Melbourne events in April 2024

Wednesday nights in Melbourne are known for one thing and one thing only: Queen Victoria Market’s legendary Night Market. With the summer night market officially finished for the season, Queen Vic has announced it will be bringing back its insanely popular Asian night market to tide you over until the warmer months return. The Hawker 88 Night Market brings Asian tastes, sights and sounds to Queen Vic’s sheds. Running every Wednesday night from April 10 until May 8, a tasty variety of stalls and trucks will be set up to sell authentic street food direct from China, India, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia and Japan. The line-up of vendors this year includes crispy Korean popcorn chicken from Lui Boss; charcoal Filipino skewers from Hoy Pinoy; pad Thai and sticky mango rice from Sabb Der; grilled momo from Nepal Dining Room; and authentic okonomiyaki from Okinami. Across the five-week stint there will also be lion dancing, traditional cultural performances, martial arts demonstrations, taiko drumming, eating competitions (where you can chow down on durian, dumplings and skewers), DJ sets and an epic full moon party. There will also be plenty of specialty retail stalls selling weird and wonderful wares. For more info on the event, check out the website. Craving a bargain feed? These are the 50 best cheap eats in Melbourne. Thirsty? Hit up Melbourne's 50 best bars.

My first encounter with the viridescent power of Wicked was through the sliding door of a suburban dance studio. Face pressed against the glass, I strained to hear the optimistic refrains of ‘One Short Day’, eyes bulging and dopamine levels skyrocketing. So widespread is the pop-cultural impact of this fan favourite musical, that half of Melbourne likely has a similar memory of discovering Wicked.  This faithful revival of the bewitching blockbuster sees the show fly into Melbourne for the third time in 15 years with an abundance of pine-hued pizazz, after celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Broadway premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. It’s also worth noting that the Gregory Maguire novel that forms the basis of the plot was published back in 1995. After all this time, it’s only fair to check in and ask: does Wicked remain evergreen? The costumes, choreography and sets are as slick as they come, which is exactly what’s expected from a show that’s had this many chances to get it ‘right’. This version of Wicked is not reinventing the wheel – instead it’s the cast who keep the cogs turning in a fresh way.   There’s no mistaking that these performers are magical. While Melbourne always loves to get a show before Sydney, our advantage here is that the cast has had time to fully take command of their characters – and they’re flourishing.  Courtney Monsma’s G(a)linda is slap-your-knees, let-out-a-squeal funny. She re-shapes the virtue-signalling mean girl role and makes Glinda

Are you ready to laugh so hard it hurts? One of the largest comedy festivals in the world, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) returns next month with a program that promises to be as entertaining as it is expansive.  Since being launched in 1987 by Barry Humphries and Peter Cook, the festival has since grown to become Australia's largest cultural ticketed event offering both family entertainment and show-stopping adult performances. After Montreal's Just for Laughs and the Edinburgh Fringe, MICF is the third-largest comedy festival in the world and attracts the crème de la crème of comedians from across Australia and around the globe.  In 2024, you can expect a mammoth line-up of international performers such as Atsuko Okatsuka (USA), Carl Donnelly (UK), David O’Doherty (Ireland), Fern Brady (Scotland), Larry Dean (Scotland), Chloe Petts (UK), Julia Masli (Estonia), Lara Ricote (Mexico), John Hastings (Canada), Arj Barker (USA), Jason Leong (Malaysia), Melanie Bracewell (NZ), Jimeoin (Ireland), Spankie Jackzon (NZ), Urzila Carlson (NZ) and more.  As for local acts, you can see the likes of Aaron Chen, Ali McGregor, Anna Piper Scott, Anne Edmonds, Aurelia St Clair, Celia Pacquola, Christian Hull, Claire Hooper, Dave Hughes, Fergus Neal, Gen Fricker, Geraldine Hickey, Gillian Cosgriff, Hannah Gadsby, Joel Creasey, Jon Walpole, Julian O’Shea, Lizzy Hoo, Lou Wall, Mel and Sam, Nazeem Hussain, Nina Oyama, Prue Blake, Reuben Kaye, Rhys Nicholson, Scout Boxall, Sez,

