Subscribe 
Subscribe 
Subscribe Melbourne’s Unmissable Arts and Culture Moments Happening Now and Coming Soon
Craving a dose of creativity in the city? Discover the latest art and cultural news, reviews, and happenings here.
Step into the heart of Melbourne’s dynamic art and culture scene this winter, where creativity and expression are front and centre. From vibrant theatre premieres to immersive exhibitions and thought-provoking installations, the city is alive with experiences that push boundaries and inspire.
Whether you’re seeking a mind-blowing journey at the NGV or diving into experimental performances at the Malthouse Theatre, there’s something for every culture enthusiast.
Here’s your guide to Melbourne’s must-see arts and culture events this August and beyond – your passport to unforgettable experiences in the city awaits.
Beneath the Tracks: Melbourne’s Banana Alley Vaults Reborn as Hard Techno Haven
Melbourne’s nightlife is going subterranean. This September, the heritage-listed Banana Alley Vaults beneath Flinders Street will pulse with a new energy as Stamina opens its doors — or more accurately, its tunnels. From the team behind Nerve, the city’s reigning techno den, comes a dedicated hard techno club inspired by Europe’s most storied undergrounds. Think cavernous arches, industrial patina, and sound so clean it slices through the air.
Every Saturday night, from 13th September, the vaulted chambers will fill with the thump of local and international DJs at the forefront of the genre, wrapped in a production design that elevates rave culture into something almost cinematic. Ashby Projects have reimagined the raw brick and history-steeped corridors into a space that celebrates both heritage and hedonism — a place where Melbourne’s past and its nocturnal future meet beneath the rumble of passing trains.
Opens 13th September
Pre-sale registration: Opens 21st August
Early bird tickets: $15 for pre-sale sign-ups
Flinders Street Tunnels, Melbourne
Troy Reimagined: Malthouse’s Mythic Spectacle Arrives This September
Step into a world where gods clash and mortals wrestle with fate — Troy at Melbourne’s Malthouse is a visceral reinvention of the ancient Greek legend, crackling with raw emotion and poetic force. With an extraordinary Australian cast led by Paula Arundell, Elizabeth Blackmore, and Mark Leonard Winter, this production breathes contemporary urgency into timeless tales of love, loss, and war.
Prepare for a theatrical journey that pulses with mythic grandeur and intimate humanity.
4th to 25th September, 2025
Merlyn Theatre, Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne
Darebin FUSE Festival Presents Deadly Darebin: A Radiant Celebration of First Nations Artistry
From 31st August to 14th September, Darebin stirs with Deadly Darebin — a vibrant thread within the FUSE Festival, honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices through music, dance, film, workshops and immersive art experiences. Among its highlights is Bunjil & Paliyang (13th to 21st September), a spellbinding fusion of Kulin Nation songlines, orchestral music and dance that weaves Creation stories of eagle, bat, swan and brolga, inviting audiences to soar across Country’s skies and waterways.
The luminous 27-metre puppet Tarutharu, the Kaurna Skink (5th to 7th September) brings to life a story passed down through generations, draped in the evocative artistry of Elizabeth Close and Jack Buckskin. En Masse (4th to 10th September), a life-sized projection installation, delves into the fragile balance between the individual and the collective, told through haunting dance and film by Rawcus Ensemble and choreographer Amelia J O’Leary. On 2nd September, FUSE Films screens First Nations stories on the big screen, featuring Jazz Money’s lyrical WINHANGANHA alongside the stirring documentary Lady Lash.
The festival opens with Ganbu Gulin: wudhanu yuwanguth on 31st August, a moving celebration featuring Emma Donovan, Doe Eyes, Torres Green and the Djirri Djirri Dancers — a soulful homage to Country and culture. Discover the full programme and embrace a season where ancient stories and contemporary voices entwine beautifully.
31st August to 14th September
Various venues across Darebin
FUSE Festival
From 31st August to 14th September, Darebin’s FUSE Festival bursts into life, painting the city with a rich mosaic of art, music, film, and immersive experiences. Across diverse venues, discover captivating installations, live performances, and hands-on workshops that spark connection and curiosity. Highlights include life-sized projection art, evocative film screenings, and joyous community gatherings — all woven into Darebin’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
For those seeking fresh creative encounters or soulful celebrations, FUSE Festival offers a stirring invitation to engage, reflect, and celebrate the arts in every form.
