Leah Glynn

New York has Broadway, London has the West End, and here in Melbourne, it's all about the East End. We're an all-singing, all-dancing city which means we're spoiled for choice when it comes to the musicals taking centre stage in the historic East End Theatre District in the CBD. From glitzy theatrical numbers and singalong musicals to smaller-scale productions, Melbourne is an absolute haven when it comes to all things razzle-dazzle. See for yourself by checking out the new and upcoming musicals making their way here in 2025. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Book the best spot with our guide to scoring the best seats in every Melbourne theatre. Keen on all kinds of theatre? Here are the best shows happening this month.

November 2025: Fresh from its world premiere in Sydney, 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' has opened to huge fanfare at Arts Centre Melbourne. Our reviewer gave it five stars, calling it "a spectacularly staged show that should appeal to anyone with a taste for the devious, diabolical and determined". And if you want to see some of the best dance choreography to grace Melbourne's stages this year, look no further than 'MJ the Musical' at Her Majesty's Theatre. We guarantee you won't be able to sit still in your seat once the lights dim. From the toe-tapping to the cathartic, consider this your ultimate guide to all the best Melbourne theatre shows happening this month. When stuck for things to do between shows, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 100 things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Want something else to do this month? Check out our guide to the city's best exhibitions.

It's the weekend, baby! You made it! To celebrate, we've gathered all the hottest festivals, shows, exhibitions and openings in one place – you're welcome.    Do you love having a good rummage around for secondhand gems at a local garage sale? Then the Garage Sale Trail is for you. Running right across Victoria over the next two weekends, it's your chance to shop up a storm – who knows what you'll find?! Head to Preston Market on Sunday for a celebration of Latin American culture, food and community. Latin Day will feature Brazilian showgirls, traditional foods and much more, making it the perfect family day out. For your fix of theatre, don't miss The Talented Mr. Ripley at Arts Centre Melbourne – our reviewer gave it five stars and said "this is a spectacularly staged show that should appeal to anyone with a taste for the devious, diabolical and determined". And remember, you can always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums,parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 100 things to do in Melbourne before you die.   Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. The fun doesn't stop on Monday! These are the best things to do in Melbourne this week.

Social calendar looking a bit empty? Don't worry, we've got you. There's always something happening in Melbourne, and this week is no different – so let's dive right in! If you took Monday off in conjunction with the Cup Day public holiday to create an extra long weekend, the rest of this week should just fly by for you. But if you're after a few things to help keep you busy, why not start with checking out The Talented Mr. Ripley – our reviewer call it "a brand-new take on the so-bad-he’s-wicked-good anti-hero". For something just as camp and cheeky, head to Melbourne’s brand-new Spiegel Haus for a performance of Blanc de Blanc Encore, which combines Parisian caberet, comedy and a whole lot of Champagne. And on Sunday at Preston Market, a vibrant celebration of Latin American culture will be taking place – expect Brazilian showgirls, authentic food and family-friendly fun. When in doubt though, you can always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 100 things to do in Melbourne before you die.   Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Counting down to Friday? Here's our guide to all the fun things happening in Melbourne this weekend.

Ready to hit the open road? Victoria’s countryside has some top-notch road trips with lush forests, winding coastal roads and charming rural towns that are waiting to be explored. Whether you’re chasing craggy cliffs that hug our rugged coastline, misty mountain valleys with fern gullies, or quirky silo art in remote country towns, adventure awaits. Our Time Out Melbourne team of Nicole Dowse and Leah Glynn have put together this list of their best scenic drives in Melbourne and Victoria. Grab your duffel bag, pack the boot and let these scenic drives reveal their hidden delights. You know what they say: it's the journey, not the destination.    Feel like a walk? Check out one of Victoria's best hiking trails. Or stay at home and enjoy a picnic at one of the city's nicest picnic spots. Want more? These are the best road trips from Melbourne. Plus, DO go chasing waterfalls: here's where to find the prettiest waterfalls in Victoria.

As much as we love the bright lights and late nights of the city, sometimes you just need to slam the laptop shut, toss a weekender bag in the boot and disappear somewhere that feels off-the-grid and untouched. Australia does 'the middle of nowhere' better than almost anywhere – except our version often comes with farm-to-table wineries, designer boutique stays and blissfully empty beaches.  Time Out's editors have crisscrossed the country (and then some), chasing sunsets in Broome, surf breaks in Yamba and long lunches in Margaret River. Between us, we’ve eaten, sipped and road-tripped our way through more small towns than we can count – so when we say these are the best regional towns in Australia, we really mean it. Each of Australia's most charming towns is proof that slowing down doesn’t have to mean missing out.  Editors' favourite regional towns in Australia:   ⭐️ Best for relaxation: Daylesford, VIC 🍷 Best for food and wine: Margaret River, WA 🌊 Best for coast and nature: Robe, SA 🌊 The beach towns to visit in Australia🚘 The best day trips in Australia😎 The best places to visit in Australia

