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Four people walking through a cherry orchard with the trees in bloom.
Photograph: Supplied | CherryHill Orchard Blossom Festival
Photograph: Supplied

Things to do in Melbourne in September

Spring has arrived, and September is looking like a glorious time to be in Melbourne – here are the best events and activities to keep you busy

Leah Glynn
Written by Leah Glynn
Melbourne Editor
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It's official: Winter is (finally) over and spring has sprung! Well done, everybody – we survived another chilly season in Melbourne. And now, it's time to welcome longer days, more sunshine, warmer temps and an action-packed events calendar.

Starting with what could be the biggest sporting event of the year. No, we're not talking about the AFL Grand Final (although that's coming up on September 26). The NFL is rolling into town and the MCG will be playing host to the San Francisco 49ers and the LA Rams in the first-ever regular-season game to be held Down Under. 

It's all going down on September 11, but you can join in the festivities at the three-day Kickoff Festival, which will feature NFL exhibits, team activations, retail pop-ups, official watch parties and a stacked live music program.

On the flower front, the Tesselaar Tulip Festival returns in a sea of colour, and you can see cherry blossoms in full bloom at Cherry Hill Orchard's Blossom Festival. Two major environmentally focused events are also taking place, with RESET Festival and Birrarung Riverfest returning to celebrate biodiversity, nature and sustainability.

Over at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts is Encore! 50 Objects. 50 Years. One Collection. This brand new exhibition will showcase 50 extraordinary pieces of Australian performing arts history – think Kylie Minogue's gold hot pants, the maracas that Peter Allen shook in his 1977 performance of ‘I Go To Rio’ and costumes worn by Olivia Newton-John and Hugh Jackman.

And with the school holidays running from September 19 to October 4, it's set to be a busy month. See you out there!

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

Keen to make the most of the spring? Here are five magical spots to see blooms in Victoria.

Best things to do in Melbourne in September

1. Monty Python’s Spamalot

  • Musicals
  • Melbourne
Monty Python’s Spamalot
Monty Python’s Spamalot
Photograph: Supplied | Drew Anthony Creative
If the words “it’s just a flesh wound!” ring a bell then you’ve likely come across the extremely funny 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail or the Eric Idle-penned musical Monty Python’s Spamalot based on the cult hit.After picking up three Tony Awards and 14 nominations during its original Broadway run in 2005, the cheeky Arthurian spoof went on to conquer stages around the world, including a Melbourne season in 2019. Now, the knights of the Round Table are saddling up once again for a limited run in Melbourne from September 16 to October 4.  Produced by Drew Anthony Creative, this latest iteration delivers all the original over-the-top musical numbers from composer John Du Perez, mediaeval mayhem and fourth-wall-breaking gags that made the show a hit. Plus, plenty of Monty Python silliness including the beloved anthem “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”.  “After celebrating 20 years since the original production last year, it is a great honour to restore Monty Python’s Spamalot’s place on Australian shores for fans who have longed for its return and for new audiences to meet the Knights of the Round Table for the first time,” said producer Drew Anthony.  Legendary Australian actor and comedian Stephen Curry is making his musical theatre debut as King Arthur. Joining him on stage is Jaz Flowers (Hairspray) as The Lady of the Lake for the Melbourne run with Marney McQueen (Titanique) taking over for Sydney. To round out the crew, Nick White is taking on the Man...
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2. CherryHill Blossom Festival

