Melbourne's reputation as Australia's arts and cultural capital is well-deserved, thanks to its festivals, exhibitions, family-friendly shows, and culinary experiences. Here is a guide to Melbourne's must-see arts and cultural events for 2025 and 2026.
Entertainment
The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Hedwig and The Angry Inch
1984 by George Orwell
HADESTOWN
BEETLEJUICE
Coriolanus
Annie
CATS
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Australian Ballet Company
Best new musicals and theatre shows coming to Melbourne in 2025
Put on your finest costume, and get ready for curtain-up at the best musicals, theatre shows and live entertainment experiences playing in Melbourne in 2025.
As one of the most famous theatre cities in the world, there’s plenty to see and enjoy in Melbourne in 2025, from fabulous theatre shows and musicals to great eateries around the city's theatres where you can dine or have a drink before or after the theatre.
RACV's partnership with Ticketek and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra means RACV Members can enjoy a range of benefits to shows across Melbourne, including exclusive offers, upgrades, and special live entertainment experiences.
For the most up-to-date information on showtimes, prices and dates, please visit the show website.
The best Melbourne musicals, theatre shows and stage productions in 2025
The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale
Until 22 June 2025, Comedy Theatre
LOTR fans rejoice: this timeless tale by J.R.R Tolkien has been reworked into a theatrical production. The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale will play a strictly limited season in Melbourne from April 2025 at the Comedy Theatre. Experience the masterpiece trilogy in a brand-new way, enhanced by stunning theatrics and captivating music that will enchant lifelong fans and new generations alike.
The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale tells the story of the One Ring, a powerful object forged by the dark lord Sauron, with the power to shatter the world. A young hobbit named Frodo Baggins must destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom where it was forged, accompanied by an eclectic fellowship of humans, hobbits, elves and dwarves.
The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale is sure to delight LOTR fans in Melbourne in 2025.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Until 22 June 2025, Princess Theatre
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is an iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical set to open at Melbourne's Princess Theatre from March 2025 with a mesmerising new production. This show dramatises the final weeks of Jesus Christ's life through the perspective of Judas, his betrayer.
This must-see musical will feature one of Australia’s most well-respected musicians, Michael Paynter, as Jesus. It will also see the dynamic musical theatre star Javon King as Judas, and soul and blues powerhouse Mahalia Barnes as Mary.
Hedwig and The Angry Inch
13 - 29 June 2025, Athenaeum Theatre
Hedwig and The Angry Inch is strutting into Melbourne thanks to our city's iconic winter RISING festival that features art, music and performance. This glitter-infused musical was originally a Broadway hit and is now a new Australian production fresh from a five-star run at Adelaide Festival.
Strap in for a rock-glam-punk musical that follows Hedwig, an escapee from East Berlin who dreams of rock'n'roll glory. There's fabulous costumes, a blistering live band, and gender-bending aplenty. Don't miss this performance if you're a fan of androgynous glam rock in the style of David Bowie and Iggy Pop.
Hedwig and The Angry Inch is a classic queer musical.
1984 by George Orwell
1 - 6 July 2025, Comedy Theatre
It may be a very short run, but 1984 by George Orwell is a truly hard-hitting adaptation of the famous novel. Created by the award-winning Shake & Stir theatre company (Fantastic Mr Fox, Frankenstein), 1984 by George Orwell explores whether the human spirit can survive under an oppressive regime full of surveillance, propaganda and thought policing.
Our dystopian hero is Winston Smith, a lowly government employee who stumbles into an underground resistance against the ruling Party led by the dictator Big Brother. In entering an illicit relationship and joining the shadowy anti-Party Brotherhood, Winston is gambling with more than just his life: if captured, his mind could be broken and manipulated into loving Big Brother again.
HADESTOWN
Until 13 July 2025, Her Majesty's Theatre
The acclaimed musical HADESTOWN by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin will be coming to Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre in May 2025. HADESTOWN is the winner of 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
HADESTOWN is a defiantly hopeful theatrical experience that takes you on a journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories: young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and his wife Persephone.
Here You Come Again
From 12 July 2025, Comedy Theatre
Can't get enough of Dolly Parton? Here You Come Again brings Dolly's songs to life in an all-new musical comedy, full of hits like Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream and I Will Always Love You. The show comes to Melbourne after sold-out seasons across the US and UK, so get your tickets quickly to avoid disappointment.
Here You Come Again follows a diehard Dolly Parton fan (played by Australian Dash Kruck) who receives life lessons from a fantasy version of Dolly (played by musical co-creator Tricia Paoluccio), learning about life, love and how to rise above life's challenges. Complete with an all-Australian ensemble and live band, Here You Come Again is sure to be great fun for everyone.
BEETLEJUICE
Until 3 August 2025, Regent Theatre
BEETLEJUICE comes screaming into Melbourne's Regent Theatre from May 2025. This spooktacular musical is funnier, more irreverent, more reckless and more repellent than ever in this original musical based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film. Eddie Perfect, who wrote the musical's music and lyrics, will star in the titular role.
BEETLEJUICE tells the story of a deceased couple, the Maitlands, who try to haunt the new inhabitants of their former home. One of the new inhabitants is a young girl, Lydia, who is dealing with her mother's death and her neglectful father. (Un)luckily for Lydia and the Maitlands, the ghost-with-the-most, mischievous Beetlejuice is here to 'help'.
