Aerial view of the affordable art fair at the royal exhibition building
Photograph: Supplied | Affordable Art Fair
Photograph: Supplied

Things to do in Melbourne in August

The temps may be low, but the vibes are high this month in Melbourne – here's your ultimate guide to all the fun

Leah Glynn
Advertising

PSA: There's only one month of winter left! We repeat, one month of winter left! To help you get through these final chilly weeks, we've rounded up a list of all the fun events, exhibitions, festivals and more happening across August. You're welcome!

It's the most wonderful time of the year for local cinephiles, because the Melbourne International Film Festival is back. Opening on August 6 with the Australian premiere of Wicker (starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård), it will run in cinemas across the city until August 23. Check out our round-up of the ten best films to see here.

Also returning is Now or Never, Melbourne's winter festival of art, ideas, sound and technology. This year's bold program features everything from an overnight sleep concert at the Royal Exhibition Building to large-scale installations and hypnotic dance concerts.  

On the foodie front, the annual Hot Chocolate Festival is on now until the end of the month, with 31 limited-edition flavours available to try – including a delicious take on the viral dot cake trend.  

The city's stages are also booked and busy this month. Over at the Princess Theatre is A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, while Her Majesty's Theatre will play host to Death of a Salesman starring Anthony LaPaglia. Pretty Woman is on at the Regent Theatre, Uncle Vanya at Arts Centre Melbourne and Steel Magnolias at the Athenaeum – phew!

Plus, art lovers are in for a treat when the Affordable Art Fair rolls into town – pieces start at just $100, so there's something for everyone.

But if you want to fully lean into the winter vibes, be sure to also try these hot chocolates and mulled wines, or get cosy at one of Melbourne's best pubs with fireplaces. 

Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

After more fun things to do in our city? Check out the best events happening in Melbourne this week.

Melbourne events in August

  • Things to do
  • Melbourne
If you’ve had the pleasure of hitting up Queen Victoria Market, you’re familiar with the healthy dose of serotonin you get while leisurely strolling through its exciting selection of vendors year-round. But sunshine-filled days that yield the freshest produce and vibrant florals paired with the sweet smell of donuts and dumplings in the air? There truly is no time like spring at QVM.  It’s blooming season at the Queen Street mainstay, and this year’s harvest reset is nothing short of bountiful. Starting from Tuesday, September 1, you can dive headfirst into The Spring Series at Queen Victoria Market. QVM will see the return of top-notch seasonal fruit and veg like strawberries, artichokes, asparagus, Asian greens and zucchini, plus stellar seafood and coveted cuts of spring lamb.  At String Bean Alley, you can nab artisanal wares made with stunning craftsmanship. Expect to find a unique array of bespoke accessories, including custom jewellery, wooden utensils for your next charcuterie night, sturdy tote bags and bouquets of blossoming flowers to breathe new life into your space.  And to top things off, QVM is hosting a whole bunch of food fests and crafty events. The massive three-month stint, ending on Monday, November 30th, is putting community at the forefront, with the likes of the Melbourne International Dumpling Festival, an exclusive swap meet and Ripe Cheese’s luxe special – an incredibly decadent cheese toastie starring a whopping 25g of Petuna Tasmanian ocean...
Paid content
Recommended
    Latest news
      Advertising