It's already November, where has the year gone?! Before we start spiralling about how December (and Christmas, and the New Year) are just around the corner, let's enjoy all the fun things happening across Melbourne this month – and boy is there a lot to cover! Starting with Australia’s biggest annual garage sale. The Garage Sale Trail – happening over two weekends – is your chance to go on a treasure hunt for secondhand and vintage goodies. If you'd prefer a slightly more curated shopping experience, head to the Big Design Market, where more than 280 stallholders will be selling things like ethically made ceramics, jewellery, homewares, clothing and more.  Now that cherry blossom season is behind us, it can only mean one thing: cherry picking is back! Head to Cherry Hill Orchards where you can pick (and eat!) as many of these juicy fruits as your heart desires. Still hungry? Make your way to the East Malvern Food and Wine Festival to gorge on gourmet Victorian produce. And for your fix of theatre, music and movies check out The Talented Mr. Ripley at Arts Centre Melbourne, Live at the Gardens (Franz Ferdinand are playing!) and the Melbourne Queer Film Festival. Plus, there are also a bunch of cultural celebrations taking place this month – from Latin Day at Preston Market to the Polish Festival and African Music and Cultural Festival (both at Fed Square), you can travel around globe without even leaving Melbourne.  Phew! Better get out your diary and start planning! Stay in

The spookiest time of the year is upon us, so get ready to prep your costume and start listening to some creepy tunes, because there are heaps of freaky things happening in Melbourne for Halloween.  And with October 31 falling on a Friday this year, it's an extra creepy time for Melburnians who like a bit of dark fun. From horror-themed club nights and thrilling amusement parks to haunted tours and scary movie screenings, there's bound to be something that sends a shiver down your spine. So, pull out the witchy garb and fake blood and we'll 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. After the perfect costume? Check out Melbourne's best costume shops. 

While public sentiment toward the Melbourne Cup has certainly shifted in past years, one thing remains true in 2025: we still get a public holiday for a horse race (and if you're savvy with your annual leave, you've also taken the Monday off to get an extra long weekend). So whether you're firmly nup to the Cup and want to take a stand, or you simply want to make the most of a precious day off, we've rounded up a bunch of fun things to keep you busy on the first Tuesday in November. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Just want to chill out? Here are our favourite parks in Melbourne to enjoy the gorgeous weather.

When the sun comes out to play, Melbourne's glorious rooftop bars draw in flocks of thirsty revellers with their crisp, cool bevvies and sweeping city views. Maybe it's the higher altitude, but drinking is just more fun from above. So start climbing those stairs – or keep your fingers crossed for a lift – and check out Melbourne's best rooftop bars now.  Editor's favourite rooftop bars in Melbourne: 🥂 Best for a special occasion: Beverly 👠 Best for a hot date night: Her Rooftop 🍴 Best for snacks: Johnny's Green Room 🌇 Best for sunset views: Naked in the Sky or Harvie 👯 Best for a friends' catch-up: Morris House Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Still thirsty? We've rounded up the best wine bars in Melbourne. See full screen

For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they all have in common is a DIY spirit – and an unshakeable proclivity f

Melbourne is home to its fair share of super-luxe hotels, but there are also hidden gems in every corner of the city where you can rest your head for less than $200 a night. From super central sky-high towers like Oaks on Collins to charming stays on the fringe of the city like The Plough Hotel, Melbourne's budget hotels prove that you don't have to drop 500 bucks a night to enjoy a good night's sleep within striking distance of Melbourne’s best bits. To help you find your best affordable stay, our team of local editors (including Time Out Melbourne Editor Leah Glynn) have tried and tested Melbourne’s most well-located low-cost hotels, and Time Out Travel and Hotels Editor Winnie Stubbs has checked the list over to make sure it delivers.For an even more affordable night in the city, share a room with friends (and try to book at least a few weeks in advance). Another top tip from Time Out Melbourne’s team of local editors? Don't be afraid to trade space for location – you're only sleeping, after all. Read on for our guide to the best budget hotels in Melbourne.  Editor's quick picks: Best fully equipped home-away-from-home: Oaks on Collins Best for making new friends: YHA Melbourne Central Best boutique city stay: Brady Hotels Central Melbourne  Best quirky neighbourhood stay: The Plough Hotel Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  These are the best places to go camping near Mel

Travel to Poland this November without having to dust off your passport with the return of the Polish Festival to Fed Square on Sunday, November 16.  Kicking off at 10am, this annual celebrtion of Polish food, drinks, culture and traditions in now in its 21st year and will feature a fun line-up of dancing, live music, performance and art. But what we're most excited for is the food – think pierogi, cabbage rolls, sausages and potatoes in all their glorious forms (think potato pancakes, dumplings, soups and casseroles). Best of all, you can wash it all down with some pickle juice, which is apparently a go-to Polish remedy for hangovers, sore muscles and the occasional broken heart.  Find out more about the free, family-friendly event here.  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.

