Things to do in Melbourne today

If you’re looking for a magical night out in the city, the neon-lit Maho Magic Bar is back after sold-out shows and rave reviews from their 2023 season in Chinatown, and this time it’s found a new home at Melbourne’s new entertainment hub, Spiegel Haus. Inspired by Japan’s rich history with magic, this immersive 60-minute experience comes from Broad Encounters (the team behind A Midnight Visit) and brings a line-up of magician superstars direct from Japan, performing a mix of brand-new tricks and audience favourites.  From November 25, step into the whimsical cocktail bar and be whisked away to Tokyo where expert magicians perform up-close magic alongside delicious cocktails. There's no stage for the performers here as the intimate show will take place right at your table, where you'll assist the magicians in their bamboozling sleight-of-hand magic. Japan’s best magicians will surprise and delight visitors, incorporating debonair storytelling, mind-blowing illusions and kawaii charm. While you enjoy the show, you can order from a menu of bespoke cocktails mixed by a Japanese master mixologist. Or if you're after a more traditional libation, try authentic Japanese sake, whisky, shochu and rare spirits like umeshu.  If you're prepared to be dazzled, this experience will surely do the trick. Maho Magic Bar is performing multiple shows a day between Tuesdays and Sundays with adult shows (recommended for ages 12+) in the evening and family-friendly matinees. Book a ticket, a...

Say the words Saturday Night Fever and pretty much everyone conjures up John Travolta sashaying in a blazing white flared suit on a rainbow flashing dancefloor, gesticulating to the Bee Gees’ high-pitched vocals. No wonder. It’s an iconic moment, set to a stellar soundtrack that remains one of the best-selling of all time, bested only by Whitney Houston and co on The Bodyguard.  The Bee Gees deliver the mighty ‘Stayin’ Alive’, ‘How Deep Is Your Love’, ‘More Than a Woman’, ‘You Should Be Dancing’, ‘Jive Talking’ – in a scene cut from the final film, but present on the album – and title track ‘Night Fever’. They’re joined by the likes of Yvonne Elliman’s ‘If I Can’t Have You’, penned by the Bee Gees, and Kool and the Gang’s ‘Open Sesame’ on a smash-hit that’s all thriller, no filler.   Fewer folks will recall, however, the bleaker elements of John Badham’s classic 1977 movie. With a screenplay by Norman Wexler, adapted from a feature by music journalist Nik Cohn, it’s set in a New York City on its knees financially, experiencing a poverty-pinched crime spike. A story of working class unrest, as the have-nots dare to dream, it shares many plot points with West Side Story.  Featuring racially and misogynistically motivated violence, gang fights, suicide, abortion and assault in the original cut, later reissued in a toned-down to parental guidance version, Saturday Night Fever is not all disco spills and chill. So what are you getting yourself into here with Saturday Night...

It's officially that time of year again when the Moonlight Cinema returns to Melbourne for the summer. There's just something special about snuggling into a bean bag and catching a film under the stars in the Royal Botanic Gardens – with an ice cream or a wine in hand, of course.  Australia's favourite outdoor cinema has dropped its summer screening schedule, with tons of  blockbusters, nostalgic favourites and comedies on the program. January highlights include new releases like 'Wicked: For Good', 'The Housemaid' and 'Anaconda' alongside beloved classics as voted by the public in the People’s Program – think 'The Parent Trap' and 'Shrek'. Those looking to splurge can opt for Singapore Airlines' Gold Grass that comes with prime viewing, express entry and food and drinks delivered to your seat. Anothere cool option is the Connoisseur Lounge ticket that includes a bean bed plus a yum Connoisseur ice cream. And did you know the Moonlight Cinema is pooch friendly? For the first time ever you'll also be able to order a doggie bag meal from the food menu thanks to Lyka. Doggy date night, anyone? Screenings kick off at sundown, so bring your picnic rug, your snacks and your friends. Tickets are now available via the website. Want more fun in the sun? Here are the best things to do in Melbourne this December.