31st August to 14th September
Various locations in Darebin
Melbourne’s Laak Boorndap: A Dreamlike Garden to Take Root in 2026
Beginning in 2026, Laak Boorndap will rise as an 18,000sqm elevated sanctuary within Melbourne’s Arts Precinct, a verdant tapestry where nature, culture, and ancestral spirit converge. Designed by visionary studios HASSELL and SO-IL with horticultural visionaries Nigel Dunnett, James Hitchmough, and Jac Semmler, this garden promises to be more than greenery — it will be a living constellation.
Here, visitors will wander through six thematic gardens that echo the resilient Australian landscape, each bloom and blade a story whispered in the language of Country. Wrapped around NGV, Hamer Hall, and the Australian Ballet Centre, Laak Boorndap invites us to slow, to reconnect — like First Peoples tracing the stars, learning the land’s secrets and stories.
Named by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Gail Smith, the garden honours this timeless relationship to Country, offering a serene refuge from the city’s ceaseless hum. Day and night, its art installations and sculptures will flicker like stars — points of light guiding visitors through an ever-changing cultural constellation, inviting reflection, play, and belonging at the heart of Melbourne’s creative soul.
Find out more here
Arts Precinct, Melbourne
Queenscliff Music Festival Just Dropped a Floating Stage — Yes, Really
The Queenscliff Music Festival is turning the volume up for 2025 with its third artist drop: 16 rising stars across folk, rock, punk and soul — plus a brand-new floating ferry stage for waterfront gigs on the move. Set against the stunning Bellarine coastline, the beloved three-day festival continues to champion fresh Australian talent, with Emilia Fol, Ally Row, Kit Genesis and Public Figures joining a stacked lineup that already includes The Cat Empire, Thelma Plum, Little Birdy, Pierce Brothers, The Waifs, King Stingray, Didirri + Rowena Wise, Tex Perkins & Matt Walker, Cosmic Psychos and more. It’s a genre-spanning celebration of punk, funk, blues and indie charm — ferry good, if you ask us. This year also sees a collab with Port Fairy Folk Festival, spotlighting emerging regional voices. Tickets are on sale now.
Purchase tickets here
28th to 30th November, 2025
Multiple venues across Queenscliff including the heritage-listed Uniting Church, and Maritime Museum Boatshed
Linden Postcard Show
Back for its 35th year, the Linden Postcard Show returns this September with over 1,000 original works spanning the full creative spectrum — from first-timers to art-world darlings. Held at the ever-iconic Linden New Art in St Kilda, this beloved open-entry exhibition champions community, creativity, and connection. Come for the art, stay for the inspiration.
Saturday 6th September to Sunday 2nd November, 2025
26 Acland Street, St Kilda
Get Set For: Interval Festival
Melbourne’s getting a sonic glow-up this September, with the debut of Interval Festival taking over the sculpture-strewn lawns of the Heide Museum of Modern Art. Think: electronic beats under open skies, art-drenched surrounds, and a lineup that reads like your DJ wish list (hello Demi Riquísimo, Baron Von Trax, Duskus, Prizefight and LA LA Luke). Equal parts bush doof and biennale, it’s made for dancers, dreamers and deep-thinkers.
Presale: Thursday 10th July, 12pm | GA: 5pm same day
Friday 26th September
Heide Museum of Modern Art
Strap In: AMERICAN PSYCHO – THE MUSICAL Slashes into Chapel Off Chapel
Blood, business cards, and brutal commentary — American Psycho – The Musical lands in Melbourne this September, and it’s everything your dark little theatre-loving heart could hope for. With Conor Beaumont as Bateman, a killer cast of local heavyweights, a live-on-stage DJ, and a slick 80s soundtrack, this is not your average night at the theatre.
Directed by Mark Taylor, it’s savage, stylish and unnervingly relevant. Capitalism’s never looked so chic — or so terrifying.
4th to 20th September
Book here
Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Eclipse Cinema: Collingwood’s Indie Movie Sanctuary Comes Alive
Collingwood’s industrial past is set to glow anew as Eclipse Cinema transforms a former Sherrin football factory into a 64-seat haven for indie, avant-garde, and locally-made films. Helmed by Mark Walker of Geelong’s Pivotonian fame, this single-screen treasure revives the spirit of the original early 20th-century Eclipse at 20 Smith Street. Expect bold, festival-fresh films, weekly Almodóvar love-ins, and cult favourites that demand the big screen.