If you're after a heart-warming example of a community coming together to create a drinking and dining destination that puts their small town on the map, look no further than Maffco Brewery and Distillery. After standing derelict for 100 years, the former milk factory was purchased by locals Nicky Reeves and Lashay Tricker, who dreamed of transforming the site into a thriving business that would put Maffra on the map and further cement East Gippsland's reputation as one of Victoria's premier foodie regions. With the whole of the township behind them – the people of Maffra turned out in droves to offer their services and pitch in at working bees – the vision came to life. Opening in 2023, Maffco Brewery and Distillery is now a hugely successful (and much loved) venue serving up top-notch froffs and excellent pub grub. The space itself is enormous, with a sweeping ground floor and mezzanine level. Many of the original elements remain, like the original beams and furniture made using the old exterior cladding and fences. The main bar is where you can work your way through the bevvies – the core range remains available year-round, and there's an ever-changing stream of seasonal brews (if there happens to be a can of Frost Bite – a mango and passionfruit ice cream sour – lying around, be sure to give it a try). On the food front, you can get everything from scallops and burgers to a hearty lasagne. For a more elevated dining experience, Tucka is the adjoining restaurant that celeb

We're just as sad as you are that cherry blossom season is over, but the good news is that it heralds the start of the cherry-picking season. And if you can't get enough of those sweet and juicy red morsels, then make your way to CherryHill Orchards this summer to pick and eat as many cherries as your heart desires. This year's cherry-picking season will kick off on November 10 at CherryHill's 40-hectare orchard in Coldstream. On November 24, CherryHill's original orchard in Wandin East will follow suit and open its gates to eager pickers.  Sessions last for two hours, and cherries are charged per kilogram – trust us when we say these are some of the largest, sweetest cherries going around. But as you're picking, feel free to eat as many as you like! The fun doesn't stop at picking cherries; the orchard will host on-site food trucks and stalls hawking food and cherry-flavoured products. On top of the famed cherry ice cream, you can also shop pantry goods like cherry vinaigrette, cherry syrup, cherry barbecue sauce and cherry glaze. You can also bring your own picnic, or pre-order a box of goodies to enjoy on the orchard grounds. And if you visit on a weekend or public holiday, you'll be treated to the sweet sounds of live tunes performed by a rotating line-up of local musos. The cherry-picking festival will run until late December at the Coldstream orchard, and until early January at the Wandin East orchard. For more information and to book your spot head to the CherryHill we

The ultimate festive shopping spree awaits when the Big Design Market returns just in time for Christmas.  From November 28-30, the Royal Exhibition Building is set to be transformed into a shopper's haven for three big days. You'll be able to peruse more than 280 stallholders from Australia and New Zealand, selling things like ethically made ceramics, jewellery, homewares, clothing, lifestyle products, stationery, limited-edition art prints, pet wares and so much more.  Shopping can be hungry work, so be sure to fuel up with treats from some of the country's best culinary connoisseurs, including the likes of Wonder Pies, Ca Com Bánh Mì Bar, Casa Nata, Ugo Burrata Bar, Cobb Lane and Billy Van Creamery. On the beverage front, Axil Coffee Roasters will be doing some delicious brews, while Pizzini Wines will be on hand to whip up something a tad stronger.  This market's guest artist is Emma Morgan, who is best know for her beautiful botanic designs and illustrations. She'll be creating a jaw-dropping large-scale installation for the event. Don't miss the fashion runway at 6pm on Friday, November 28 (starring the latest collections from the fashion designers in attendance); and if you’ve got kids in tow, a designated entertainment zone with creative activities is sure to keep them busy. The show bags are also back – these usually sell out within the first few hours and boast more than $150 worth of goodies (including stationery, socks, body care and gourmet produce) for just $25.

