Melbourne - Events

Victoria's calendar is packed with bumper celebrations, from international sporting events to Australia's biggest cultural festival and 15 major annual and biennial events.

Melbourne is famous for its innovative event venues and is the only city in the world with five world-class sporting facilities on the fringe of its CBD. All are linked to a comprehensive public transport network. And if tickets are scarce, make your way to Federation Square in the city centre to catch all the action of major events on the live site big screen.

Melbourne is home to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, Telstra Dome, Albert Park Sports and Aquatic Centre, Rod Laver Arena, Vodafone Arena and the Grand Prix circuit at Albert Park.

Australian Open Tennis Championships

The international grand slam tennis season opens every January in Melbourne. See the world's best players battle it out at the nation's biggest sporting event, held at Melbourne Park. (January)
Australian International Airshow

The biggest and best in aviation soar across the skies of Avalon at this biennial event, which showcases classic aeroplanes and the most innovative aircraft from around the world. (February – biennial)
Foster's Australian Formula One Grand Prix

See the chequered flags fly as the biggest names in international motor racing go through their paces at Albert Park. Join four days of high speed glitz and celebration. (March)
Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Have a laugh at one of the world's biggest annual celebrations of humour. Feast on Australia's funniest plus the finest international acts at over 200 shows in venues around the city. (March–April)
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

Melbourne is always at the forefront of food innovation. This three-week festival highlights Victoria's quality produce and culinary talent, and includes the World's Longest Lunch. (March–April)
Australian Football League Finals Series

Every September Melbourne is gripped with footy-fever as the best teams battle it out for the coveted premiership. Join the crowds and excitement of Grand Final day. (September)
Spring Racing Carnival

The world's finest thoroughbreds gather in Melbourne for this celebration of horse-racing, trackside fashion, fun and the legendary highlight: the Melbourne Cup. (October–November)
Melbourne International Arts Festival

Each year Melbourne hosts one of the world's finest cultural festivals, featuring international and Australian artists working in all art forms designed to astound and entertain. (October)
Equitana Asia Pacific

The largest gathering of horse lovers in the Southern Hemisphere features 1,200 horses, Olympic gold medallists, world-class stunt riders and performers, at seven indoor arenas over four days. (November – biennial)
Boxing Day Test

One of Melbourne's greatest sporting traditions sees fans from all walks of life flock to the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground to see Australia tackle an international cricketing opponent. (December 26 to 30)
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

Melbourne blooms each year at this event staged at the historic Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. See over 300 exhibits created by the best of the horticulture industry. (March–April)

REGIONAL HALLMARKS

Rip Curl Pro

See surfing superstars take on the legendary Bells Beach breakers at this world championship tour event. (April)
Mt Buller World Aerials

The world's best aerial skiers compete in the opening rounds of the Freestyle World Cup season surrounded by breathtaking scenery of Victoria's high country. (September)
Wangaratta Festival of Jazz

Australia's premier jazz event also boasts a fabulous blues program. Head to Wangaratta and surrounding wine regions to see a host of Australian and international acts. (October–November)
SKYY VODKA Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix

The best riders in the business converge on the awesome Phillip Island circuit for the penultimate round of the MotoGP World Championship. Join the high-speed celebrations. (October)

Articles

A world-class arts scene

From cutting-edge architecture and blockbuster musicals to art exhibitions and popular festivals, Melbourne is a city where cultural pursuits are woven into the fabric of everyday life. A 'corridor' of exciting arts and culture institutions extends across the city, from the Yarra River to the world-heritage Royal Exhibition building and Melbourne Museum in the historic Carlton Gardens. Explore on foot, starting your tour near Southbank at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in its striking building that resembles Uluru. Nearby is NGV International - the National Gallery of Victoria's headquarters,and the Victorian Arts Centre, home to theatre, opera, contemporary and classical music, ballet and visual arts. Across the Yarra River, Federation Square is a unique and controversial public space that fuses art with architecture, exhibitions and events. It houses Australia's first major gallery devoted to Australian art, including an impressive collection of Aboriginal art - The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia - and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, the world's first gallery dedicated to the moving image in all its forms. Melbourne also has an array of fine theatres that host leading national and international arts companies. Melbourne laneways and precincts are filled with commercial galleries, craft and design outlets, and fashion boutiques showcasing the innovation and skill of Melbourne-based artists and designers. Small theatre companies produce edgy and innovative theatre, contemporary dance and physical theatre. And the city streets are alive with buskers and public art. Each year Melbourne hosts a range of arts and cultural festivals and events, including the annual fashion and film festivals, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Melbourne Fringe Festival, the Melbourne International Arts Festival, youth events and more. more

City charm

You'll barely meet a visitor who hasn't fallen in love with Melbourne. Rattling trams, parklands singing with blackbirds, stately architecture and palm trees - it's like northern Europe on the Mediterranean. more

Design

Melbourne's love of style is no more evident than in its architecture. From gorgeous Victorian public buildings to designer hotels and dozens of examples of post-Modernist constructions scattered around the city, Melbourne's architecture stands out. Interior design and arts and crafts are also visual highlights of this happening city. more

Fashion

Melbournites take fashion seriously, and nowhere in Australia offers a greater range of shops dedicated to looking good. Whether you're looking for something funky, or a traditional classic with a big-name label, you are sure to find more than you can ever take home in Melbourne's arcades and fashion streets. more

Food and Wine

The influence of decades of immigration from all over the world has made Melbourne a paradise for those who love food and wine. Whole streets are dedicated to food, whether it be Indian, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, or a host of other styles. You can't miss the world-class wines either. more

History

Waves of immigration from all over the world - most notably the United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, China, Vietnam and Eastern Europe - have turned Melbourne into an exciting, multi-cultural city. Built with the profits of the 1850s gold rush, its cutting edge image is tempered by a stately veneer. more

Melbourne river scene

Melbourne, renowned for its cafe culture, art scene, multicultural lifestyle and splendid parks, stands on the banks of the Yarra River and the shores of Port Phillip Bay. The Yarra flows past ancient red gums and the smart mid-city Southgate complex. Take a sunset river cruise to catch the spirit.