What's On

The world would be a far better place if there were more festivals like Ability Fest, but for now, we can relish in the fact that the country’s most inclusive event is making a triumphant return this October, taking over not just Melbourne but making an exciting debut in Brisbane.

Ahead of the highly anticipated drop of Sex Therapy: Sessions with Chantelle Otten, we spoke to Otten about her new series and the intimate dinner she's hosting to celebrate. 

It's 2024, and Melbourne's cultural grounds are firing on all burners with plenty of things to do. Festivals, Theatre, food and more are all ripe for the filling of that social calendar, and your stomach. The real question is how many of these can you fit into one week? Here's what's on.

Indulge in a taste of Italy at South Melbourne’s Lucia with their new limited edition Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Coffee Dessert. Crafted in collaboration with Lavazza and their Tales Of Italy range, this decadent treat is part of a special two-course menu available for a limited time only. 

There's nothing quite like the music scene in Melbourne. Any night of the week in pretty much any stretch of the town, you can catch live tunes—be it howling, foot-stomping rock 'n roll in sticky-floored pubs, sultry jazz in booth-seated lounges, or dirty techno at one of the many dens and d-floors in town.

Find out how to score a trip to Italy, valued at $8K.

We love the Queen Victoria Night Market, and we definitely love Fringe, so nothing sounds sweeter to us than the two joining forces to deliver the goods. Fringe Flavours Night Market is jam-packed with more than just food, you’ll be wide-eyed and full-bellied, as a stacked lineup of performers are set to entertain you while you munch.

Everoyne's favourite train is running a late timetable this spring, with Twilight Trains choo chooing us into the balmy evenings ahead and making room for plenty of Instagrammable moments. 

Whip out the spreadsheet and make sure your passport’s valid, because Singapore Airlines is offering up flight deals to a heap of destinations for its Early Bird Fares sale. 

The Singapore Grand Prix is a goosebump-inducing event that transforms the already buzzing city into the ultimate adult’s playground. Trust us when we say you’re going to want to book in some annual leave and snag yourself a ticket.

To the delight of Melburnians and Sydneysiders, Westinghouse is back on its mission to serve free food to hungry crowds.

Score a free oat coffee in Melbourne or Sydney with Oatly’s "Support Your Local Oat Dealer" campaign. Find out where to get yours from Sept 16-22.

This month, more than 250 works from the visionary Czech artist will take over the Art Gallery of New South Wales for Alphonse Mucha: Spirit Of Nouveau, the biggest solo exhibition of the legendary artist's work in the Southern Hemisphere.

After the runaway success of An American In Paris, The Australian Ballet and the legendary choreographer Christopher Wheeldon are gearing up to present Oscar, a mesmerising ballet performance leaning heavily into two of Oscar Wilde’s most influential stories.

Thirsty Thursdays just got a whole lot tastier with a slew of freaking delicious cocktails on offer this month—even better, we’ve got the inside scoop on how you can score a tipple on the house.

From the same crew that brought us So Frenchy, So Chic, tuck into 110 wines from 13 wine regions at Le Grape Escape in St Kilda's historic Town Hall.

The annual holiday celebrating all things Dad is fast approaching with September 1 just around the corner

Marking the end of Broome's pearl harvest season when the fortunes of the pearl farmer are told, Shinju Matsuri celebrates this unique blend of cultures with a jam-packed schedule of events in August. 

Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses, has landed at the Gallery Of Modern Art (GOMA) and it’s jaw-droppingly good, so there’s never been a better time to book a sneaky getaway to our northern neighbour. 

We might not know who Banksy is, but there's no denying the global fascination with his (or their?) art. The enigmatic graffiti artist is renowned for his provocative and often political street art, which is currently showcased in Docklands, following successful runs in London, Amsterdam, and the US.

Mighty MIFF (Melbourne International Film Festival) is back this week from Thursday 8 August to Sunday 25 August. The program is 250 films thick, with round-the-clock screenings, world premiers, and emerging talent debuts. We’ve deciphered the program into bite-sized pieces so you know what to watch, where to eat (and drink), and all the things you can do off-screen.

With one of the biggest days on Sydney’s event calendar just around the corner, join Urban List's City2Surf Run Club as we train to look and feel our best—from the start line all the way through to the inevitable kick ons.