Melbourne, start your engines. F1: The Exhibition has zoomed into town, marking its first-ever appearance in the Asia-Pacific region. After sell-out runs in Madrid, London and Amsterdam, the globally acclaimed show has made a pit stop at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, transforming it into an adrenaline-fuelled hub for motorsport fans. Part museum, part immersive experience, the exhibition will trace Formula 1’s past, present and future through six expansive galleries, with a seventh new section devoted to Australia’s own racing legends. Expect everything from championship-winning cars and rare memorabilia to video interviews and archive footage that captures the sport’s greatest rivalries and most spectacular victories. Visitors begin their journey in 'Once Upon a Time in Formula 1', charting seven-plus decades of drama before stepping inside 'Design Lab', a behind-the-scenes look at the factories of Red Bull, Mercedes and McLaren. 'Drivers and Duels' pays tribute to legends like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, while 'Revolution by Design' explores how engineering innovation and human daring have continually pushed the limits. The exhibition’s emotional heart, 'Survival', displays the remains of Romain Grosjean’s scorched Haas car from his 2020 Bahrain crash, a stark reminder of the sport's danger. Visitors then arrive at 'The Pit Wall', a cinematic wrap-up that relives Formula 1’s most unforgettable moments. Melbourne’s edition adds...

Midsumma Festival, one of Melbourne’s most loved LGBTQIA+ celebrations, returns in 2026 with an electric three-week-long party from January 18 to February 8. Expect more than 250 events spanning art, theatre, music, comedy, film and fun, showcasing dazzling local and international queer talent. With vibrant festival hubs across Melbourne and greater Victoria, it’s an inclusive celebration of creativity and community. Some of the highlights of the 2026 program include the international hit play Afterglow at Chapel Off Chapel; Australian Open at Theatre Works; the smash-hit cabaret He's Every Woman; Drag Storytime for Adults with Narelda Jacobs and Karina Natt at the State Library Victoria; and plenty heaps more. But it all kicks off when the free Midsumma Carnival opens the festival on Sunday, January 18, at Alexandra Gardens. This free celebration showcases LGBTQIA+ talent across multiple stages, alongside community and business stalls, pop-up bars and food zones. Expect a packed day of performances, plus the much-loved Dog Show and Lip Sync Limelight. As the sun sets, the carnival transforms into a high-energy dance party with DJs and drag queens. The signature Midsumma Pride March will take place on Sunday, February 1, and will see thousands of marchers and onlookers gather in St Kilda in support of LGBTIQA+ communities. The parade will kick off at 10.30am and run through Fitzroy Street and Catani Gardens, with some cool after-parties, of course.  Closing out the...

Summer and sunflowers are basically synonymous, so if you're keen to get your hands on a bunch of bright yellow blooms before the season ends, we've got the scoop. Surf Coast Sunflowers is located on Victoria's Surf Coast, just a stone's throw from Geelong – it's about a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, but we recommend combining it with a beach stop for the ultimate summer day trip. The sunflower field opens on January 9 for approximately two weeks (depending on bloom time), and it's the perfect opportunity to pick your own flowers or take some Insta-worthy snaps. Admission prices are $10 for adults and $5 for kids (or $25 for a family of four). Once in the field, you can nab sunflowers for $3 per stem or $25 for ten – you just need to bring something to cut the stems (secateurs should do the trick), wear closed-toe shoes and it's helpful to bring a bucket to carry your prized blooms in.  Surf Coast Sunflowers is open daily from 10am-5pm, with additional twilight sessions from 5-8pm on Friday and Saturday nights. To find out more and book your spot, head to Instagram. Happy sunflower season! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Can't make the trip? Find some of Melbourne's best florists here.

Once upon a December night in Melbourne, the polished production of Anastasia finally made its long-awaited Australian premiere at the Regent Theatre. As a fan of the 20th Century Fox Animation film of the same name, I was excited to see this seminal work from my childhood come to life on the grandest of stages. A sweeping tale of adventure, romance and finding your way back home, Anastasia feels destined to deliver theatrical magic. And in many ways it does – the costuming, particularly the opulent ball gowns and Russian court-style ‘fits, are gorgeous. The songs, catchy in the film, are given real oomph with the backing of a ten-strong orchestra. And the charming cast is undeniably talented. But – spoiler alert! – this is not a wholly faithful adaptation, with the most notable change being the erasure of the deliciously wicked Rasputin (justice for the criminally underrated banger ‘In the Dark of the Night’). Here, he’s been replaced by Gleb (Joshua Robson) a Bolshevik general who develops conflicted feelings for our titular heroine, but doesn’t quite incite the same fear as the original, supernaturally-gifted animated villain. What’s the premise of Anastasia? Offering a romanticised take on Russia’s last imperial dynasty, the Romanovs (heavy on the romanticised part – this is by no means a historically accurate take on the infamously unpopular family), Anastasia follows the story of Anya, a young street sweeper with a convenient case of amnesia. With rumours swirling...