The “Matilda for grown-ups” comparisons are true: this Australian premiere burrows all the way down into the depths of despair and climbs triumphantly back out again, all within two snappy acts.  As per the classic 1993 film starring Bill Murray, Groundhog Day takes place on a very big day in a very small Pennsylvanian town. Each year on February 2, a large rodent emerges from his burrow to predict when winter will end. The Olivier Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated Andy Karl stars as Phil Connors, the jaded weatherman who gets sucked into a time loop covering the perky celebration over and over (and over) again.  A musical adaptation of a film about becoming a better person runs the risk of feeling twee. However, Tim Minchin’s zingingly clever lyrics and Danny Rubin’s gutsy book take the essence of the film and wring out considerably more depth and grit to give the musical its own more mature personality. What would you really do if you were trapped repeating the same average-at-best day forever? Groundhog Day takes this premise and stretches it to all its thorny extremes, and isn’t afraid to get dark as hell in the process. This is a musical that fully embraces its format, combining unabashed theatrics with some A-grade scumbag antics and moments of heart wrenching depression from Phil. Each scene takes things a step further than expected, whether that be into malarkey or melancholia, and is all the better for it. Andy Karl’s performance as Phil is nothing short of supe

If you haven’t been to Yakimono yet, then you might not know this restaurant located in Melbourne’s fashion quarter is thumping with great tunes and an even better atmosphere. So it’s no surprise that this vibey eating house is hosting two big events with Suntory Toki Whisky next month.  Toki Tuesdays is serving up two nights of tunes, mouth-watering bites and cocktails. Not to mention a Q&A with producer, writer and artist Cyrus Villanueva. Enjoy a four-course dinner prepared by executive chef Daniel Wilson, while exploring how old meets new in both whisky craftsmanship and music production.  There’s also a killer playlist to match, with an old meets new DJ set from Cyrus Villanueva, so you can savour the food and drinks to the sounds of an epic soundtrack.  The set menu will include a Toki Highball (a combination of Suntory Toki Whisky and soda water) and the Toki Slipper (Suntory Toki Whisky, honeydew melon, orange, sugar-snap, lemon and bitters), which pairs wonderfully with the Japanese-inspired Yakimono menu.  Toki Tuesdays will be Tuesday, April 23 and Tuesday, April 30. Tickets are $99 per person and include a four course menu, four cocktails and entertainment. Be quick as this limited event may sell out, buy tickets here. 

Attention, sweet tooths: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and the Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie are bringing back the annual Rocky Road Festival this May. It’s predicted that over a whopping 100,000 handmade blocks will be churned out across the 31 days, from a base recipe that’s every rocky road lover’s match made in heaven: fluffy housemade marshmallow and smoother-than-satin couverture chocolate. Sample something new, get your hands on made-to-order 1kg blocks or try a gourmet rocky road-infused creation at an interactive tasting session. How does a rocky road hot chocolate sound? The European chocolatiers plan to rock your palate with 31 distinct festival flavours, yet to be announced. Last year's flavours included Oriental Brittle, Caramel Mudcake, Turkish Toblerone, Strawberry Margarita, Honeycomb Macadamia, Tahitian Lime and Chilli, and much more. This year, the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie are also promising Rocky Road-inspired pastries, ice creams, sundaes, waffles and coffee.  Those with the unfortunate dual diagnosis of an intolerance and a sweet tooth are in luck. Vegan and gluten-free creations will be available for tasting across the three chocolateries so nobody needs to miss out. Could it get any sweeter?  Click through to the website here for more information. Those who can’t venture out to the Yarra Valley, Surf Coast and Mornington Peninsula this year can get their fill of the festival’s chocolates straight to their door thanks