In Melbourne, if there's a stage, there'll be theatre, and fortunately, there are plenty of both in this city. From local to international titles, there are thespians a plenty duking it out under the spotlights, portraying fables of mystery, sci-fi, right across to classic productions. 

To help you get out there in the colder months, we teamed up with Kathmandu to uncover a fresh slew of outdoor activities that'll fend off the frost. 

Clear your calendars for a night of daringly dark jokes from the depths of humour as The Kraken Black Spiced Rum's Darkest Show returns for a second year. This time with Rhys Nicholson, Anne Edmonds, Greg Larsen, and Daniel Muggleton at the helm. 

If you're planning on cosying up and leaving home only for the most impressive events this winter you're in luck, because Firelight Festival is set to return bigger and brighter than ever. 

Off the back of Lume's wildly popular last two exhibitions (Van Gogh, French Impressionism) the large-scale digital gallery has just announced its most important and transformative show since opening. 

Returning to where it all started Jurassic World: The Exhibition is pipelining for Melbourne with some raving reviews following its massive season in Sydney. 

The NGV Winter Masterpieces announcement is always a highly anticipated affair, in the past few years we've seen massive unveilings from a complete Picasso exploration, a journey through French Impressionism and more. 

It may be a whole lot colder but the prospect of a three-day weekend is one mighty-fine way to warm the soul. This coming King’s Birthday in Melbourne for 2024, Monday 10 June, a selection of Melbourne’s venues will still be turning it on for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Here's what’s open on this King’s Birthday public holiday in Melbourne 2024 (so far):

Japanese fashion powerhouse UNIQLO has been cooking up a pop-up to stave off the frigid winter months. 

The humble south-eastern suburb of Dingley Village will soon be home to a state-of-the-art wave park. The project, pending State Government approval, has since been given the green light after a five-year wait when it was initially pitched in 2019.

In the small town of Moama just on the outside of the Victorian border sits a stretch of the Murray river that holds a long and special history. 

Transformed into a world of light, colour and music, step into the Royal Botanic Gardens which has been reimagined into an immersive symphony of sights, Lightscape. Across the RBT, the trails, lakes and garden spaces have been enchanted with glowing installations guaranteed to captivate all of your senses. 

We’ve all heard of the Broadway musical WICKED making its anticipated touchdown in the heart of our city. Over at The Westin Melbourne, they’ve gone and partnered up with the globally acclaimed show, bringing  WICKED-themed experiences to celebrate. Whether you’re a casual theatregoer or an avid WICKED fan, experience the enchanting world of Oz from now through to August.

Today, the NGV has unveiled plans to host a huge Yayoi Kusama retrospective  featuring over 180 pieces of work, showcasing her entire eight-decade long career. The grand exhibition gathers iconic and never-seen-before pieces from Kusama’s very own portfolio, transcending beyond Flower Obsession that featured in the 2017 NGV Triennial. Think thought-provoking paintings, sculptures, collages, fashion, video, and immersive installations.

After attracting 1.3 million attendees in 2023, Illuminate Adelaide, a quintessential tradition in Adelaide’s cultural calendar returns for another year. Spanning three weekends from July 4 to 21, the festival sprawls the CBD, taking over heritage buildings and institutions with a blend of art, light music and technology. 

Get familiar with KICRUN, an eight-week, uber inclusive run club from Kic founders, Laura Henshaw and Steph Claire Smith and the legends at New Balance.

May is almost here, which means there's that one thing you should be been prepared, but you probably aren’t. That’s right, it’s Mother’s Day. But don’t fret, as we’ve got the perfect guide for you to organise those last-minute plans to celebrate the remarkable woman in your life. Whether it’s your mum, grandma, aunty, someone special, or you are the mum looking to treat yourself, we've compiled everything that's happening for Mother's Day in Melbourne for 2024:

With another long weekend just around the corner, it’s time to start making your brunch and dinner reservations. Whether you're waking up early Monday 25 April for the ANZAC Day dawn service or having a much-deserved sleep in, Melbourne’s hospitality industry is gearing up to make sure you spend the public holiday the right way. There are plenty of venues still trading and the surcharges are just a small trade-off for a great feed.