With cosy vibes and a fierce devotion to cinematic rebellion, Eclipse Cinema will be the antidote to multiplex monotony — Melbourne’s new must-visit for cinephiles craving something real.
Opening 2025
Watch for all the latest updates here
32 Wellington Street, Collingwood
The Fitzroy Gasworks Is Getting One Hell of a Glow-Up
What was once a gritty industrial relic is now on track to become Fitzroy’s most exciting new postcode. The Fitzroy Gasworks site — dating back to the 1860s — is shedding its soot-covered past in favour of 1,200 new homes (20% affordable), a 650-student senior high school, sports centre, public open space and even a tram stop. It’s urban renewal with actual personality — and an eye on community.
Developers have officially been shortlisted to deliver the final stage, which means this heritage site’s next chapter is well underway. Expect lush landscaping, smart design, and plenty of local flair. Because in Fitzroy, even the gasworks can’t help but turn into somewhere you’d actually want to live.
433 Smith Street, Fitzroy
Australia’s First Environmental Art Gallery to Open in the Grampians
This winter, the natural beauty of Gariwerd/Grampians will become the backdrop for a bold new chapter in Australia’s cultural story. The WAMA Foundation has announced the opening of the National Centre for Environmental Art — the first gallery of its kind in the country, dedicated entirely to exploring the relationship between art and the environment.
Set to open in Halls Gap in winter 2025, the centre will offer visitors a thought-provoking new reason to journey into Victoria’s ancient ranges — one that blends landscape, ecology, and contemporary creativity.
The gallery will launch with End & Being, an ambitious and hauntingly beautiful solo exhibition by acclaimed Western Australian artist Jacobus Capone. Known for his multidisciplinary practice spanning video, photography, painting and performance, Capone’s work offers a meditative reflection on ecological grief, time, and human impact on fragile environments.
More than just a gallery, the National Centre for Environmental Art will become a destination — a place where art, science, and nature intersect in one of the most biodiverse and culturally rich landscapes in the country.
Wama Foundation and The National Centre for Environmental Art, 4000 Ararat-Halls Gap Road, Halls Gap, Victoria
Kimono at NGV International
NGV International unveils Kimono this June, a stunning exhibition celebrating the timeless elegance and artistry of Japan’s iconic garment. Featuring over 70 exquisite pieces—from rare Edo-period silks adorned with delicate seasonal motifs to avant-garde creations by contemporary designers like Jotaro Saito and Issey Miyake—this immersive showcase explores the kimono’s profound influence on global fashion and culture. Visitors will be captivated by the fusion of tradition and innovation, with intricate craftsmanship and luxe textiles set against a sophisticated, evocative display. A must-see homage to heritage, style, and enduring beauty.
Opens June 4th until October 5th
NGV International
A Dolly Parton Musical is Coming to Melbourne in June
Dolly fans, rejoice! Here You Come Again hits Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre in 2025 — an irresistibly fun musical packed with her biggest hits like Jolene and 9 to 5. Starring Tricia Paoluccio as Dolly and Dash Kruck, this feel-good show blends heart, humour, and rhinestones in a toe-tapping journey of love and self-discovery. Don’t miss the sparkle!
October and November dates available
Book tickets here
Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
Rebecca to Bring Atmosphere to Southbank Theatre Later in the Year
Rebecca is set to arrive on Melbourne’s stage later this year with a gripping new production directed by Anne-Louise Sarks. Based on Daphne du Maurier’s iconic gothic tale, the play explores themes of infidelity, obsession, and the haunting legacy of Rebecca, the first wife of a wealthy widower. Performed by a stellar cast including Pamela Rabe, Nikki Shiels, and Bert LaBonté, this atmospheric thriller promises to captivate with its dark twists and psychological tension. A must-see for fans of classic suspense!
30th September to 5th November
Book your tickets here
Southbank Theatre, The Sumner, 140 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank
French Impressionism Returns to Melbourne’s NGV International in 2025
More than 100 iconic works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt, and more will make their grand return to NGV International for French Impressionism, opening 6th June 2025. Direct from Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, this exclusive Melbourne Winter Masterpieces® exhibition promises a rare second chance to experience some of the world’s most beloved paintings, including several never-before-seen in Australia.
An unmissable moment in the city’s cultural calendar.
