There’s something magical about Melbourne’s cultural scene—it’s ever-changing yet deeply rooted in history. As a lifelong Melburnian, I’ve watched this city transform into a true arts and culture capital. From the lively Moomba Festival I grew up attending to the hidden art exhibitions in Fitzroy, there’s always something new to explore.
With three kids, I’m constantly looking for family-friendly events, but I also love sneaking in solo time at art exhibitions or catching a comedy show with my husband. This year, 2025, has already brought some incredible events, and I can’t wait for what’s still to come.
Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, this comprehensive guide will take you through Melbourne’s best cultural institutions, art exhibitions, festivals, and unique events this year.
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Exploring Melbourne’s Best Cultural Institutions
One of my favorite ways to experience Melbourne’s art and culture is visiting its incredible museums, galleries, and performance spaces. Whether you’re an art lover, a history buff, or just looking for an engaging family day out, these places offer something unique.
1. NGV International
As Australia’s oldest and most-visited gallery, NGV International in Southbank offers a world-class collection of international and Australian masterpieces.
2025 Highlight: French Impressionism Exhibition
📅 June 10 – October 15, 2025 | 🎟️ ngv.melbourne
Featuring Monet, Renoir, Degas & more from the Musée d’Orsay, this exhibition brings 19th-century France to Melbourne with breathtaking Impressionist masterpieces.
👨👩👧 Best for Families: NGV Kids Gallery
✔️ Interactive exhibits & creative workshops
✔️ Hands-on activities inspired by famous artists
🚆 Getting There
- Tram: Routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72
- Train: Flinders Street Station (5-minute walk)
2. Melbourne Museum
Located in Carlton, Melbourne Museum offers a fascinating blend of science, history, and culture, making it a must-visit for all ages.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition
📅 March 20 – September 15, 2025 | 🎟️ museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
Explore Leonardo’s original sketches, full-scale inventions, and interactive digital displays, bringing Renaissance innovation to life.
🌏 First Peoples Exhibition – A Cultural Must-See
✔️ Indigenous artifacts & storytelling
✔️ Multimedia exhibits exploring Aboriginal history
👨👩👧 Best for Families
🦖 Dinosaur Walk – Life-sized skeletons & fossils
🎥 IMAX Theatre – Giant-screen films on space & wildlife
🦋 Forest Gallery – A lush indoor rainforest experience
🚆 Getting There
- Tram: Routes 86 & 96
- Train: 15-minute walk from Parliament Station
3. ACMI
Located in Federation Square, ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) is Melbourne’s hub for film, TV, gaming, and digital art.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Retrospective of Sci-Fi Cinema
📅 April 1 – August 30, 2025 | 🎟️ acmi.net.au
A deep dive into sci-fi’s evolution, featuring classics like Blade Runner, Interstellar, and The Matrix, alongside rare behind-the-scenes footage.
🎮 Best for Families & Gamers
✔️ Interactive workshops – Create animations & short films
✔️ Retro gaming stations – Play classic arcade games
🚆 Getting There
- Train: Flinders Street Station (opposite ACMI)
4. Heide Museum of Modern Art
Nestled in Bulleen, Heide Museum of Modern Art blends contemporary art, modernist architecture, and tranquil gardens, offering a unique cultural escape just outside Melbourne.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Rekospetive – The Future of Australian Art
📅 May 5 – November 30, 2025 | 🎟️ heide.com.au
A cutting-edge exhibition featuring immersive digital projections, surreal sculptures, and experimental installations from Australia’s most innovative contemporary artists.
🌳 Best for Art & Nature Lovers
✔️ Outdoor sculpture garden – Perfect for a peaceful stroll
✔️ Historic home of John & Sunday Reed – A landmark of Australian modernist art
🚆 Getting There
- Car: 20-minute drive from Melbourne CBD
- Public Transport: Bus 200 or 207 from the city
5. Koorie Heritage Trust
The Koorie Heritage Trust is a living hub of First Nations art, history, and storytelling in Federation Square, offering an immersive Indigenous cultural experience.