It's not everyday that a tiny hole-in-the-wall gives you one of the best burgers in the world, but this isn't your everyday kinda place.  Operating out of the Yakamoz kitchen in a Brunswick East side street, Charrd has quickly become the talk of Melbourne's foodie scene. The menu is short 'n' sweet, with just two burger options: the classic (with onions and pickles) and the Charrd signature (with added truffle aioli, chilli jam and caramelised onions). Both are available with a single and double patty. There are fries, of course, and housemade iced tea and lemonade to wash it all down. The beauty of this burger is in its simplicity – the quality patties are made from a special blend of cuts from Madina Halal Butchers on nearby Sydney Road, and there's a delicious smokiness to the flavour. The pickles and onion add just the right amount of sharp zest, while the sauce combo balances it all out. Charrd is open from Thursday to Sunday, and you can stay across their burger happenings via Instagram. Thank us later.  Want more burger stuff? Here's our round-up of Melbourne's best. 

The Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF) returns to shine the spotlight on LGBTQIA+ people throughout history with a line-up full of hysterical comedy, campy horror and deliciously juicy drama.  The largest queer film festival in the Southern Hemisphere is back for its 35th outing, and this year's theme is 'Searching for Queer Utopias'. Captured through film’s immortalising lens, MQFF's 2025 program is a celebration of queer joy, connection and liberation, while also showcasing spaces where the LGBTQIA+ community and allies can be themselves. Running from November 13-23, audiences can expect more than 130 feature films, documentaries and short films (including 35 Australian premieres) to be shown at iconic city venues like Collins Place, Melbourne Town Hall and the Capitol Theatre. “There’s an incredible line-up of award-winning and premiere cinema for the audience for our milestone 35th season,” says MQFF Chief Executive Officer, David Martin Harris. “We’re bringing back premium events for our opening and closing night in what is a purely contemporary program that looks at the current and future for LGBTQIA+ communities in Australia and globally.”  MQFF will kick off with an opening night screening of Queens of the Dead, a queer apocalyptic survival comedy with a stacked ensemble cast that's been directed by Tina Romero. The festival will close with Plainclothes, a 1990s romantic thriller directed by Carmen Emmi.  In between, you can catch everything from in-conversation eve

It's the great Aussie dream, right? To get together with your mates, buy a country pub and turn it into a welcoming watering hole where locals and tourists alike can swing by for a pint and a parma. Well, that's exactly what four pals have done with the recently reopened Yack Hotel in Yackandandah, which is located an almost four-hour drive from Melbourne on the doorstep of the High Country. The new publicans are Dale Kemp (former executive chef at Yolk Group) and his partner Brittany Hart, and fellow hospo legends Jackson Cartwright and Sian Haycock – and together, they've restored it to its former glory while losing none of its old-world charm.  Originally built in 1868 to serve the town’s gold-mining community, the Yack Hotel's four-month transformation saw many of the structural elements remain – like the heritage ceiling plasterwork and brown brick bar – while new additions included a fresh lick of paint and plush tartan carpet. A beautiful horseshoe-shaped bar top was also made from local red gum sourced from a farm just 10 minutes up the road to really amp up the pub's rustic character. The menu delivers all the pub classics (parmas, burgers, fish and chips) and some rotating specials, and there's an emphasis on showcasing local ingredients – think steak from Yalandra Pastoral in the nearby Mitta Valley and a sticky toffee pudding spiked with Rutherglen muscat. On the drinks front, regional brewers dominate, with ice-cold froffs from Bright Brewery and Bridge Road Brew

Regional breweries don't come much cooler than Dunetown. The brainchild of Chris and Gab Moore of Sailors Grave Brewing, this farmhouse-meets-beer hall opened in December 2024 and has quickly become a must-visit destination for visitors to East Gippsland. Located between Marlo and Cape Conran (yep, it's an excellent spot for a post-surf froff), it takes its name from the sea shanty village that existed in the area until the 1980s. Far from a ramshackle setup though, Dunetown boasts a huge brewery operation – we're talking a pilot malting plant and a 16-tap bar complete with a four-tap Lukr side-pour system imported from the Czech Republic. But that's not all – there's a huge indoor-outdoor seating area, a fantasic sandy play area for the kids with two boats, gardens, two adorable mini goats and quirky illustrative-style art by Joe Lyward. And there's no chance of going hungry here, either. The Tumba Taco food truck dishes up tasty Mexican fare including corn chips with guac, tacos and burrito bowls – and best of all, the handmade tortillas are formed using 100 per cent locally grown maize.  And to wash it all down, you're going to want to try some of the beer. You'll always be able to get Sailors Grave's core range here, but there will also be an ever-rotating selection of more adventurous and interesting brews – think limited-edition and seasonal drops like a cacao husk and vanilla bean stout or a sea urchin and lemon myrtle gose. Many of the beers have even been inspired b

