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Melbourne Arts & Culture News: 20 Must-See & Do Experiences
Craving a dose of creativity in the city? Discover the latest art and cultural news and happenings here.
Step into the heart of Melbourne’s dynamic art and culture scene this autumn, 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 whimsical journey through the world of Yayoi Kusama at 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 April, May, June, and beyond–your passport to unforgettable experiences in the city awaits.
See a Powerful New Exhibition, ngurrak-al marram-u
Presented by BodyPlaceProject, ngurrak-al marram-u is a powerful new exhibition exploring deep connections between body, place, and the environment through embodied, place-responsive art. Curated by Gretel Taylor with artists Gülsen Özer and Mandy Nicholson, the show features works by Aarti Jadu, Rebecca Murray, Jill Orr, Laki Sideris, Tammy Wong Hulbert, and others.
The exhibition emerges from a unique mobile residency across Corhanwarrabul (the Dandenong Ranges), guided by Wurundjeri Traditional Custodian Mandy Nicholson. Together, the artists walked the mountain and created works in response—spanning sound, performance, and visual art.
Meaning “body of the mountain” in Woiwurrung, ngurrak-al marram-u invites audiences into a sensory experience of Country, exploring walking as art, eco-performance as activism, and practices that reimagine our relationship with land and the more-than-human world.
Don’t miss this immersive, thought-provoking exhibition that speaks to global ecological concerns through the grounded, local lens of Naarm’s beloved mountain.
Exhibition opening Saturday 24th May; book here
24th May to 13th July, 2025
See the Final Season of Happy-Go-Wrong at fortyfive downstairs
After a life-altering tick bite and a long road to recovery, Andi Snelling brings her award-winning solo show Happy-Go-Wrong back home to Melbourne for its powerful final season. Fusing clowning, movement, dark comedy and rollerskating, the show is a raw, visually striking journey through chronic illness and survival. With a moving brown paper set that dances with the performer, it’s both deeply personal and universally resonant. Heralded as a “highlight of the year” (The Age), this unmissable physical theatre work celebrates resilience, absurdity and the will to keep going.
25th to 29th June, 2025
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
YIRRAMBOI Festival 2025: A Ten-Day Celebration of First Nations Culture and Artistic Power
From May 1st to 11th, Melbourne’s arts precinct will come alive with the electrifying YIRRAMBOI Festival, a transformative celebration of First Nations creativity, identity, and unity. Spanning ten days and taking centre stage at Malthouse Theatre and Chunky Move, this year’s festival pushes boundaries, exploring themes of Legacy, Joy, Reclamation, and Akin through groundbreaking performances, art installations, and world premieres. Expect an unforgettable mix of theatre, music, dance, and radical storytelling—highlighting works like Cut the Sky, BLAKOUT 2.0, and the world premiere of Three Blak Ravers.
A standout event, the Uncle Archie Roach Block Party on Saturday May 10th, will honour the legacy of Uncle Archie and Aunty Ruby Hunter with performances from over 40 First Nations artists, including headliners KANINNA and Snotty Nose Rez Kids, along with celebrated acts like Kutcha Edwards, Jem Cassar-Daley, and the fiery Sam V. With performances that shatter convention and honour heritage, YIRRAMBOI is not to be missed this month in Melbourne.
Join the celebration and witness the power of art to ignite change.
May 1st to 11th, 2025
DroneArt Show to Light Up Melbourne with Drones, Classical Music & Candlelight
Following a sold-out debut in the US, the internationally acclaimed DroneArt Show is set to make its spellbinding Australian premiere in Melbourne next month, promising an unforgettable fusion of classical music and state-of-the-art drone technology. For two nights only, on 23–24 May at Caulfield Racecourse, this open-air event will transport audiences into a world of visual and musical wonder.
Presented by Fever, the world’s leading live entertainment platform, in partnership with global drone innovators Nova Sky Stories, the DroneArt Show is a multi-sensory experience like no other. As a live string quartet performs timeless works — from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons to Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake — hundreds of synchronised drones will light up the night sky, forming blooming flowers, twinkling stars, graceful swans and more, all choreographed in perfect harmony with the music.
The performance unfolds beneath a canopy of hundreds of glowing candles, creating an enchanting atmosphere under the stars. Tickets go on sale from 16th April 2025.
$65 per person
Book/join the waitlist here
23rd to 24th May, 2025
Caulfield Racecourse, Gate 2, Station Street, Caulfield East
The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale is Coming to Melbourne
Middle-earth is calling, Melbourne. The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale is making its Australian premiere at the Comedy Theatre from 26th April to 8th June 2025, reimagining Tolkien’s legendary trilogy through a folk-inspired musical lens. This enchanting production blends immersive storytelling, actor-musicianship, and live music to transport audiences into the heart of the Shire and beyond. A must for fantasy lovers and theatre fans alike, it’s a magical new chapter in Melbourne’s arts and culture scene.
