What's On

Grey Goose is celebrating martini month with specialty cocktails and snacks at these Melbourne venues.

If there’s one guarantee in this life, it's that there's always something to do in Melbourne—even when the temps start dropping offensively low.

It's 2025, 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.

The global phenomenon that broke Netflix records, sparked countless Halloween costumes and gave an all-new meaning to ‘red light, green light’, is gearing up for one final twisted, terrifying round.

Consider this your Melbourne bucket list that covers both tourist attractions and local haunts. There are endless things to do, see, eat and drink but sometimes it's difficult to know where to start. Like all good city guides, we’ve divided our hit list into a compass-like fashion to help you navigate your way around Melbourne’s best activities. So this is your chance to discover something new in your suburb or dare to venture into an unfamiliar area.

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 2025, Monday 9 June, a selection of Melbourne’s venues will still be turning it on for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. 

Want to watch Sydney and Queensland battle it out for the State of Origin without having everyone crowd around the TV in the living room like a packet of sardines? You’re in luck, because some of Melb’s finest pubs and bars are screening the game, plus, you’ll even be able to grab a parma and a pint whilst you watch!

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. 

Ditch the couch—Melbourne’s serving up another weekend full of things to do. Heathcote in the City turns Meat Market into a wine-lover’s paradise (95 drops + food trucks!), while the Korea Festival brings Squid Game challenges and K-Pop battles to Fed Square.

Netflix is bringing Squid Game to life with a spine-tingling activation at Federation Square this month. 

Sandy McIntyre is the actor, writer, producer and model making waves across Australia’s creative scene. We picked their brains on the best of what to do in Sydney this winter season. 

If there’s one person who knows how to make the most of a weekend in Sydney, it’s the powerhouse NRLW player, sharp-witted commentator, and podcast co-host Millie Elliott. 

Bastille Day means different things to different people. If you’re French it probably represents throwing off the shackles of an oppressive monarchy. For the rest of us, it’s an excuse to order massive plates of steak & pomme frites, or drink Burgundy by the bottle while toasting “liberty, equality, fraternity and reasonably priced booze!” That’s the good thing about Bastille Day. There’s something for everyone.

Once again May has crept up on us out of nowhere, bringing with it one very important day. It’s that one thing you should be prepared for, yet every year it comes as another suprise. That’s right, it’s Mother’s Day. 

The festival of art, light, music and cutting-edge technology, confidently returns in July for its fifth edition, promising more kaleidoscopic installations, late-night gigs set to trippy projections and a cracking new program of dining events. 

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.

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.

For those on the hunt for a cultural experience rich with all things history, people, stories, and nature, Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) should be top of the list. 

We’ve found a stack of elite Singapore stayover deals to kick-start your 2025. 

Hint, it involves free entry, and we're here for that to send them off.

In 2025, we're ditching the routine overhaul and making small, more realistic changes that stack up to a better year.

The Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix 2025 is a pretty big deal for us Melburnians.

As the action revs up on the track, we'll show you how to ace the off-track scene

Expect a three-course meal, inventive minty cocktails, wine and conversation cards to get to know your new mates.

This year is a real biggie for Formula One. Melbourne has returned as the coveted season opener, host to the world’s first look at seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton debuting his new Ferrari red get up while Spain-born Carlos Sainz embraces a fresh Williams blue. And arguably one of the best parts of the AusGP weekend—the end of race track walk—is also back on the cards. Winning.

A gathering of salty locals, big time heroes and future legends.

There’s a reason Jackalope on the Mornington Peninsula is on everyone’s bucket list: from its stunning grounds to unique architectural design, moody black colour palette or funky bar and restaurant, the hotel is the very definition of a luxury stay.

Patience, young padawan LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition will be knocking down blast doors and arriving in Melbourne on 4 May at Melbourne Museum.

FISHER's Out 2 Lunch Festival with Vodafone is back, and we have the insider scoop on how to grab up presale tickets. 

Housed within the former St Kilda Ichi Ni site, The Espy has dropped a fresh open-air bar, right in the peak of summer. 

From situationships to first dates and catch-ups with your mates, here’s how to date differently in 2025. 

We're hosting a first-home buyers pop-up complete with expert property panel, DJs, and a stack of freebies from local vendors. 

Summer might be coming to a close, but there’s no need to go thirsty.

The Prince Hotel's snuck in another cheeky refresh, just in time for summer. 

We’re calling it a touchdown. Further cementing Melbourne as Australia’s sporting capital, next year we’re going to be able to catch live NFL games. Yep, American football—the National Football League—a la Travis Kelce is coming to us live.

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

It's the earmarked sports event of the summer, the Australian Open 2025 is the iconic stretch of January where Melbourne suddenly transforms into tennis-arm-chair experts. 

The Super Bowl is a big deal, and whether or not you're into American sport you can't help but get caught up in the fever, the chicken wings and of course the drama.

We'll show you how to ace the off-court scene by serving up Melbourne's best during the Australian Open

It's something that Melburnians can take deep pride in, other states might have the weather but our bustling late-night music culture and good-time mentality is second to none in this country. 

The sight of the blossoming purple flowers of the Jacaranda trees is a friendly reminder that the true frosty season is over and there are warmer climates ahead. The Jacaranda is typically earmarked with the coming of summer and Christmas (according to the jingle). The floral tree is an Australian icon in the plant community and a welcome beacon to the tail end of the year. 

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 Melbourne's escape rooms.

To celebrate the release of Squid Game Season 2, Pink Guards have been wandering the shores of Melbourne and Sydney.

In a monumental celebration of contemporary art, NGV International is hosting the largest-ever retrospective of iconic Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Featuring over 180 works, this expansive exhibition spans Kusama’s extraordinary eight-decade career, making it a global first and an unmissable event.

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.

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.

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 2025 for another round of one-off dinners, chef residencies, pop-ups and long lunches. Spanning across 10 days, from March 21 to 30, the MFWF program is jam-packed, featuring over 200 events across the city and surrounding suburbs. 

Ah, Christmas—the season of sparkly lights, festive tunes and a to-do list longer than Santa’s. Between finding the perfect gift, planning events that scream “holiday spirit” and navigating the chaos of end of year celebrations, it’s easy to feel like an overworked elf. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you shop, explore and eat your way to a stress-free December 25th.

Balmy weather, 8pm sunsets, and iced lattes in hand are all telltale signs summer is almost here. But the real marker isn’t when Woolies decks the aisles in tinsel, it's when the Summer Night Market returns to Queen Vic Market.

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

Melbourne loves to make a big deal of things—think laneways 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.

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. 

It’s that time of year again where Melbourne welcomes Moonlight Cinema back for its 28th summer. Returning to their usual turf—the Botanic Gardens Friday 29 November 2024. This annual cinematic tradition has multiple flicks to feast your eyes on. 

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 5 November.

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. 

Grab your camera team, because Sony Scene Festival just made a massive return to Australian shores. They've lined up over 120 events from a crew of Sony digital imaging ambassadors and industry experts, bringing the creative events platform to the masses.

Plus, win an adventurous Aussie holiday worth up to $3.5K.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.