As the first major development in Bourk Street Mall in 50 years, the new Melbourne Walk precinct has been a much-hyped and hugely anticipated project. And now it's finally open – complete with the sparkly jewels in its crown: two new hotels that form IHG’s very first dual-branded hotel property in Australia.  Tucked away above the retail sector are the Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall and Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins. I'm checking out the latter, which is the design-led trendy younger sibling of the two that is chock-full of character and charming nods to its heritage. Why stay at Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins Street? It's instantly obvious there's a lot to love here: the spiral staircase is a stunning architectural centrepiece, every person I encounter is a delight, the signature cocktails are spot-on and the rooms are spacious and well-appointed. But what makes this hotel feel special, and quintessentially Melbourne, is the seamless blending of the site's storied history with the swish, modern features.  The property's signature shade of Mondrian blue is front and centre as soon as you enter, and it extends throughout the hotel – from the painted column in reception to the hallways and in-room cabinetry. And while it's a nice example of brand awareness, it doubles as a homage to Melbourne's blue street signs. There are also multiple tributes to E.W. Cole, who was the owner of Cole's Book Arcade – once regarded as the biggest bookstore in the world.

I'm a self-confessed self-care tragic – whether it's a simple sheet mask in the tub or a bougie facial followed by a soak in a mineral springs pool, if there's a chance to grab five minutes of zen time, I'm going to grab it.  So obviously I jumped at the opportunity to visit Tokyo Headspa's very first standalone flagship salon in Melbourne. The brainchild of founder Nozomi Oshima – whose love for scalp and hair rituals developed as a teenager living in Japan – Tokyo Headspa first launched in Sydney in 2022. There are now three locations in the Harbour City (my colleagues are big fans of the Bondi Junction clinic) and two in Brisbane.  The Melbourne salon is situated on High Street in Armadale, and it's a calming, quiet sanctuary that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the busy shopping strip outside. Designed by Rebecca Vulic of X+O Design Studio, it boasts a timber fitout with warm lantern lighting and soft music playing. The team are immediately welcoming upon my arrival, and I'm invited to pick a traditional yukata (I opt for the pink floral one, duh) and comfy slippers to wear for the duration of my appointment. Tokyo Headspa specialises in offering an authentic Japanese head spa experience that incorporates hair washing, scalp therapy, facial reflexology and upper body massage. The treatment beds and products have been imported direct from Japan, and all therapists have undergone extensive training in the centuries-old art by Oshima herself. I'm here for the

Want to hear some wheelie exciting news? The Great Vic Bike Ride is back – but this year, there's an emphasis on a more relaxed experience. Previously a nine-day event, it will now take place over five days along 300 kilometres of the Great Ocean Road and surrounding country roads. The ride will kick off – or should we say roll off – on November 24, winding through picturesque townships like Port Fairy, Koroit, Port Campbell and Timboon. Both seasoned riders and keen newbies are expected to tackle the new route, delivering a huge economic boost to the South West Victoria region.  The Great Vic Bike Ride has a proud reputation as one of Australia’s premier cycling events, and it’s also a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded people, sample local produce and support small townships. And the fun doesn’t stop once you set up camp, with a line-up of nightly entertainment scheduled for the duration of the ride. Oh, and best of all, your belongings are transported between campsites by a fleet of luggage trucks, and there’s plenty of mechanical, medical and motivational support provided along the way. So, who’s ready to start pedalling? Find out more at the website. Fun fact: Melbourne has been ranked one of the best cities in the world to see by bike. Not sure where to ride? These are the best cycling trails in Melbourne.

Love it or hate it, Christmas is almost upon us. And just as you can be sure that Michael Bublé is slowly defrosting and getting ready to croon the festive season away, and Mariah Carey is counting the fat stacks that pile up on cue as ‘All I Want for Christmas’ goes back on high rotation – you know that the battered DVD of one particular British rom-com at your mum’s house will also be back on steady rotation, actually.  Love Actually is the festive flick that never gets old, but if you want to fall in love with it all over again, grab a ticket for this special live viewing experience. Following sell-out tours across the UK and in Australia the last few years, Love Actually in Concert is coming back to Melbourne just in time for Old Saint Nick’s next whip around.  Pack the tissues, as this experience features a full live orchestra performing the hit soundtrack as the film is projected onto a screen. Love (and Christmas) will be all around you, and so the feeling grows. Get ready to question how many lobsters were present at the birth of Jesus Christ, and fire up at Alan Rickman and his saucy secretary all over again (Emma Thompson’s cry to Joni Mitchell will really slap with an orchestral backup, to be fair). Melburnians can get in on the holly jolly action on December 21 and 22 at Melbourne Town Hall. For more information and to grab your tickets, head to the website. Want more? Check out the best of Melbourne theatre and musicals this month.