26th April to 8th June, 2025
Book your tickets here
Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
Rising to Return in June
Melbourne’s winter will glow once again as RISING Festival returns from 4th to 15th June 2025, igniting the city with bold art, music, and performance. This year’s program features 65 events, 15 new commissions, and 9 world premieres, spotlighting artists like Beth Gibbons, Suki Waterhouse, Japanese Breakfast, and Mount Kimbie. From immersive installations to cutting-edge performance, RISING transforms the city after dark into a stage of light, sound and sensation. It’s Melbourne’s most electrifying celebration of contemporary creativity — and an unmissable moment in the national arts calendar.
4th to 15th June, 2025
Rock Out to Hedwig and the Angry Inch in June
In 2025, Melbourne welcomes the electrifying rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Starring Seann Miley Moore, this bold, gender-bending show is a raw, high-energy exploration of love, identity, and transformation. With an incredible live band and stunning visuals, Hedwig breaks the fourth wall and shakes up the stage with humour and heart. Don’t miss this internationally acclaimed production, co-directed by Shane Anthony and Dino Dimitriadis, as it storms into Melbourne with grit, glam, and soul.
13th to 26th June
Book tickets here
Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne CBD
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!
From 12th June
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
Bernie Dieter’s CLUB KABARETT eelcomes all at the Melbourne Meat Market from April 3rd
Step into the wild world of Club Kabarett, where Weimar punk cabaret collides with raw, untamed energy. From April 3rd to May 11th, North Melbourne’s Meat Market is transformed into a chaotic den of debauchery led by the one and only Bernie Dieter. Known for her electrifying performances that mix sequin-clad satire with devil-may-care wit, Dieter and her band of misfit performers – think contortionists, fire-breathers, and aerialists – deliver a heart-pounding, soul-shaking show that will leave you craving more. It’s dark, daring, and deliciously absurd – like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Limited tickets, grab yours before the madness sells out!
April 3rd to May 11th, 2025
Book here
3 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne
A Thrilling Stage Adaptation of 1984 is About to Take Melbourne by Storm
Big Brother is watching—and he’s heading to Melbourne. Shake & Stir Theatre Co is bringing George Orwell’s 1984 to the Comedy Theatre for a strictly limited season (1st to 6th July), and this isn’t your high school English class retelling. Think towering screens, unrelenting tension, and a theatrical experience so gripping it teeters on horror. With reality and nightmare blurring in Oceania’s totalitarian state, this bold adaptation promises to leave audiences breathless. Melbourne, are you ready to defy Big Brother? Catch it while you can—before history is rewritten.
Tickets and details here
1st to 6th July, 2025
Comedy Theatre, 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.
Tickets drop 6th March 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
Bernhard Sachs: After History—A Posthumous Reckoning at Linden New Art
Linden New Art presents Bernhard Sachs: After History, the first posthumous exhibition of the late Melbourne artist and academic, running from 15th February to 18th May. Forget a polished retrospective—this is raw, alive, and deeply personal. Sachs, known for reworking his own pieces across years, blurred the lines between past and present, interrogating history to understand the now.
Featuring works from Sachs’ studio alongside those of peers and protégés, this show isn’t just about legacy—it’s about the indelible mark of an artist who never stopped questioning.
Until 18th May
Bunurong Boon Wurrung Country, 26 Acland Street, St Kilda
NGV’s 2025 Autumn-Winter Season Brings French Impressionism, Martin Grant & Kimono Exhibitions
Melbourne’s art scene is heating up for winter 2025 with NGV’s globally exclusive French Impressionism exhibition, finally getting the encore it deserves. From 6th June, expect masterpieces from Monet, Renoir, and Degas—thanks to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston—plus never-before-seen works in Australia.
Fashion lovers, don’t sleep on Martin Grant, a retrospective of the Aussie designer who dressed Cate Blanchett and Lady Gaga. Meanwhile, Kimono unpacks Japan’s most iconic garment, from samurai-era silks to avant-garde couture.
Throw in Olaf Breuning’s wild kids’ installation and the freshest young talent in Top Arts, and NGV’s serving up a winter feast for the senses.
Van Gogh at The Lume
Step into a masterpiece this summer as Van Gogh at THE LUME Melbourne makes its highly anticipated return on Boxing Day, now with an exhilarating twist! The record-breaking immersive experience unveils Finding Vincent, a world-first VR adventure that lets you and your crew explore Van Gogh’s iconic works like never before. Marvel at the dazzling Starry Night Room, dine under painted skies at Café Terrace 1888, and channel your inner artist in the interactive studio. A must-see this season.
Until June 1st
5 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf
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.
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