There's never been a better time to go vegan, with so much plant-based food available across Melbourne making the choice easier and more delicious than ever. And now, there's a free festival celebrating the vegan lifestyle, and you don't want to miss it. The Vegan Market will return to Melbourne on April 28 at The Edge in Federation Square, with stacks of local plant-based businesses selling their wares. There will be a ton of brands to explore at this healthy paradise, with everything from sweet treats and veggie delights to ethically made homewares and loads of health-related products. Also, it's taking place just before Mother's Day, so it's the perfect gift shopping opportunity.  Shop vegan baked goods, skincare, chocolate, grocery products and slow fashion. Bring the whole family with kids activities, product tastings and creative workshops. Plus, there'll be a vegan food truck hub with heaps of tasty plates to enjoy.  Shop at the market and support independent, ethical and sustainable Australian companies that are all 100 per cent vegan. And as a bonus, entry is completely free. Register to attend here. Want to shop more sustainably? Here's a list of eco-conscious clothing stores in Melbourne. 

Italian polymath, painter, inventor and astounding genius Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most celebrated artists and scientists of all time, yet seeing his works is typically out of reach for the average Aussie. Well, all that’s about to change thanks to the Lume Melbourne’s new immersive experience opening on March 16.  Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius will feature massive projections of some of the world’s most famous works of art, including the ‘Mona Lisa’ and ‘The Last Supper’. These four-storey high projections showcase da Vinci’s breathtaking Renaissance paintings in a way that’s much more accessible than a trip to the Louvre.  Alongside da Vinci’s visually stunning artworks, this exhibition will also focus on his excellence as an inventor with ideas far beyond his era. His pioneering work in architecture and engineering laid the foundation for the technology we enjoy today. That’s why alongside his art, the exhibition will also feature groundbreaking inventions from his notebooks recreated to scale by Italian artisans, including flying machine concepts that predate human flight by more than 400 years.  As if that wasn’t exciting enough, for the first time in history, original pages of da Vinci’s sketches and writings will touch down in Australia. The Codex Atlanticus is a 500-year-old collection of Leonardo’s innermost workings, previously displayed in the likes of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Louvre. Now, Melburnians and visitors alike will be able t

Grab your wands and your Hogwarts house tie, because a brand new magical experience that is every Potterhead's dream is coming to Melbourne. Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is apparating to the Mornington Peninsula in 2024, with a mystical encounter that will have you living out your witch or wizard fantasies in the muggle world. Follow in the daring footsteps of Harry himself through the infamous Forbidden Forest, where you'll meet hippogriffs and unicorns, as well as cast powerful spells. The outdoor trail adventure will lead you on a fully immersive journey, finishing with a Potter-themed village that has food, drink and merch on offer. Warner Bros is bringing this exciting experience Down Under after whirlwind success in the US, UK and Europe, with the Forbidden Forest making its Australian debut deep in the woods of Mt Martha next April.  Suitable for fans of all ages, tickets for this magical experience are on sale now. You can find out more on the website here.  Looking for more fun things to do in Melbourne? Check out what's on this week here. 

The world's most extensive and authentic exhibition about the famed (and doomed) Titanic will sail into Melbourne Museum this December. Coming directly from a sold-out run in Paris, Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition will transport visitors inside the famous ship more than a century after its demise via an intricate recreation of its hallowed halls that feature real relics.  Melburnians will have the chance to step back in time to the year 1912, collecting a boarding pass to relive the historic day when the Titanic embarked on its ill-fated maiden voyage. Inside the exhibition are meticulous recreations of the ship’s interiors, including the grand staircase, first-class parlour suite and verandah café. For fans of the beloved James Cameron film, this is a chance to be immersed in the settings that inspired some truly iconic cinematic moments.  The landmark exhibition will also include more than 200 genuine artefacts retrieved from the site of the shipwreck in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, many of them possessions of the passengers and crew onboard. Visitors will be able to dive into the human stories of the people who took the fateful voyage, exposing the eye-opening reality of the infamous tragedy. It's sure to provide an incredible insight into the harsh truth of the Titanic – but unfortunately, it won’t give any further intel as to whether both Jack and Rose could have fit on the door.  'Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition' opened exclusively at Melbourne Museum on December