At Time Out Melbourne, it’s our job to help people discover the best of the city – and further out across Victoria – so we’re normally the ones giving recommendations. That said, we love getting hot tips from you, too. So we put it to you – what are your top recommendations for things-to-do venues, restaurants, bars, regional venues and arts & cultural spaces? Drum roll, please… these are your top Time Out Melbourne Recommended People’s Choice picks for 2025:  Things to Do - People’s Choice: Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, CBD Restaurant - People’s Choice: The Lion and Wombat, St Kilda Bar - People’s Choice: Bar Bambi, CBDRegional venue - People's Choice: Brae, Birregurra Arts & Culture venue - People’s Choice: NGV International, Southbank Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Hungry? Here's our round-up of Melbourne's best eats Thirsty? This is our ultimate guide to Melbourne's excellent bars And here are all of our favourite things to do

When it comes to arts and culture, Melbourne has it all. You can get your fix in galleries, museums, theatres, concert halls, stadiums, cinemas, at festivals, or in one of the many live music pubs – you can even get it by wandering down pretty much any Melbourne laneway. It’s our job to help people discover the best of Melbourne, so we’ve narrowed it down to ten must-visit Melbourne arts and cultural venues that our Time Out editors truly love. Check out what’s going on at our top Time Out Melbourne Recommended Arts & Culture Venues for 2025:  Astor Theatre, St Kilda FOMO Cinemas, Brunswick East Fortyfivedownstairs, CBD Forum Melbourne, CBD Greville Records, Prahran Immigration Museum, CBD Museum of Desire, Collingwood Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, St Kilda EastPotter Museum of Art, Parkville The Substation, Newport Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. What's on now? Check out the best theatre and musicals on Melbourne stages And here's our guide to art to see in Melbourne right now

Melbourne has it all – botanic parks, surf parks, bathhouses, boathouses, science stuff, art stuff… And our editors have done it all! At Time Out it’s our job to help people discover the best of Melbourne, so we’ve narrowed it down to 25 must-do Melbourne experiences that our Time Out editors truly love right now – from free spots to epic paid experiences, some in the middle of the city and others further out. How many have you ticked off? Here are our top Time Out Melbourne Recommended Things to Do for 2025:  BattleKart, West Footscray Blue Lotus Water Garden, Yarra Junction CERES, Brunswick East Cherry Hill Orchard, Wandin East Collingwood Children’s Farm, Abbotsford Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne GoBoat, CBD Grazeland, Spotswood Hüd, Northcote Kayak Melbourne, Docklands Koorie Heritage Trust, CBD The Keys, Preston NICA, Windsor Pond Bathhouse, Mornington Puffing Billy, Belgrave Scienceworks, Spotswood Sense of Self, Collingwood Soak Bathhouse, South Yarra Studley Park Boathouse, Kew That Paper Joint, Brunswick Therapy, Eltham Tokyo Headspa, Armadale Urbnsurf, Tullamarine Victorian Pride Centre, St Kilda Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee 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 free things to do in Melbourne? Here's our guide to the best zero-dollar thrills Or take a hike – here are the best day walks to take from Melbourne

Victoria is a big, delicious state. We’re lucky to have a bit of everything – incredible wine regions like the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, beachy spots like the spectacular Great Ocean Road, and gourmet gastro areas like Gippsland and Daylesford. Our editors have travelled across the state and narrowed it down to ten regional Victorian eateries that they truly love at the moment – from a relaxed feed at the Yack Hotel to special occasion spots like Du Fermier, and everything in between.  Where will you travel to eat next? Start sussing out these top Time Out Recommended Victorian Venues for 2025:  Babae, Ballarat Brae, Birregurra Chauncy, Heathcote Du Fermier, Trentham Dunetown, Marlo Kin, WahgunyahMaffco Brewery and Distillery, Maffra Messmates Dining, Warragul Wickens, Dunkeld Yack Hotel, Yackandandah 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 restaurants in town? Here's our guide to the best eats in Melbourne. Thirsty? These are Melbourne's best bars.

Melbourne is known for its incredible food and drinks scene – in fact, just this year, it ranked as the top foodie destination in the whole world to visit. And dining in Melbourne was also named as one of Lonely Planet's 25 best experiences for 2026.  We’re lucky to have world-class restaurants, across a huge diversity of cuisines, using amazing produce, as well as some of the world's best bars. And at Time Out it’s our job to help people discover the best of Melbourne, so for 2025, we’ve narrowed it down to 25 restaurants and bars that our Time Out editors truly love right now – from affordable eats and special occasion spots to long-standing joints and hot newcomers.  Where will you eat next? Start sussing out these top Time Out Melbourne Recommended Restaurants & Bars for 2025:  Aegli, South Melbourne Albert’s Wine Bar, Armadale Banh Mi Stand, CBD Bar Olo, Carlton Capers, Thornbury Caretaker’s Cottage, CBD Charrd, Brunswick EastComo Lane, South Yarra Deep End Pizza, Collingwood Eat Pierogi Make Love, Brunswick East Greasy Zoe’s, Hurstbridge Inuman, CBD Kolkata Cricket Club, Southbank Maison Bâtard, CBD Molli, Abbotsford Mr Lee’s Foods, Ringwood East Mr West, Footscray Northern Soul, St Kilda Otakoi, Windsor Pho Hung Vuong Saigon, Footscray Ponyfish Island, Southbank Punters Club, Fitzroy Reed House, CBD The Walrus, St Kilda Wazzup Falafels, Northcote Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Loo

