Newsletter #1009 What's On Melbourne

What's On Melbourne Newsletter
Tuesday 28th April 2026 - Monday 4th May 2026

Featured This Week

ART | Modern Classic Play
Arts Centre Melbourne: Collection Store Tours
Auto-Photo: A Life in Portraits
Bright Autumn Festival
Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience
Day of Immunology: FREE Public Lecture
Day's Walk Farm | Walk, Talk and Harvest Tour
Enlightenment: The Four Seasons
Free Comic Book Day
Grampians Grape Escape
Heathers the Musical
Heads Up Guide
Kalorama Chestnut Festival
Late Night Vice
LIT | Light Festival @ Wyndham Park
Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival
Magic Show: Impossible Occurrences
Meguiar's MotorEx:
Melbourne Opera: Don Giovanni
One Fine Day Wedding Expo
The Melbourne Festival of Tease: The Sip Club
World Laughter Day
Weekend Markets Guide

Free Every Week

Stay safe - Be kind - Be Melbourne

FREE Public Lecture and Discovery Tours

Day of Immunology

29th April 2026 - 17th May 2026 @ The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

Celebrate the Day of Immunology by attending a FREE public lecture Guardians of our immune galaxy! This year some of Australia's top immunologists will discuss how special 'guardian' immune cells keep our immune health.

Discovery tours

Discovery tours provide a unique opportunity for the community to find out more about medical research, see our state-of-the-art facilities, learn about our exciting discoveries and talk to passionate scientists about their research.

Impossible Occurrences Magic Show

Every Friday night witness magic miracles up close with award-winning magician Luke Hocking at Melbourne's #1 magic & illusion show at the 5 Star Marriott Hotel.

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LIT returns in 2026 with a fresh new Glow!

LIT | Light Festival

Friday 24th April 2026 - Sunday 3rd May 2026 @ Wyndham Park - Werribee

The award winning and much loved, free event will return with an array of illuminated installations and mesmerising projections from local and interstate artists. Highlights of the program include the premier of Breeze, a new work by renowned western suburbs artist Bruce Ramus, featuring seven ethereal veils suspended between earth and sky, animated by wind, light and colour.

Don't miss Australia's ultimate celebration of car culture!

Meguiar's MotorEx

Saturday 2nd May 2026 - Sunday 3rd May 2026 @ Melbourne Showgrounds

Get ready for more wild unveilings, live music, drifting, cruising, the country's largest performance automotive trade show, and over $70M in jaw-dropping machinery.

Bright Autumn Festival

24th April 2026 - 3rd May 2026 @ Bright

A 10 day celebration of autumn colours and produce of the valleys of Victoria's Alpine High Country. The highlight is the Alan Findlay Memorial Gala Day with a market, music in the streets and a grand parade on Saturday 2nd May 2026.

Kalorama Chestnut Festival

Sunday 3rd May 2026 @ Kalorama Memorial Reserve - Free Family Event

A cherished annual community festival featuring family entertainment, handicraft and food stalls, workshops, and local musical talent.

Nine villages one festival - Unearth autumn in the Macedon Ranges

Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival

Wednesday 1st April 2026 - Thursday 30th April 2026

Enjoy a month-long program of vibrant farmers markets curated trails and itineraries open gardens foodie experiences artisan workshops and events across nine colourful historic villages.

Collect your one-stop Festival Map & Passport for all things Autumn Festival @ Woodend Visitor Information Centre

Wine Food & Music Festival

Grampians Grape Escape

Friday 1st May 2026 - Sunday 3rd May 2026 @ Grampians National Park - Halls Gap

Kickstart your weekend at Feel-Good Friday with local bands, food trucks, and top-notch local drops at the festival bar. Then, dive headfirst into Saturday and Sunday as the village comes alive with 90+ stalls offering everything from fine wine and boutique whisky to crispy calamari and handcrafted candles. Throw in masterclasses, guest chefs, all-day tunes, and free fun for the kids, and you've got yourself one unforgettable culinary adventure!

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A celebration of all things sparkling

The Bubbles Festival

Saturday 2nd May 2026 @ River's Edge

Featuring two-hour tasting sessions, meet producers and importers while enjoying 10+ sparkling wine tastings, canapes, tasting notes, and a bubbly appreciation introduction by Founder Natalie Pickett.

One Fine Day Wedding Expo

Saturday 2nd May 2026 - Sunday 3rd May 2026 @ Royal Exhibition Building

We bring Instagram to life by getting all the venues, photographers, florists, wedding dress designers, stationery, entertainment and beauty vendors under one roof.

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Unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the Australian Performing Arts Collection

Arts Centre Melbourne: Collection Store Tours

Select Sundays - 10:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:45 PM @ Arts Centre Melbourne

Featuring a selection of original objects from more than 850,000 items spanning circus, dance, music, opera and theatre, these tours provide a unique opportunity to explore the Collection and learn more about the performers, creatives and companies that have helped make Australian performing arts history.

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Immersive Light Show

Enlightenment: The Four Seasons

Until 31st May 2026 @ Immigration Museum

Experience spring summer autumn and winter through rich immersive visuals that blend seamlessly with the interior of Melbourne's Immigration Museum.

Hawker 88 Night Market

Wednesday's @ Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market transforms the open-air sheds into a vibrant hawker-style precinct filled with glowing lanterns authentic Asian street eats and live entertainment. Feast your way through bold flavours enjoy a rotating line-up of cultural performances and discover special $8.80 offers across food and market finds.