In The Heights
From 1 August 2025, Comedy Theatre
The musical mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda (best known for Hamilton) is back with In The Heights: a vibrant look at a tight-knit ethnic (mostly Dominican American) community in the Washington Heights neighbourhood in Upper Manhatten, New York City that faces significant change.
This musical has it all: romance, community, culture, dreams and ambition. Its music is an eclectic, catchy mix of hip-hop, salsa, soul and merengue. Its dynamic dances and standout cast will lead you in a pulsing performance of energy and passion.
Coriolanus
24 July - 10 August 2025, Arts Centre Melbourne
After a 30-year hiatus, Bell Shakespeare brings Coriolanus to Melbourne audiences in July 2025. Shakespeare's tragic political thriller is based on the Roman general of the same name, a military figure who is lauded, exiled, redeemed and then betrayed.
Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare's most intriguing plays, with the titular character famously difficult to relate to thanks to his beliefs and behaviour. Despite that, the tale of Coriolanus continues to be important for its portrayal and critique of class, pride, masculinity and violence.
Shakespeare's tragedy Coriolanus is a political thriller set in ancient Rome.
Annie
8 July - 28 September 2025, Princess Theatre
Annie is a beloved musical that celebrates hope, family and friendship. It’s one of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time. Its iconic score features classics like It’s the Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street and Tomorrow. This small but mighty young girl has returned to stick out her chin and grin once more at the Princess Theatre from July 2025.
Annie focuses on young orphan Annie, a charming and sunny girl despite her rough start at the New York City Orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan in the 1930s. Annie is determined to find her parents, come what may!
The 39 Steps
10 September - 4 October 2025, Comedy Theatre
What do you get when you mix Alfred Hitchcock's classic spy thriller with Monty Python-style chaos and humour? The 39 Steps: an Olivier- and Tony Award-winning smash hit theatre show. With just four actors playing 130 characters, The 39 Steps offers 100 minutes of non-stop comedic action.
Join Richard Hannay, who finds himself framed for murder and tangled in a web of spies, secrets and seductive strangers. To clear his name, he must outrun the law, outwit international agents, and survive a string of increasingly absurd adventures.
The 39 Steps remixes the Alfred Hitchcock movie into a comedic theatre show.
MJ the Musical
From September 2025, Her Majesty's Theatre
Everyone knows Michael Jackson: the iconic American singer dubbed the 'King of Pop'. Follow the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour in MJ the Musical, which has won multiple Tony Awards. You won't just hear Michael's incredible songs live; you'll also get a rare look into his creative mind and collaborative spirit.
Opera Australia: Carmen
15 - 25 November 2025, Regent Theatre
Smuggler, seductress, risk-taker, rebel...Carmen is 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.
Opera Australia and Melbourne Theatre Company's Anne-Louise Sarks present a visceral opera complete with a live orchestra. Follow the iconic femme fatale as her dance with destiny ends in disaster.
ANASTASIA The Broadway Musical
From December 2025, Regent Theatre
Do you remember the hit 1997 animated film by the name of Anastasia, that followed the amnesiac Anastasia (Anya) Romanov as she journeyed to discover her past? Whether you fondly remember the musical movie or not, Anastasia The Broadway Musical is sure to delight both young and old with is romantic, adventure-filled story.
This dazzling production is coming to Australia for the first time, featuring beloved songs like Once Upon a December and Journey to the Past. Journey from the twilight years of the Imperial rule in Russia to the euphoric 1920s Paris with a brave young woman, a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat as they help Anya find her family.
You might remember first watching Anastasia as the 1997 animated musical film.
CATS
21 December 2025 - 11 January 2026, Hamer Hall
Book in now to see the musical CATS on the 40th Australian anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's sparkling feline musical.
Adapted from T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this groundbreaking musical tells the story of the Jellicle Ball. At this ball, which takes place just one night a year, the Jellicle cats meet to see who will be chosen by Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, to go up to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Various locations and dates in 2025
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 session, watching your favourite film set to live music, or following the string instrument 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) will be a sell-out event, so get your tickets booked soon. Hisashi has composed more than 100 works for the screen and concert hall, including the Studio Ghibli classics My Neighbour Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away.
RACV Members can save 10 per cent on a range of MSO tickets.
The MSO dazzles with a series of performances throughout the year.
Australian Ballet Company
Various dates and locations
The Australian Ballet Company is back with a new season of emotional and captivating performances. There’s something for everyone as The Australian Ballet company brings famed stories of passion, love, and loss to life through dance.
In 2025, the don't-miss ballet shows are Nijinsky, Carmen, Manon and Prism.
Prism (25 September – 4 October 2025) is a contemporary triple bill full of raw intensity and revolutionary design from three of the world’s most inspired choreographers: William Forsythe, Jerome Robbins and Stephanie Lake.
Manon (10 – 22 October 2025) is a devastating love story of desire and greed based on Abbé Prévost’s 1731 novel. From high society 18th-century Paris to the gritty streets of New Orleans, Manon tells a story of a young girl desperate to rise above her lowly origins and forced to choose between her true love or a life of lavish splendour.