Expanding its artistic footprint across Victoria, Wall to Wall is making its way to the beachside suburb of Mordialloc from April 26 to 28 following a successful stint in Benalla. 

If you’re ready to laugh your guts out, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is rolling into town for another year, with three weeks and over 600 shows of non-stop chuckles. We’ve rounded up some of the must-see performances, with comedians from all corners of the globe. Here's our guide to the best shows at Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Formula One back in its Australian spiritual home of Albert park, and the Melbourne Grand Prix is returning for 2024. After a frenzied uptake on the racing genre from Netflix's 'Drive To Survive' this year's Formula One Grand Prix is set to be bigger than ever before with a plethora of culinary and off-track entertainment options throughout all the practice laps, pit stops and qualifying. 

The highly anticipated  Australian Grand Prix is returning to the iconic Albert Park this week, and Melbourne’s gone all-out with things to do to get rev-heads in the mood. From themed-cocktails and huge street parties to photography exhibitions and racing simulators , we’ve curated a list of every F1-themed event you can race to.

After a successful sold-out debut in 2011,  The Art of the Brick Immersive LEGO exhibition returns to Melbourne for a second time at The Showgrounds in mid-April, this time as an immersive experience. This globally acclaimed exhibition, which redefines the intersection of LEGO and art, uses over one million LEGO bricks to present over 100 pieces within a 360-degree setting, bringing the childhood toy to life. 

Australian Fashion Week presented by Pandora will descend upon Carriageworks again this May. Designers on show in 2024 include P.E Nation, Romance Was Born, Anna Quan, Blanca. Here's how to get your tickets now. 

The Cucinetta team are bringing back the 29 cheese gnocchi and once again teaming up with That’s Amore Cheese to ensure the stretchy, gooey dish is dialled for the two weeks it’s on offer.

After a highly anticipated return, Cirque du Soleil is set to tour major cities in Australia with its acclaimed production, LUZIA. Following its premiere in Melbourne on March 24 at Flemington Racecourse, the captivating show is has extended its run to May 26 due to overwhelming demand.

We asked our crew to share their top sun safe things to do this summer, from outdoor films to art galleries.

Melbourne’s premiere winter festival, RISING, is set to grace our cultural calendar for another year of new music, art and culture in 2024. Featuring an eclectic mix of epic large-scale installations, art exhibitions, performances, premiere music and theatre, the beloved festival sprawls throughout the heart of the CBD, occupying back alleys, car parks, cherished venues and streets alike.

Following a sell-out tour in the USA and UK, the official Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest experience—an enchanting outdoor adventure—is set to captivate the Mornington Peninsula region in April 2024. Presented by leading entertainment discovery platforms, Fever, Warner Bros. and IMG, this whimsical experience will see The Briars in Mount Martha transform into the depths of a dark and mystical forest.

This Friday 8 March, round up your allies and join in on the wide range of events and celebrations for International Women's Day to help break the gender bias. From hospitality events to public speaking panels, all the way to limited-edition nibbles, there is a way for you to be a part of the world-renowned women's rights movement this year. Keep on reading:

Brunswick, or Bulleke-bek in Woi Wurrung language, is the inner-city suburb in Melbourne's northeast, and once a year the entire suburb lights up for the long-loved Brunswick Music Festival. Nine huge days, the festival stands to celebrate the people, place, culture and music of Brunswick. From compelling performances to free live music, here are five things to do this year at the Brunswick Music Festival for 2024:

He sent Australia in a manic frenzy last year, selling tickets in a record 3.4 seconds to 'secret' warehouse raves alongside headlining at Laneway Festival, and now Fred Again is back with his pop-up shenanigans. After a surprise show in Sydney last night, Fred is gracing Melbourne and we couldn't be more hyped

Enter the running and you'll help Vision Australia train up the country’s hardest-working pooches. 

In what is sure to be a slam dunk for all basketball fanatics out there, an official NBA Exhibition is bouncing into town. From Wednesday 3 April, expect over 1100 square metres of pure interactive basketball showcasing, with an in-depth background in the lifestyle and culture of the game.