As if last night’s supermoon wasn’t enough of a celestial spectacle, today, the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) issued an Aurora alert confirming a geomagnetic storm is currently in progress. According to the alert, the "Aurora may be observed during local nighttime hours in good observing conditions at high latitudes." The last time the ASWFC issued an alert (October 30), sightings were reported around midnight in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and South Australia. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Southern Lights from Victoria. Where in the world can you see the Aurora? Bright, beautiful and bedazzling, the Aurora Borealis is a big-ticket bucket list item for pretty much everyone on Earth. Only those who have witnessed the Northern Lights with their naked eyes can truly understand its ethereal magic. But you don’t need to fork out on a ticket to Scandinavia to see the dramatic natural light display IRL. Australia has its very own version, called the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights – and this year, we could be in for the brightest display in 20 years. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Aurora Australis in Australia. Will the Aurora Australis be visible tonight from Victoria? Australia’s first big Aurora Australis of the season occurred on Sunday, June 1, sparked by a severe geomagnetic storm. Another recent storm was visible from Australia (including here in Victoria) on October 30, and it’s looking like we could be in luck

Sydney, are you ready? It’s the moment Aussie Oasis fans have been waiting for – the Gallagher brothers are touching down in the Harbour City very soon, and so far there’s been no hint of conflict between the two. Phew! That means everything is in place for them to conquer two epic shows at Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park. So, pull out your bucket hats and Adidas trackies (and leave your flares at home) – and get your vocal cords ready to belt out 'Wonderwall'. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Oasis Sydney shows. RELATED READ: These are the 52 best things to do in Sydney in 2025. When is the Oasis Live ‘25 World Tour in Sydney? Oasis will take to the stage at Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park for their first concert on Friday, November 7. They will perform a second show on Saturday, November 8.  How to get to the Oasis Sydney concerts Getting to the Oasis concert in Sydney is relatively easy –but you’ll need to plan ahead. The show is going down at Accor Stadium, inside Sydney Olympic Park, which is well-connected to public transport. The easiest way to get to the concert is to catch a train to Olympic Park station, and from there it’s a short walk to the stadium. Wanna drive? There is parking at Accor Stadium – but your best bet is to pre-book a car space to guarantee a spot. Uber and taxis are also available, but it’s going to be busy.  What time will Oasis come on stage? Gates open at 5.45pm, with support act Ball Park Music to begin at 7.15pm

Update Tuesday, November 4: More than 100,000 people have poured into Marvel Stadium over two nights to see Oasis deliver performances that Melbourne fans won't forget for a long time. And now, there's only one show left – which means it's your last chance to see the Gallagher brothers IRL before they leave for Sydney. And considering it's been 20 years between visits Down Under, who knows when (or if) they'll ever be back. With all their biggest hits on the setlist (clips of 'Champagne Supernova' have been all over our TikTok feed), we're pretty sure Oasis are going to go out with a bang tonight. P.S. Bringing a flare to a concert is a dumb idea, so don't be that person tonight – even Liam thought it was a silly thing to do.  It's the moment Aussie Oasis fans have been waiting for – the Gallagher brothers have finally touched down in Melbourne, and so far there's not been a hint of conflict between the two. Phew! Which means everything is in place for them to conquer three epic shows at Marvel Stadium. So, pull out your bucket hats and Adidas trackies, and get ready to belt out 'Wonderwall', here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Oasis shows – starting with tonight's opening concert. When is the Oasis Live ‘25 World Tour in Melbourne? Oasis will take to the stage at Marvel Stadium for their first concert on Friday, October 31. They'll also perform on Saturday, November 1 and Tuesday, November 4. How to get to the Oasis Melbourne concerts Marvel Stadium is ri