6th June to 5th September, 2025
NGV International
Martin Grant Brings Jaw-Dropping Style to the Ian Potter Centre
Paris-based Australian fashion designer Martin Grant is set to make waves at the Ian Potter Centre with a stunning exhibition showcasing his signature sleek tailoring and timeless silhouettes. Known for dressing some of the world’s most stylish women—including Cate Blanchett and Lady Gaga—Grant’s work embodies effortless sophistication with a modern edge.
This exhibition isn’t elaborate or boastful. Instead, it’s a thoughtful curation of Martin Grant’s generous donations, encapsulating the incredible work his fashion house has produced throughout the years. You’ll be greeted by six structured black coats as you enter the exhibition, before being lead into a room wherein you’ll gaze upon a gigantic hoop skirt that commands attention. Our favourite part has to be the final room, wherein illustrious gowns are softly spotlights by overhead lights. Perfectly hung in the air, sitting on mannequins that were custom-made for each unique dress, each garment has a weightless, other-worldly air to it. Martin Grant’s retrospective exhibition is a must-see for any fashion lover and art-enthusiast alike.
Tickets and details here
28th March 2025 to 26th January 2026
Ian Potter Centre, Fed Square, Melbourne
In The Heights Brings the Heat to Melbourne
Breaking news: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights is storming into Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from 1st August 2025, and it’s impossible to resist. A high-voltage mix of hip hop, salsa, and Latin beats, this Tony Award-winning sensation pulses with raw energy, big dreams, and even bigger heart. Fresh off sold-out runs, the electrifying production stars Ryan González (Moulin Rouge!), Olivia Vásquez (West Side Story), and more. Directed by Luke Joslin with dynamic choreography by Amy Campbell, this is a firecracker of a musical—loud, joyful, and deeply human. Melbourne, get ready.
Purchase tickets here
Melbourne Comedy Festival
The Dirty Dozen: A Tasty, Twisted History of Melbourne’s Street Food
Food is never just food—it’s history, culture, and sometimes, a little bit of scandal. As part of the 2025 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, The Dirty Dozen is taking over the City Gallery to uncover the stories behind Melbourne’s most iconic street eats. Curated by food writer Richard Cornish and brought to life through hyper-real ceramic sculptures by artist Kenny Pittock, this exhibition peels back the layers of the city’s food scene—one bite at a time. From Indigenous Angasi oysters to the rise of the mighty dim sim, it’s a must-see for food lovers and history buffs alike.
13th March to 29th August, 2025
City Gallery, Melbourne Town Hall
Nipa Doshi to Unveil Groundbreaking Work as 2025 MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission Recipient
Nipa Doshi, the Mumbai-born, London-based designer renowned for fusing craft, storytelling, and function, has been named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission. A defining moment for Australian design and cultural discourse, this annual commission highlights global female designers pushing creative boundaries.
Doshi’s new work, A Room of My Own, is a striking, handcrafted cabinet inspired by Indian Kavad shrines—an intimate fusion of personal ritual and memory. Designed as both a dressing table and a shrine, it reveals abstract portraits of women who shaped Doshi’s life, from a 1970s Bollywood star to a maternal neighbour and a compassionate nurse. This poetic yet functional piece embodies her signature style—blending cultural heritage, intricate craftsmanship, and narrative depth.
A globally celebrated designer, Doshi’s work has been showcased at MoMA, the V&A, and the Art Institute of Chicago. As the fourth designer in this five-year commission, she joins a legacy of trailblazing women. A Room of My Own will be unveiled at NGV International on 25th September 2025, marking a milestone in design’s evolving conversation on gender, identity, and tradition.
From 25th September, 2025
Free entry
NGV International, Melbourne
Malthouse Theatre 2025 Season Revealed
Malthouse Theatre’s 2025 season promises a dynamic mix of bold stories, innovative performances, and unforgettable experiences. Highlights include A Nightime Travesty, a provocative First Nations musical exploring Australia’s colonial past, and Truth, a gripping exploration of whistleblowers like Assange and Manning. Also on offer are The Red Shoes, The Birds, and Troy—epic tales of myth, power, and resistance, with immersive audio, spine-tingling horror, and poetic drama. With ECHO and The Orchard, Malthouse sets the stage for a year of groundbreaking theatre that will challenge, captivate, and leave audiences in awe. Don’t miss it!
As Melbourne continues to shine with its vibrant arts and culture scene, there’s no shortage of ways to immerse yourself in creativity this summer. Check out our guide to what’s on around the city this month, and don’t miss the chance to explore the top art galleries in Melbourne, where the best of local and international talent is on display.
Subscribe 
Subscribe 