Attention all summer beach lovers, The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series returns for a massive 11th season in 2024 ready to delight and inspire with stunning agility, skill and team spirit.

Taylor Swift is coming to Melbourne, and the whole city seems to know it. With definitive proof that this is her world and we’re just living in it, there’s everything from cocktail nights to cruises, cookies to the Queen Vic Summer Night Market, completely Taylor-inspired, and best believe it’s all bejewelled. To find out all the details on Queen Taylor’s takeover, keep on scrolling.

Remember when an adventurous night out meant a couple of lukewarm pints in a pub that was two suburbs away from your house? Not anymore. Now, it’s all about escape rooms Melbourne has around town.

While some may argue Valentine’s Day is a sham—we are in the camp that backs everyday displays of affection—you probably landed here to find something sweet for your partner/situationship/friend/relo. From giant dumplings and fancy tangy cheese, to rooftop flicks and underground bars, we’ve wrapped up your guide to all things eat, drink, do Valentine’s Day in Melbourne for 2024 into three bite sized servings.

Australia’s longest-running arts festival returns with a jam-packed program spanning music, theatre, dance and film.

It's the earmarked sports event of the summer, the Aus Open is the iconic stretch of January where Melbourne suddenly transforms into tennis-arm-chair experts. 

Whip out the calendars and mark down 20 January, limited edition Messina ice cream will be popping up in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

As we brace ourselves for a scorcher of a summer, nothing seems more enticing than a refreshing dip in the pool. 

Following an extended season in the US, the closest thing to taking a walk in Jurassic Park has arrived in Melbourne at Dinos Alive, an immersive exhibition featuring 80+ life-sized, animated dinosaurs. 

Whether you’re a lover of lights, sports or downright incredible architecture, Singapore invites you to immerse yourself in this colourful wonderland where modern delights mix with ancient history.

Here’s everything happening over Brisbane International.

January is creeping up on us once again, and the NGV has served up a free after-hours festival set to shake up your summer nights, for 10 days straight. The Triennial EXTRA offers a little piece for everyone to enjoy—from pop-up artist talks and immersive gallery activations to vibe-providing DJ sets. 

There’s no need to jet off to Europe for a culture fix. Instead, set your sights on Auckland (aka Tāmaki Makaurau) just a short plane ride away. New Zealand’s largest city turns it on over the summer months with a vibrant event line-up encompassing music, art, culture, and all things inspiring.

Taking aim at the conventional candy bar and the tired menu options of larger chains, FoMo is the brand-spanking six-screen cinema with a serious focus on food and film. 

The answers to all your questions and curiosities before you jump into your big e-bike purchase.

The quintessential summer tradition in Melbourne’s cultural calendar, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (MFWF) is set to make a highly anticipated return in March 2024 for another round of one-off dinners, chef residencies, pop-ups and long lunches. Spanning across 10 days, from March 15 to 24, the MFWF program is jam-packed, featuring over 300 events across the city and surrounding suburbs, with Federation Square serving as the festival’s epicentre. 

It's perplexing to consider the whopping 530 million containers that end up in landfill in our sunny state alone each year—fortunately the superheroes at Containers for Change are bravely fighting the fill, encouraging small local businesses to get creative and actively protect our precious planet. 

It’s that special time of year, the time when you eat as much ham/seafood/turkey/pork/scones as your body can handle. When you pour copious amounts of alcohol into your mouth to help you forget about all the terrible things you said at the Christmas party.

Melbourne loves to make a big deal of things—think laneways, lockdowns, and the metro rail project—and fortunately for us, Christmas falls into that category of ‘things’. Kicking off at the end of the month is the City of Melbourne’s four-week-long Christmas Festival set to take over the city.

Christmas shopping in Melbourne can be an incredibly stressful experience, especially if you've taken it upon yourself to transform your home into a festive wonderland. 

There are plenty of ways to make the most of the Melbourne Cup public holiday. It starts with a coffee at your local, then the day could likely mosey into a meal at the pub, followed by a cocktail and bite at one of the many watering holes open on Tuesday 7 November.

Taking place across four days in early November, Palooza’s lineup includes everyone from Jax Jones (UK) to old faves Sneaky Sound System and former Spice Girl Melanie C (DJ set) on the decks.