  • Things to do
  • Fairs and festivals
  • Yarra Valley
  • Recommended
CherryHill Blossom Festival
CherryHill Blossom Festival
Photograph: Supplied
While sakura season might be over in Japan, you can still get your cherry blossom fix right here in Victoria. Simply make the one-hour trip from Melbourne to CherryHill Orchards, where hundreds of cherry trees burst into bloom for the annual Blossom Festival. Better yet, it coincides with the school holidays, making it an excellent excuse for a family day out. Wander beneath the trees with their ethereal white and pink flowers (there are more than 13 varieties of cherry trees here); snap the perfect spring fling pic for the 'gram; and settle in for a scenic picnic. Speaking of which, you can pre-purchase a retro picnic pack when booking your tickets, or BYO your own spread and find a spot beneath the trees to drink in those views. The on-site café also serves sweet and savoury treats – we can’t go past CherryHill’s famous cherry ice cream and cherry Spritzers. On weekends and public holidays, vendors and market stallholders add to the festive atmosphere, while the farm shop serves up more cherry-themed goodies. Kids can burn off some energy with games, activities and photo opportunities at the kids hub. Children are free on weekdays (but not on weekends) and your four-legged friends are welcome, too. Just remember, cherry blossom season is fleeting, so book your tickets ASAP via the website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Looking for more things to do? Check out our round-up of the...
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3. High Cheese

  • Things to do
  • Food and drink
  • Melbourne
  • Recommended
High Cheese
High Cheese
Photograph: Supplied
What do you get when you cross cheese with high tea? You get High Cheese – an indulgent cheese-centric experience returning to the Westin Melbourne for its third year. Taking over the hotel’s Allegro Restaurant from May 26 to October 17, this ever-popular event sees executive chef Apoorva Kunte joining forces with Richmond specialty cheese shop Supercheese, plus Punt Road Wines for a celebration of cheese and wine. High Cheese gives your traditional high tea a delicious spin with a three-tiered menu that shines the spotlight on cheese. Think sweet and savoury bites with expertly paired wines – all designed to showcase the versatility of great (or should we say, ‘grate’?) fromage. It’s a brie-lliant excuse to spend an afternoon grazing. Supercheese owner Jeremy Spradbery has selected cheeses for their quality, provenance and personality, drawing from niche local and international producers. Guests will move through a  progression of creations by chef Kunte, including a shared centrepiece and a final sweet offering, paired with a glass of Punt Road wine. “Supercheese has an incredible eye for producers with real character,” says Kunte. “For us, it’s about showcasing cheese in a way that feels elevated, unexpected and true to the ingredient.” To keep things fresh, the experience will evolve mid-season with a refreshed menu launching in August – which gives you a gouda reason to return. High Cheese at Allegro Restaurant is available every Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm onwards...
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4. A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

  • Musicals
  • Melbourne
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
Photograph: Jeff Busby
Melbourne’s stages have seen a slew of jukebox musicals tread the boards over the past few years. They’ve ranged from the powerful (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical) to the cheesy-yet-crowd-pleasing (Mamma Mia! The Musical) and the glossed-over tributes (MJ the Musical). Thankfully, at a time when it feels more important than ever to encourage people to get out and support the local arts industry, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical arrives at the Princess Theatre full of razzle-dazzle, an abundance of infectious energy and a stacked setlist guaranteed to appeal to the masses. What is A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical about?  Written by Anthony McCarten, directed by Michael Mayer and created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise opens on a dour therapy session between an older Diamond (played with commanding gravitas by Terence Crawford) and his doctor (Monica Sayers). It’s an unflinchingly sharp first introduction to the musical legend – all the more surprising given the heavy involvement of Diamond and his wife Katie – who is being particularly stubborn about revealing anything about the “clouds” that darken his demeanour. Enter the doc whipping out a book of all his lyrics, and suddenly, in true musical theatre fashion, the songs are quite literally spilling onto the stage in the form of the ensemble singing a teasing medley of hits to come.   From there we’re transported back in time as a young Diamond (Will Swenson) gets his big...
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5. Tesselaar Tulip Festival

