Best new arts and cultural events coming to Melbourne in 2025 and 2026

Best Melbourne arts and cultural events in 2025 & 2026

Heide Museum of Modern Art 

Face Everything, 11 October 2025 to 8 March 2026

This site-responsive exhibition by celebrated Australian artist Nell transforms the home into a vibrant, layered environment populated with more than 85 works from across her 30-year career, including more than 50 new works.

Drawing on the domestic history of Heide Modern and its surrounding gardens, Nell (whose full name is Alexandra Nell) reimagines the house as home and nest – a place of shelter, memory and shared experience.

Heide Museum of Modern Art Director Lesley Harding says: “Nell’s ability to move between joy and grief, the everyday and the symbolic, makes this exhibition both engaging and deeply resonant.”

NGV International

Major exhibitions

Women Photographers 1900–1975, A Legacy of Light

28 November 2025 to 3 May 2026

This international exhibition is a ticketed event showcasing the groundbreaking work of fashion designers Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons, highlighting their shared spirit of radical innovation and independence. Beginning their careers in the 1970s, both designers challenged fashion’s norms around taste, gender, beauty, and form, redefining the role of clothing in culture. Featuring over 140 designs from the NGV Collection and major international loans, the exhibition explores the parallels and contrasts between their visionary approaches and lasting impact on contemporary fashion.

Westwood | Kawakubo

7 December 2025  to 19 April 2026

This international exhibition is a ticketed event showcasing the groundbreaking work of fashion designers Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons, highlighting their shared spirit of radical innovation and independence. Beginning their careers in the 1970s, both designers challenged fashion’s norms around taste, gender, beauty, and form, redefining the role of clothing in culture. Featuring over 140 designs from the NGV Collection and major international loans, the exhibition explores the parallels and contrasts between their visionary approaches and lasting impact on contemporary fashion.

Martin Grant: Celebrating Four Decades of Fashion

28 March 2025 to 26 January 2026

This ticketed event is a retrospective of Paris-based Australian designer Martin Grant, spanning couture, ready-to-wear, and stage costumes. A major drawcard for fashion enthusiasts.

Free exhibitions

For Aboriginal art, The Stars We Do Not See Australian Indigenous Art, until Jan 2028

This free exhibition is a sweeping showcase of Indigenous Australian art, bringing together traditional practices and contemporary storytelling across painting, sculpture, and installation.

Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids by Danielle Brustman, 28 November 2025 to 3 May 2026

Especially for families and children, this free show invites audiences into an imaginative world of colour and costume. Interactive displays encourage creativity while making fashion fun and accessible.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Various locations and dates

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has another spectacular year of performances to add to your music roster.

Whether it's taking the family to a Classic Kids or Jams for Juniors session, watching your favourite film set to live music, or following the major orchestral events throughout the season, there's an event for all music lovers, classical or otherwise, throughout the season.

The Music of Joe Hisashi, 6-8 November 2025

Featuring Studio Ghibli classics like My Neighbour Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away.

Art of the Score: James Horner, 27-28 March 2026

Featuring iconic scores like Braveheart, Apollo 13, Titanic and Aliens.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Concert, 10-11 April 2026

Take the kids to this film screening with Alan Menken's iconic score performed live by the MSO.

Jurassic Park in Concert, 23 - 26 April 2026

John Williams' Jurassic Park score is one of his most famous; hear it live as the movie plays on the big screen.

RACV Members can save 10 per cent on a range of MSO tickets.

Opera Australia

Various dates, Regent Theatre

The Barber of Seville, 31 October to 5 November 2025

A playful operatic comedy that follows young lovers Count Almaviva and Rosina as they struggle to be together and defy greedy Bartolo, Rosina's guardian, with the help of town barber Figaro.

Carmen, 15-25 November 2025

A smouldering, passionate story of a woman who won't give up her freedom, and a man (Don José) who won't give up his woman. Follow the iconic femme fatale as her dance with destiny ends in disaster.

Orpheus & Eurydice, 2-5 December 2025

Blends opera and acrobatics to tell the tragic story of Orpheus, who must venture into Hades (Hell) to rescue his beloved Eurydice. This production is in association with Circa, a showstopping circus artist company.

La Traviata, 8-16 May 2026

A fresh rendition of the classic opera about the coveted Parisian courtesan Violetta, who dreams to break free of her past when she meets the young bourgeois Alfredo.

La Bohème, 7-18 November 2026

Tells the story of young artists in 1830s Paris who love fiercely but struggle to make ends meet. Both beautiful and sad, La Bohème is one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide.

Australian Ballet Company

Australian Ballet 2026 Melbourne season, various dates

Signature Works , 28 February-1 March 2026

The Australian Ballet opens season 2026 with a dazzling compendium of its most treasured works across the repertoire, spanning 60-plus years of artistry. Signature Works is showing at the Regent Theatre. Ticketing is available at australianballet.com.au.

Flora, 12-21 March, 2026

A landmark collaboration between The Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre, choreographed by Mirning woman Frances Rings, Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Bangarra Dance Theatre. Presented in collaboration with Orchestra Victoria and Bangarra Dance Theatre, Flora is an evocative, new chapter in connecting cultures, movement and storytelling. Premiering in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre before moving to Sydney, ticketing is available through australianballet.com.au.

Romeo and Juliet , 6-16 June 2026

At the heart of the season, John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet returns in all its sweeping, heartbreaking beauty — a richly choreographed adaptation of Shakespeare’s most enduring tale of passion and fate. Presented with Orchestra Victoria at the Regent Theatre, book your tickets via australianballet.com.au.