With a number of traditional sauces to choose from including XO, ginger and shallot or black bean and salted chill, there’s guaranteed to be a flavour to please all palates for your end-of-year celebrations.

Tuck into canapes, sip Basil Hayden cocktails and watch the sunset across the city.

It’s 2500 litres of continuous rainfall, where contemporary art, technology and nature collide in a multi-sensory experience—and you’re in the centre. Random International’s Rain Room is returning to Melbourne for its third season, on Wednesday 1 November. 

With summer around the corner, the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre (NARC) is gearing up to welcome the Darebin community on Monday, November 13, following an extensive 18-month transformation. 

It’s safe to say you’ve had at least one ‘team building’ session at a Holey Moley over the years, and it’s safe to say you’ve left feeling like your cup is full—as well as your ego if you managed score a hole-in-one. Well, the good news is that those in the south-east can try their luck at another ace at Holey Moley’s latest locale in Moorabbin.

Experience three major events to celebrate and explore during Kambarang

It's the grand final weekend, the big one is here and it's finally returning to the sacred grounds of the MCG for the first time since 2019. If you (like many) couldn't nab a ticket, your home audio-visual set-up is less than desirable, or you're just looking to get well involved, we've wrapped up some of the top spots to catch all four quarters. 

The silly season brings with it many things: Kris Kringle pressies that’ll likely be regifted next year, boozed-up relatives and that awkward, annual decision of which side of the family you’ll be spending Christmas day with. It’s not all festive faux pas, though—one such thing that’s universally loved this time of the year is Christmas markets.

We know there’s a lot to get through on Netflix, Stan, Disney+, Apple TV and so on, but sometimes you just need to get outside, right? Who said the outdoors meant no screen time though? Not us. And let’s be real here, sometimes you just want to enjoy the movie without that kid behind you kicking your seat, or the group next to you talking over the tear-jerker moments. The best outdoor cinemas Melbourne has are free from such distractions. So pack a blanket and switch your phone to silent, we’ve got movies to watch.

To get you mapping out your cultural itinerary for the next few months, here are some of the unmissable cultural events in New South Wales to soak up this year.

To ensure you don’t miss even a second of bartender Christmas, this is your go-to roundup of venues to hit during Negroni Week.

Alright people, it’s time to don your green and gold for one of the biggest games in Australia’s sporting history.

Investing with a conscience has become increasingly popular over the past few years, and we don’t just mean buying organic and local. While both are still important, more and more young Aussies are looking to invest not only in their finances, but also their values and their future. It’s time we take finance and sustainability into our own hands, because let’s be honest, if we don’t, who will? 

From the creators of Semi-Permanent, the most prestigious event of its kind this half of the globe, comes Never Permanent. In partnership with the City of Melbourne as part of its new arts festival, Now or Never, it’s a one-day splendour of presentations by talented and passionate creatives worldwide. Headlined by the renowned Roman Coppola, LA-based co-writer of Wes Anderson hits such as The Grand Budapest Hotel and Asteroid City, it’s an event you won’t want to miss out on this month. 

You really only do live once.

Take to the skies, soak in the view and pop a bottle once you're back on dry land, the hot air balloon experience is pretty bloody sweat. 

To help you start mapping out your next New South Wales adventure, we’ve rounded up a bunch of the most exciting events to mark in your diaries.

If films are your schtick–you’ll be pleased to know that Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) will be back in theatres and online this August. Perfect for a winter night out, MIFF is packed with everything from engrossing documentaries and insightful speakers to anticipated blockbusters and plenty more. 

With no magical frozen lakes to skate on in Melbourne this winter (though it’s damn cold enough, am I right), the closest thing we’re going to come to a winter wonderland is an ice-skating rink. 

After opening in the CBD back at the end of 2020, Ballers Clubhouse and its adult playground of activities and bar is set to open a brand-spanking venue in Carlton.

You'll love these kid-friendly experiences, too. 

Just shy of a year ago, Melbourne's RISING took the city by a cross-cultural storm with around two weeks of electric events, gigs, performances and experiences, and the good news is that they're officially returning for 2023. Dates have been confirmed—for Wednesday 7 June through to Sunday 18 June—along with the first act. And it's set to be a showstopper. 

