Festivals in Melbourne
THE 10 BEST Melbourne Festivals & Cultural Events
Festivals in Melbourne
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Events
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15 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
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Cultural Events
Central Business District
Cultural Events
Central Business District
Cultural Events
Central Business District
Cultural Events
Central Business District
Cultural Events
Cultural Events • Music Festivals
Cultural Events
Cultural Events • Music Festivals
What travellers are saying
- Sarah VJohannesburg48 contributionsAs a family group of 7 we enjoyed dinner in Chinatown and the atmosphere in the CBD. We missed the family fireworks at 9:30 as they were short and could only be seen at the celebration points. At about 11:15 we found a spot on the south bank across from Flinders Station. Do find your spot early, it was already crowded by then and only got busier. We chatted to people around us, such diversity, it was lovely.
The firework display, off multiple buildings, was fansastic. We all thoroughly enjoyed it.
The only reason this is getting a 4 star instead of 5 stars is how hard it was to get out of the city. I have never been in such a crush. It was always calm but when we got into Flinders station the crowd stopped moving and just became a crush. After at least 15 min with no movement except more people trying to get in, we decided to leave the station. We struggled to get out! More people crushing in. I had visions of disaster if anything sparked panic. We walked more than 1 km to get to the next station to catch a train there. We thought the trains would be packed but they were empty enough that we all found seats!
Asking other passengers, they said that in the crush only a few eople could get onto the platform at Flinders! I am super glad we walked to the next station!Written 2 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Bucko1957Sydney, Australia47 contributionsFabulous Day out taking in all the colours and tradition. Just one small criticism in the the queues for drinks and food were far too long in the Hills Stand in the middle of the afternoon. For an event of this magnitude (and price) this was unacceptable.Written 11 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Swell TravellerMelbourne, Australia3,691 contributionsMoomba happens every year around early March.
It begins on a Friday afternoon and progresses over the weekend and ends on the Monday which is usually a public holiday.
Every night at 9.30pm - 9.45pm there are fireworks than can be viewed along the Yarra River, near Birrarung Marr and the Melbourne Tennis Centre.
From Alexander Gardens end to Birrarung Marr you can find a range of rides, stages with music and food vendors. There are street performers and other stalls to capture your attention. You need to buy tickets for the rides and they are not the cheapest, especially if you are a family. The Friday night has a special ticket pass, which is better value.
There are other free events over the 4 days such as the Birdman Rally, a novel way to design a contraption that will possibly fly far over the Yarra River from a launching platform, that the public can enter and water skiing event and tricks.
The most popular part of Moomba is the Moomba Parade. It runs for about an hour on the Monday morning from 10.45am. It showcases the cultural diversity of Melbourne through music, dance and the Arts. There are dancers, acrobats, musicians, floats and of course the king and queen of Moomba which can be a celebrity or someone else chosen. This year we had 2 comedians / TV presenters / actors.
This is a great family event and they line the streets with blankets and snacks for the best view from as early as 9.30am. It usually starts at Birdwood Avenue, Kings Domain and then concludes along Linlithgow Avenue.
Parking is a hassle for the event as many of the parade members park in the main areas [understandably] and some are closed off. Your best bet would be to get public transport, walk or taxi it there.
Don't miss it!
*Photos taken by myselfWritten 6 April 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TkynF6496NHBendigo, Australia71 contributionsWe love the comedy festival, tickets are reasonable plenty of local and international talent to choose from. It is our 1 weekend away in Melbourne every year would highly recommendWritten 9 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- 13AstroboyGreater Melbourne, Australia467 contributionsWe have seen the white night a few times of the years but now it all seems like every one wants a piece of the action as it was more like a carnival atmosphere. There were a few displays on the buildings like the Treasury building which was fantastic, but other attractions were too far away and this lost the excitement of the night, other buildings like the town hall and the old museum didnt even get a mention this year. Also the things they had at Birrarung Marr spoiled it for me, as it took away from the art aspect of the event turning it into another royal show or moomba.Written 25 August 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Natalie1964Melbourne3,478 contributionsHaving never been to Chinese New year before I did not know what to expect. There was dragons, dancing, eating and plenty of people. Food trucks lined Southbank and Crown casino had an amazing display in the foyer. Chinese lanterns line the walkway which was lovely to see. We had dumplings at a food truck which were nice enough. It was so wonderful to see happy, smiling people having a good time. There was also celebrations at Docklands with a few food trucks.Written 29 January 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jeffry bEssendon, Australia13,585 contributionsThe Melbourne Festival evolved from the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Its first outing will be in 2021, no-ne knows what to expect yet. The expected date has yet to be publcised. The corona virus pandemic has played havoc with the public arts. The festival will not be held in 2020, but if we are lucky the Melbourne Festival will get its first outing in 2021.Written 19 August 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jeffry bEssendon, Australia13,585 contributionsThe Melbourne Comedy Festival will take over the city of Melbourne from 28 March to 23 April 2023. It's one of the globe's top comedy festivals. Comedians from Australia and around the planet will perform in venues around the city.Written 25 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KelvinmrHong Kong, China371 contributionsMIAF is the most brilliant activity I’ve ever been to in the world! Excellent animation works, amazing animators and wonderful present in the stage. P.s. There were two Oscar Award winning animators at one MIAF, and sharing about their stories.Written 5 July 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- EndlessTravelsGreater Melbourne, Australia38,701 contributionsgreat short film festival based in sydney. they occasionally have it in other cities as well. good fun watching it at fed square with thoysands of other film buffsWritten 26 February 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ZoinkyWodonga, Australia125 contributionsWe found this a fun and busy event, with a carnival atmosphere and lots of friendly people. There was good music, well thought out and very inclusive.
It didn’t feel exclusive, and open minded straight families and people would probably enjoy themselves as well as the LGBTIQ people..
There were polite police around. We got there early and ever more people were arriving as we left a few hours later and I imagine it would have gotten even better.
Well worth a visit when it’s on.Written 18 January 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - EndlessTravelsGreater Melbourne, Australia38,701 contributionsat the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (11am 11th nov) we remember all that made the ultimate sacrifice in all wars. a sombre occasion at all war memorials. worth visiting the shrine in Melbourne too pay your respectsWritten 25 January 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
