be purchased online through the event website or ticketing sites like Ticketek and Eventbrite. Book early as popular events sell out fast.
Are there any free festivals in Melbourne?
Many festivals in Melbourne are free to attend, St Kilda Festival, Moomba Festival, and various community and cultural events like Chinese New Year and the Greek Festival of Antipodes.
Which festivals are family friendly?
Moomba Festival, Royal Melbourne Show and St Kilda Festival. All have activities for kids and adults.
Can I attend Melbourne’s festivals if I’m visiting from overseas?
Absolutely! Melbourne’s festivals are open to everyone, and the city is well-equipped to welcome international visitors. Just be sure to check any visa or travel requirements before planning your trip.