On the hunt for an unforgettable spectator experience? Here are some of Sydney’s most significant sporting events this year that you simply can't miss.

If you live in Melbourne, it means you live close to some of the best galleries our great nation has to offer. So, in the spirit of Urban List Art Month, here’s our round-up of some of the best galleries you can feast your eyes on in Melbourne when you’re starving for some culture.

From scenic flights to night kayaking, luxe harbour cruises, haunted ghost tours, and more. 

The cat cafe boom has been seen around the world, and finally, we’re starting to see cat cafes in Melbourne pop-up, both in the city, and further afield. 

Despite being over a 2.5-hour drive, Echuca and the Murray River or 'Tongala' as it's known by the traditional owners the Yorta Yorta people still remains as one of Melbourne's most loved regional escapes.  

Taking inspiration from the ultimate authentic addition to any meal, Cholula Hot Sauce, we spoke to the founders of Cartel del Taco in Brisbane,  Marco Ramirez And Erick Martinez, to dive a little deeper into what the day is all about and their favourite ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Fitzroy is one of the city’s oldest suburbs, a storied area, Ngár-go (high ground) as it was first titled by the traditional Wurundjeri owners has seen a lifetime of changes and development in its tenure. 

There’s no doubt that South Yarra is one of the more glitzy suburbs in Melbourne. Home to a myriad of boutique stores, stylish streets and of course, some truly quality dining, South Yarra is a haven for a chic day out.  

New year, new you. So you’ve set yourself a resolution to expand your knowledge and skills but the idea of committing to a uni degree gives you the shivers. We feel you! Luckily, there are plenty of ways to upskill without a three-year sacrifice. 

Convenience experts, 7-Eleven has teamed up with some of Melbourne’s most-loved chefs to bring you The Convenient Store. The pop-up shop will showcase a number of new offerings from 7-Eleven’s elevated deli experience, Johnny’s Deli. Crafted in collaboration with some of Melbourne’s top chefs including Shannon Martinez and Victor Liong, the menu boasts bespoke bites as you’ve never experienced before.

Just down the street from what Melburnians proudly consider our sole landmark (Flinders Street Station), The Duke Of Wellington has been busy giving itself an overhaul fit for the most parched of patrons.

While most of us will be celebrating the eight hour working day with a public holiday, several of Melbourne’s best foodie spots will be keeping their doors open. It seems a bit ironic, but maybe it’s a testament to the nonstop culinary scene Melbourne is known for. There’s something open for you whether you feel a bit rusty on Monday, or plan to keep the long weekend party going. Here’s what’s open this Labour Day in Melbourne.

See Whats On In Your State This Summer

The sartorial event of the year is looming, PayPal’s Melbourne Fashion Festival 2023 is back this march with a nine-day program that'll take over Melbourne (Narrm) from Friday 3 to Saturday 11 March. 

Casa Aperol is returning to Melbourne for a summer of outdoor sips, live tunes and inspired eats at Petanque Social.

Experience HOTA's world-exclusive exhibition, Pop Masters: Art from Mugrabi Collection, New York in a whole new light on two unmissable evenings, Up Late: New York Nights.  

The funniest time of the year is nearly back upon us, you guessed it, The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is once again gracing the city with its slew of wisecracking, sarcastic, irreverent, and just plain wild comedians from all over the globe. 

Mona Foma is back baby, and this year’s line-up is looking more eclectic, lawless, and vibrant than ever. The festival will be spread over two weekends, kicking off in Launceston from Friday 17 until the Sunday 19 of February, and finishing in nipaluna (Hobart) on Friday 24 until the 26 (with a little something special in the middle). We’ll be taking you through a rundown of all the best on offer during the two revel-filled weekends, with all the highlights the festival has to offer you. 

Cheese is truly one of the greatest wonders of the world, it comes in so many shapes, tastes, and is easily over-indulged right before meals. If you fall into this culinary category pencil in Friday 2 June into the diary as Mould, A Cheese Festival is coming to town.

Vision Australia and Seeing Eye Dogs Australia are asking for a favour in looking after their gorgeous eight-week old pups, and we have no doubt that you, like us, are wondering if it’s really them doing us the favour.