  • Things to do
  • Fairs and festivals
  • Melbourne
  • Recommended
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
Photograph: Supplied
The perfect backdrop for your next Instagram pic awaits – and it's going to be blooming gorgeous. The Tesselaar Tulip Festival returns to the Dandenong Ranges from September 12 to October 11. Celebrating its 71st year, this much-loved festival transforms five acres of farmland into a kaleidoscope of more than one million bulbs in full bloom. And in 2026, the Yarra Valley Floral Day Pass makes it easy to turn your flower-filled outing into a full-day adventure. Available on select midweek dates, the pass includes access to both the Tesselaar Tulip Festival and CherryHill Orchards' Blossom Festival, just a ten-minute drive away. For $50 per adult, you'll get entry to both venues, plus score a complimentary tractor ride through the tulip fields and a refreshing cherry Spritz. While the tulips are undoubtedly the stars of the show, there's plenty more to enjoy. There are themed weekends: Turkish (September 12-13), Dutch (September 19-20) and Irish (October 10-11); two children’s weeks featuring characters from The Octonauts and Peppa Pig; All That Jazz (September 25-27); and Rock the Fields (October 3-4). There are also food and market stalls, tractor rides and plenty of photo opportunities in those fields of tulips. Our tip? Make sure to check out Australia's largest wooden clog at the Clog Shop. The Tesselaar Tulip Festival runs daily from September 12 until October 11, 10am to 5pm. For more information on tickets, head here.   Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time...
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6. RESET Festival

  • Things to do
  • Fairs and festivals
  • Melbourne
RESET Festival
RESET Festival
Photograph: Sarah Walker
You’ve probably heard about the Rs of living more sustainably: refuse, reduce, recycle, repair and reuse. Now it’s time to reset. Fed Square’s free sustainability-focused RESET Festival returns to Melbourne this spring, running across September into the school holidays. The program is designed to make greener living a whole lot more fun – think live music, workshops, swaps, outdoor cinema, family activities and plenty of creative ways to live better every day. Get to the Planting Party on September 5, featuring live music, food, a plant market, workshops and hands-on activities at the Skyline Car Park and Test Garden. It’s also marks the end of a month-long effort to plant thousands of native plants across different Victorian sites. On September 12, the Zero Waste Festival brings repair and mending sessions, clothes, book and fabric swaps, sustainable cooking and creative activities for kids. It culminates in the first ReWear Runway, showcasing garments transformed through repairing, reclaiming and repurposing. Then there’s Book Doof on September 13 – essentially a daytime rave for readers. Bring a book, grab a free tea or coffee and settle in to read, journal or sketch while a DJ spins vinyl from the Atrium balcony.  The school holidays bring even more sustainable fun, including the Big Toy Swap on September 23 and upcycling workshops. Kids can also enjoy free outdoor screenings of classics including Flipper (September 30), Free Willy (October 1) and Fly Away Home...
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7. World Press Photo

  • Things to do
  • Exhibitions
  • Ballarat
World Press Photo
World Press Photo
Photograph: Yasir Iqbal | Outlook India Magazine
In a world where misinformation travels faster than facts, photojournalism is the need of the hour. A powerful photograph bears witness, challenges perceptions and captures history in a unique, compelling way. The World Press Photo exhibition is coming to Victoria for the first time in a decade, with the Art Gallery of Ballarat presenting the acclaimed showcase at the Ballarat Mining Exchange from August 8 to September 20. And, yes, entry is completely free. Run by the World Press Photo Foundation, this year's showcase features work selected from an astonishing 57,376 photographs submitted by 3,747 photographers across 141 countries. The 42 winning images range from defining global news events to stories that have flown under the radar. From conflict and courage, resilience and resistance, climate change and conservation, gender politics and human rights – the photos offer an unflinching snapshot of our times. Australian audiences will also find a local story among the winners. Sydney Morning Herald photographer Edwina Pickles is recognised for her powerful image documenting last year's Bondi Beach terror attacks, while fellow Sydney Morning Herald photographer Nicky Catley serves as one of this year's judges. The exhibition travels to more than 60 cities across the globe and this is a chance for Victorians to experience it in all its guts and glory. The World Press Photo exhibition runs from August 8 to September 20 at the Ballarat Mining Exchange. Entry is free, and you...