Ready to come inside?

Play School: Come and Play!

Until 12th July 2026 @ Australian Centre for the Moving Image

The perfect outing for two- to five-year-olds little ones have the chance to check out the Rocket Clock meet Big Ted Jemima and Humpty Dumpty sing songs and learn. Kids can play presenter camera operator or director - whatever tickles their fancy.

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The exhibition brings together handwritten letters private diaries rare manuscripts and treasured keepsakes to tell stories of passion heartbreak and devotion

Rebel Heart: Love letters and other declarations

Until January 2027 @ State Library of Victoria

From Cleopatra and Mark Antony to Romeo and Juliet love has often meant breaking the rules. Rebel Heart: Love Letters and Other Declarations is a sweeping new exhibition at the State Library that explores love stories from across Australian history - the bold the forbidden and the deeply personal.

View ancient Roman artifacts and learn about their daily life

ROME: Empire Power People

Daily until 25th October 2026 @ Melbourne Museum

Featuring original statues mosaics frescoes jewellery and everyday objects from the humblest to the most sumptuous this Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Rome's political cultural and social life.

The Offbeat Sari

Daily @ Bunjil Place

Featuring more than 50 saris by India's most renowned designers the exhibition includes highlights such as the glamourous designs of Sabyasachi Diksha Khanna Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla and Tarun Tahiliani; innovative garments by Anamika Khanna Abraham & Thakore Raw Mango and Rimzim Dadu; and the iconic hot-pink sari of the Gulabi Gang - a powerful symbol of resistance in India.

An immersive experience surrounded by bubbles

Bubble Planet

Daily until 29th June 2026 @ Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre - Brunswick

Step into a planet beyond your imagination with VR technology themed rooms fantastical landscapes and even the biggest ball pit you have ever seen.

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Embark on an extraordinary exploration of the human body

Body Worlds | The Anatomy of Happiness

Daily until 26th July 2026 @ The District Docklands

Embark on a fascinating journey through anatomy and physiology witnessing the impact of disease through stunning full-body plastinates intricate organs and revealing transparent slices.

Candlelight Concerts

Melbourne's most quietly beautiful night out is a Candlelight Concert by Fever.

Our Picks

A Tribute To Taylor Swift

Coldplay vs. Ed Sheeran

The Lord of the Rings - The Experience

Timeless Composers

Tribute To QUEEN vs ABBA

Vivaldi Four Seasons

Candlelight Babies: Classical Sounds to Stimulate Little Minds

The Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans

See ALL Candlelight Concerts - Melbourne

Performing Arts

Shows that make Melbourne Australia's top theatre destination..

Shows & Musicals

Check out the rest of the shows plays and musicals playing now and coming soon to Melbourne in our spanking new Theatre Guide.

Theatre Guide..

A razor-sharp comedy about friendship, ego and the chaos a single opinion can cause.

ART | Modern Classic Play

Until 3rd May 2026 @ Comedy Theatre

Richard Roxburgh, Damon Herriman and Ryan Corr star together in the internationally award-winning play ART by Yasmina Reza.

Melbourne Opera: Don Giovanni

Sunday 26th April 2026 - Sunday 3rd May 2026 @ Athenaeum Theatre

Melbourne Opera has assembled a world class cast for its new production. Three of Australia's best sopranos will join forces in passionate revenge. Lee Abrahmsen as Donna Anna, Eleanor Greenwood as conflicted wife Donna Elvira, and Soprano Rebecca Rashleigh is the peasant bride Zerlina. Taking on the role of Don Giovanni is Christopher Tonkin

Heathers the Musical

Until 3rd May 2026 @ Playhouse Theatre

Based on the iconic movie starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater Heathers the Musical is wickedly funny deliciously dark and full of big fun. Set to a killer soundtrack don't miss this cult classic - where popularity is a matter of life and death.

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Everyone raves this is Australia's best ever musical comedy

The Book of Mormon

Tuesday - Sunday | Season extended until 19th July 2026 @ Princess Theatre

This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries sent on a mission to a place that's about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone the award-winning creators of South Park and two-time EGOT winner Robert Lopez THE BOOK OF MORMON has truly become an international sensation.

Late Night Vice

Thurs - Sun - 23 April 2026 - 24 May 2026 @ Spiegel Haus Melbourne

Late Night Vice is a cocktail-drenched fever dream where cabaret collides with chaos. This show is Rated 18+, strictly adults only.

The Melbourne Festival of Tease: The Sip Club

Friday 1st May 2026 @ The Toff

The doors to decadence swing open, the bubbles are flowing, and Melbourne's newest playground of glamour, mischief, and tease is calling your name!

Melbourne to Williamstown Cruise

Hop on board this two hour cruise that ventures out into Port Phillip Bay to Williamstown. Departing from Southbank Promenade you will gently meander down the Yarra River passing by a number of city highlights including Crown Casino Westgate Bridge Exhibition Centre and Polly Woodside.

After approximately 45 to 60 minutes of travelling you'll arrive in the charming and historic town of Williamstown. View this early colonial settlement from the water characterised by buzzing restaurants cafes and galleries amongst picturesque gardens. Stay for lunch.

Then sit back and relax as your captain takes you back to Southbank a great opportunity to witness the stunning Melbourne skyline.