It's that time of year again when thousands of tennis fans will flock to Melbourne Park to watch the top seeds battle it out in the fierce summer heat. This January, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Madison Keys, Iga Swiatek and Alex de Minaur are just some of the many stars who have confirmed they'll be on court.  Yes, the Australian Open continues to attract the world's best tennis players and their fans to the first Grand Slam of the year. Opening week takes places from January 12-17, while the main draw is played over two weeks from January 18 onwards, culminating in the women's singles final on January 31 and the men's singles final on February 1. For the first time ever, the Australian Open will host an opening ceremony on January 17, the night before the main draw begins. And we'll have none other than tennis legend and six-time winner, Roger Federer, to headline this special event. He'll be joined by Andre Agassi and Aussie legends Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt in a unique ‘Battle of the World No 1s’. And even if you don’t make it into Rod Laver Arena, there will be live entertainment, giant screens, excellent drinking and dining options, and pop-up activations to enjoy all around Melbourne Park. AO Live will also return, with global artists like The Kid Laroi, The Presets, Spacey Jane, The Veronicas, Sofi Tukker, Reneé Rapp and Peggy Gou ready to entertain the crowds.  Day and night sessions are available, and adult ground pass tickets start...

Ever wanted to soar above a rainforest canopy or wander beneath the frozen surface of the polar seas? Melbourne Museum invites you to do just that with Our Wondrous Planet, a breathtaking, immersive exhibition celebrating the interconnected magic of life on Earth. Spanning reef, rainforest, ice and soil, this multisensory experience drops visitors into the planet’s most vital ecosystems. Room-sized projections, interactive moments and storytelling bring the natural world to life. More than 800 remarkable animals from across the globe take centre stage, appearing in environments that pulse, swirl and shimmer. Witness the beginnings of a coral reef, come face-to-face with rainforest icons, glide through icy waters and explore hidden root networks and organisms working quietly beneath our feet. The exhibition is anchored by distinct spaces: Our Family, showcasing animals from the much-loved Wild gallery and exploring the human place in the tree of life; Our Roots, a reflective First Peoples-led space centred on care, reciprocity and connection to Country; and Our Moment, an interactive zone encouraging visitors to work together on the planet’s biggest challenges. What sets Our Wondrous Planet apart is its blend of First Peoples and scientific knowledge, showing how everything on Earth is connected and how small human actions can make a difference. Family-friendly, visually spectacular and thought-provoking, this exhibition entertains while leaving plenty to reflect on. Our...

Get ready to dive into the hottest season of the year at Le Splash – the swanky, Euro-inspired pool bar at Le Méridien Melbourne. Formerly only open to the five-star hotel's guests, for the second year running Le Splash will welcome the public onto its stunning rooftop for a swim this summer.  With a 28-degree heated pool, sun-soaked lounge deck and 360-degree views of the prettiest corner of the CBD, Le Méridien offers a perfectly elevated swimming experience that'll have you feeling like you've been transported to a swish hotel on the Côte d'Azur.  The Le Splash Pool Passes are available from Monday to Thursday all summer long, and you'll be able to choose between either a morning or sunset pass, with both options giving you hours of swimming, sunning and lounging time. They cost $85 per person.  The morning sesh is for early birds who like a slower start. Open from 8am to noon, you get full pool access, a free scoop of Le Méridien's famous gelato and a beverage of your choosing. The sunset pass is for those who like the idea of swimming above the city from 6pm to 9pm. The soundtrack will become more vibey, rosé and Champagne will be poured and golden hour pics will be a focal point. Also included is a complimentary gelato scoop and drink.  But that's not all! On Friday and Saturday nights, you can get involved in a bougie sunset dinner and drinks at the Le Splash rooftop bar. The service runs from 5-9pm, and includes the option to dine on a...