8. Footy Fest & 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade

  • Things to do
  • Melbourne
Footy Fest & 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade
Footy Fest & 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade
Photograph: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos
What do you get when you combine the two things Melbourne does best – footy and a party? That’d be the Footy Fest. Returning to Yarra Park from September 23 to 26, the festival will transform Yarra Park and the MCG precinct into a mega four-day celebration for footy fans, families and event-goers. Spread across three hubs, there will be live entertainment, player appearances and some of the city's best food trucks and bars. Plus, entry is completely free, so there’s no better place to be during the most important weekend of the year. Some of our favourite parts: Score autographs from your favourite AFL and AFLW stars at the Telstra Player Hub Refuel at Taste of Finals area on the Main Stage Lawn or grab a drink to watch the footy on the big screen at the BWS Garden Bar Enter the immersive Our House, Our Rules experience – a blacked-out space starring colourful UV lightscapes and a graffiti wall, where you can test your skills against glowing targets and illuminated reaction tests There will be a new Bunnings Family Lawn main stage, featuring headliner The Mik Maks More interactive experiences like VR umpiring, designing your own footy shirt or just having a kick inside the all-ages AFL PLAY Clubhouse Exclusive Club and AFL merchandise available at the AFL Superstore  Plus so many more fun and free activations across site All of this sets the stage for the annual 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade on the public holiday on Friday September 25 – aka the best day of the...
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9. Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest

  • Dance
  • Ballet
  • Melbourne
Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest
Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest
Photograph: Supplied
Theatregoers, ballet fans and lovers of all things gothic, there’s a union of all your interests out there, and it’s making a bloody return to Melbourne this September and October. Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest takes the centuries-old story of the world’s most famous vampire and turns it into a tragedy told through dance. The Australian-made BIG Live production has played sold-out seasons in London’s West End, Edinburgh, San Francisco and Singapore, breaking the all-time record for the largest attended single production of Australian-made ballet. But it’s back on familiar hunting grounds now, and will spread its tale of dark romance and bloodlust, thanks to acclaimed performances by an alumni cast. That starring cast includes returning performers Ervin Zagidullin as Dracula and Abbey Hansen as Mina Harker, supported by renowned guest artist Adamzhan Bakhtiyar as Dracula in select performances. They’re choreographed by BIG Live Co-Founder Joel Burke, who, with Dracula, wanted to create a ballet that could be enjoyed by veteran and newcomer audiences alike. And as for the music, core to any ballet show, Dracula is scored by the Emmy Award-winning composer Jason Fernandez, and features classical works from maestros like Bach, Rachmaninov, Mozart, Mendelssohn and Debussy. The performance will play at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne from September 10-19, and after a brief Sydney stint, again from October 1-25. Expect fiery passion, bared teeth, captivating physicality and the...
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10. Melbourne Fringe Festival

  • Things to do
  • Fairs and festivals
  • Melbourne
  • Recommended
Melbourne Fringe Festival
Melbourne Fringe Festival
Photograph: Bokeh Media
Get ready to ‘Turn Towards the Heat’ because that’s the theme for this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival. Returning from September 29 to October 18, it’s three weeks of audacious art, kooky performance and out-there experiences at venues across Melbourne and beyond.  Best of all, it gives independent artists a platform to experiment, take risks and tell stories from the margins.  Given this year’s theme, expect boundary-pushing performances and genre-defying works that challenge expectations and spark curiosity. And it all kicks off with the Opening Night Gala at the Capitol Theatre on September 29, hosted by Michelle Brasier.  Celebrating its 10th season, Deadly Fringe showcases bold new First Nations work. Don't miss Dhandha/Campfire by Joel Bray Dance, a free participatory installation at Fed Square combining light, sound, sculpture and daily performance rituals around a sculptural campfire. Also look out for Ocker by Na Djinang Circus, a free roving circus spectacular, and Estuary by Ngioka Bunda-Heath, a dance duet exploring identity and connection to Country. Accessibility takes centre stage with Radical Access, which challenges artists to rethink how art can be made and experienced. Among the highlights is Manifesto of Silences by Irene Holub, a deaf-led work that combines sign language, movement, projection and immersive sound to explore deaf histories. The Passport program allows you to travel the world without leaving Melbourne. Featuring international artists...
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