Copland Dance Episodes, 23 June-2 July 2026

In a thrilling first for Australian audiences, Tony Award-winning choreographer Justin Peck brings Copland Dance Episodes to Melbourne, making its debut outside New York City. Presented with Orchestra Victoria and showing at Regent Theatre, ticketing is available through australianballet.com.au.

The Sleeping Beauty, 9-17 October 2026

This fairytale classic entwining mysticism and romance, The Sleeping Beauty is performed by the renowned Stuttgart Ballet, accompanied by Orchestra Victoria, and presented by The Australian Ballet. Showing at Regent Theatre, book your tickets at australianballet.com.au

New Year's Eve

31 December 2025, multiple locations

While there are ample celebrations to see in 2026 across Melbourne, from bars to restaurants and entertainment areas, the city's two firework displays draw the biggest crowds. You can get the best view from Melbourne's Skydeck, but there are limited adults-only tickets available for New Year's Eve. 

Catch the family-friendly 9.30 pm display at Footscray Park or Yarra Park. At midnight, see in the new year anywhere across the CBD where you can see the skyline, or head to a Celebration Zones, such as Treasury Gardens, Docklands or Southbank, for the best views of the pyrotechnics. St Kilda also offers entertainment and fireworks.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Fed Square with a mix of free entertainment and all-inclusive dining experiences. Enjoy a DJ line-up curated by Barry Sunset, featuring MzRizk and Gavin Campbell, playing disco, funk, house, and dancefloor classics to welcome 2026. Restaurants and bars offer package deals with drinks, food, and prime views of the fireworks. Check the City of Melbourne’s website for updates on crowd control and alternative Celebration Zones across the CBD for great fireworks views.

Plan your journey to the city ahead of time with the free Arevo journey planner app. Download the RACV app to find nearby fuel stations and the best fuel prices. RACV Members can also use the app to access Member benefits.

More: Melbourne's Metro Tunnel guide

Lunar New Year

17-25 February 2026, Chinatown and across Victoria

While celebrations for Chinese New Year happen across many suburbs, Chinatown is the epicentre of Melbourne's Lunar New Year festivities. Traditional lion dances, a dragon parade, live music and ample culinary delights draw crowds from across Victoria. 

In 2026, we welcome the Year of the Horse on 17 February, with the Lantern Festival concluding the Lunar New Year festivities. 

Melbourne Art Fair

19-22 February 2026, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

Discover contemporary artwork from over 100 artists and 70 galleries at the annual Melbourne Art Fair. Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre every February, this visionary event features inspiring exhibitions, thought-provoking installations and fascinating artist talks from iconic and up-and-coming Australasian artists.

For more than 30 years, the Melbourne Art Fair has given a stage - and a voice - to living artists from the region’s galleries and Indigenous art centres. The event is one of the premier opportunities to discover emerging talent across four inspiring days.

Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

20-29 March 2026, multiple locations

Celebrate spoils from Victoria's fertile land and the Garden State's passionate producers at the annual Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Running since 1993, it now hosts over 400 events across Melbourne and beyond, offering the perfect excuse to indulge in the region's best food and wine.

Along with gourmet pop-up experiences, new menu items from old favourites, delectable wine tastings, and ample free samples, the festival allows food to tell a story, be it from the city itself or around the world. Be sure to sign up early for celebrity chef master classes.

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show

25-29 March, Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens

Held every March, the Southern Hemisphere's premier horticultural event wows attendees at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Across five inspirational days, the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens transform into a floral wonderland.

From landscaping design and floral installations to practical gardening workshops and special events, the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show is an idyllic way to see the best of nature in the centre of the Garden State's capital.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

25 March-19 April 2026, multiple venues

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is turning 40 in 2026, so you can expect the biggest-ever line-up of comedians from Australia and around the globe. Across four weeks, a comprehensive programme of stand-up comedy, cabaret, street performance, theatre and visual arts showcases why this is one of the world’s top three comedy festivals.

In 2025, over 1000 performers got the city laughing at nearly 700 shows. Highlights included the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow, Aboriginal Comedy Allstars and the debut show of Best Newcomer award winner Jessica Barton.

Hard Quiz host Tom Gleeson will be performing from 9-19 April 2026 at the Regent Theatre.

RACV Members enjoy discounted tickets to several Melbourne International Comedy Festival events.

Rising Festival

27 May-8 June 2026, multiple venues

Rising is an ecclectic winter festival celebrating contemporary art, music and performance. Brash and bold, its events, shows and exhibitions encourage locals and visitors alike to defy the cold and venture into Melbourne's CBD.  Rising is also launching a new biennial festival in 2026, the Australian Dance Biennial, which will run 3-8 June 2026.

Many events will be free and family friendly. Last year there was artist Shohei Fujimoto's dazzling light show, which was held in the historic Capitol Theatre in Swanston Street. Communitas returned following 2024's triumpant ensemble of horns, tambourines and 1000 music-lovers in St Paul's Cathedral.

Fans of the Divinyls' Chrissy Amphlett relived her music at Amplified, a cabaret capturing the Australian rock queen's fierce spirit through her words and songs. In Complete Works, six performers retold all of Shakespeare's plays over nine days, using little more than a kitchen table and everyday objects.

Melbourne Writers Festival

7-10 May 2026, State Library Victoria and other venues

Melbourne was the second city designated a UNESCO City of Literature. It's therefore fitting the city  will welcome visitors to the 40th year of the Melbourne Writers Festival in 2026.

A boon for writers and readers alike, expect a compelling line-up of Australian and global literary talent for live readings, engaging discussions and informative workshops. Big names for 2025 included Irish heavyweight Marian Keyes, Asako Yuzuki (author of Butter), and Booker Prize winner Samantha Harvey.

Whether you want to discuss thought-provoking prose, discover new talent or improve your craft, the Melbourne Writers Festival is an inspiring event catering to a diverse audience.