Newsletter #1012 What's On Melbourne

What's On Melbourne Newsletter
Tuesday 19th May 2026 - Monday 25th May 2026

Featured This Week

Ballarat Heritage Festival
Bernie Dieter's Club Kabarett
Candlelight: Vivaldi Four Seasons
Cartier | Melbourne Winter Masterpieces
Coastrek Mornington Peninsula
Digital Health Festival
Dreamtime at the 'G
Fondue Chalet @ Fed Square
Heart Body Soul
Lightscape @ Royal Botanic Gardens
Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City
Magic Show: Impossible Occurrences
Melbourne Design Week
Melbourne International Animation Festival
Melbourne's Annual Wedding Expo
MOTHER | Stories from the NGV Collection
Murrindindi Beanie & Fibre Festival
National Walk Safely to School Day
Pet Adoption Weekend
Pint of Origin - Beer Festival
Rising: Melbourne Arts Festival
Rocky Road Festival of Flavours
The Big Design Market
The Jury Experience: Million-Dollar Murder or Web of Lies?
Walk to the G - Dreamtime at the 'G
Who's Bad | Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience
Workplace Health & Safety Show
World IBD Day: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day

Free Every Week

Stay safe - Be kind - Be Melbourne

Featured Advertiser

Mind-blowing magic right before your eyes - Dinner & Show

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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This Week

Food Wine + Design. 280+ Independent Designers

The Big Design Market

Friday 22nd May 2026 - Sunday 24th May 2026 @ Royal Exhibition Building

Discover a curated lineup of Australia's most exciting independent designers, alongside gourmet food and drink producers - all under one iconic dome. From beautifully made fashion, jewellery and homewares to artisanal eats, cocktails and unexpected finds, this is your ultimate winter shopping experience.

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A celebration of fabulous fibre art

Murrindindi Beanie & Fibre Festival

Saturday 23rd May 2026 + Sunday 24th May 2026 @ Alexandra

Located just North East of Melbourne, the MBFF is a festival of fibre art, a feast of fabulous beanies, workshops, stalls and more.

Heart Body Soul

Sunday 24th May 2026 @ Brunswick Town Hall

This unique experience blends psychic readings, energy healing, and a curated holistic market focused on self-care, spirituality, and mindful living.

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You're engaged - and now the fun really begins!

Melbourne's Annual Wedding Expo

Sunday 24th May 2026 @ Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

Wander through dozens of beautiful displays, meet the talented people who will help bring your wedding to life, and soak up all the inspiration you need to make your big day truly unforgettable.

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Primary school children will take important steps towards a healthier future on Friday 22 May 2026

National Walk Safely to School Day

Friday 22nd May 2026

Now in its 27th year the national initiative championed by the Pedestrian Council of Australia encourages children and families to build regular walking into their daily routine - not just on one day but every day. The campaign highlights the health road safety transport and environmental benefits of active travel to and from school.

Ballarat Heritage Festival

Thursday 21st May 2026 - Sunday 24th May 2026 @

The Ballarat Heritage Festival returns with four days of unique heritage experiences, including exhibitions, vintage displays, performances, talks and tours celebrating the stories of the past.

Dreamtime at the 'G

Friday 22nd May 2026 @ Birrarung Marr/MCG

Now in its 22nd year, The Long Walk continues to bring people together with a free festival celebrating First Nations culture, music, and community, before the iconic walk to the MCG ahead of the Dreamtime at the 'G' match between Richmond and Essendon.

Pint of Origin - Beer Festival

15th - 24th May 2026

Pint of Origin is a truly unique festival showcasing the wide world of beer at venues across Melbourne for ten days every May. It's a choose-your-own-adventure pub crawl with bonuses and prizes on offer for the avid beer explorer.

Venues Passports

Australia's leading design festival held annually over 11 days in Melbourne and regional Victoria

Melbourne Design Week

14th - 24th May 2026

Driven by ideas MDW provides a platform for designers thinkers educators businesses and enthusiasts to come together to share perspectives showcase new work and consider how design can be a force for good in an increasingly complex world.

Bernie Dieter's Club Kabarett

Until 24th May 2026 @ Meat Market

Join the deliciously salacious utterly hilarious uber-award winning Bernie Dieter as her gin soaked haus band soundtracks a night of breathtaking circus gender-bending aerial and fire-breathing sideshow at its most provocative and hilarious best.

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Coming Soon

A winter festival of new art music and performance in the heart of Naarm/Melbourne

Rising 2026

Wednesday 27th May 2026 - Monday 8th June 2026

RISING is for everyone! From visual art performance and public art installations to live music and parties we have all kinds of experiences for you to enjoy whatever you're into.

Cartier | Melbourne Winter Masterpieces

Friday 12th June 2026 - Sunday 4th October 2026 @ NGV International

A landmark exhibition featuring more than 300 extraordinary objects - from precious jewels and historic gemstones to iconic watches and clocks - that trace the evolution of Cartier's enduring legacy in art, design and craftsmanship.

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Ongoing

Takes you back 450 years ago to the ancient Inca Empire in stunning virtual reality

Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City

Wed-Mon (ends Friday 31st July 2026) @ 206 Bourke Street

Five years in the making this groundbreaking recreation by the world's top 3D modelling specialists lets you explore this Seventh Wonder like never before!

Rocky Road Festival of Flavours

May 2026 @ Yarra Valley Great Ocean Road and Mornington Peninsula

Make a date to join us for our month long dedication to all things rocky road.

Fed Square will transform into the French Alps this winter with Fondue Chalet

Fondue Chalet @ Fed Square

Until 27th June 2026 @ Fed Square

Featuring 18 private cosy chalets (ski lodges) it's the perfect spot to gather with your loved ones. Let us transport you to a charming French alpine village-sip on mulled wine indulge in traditional French fondue and soak up the warmth of crackling fire pits.

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

Timeless Composers

Tribute To QUEEN vs ABBA

Vivaldi Four Seasons

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

See ALL Candlelight Concerts in 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..

Broadway's smash-hit musical

Waitress

Until 12th July 2026 @ Her Majesty's Theatre

Starring acclaimed powerhouse Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Jenna alongside show-stopping Gabriyel Thomas as Becky theatre favourite Mackenzie Dunn as Dawn charismatic stage and screen star Rob Mills as Dr Pomatter and legend of Australian entertainment John Waters as Joe.

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 - until 24th 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.

Sale & Specials

Offer: Spend & Save

Fantastic Furniture Autumn Sale

Ends 25th May 2026

Fantastic Furniture is proud to be Australia's best value furniture and bedding retailer with a 1000 strong passionate team always ready to help.

www.fantasticfurniture.com.au

Shop Now and Get extra deals

Spicers Retreats | Winter Campaign

Book now before Monday 31st August 2026

Spicers Retreats is a curated collection of luxury lodges boutique hotels and private eco-retreats located in New South Wales and Queensland. Each destination offers a unique blend of relaxed luxury gourmet dining personalised service and immersive nature-based experiences.

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.