It's no secret that Melbourne is home to some world-class drinking and dining experiences – Caretaker's Cottage was just ranked the 19th best bar in the world, in 2024 Vue de Monde landed fifth on La Liste's exclusive guide, and Lonely Planet just declared the city's culinary scene a must-do experience in its Best in Travel guide for 2026. Hungry yet? And now, a revered, high-end Melbourne restaurant has been recognised by the Tatler Best Awards, which have expanded across the Asia-Pacific region for the very first time. The Tatler Best Awards (now in its second edition) celebrate the top destinations to dine, drink and stay while travelling – and none other than Flower Drum earned a spot on the inaugural Asia-Pacific top 100. Flower Drum may be almost five decades old (yes, really), but this classy Cantonese joint located in Chinatown remains a beacon of elegant fine dining. Named after the traditional 'Flower Drum' dance, this certified culinary institution is best know for its impeccable service (the restaurant’s banquets is itself a carefully choreographed dance, which some of its waiters have been perfecting for 20-plus years) and dishes that offer diners a rare taste of various prized Cantonese specialities. And is it the best Peking duck in Melbourne? It’s definitely the most meticulously presented.meli  Photograph: Graham Denholm The other Aussie restaurants to make the list include Tasmania's sustainable dining powerhouse, The Agrarian Kitchen; and two Sydney spot

Ask any local what they love about Victoria, and we bet they can easily list a number of things that makes this great state of ours so wonderful – whether it's the spectacular natural wonders, cool neighbourhoods or epic adventures like this snow to surf trip. But it's always nice to be recognised by others on a global scale, which is why we're pretty damn excited that Victoria has made not one but two appearances on Lonely Planet's 2026 Best in Travel guide. Now in its 16th edition, the Best in Travel guide is basically the holy grail of wanderlust – a collection of expertly curated picks for where to go in the year ahead. It's divided into two sections: the 25 best destinations and the 25 best experiences. Standing tall as the only Aussie state to be featured twice, Victoria's two inclusions fall under the best experiences banner. So, just what exactly are they? Drumroll, please... The first is the Great Bathing Trail – aka Australia's steamiest road trip. In case you didn't know, Victoria is lucky enough to be home to a number of excellent hot springs sites stretching from Gippsland in the east to Warrnambool in the west. This new 885-kilometre route links them all, in what has to be one of the most relaxing ways to criss-cross the state. Open all year round (though we recommend doing it between April and November when the weather is cooler), stops include Metung Hot Springs, Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, Peninsula Hot Springs, Hepburn Bathhouse and Deep Blue Hot Springs,

Need further proof that Melbourne is the coffee capital of the world? Well, here it is: local barista Jack Simpson – who is also Head of Innovation at Axil Coffee Roasters – has taken out the prestigious 2025 World Barista Championship, which was just held in Italy. Now that's news that's got us more jazzed than a triple shot espresso! Back in May, we reported that Simpson had taken out the Australian Barista Championship, making it the third year in a row he had take out the local title. His win saw him travel to Milan for the 25th anniversary of the World Barista Championship, which took place over five fierce days of judging. Competitors travelled from 50 countries across the globe – including Greece, Vietnam, Costa Rica and Kenya – in an effort to claim the crown. The championship is based around three categories: espresso, milk-based and specialty. Each barista had 15 minutes to create four of the same drink, which were then judged on key criteria like taste, technical skills, presentation and storytelling. Simpson's winning signature brew combined two coffees (from Panama and Colombia) and combined it with a housemade honey vinegar and passionfruit husk distillate to create a fizzy, refreshing drink with notes of raspberry kombucha and mango. Yum!    Photograph: Supplied/World Barista Championship   “It’s an incredible honour to bring the World Barista Championship title home to Australia,” says Simpson. “This win celebrates not only me, but the producers, roasters, a

Let's be honest – it was actually a pretty mild winter in Melbourne, and although we haven't had any super hot spring days yet, the weather conditions have been (mostly) calm and consistent. Which would bode well for a pleasantly warm summer, right?  Well, no. At least not if La Niña has her way. This month, the US Climate Prediction Center (CPC) declared that a La Niña event is officially underway, with the cool, rainy phase expected to stick around until early next year. While it’s probably not the news anyone was hoping for, it’s not all doom and gloom Down Under. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) hasn't declared La Niña here – yet. But it's safe to say we're on high alert here in Melbourne. This is everything you need to know so far. What is La Niña? La Niña is one of three phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate cycle. It happens when stronger-than-usual trade winds push warm water westward across the Pacific Ocean, leaving cooler-than-average waters along the equator. The result? Wetter weather, more cloud cover and a greater chance of storms across Australia. Are we in La Niña or El Niño? Australia experienced three consecutive La Niña years – from late 2020 through to early 2023 – which is pretty rare (only the fourth “triple-dip” since records began). This led to record-breaking rainfall and cooler temperatures across much of the East Coast, with widespread flooding in parts of QLD and NSW. However, Australia has been in a neutral climate phas