🌟 2025 Highlight: First Nations Art & Cultural Programs
📅 Ongoing Year-Round | 🎟️ koorieheritagetrust.com.au (Free entry, some tours may have a fee)
Explore traditional artifacts, possum-skin cloaks, and contemporary Indigenous artworks, each telling a powerful heritage and resilience story.
🚶♂️ Must-Do: Aboriginal Walking Tours
✔️ Guided Yarra River tours with Indigenous storytellers
✔️ Learn about Melbourne’s pre-colonial history & sacred sites
👨👩👧 Best for Cultural Explorers
✔️ Hands-on workshops – Weaving, painting & storytelling
✔️ Free entry & family-friendly exhibits
🚆 Getting There
- Train: Flinders Street Station (opposite Federation Square)
6. Arts Centre Melbourne
Located in Southbank, Arts Centre Melbourne is the city’s premier venue for theatre, music, dance, and live performances, offering world-class productions year-round.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Broadway Hit Kimberly Akimbo
📅 August 12 – September 28, 2025 | 🎟️ artscentremelbourne.com.au
Fresh from Broadway, this Tony Award-winning musical blends heartfelt storytelling and humor in a must-see production.
🎶 More 2025 Highlights
✔️ Contemporary dance & opera performances
✔️ Melbourne Symphony Orchestra concerts
🛍️ Bonus: Sunday Market at Arts Centre
✔️ Local artisan crafts & handmade goods
✔️ Food stalls with Melbourne’s best street eats
🚆 Getting There
- Train: Flinders Street Station (10-minute walk)
- Tram: St Kilda Road routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72
7. Old Melbourne Gaol
Since the 1800s, Old Melbourne Gaol is one of the city’s most historic and eerie landmarks, once home to infamous criminals like Ned Kelly.
🌟 2025 Highlight: After-Dark Ghost Tours
📅 Fridays & Saturdays, Year-Round | 🎟️ oldmelbournegaol.com.au
Step into cold stone cells, hear chilling true crime stories, and explore the haunted halls of this former prison by lantern light.
🏛️ More to Explore
✔️ Day tours with gripping tales of 19th-century prison life
✔️ Interactive ‘Escape the Gaol’ experience – A must-try for history lovers
🚆 Getting There
- Train: Melbourne Central Station (10-minute walk)
Must-See Art Exhibitions in Melbourne 2025
One of the best things about Melbourne is that art isn’t just inside galleries—it spills onto the streets, laneways, and unexpected corners of the city. From contemporary masterpieces to classic collections, this year’s exhibitions are a mix of history, creativity, and immersive experiences.
Also Read: 14 Music Festivals & Concerts in Melbourne
8. Yayoi Kusama at NGV
Step into the dreamlike world of Yayoi Kusama at NGV International, where infinity rooms, polka dots, and mirrored spaces create an immersive art experience.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Kusama’s Infinity Rooms & Iconic Sculptures
📅 Until April 21, 2025 | 🎟️ ngv.melbourne
✔️ Infinity Mirror Rooms – Endless reflections & optical illusions
✔️ Pumpkin Sculptures – Kusama’s signature oversized spotted pumpkins
✔️ Vibrant Dot Paintings – A playful yet thought-provoking visual journey
Watching my kids giggle as they saw endless reflections of themselves was a reminder that Kusama’s art isn’t just seen—it’s felt.
🚆 Getting There
- Tram: Routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72
- Train: Flinders Street Station (5-minute walk)
9. Melbourne Art Fair
An unmissable event for art collectors and enthusiasts, the Melbourne Art Fair showcases over 100 artists from Australia and beyond, celebrating the best of contemporary art.
🌟 2025 Highlight: First Nations Art & Interactive Murals
📅 February 20–23, 2025 | 📍 MCEC, Melbourne | 🎟️ melbourneartfair.com.au
✔️ First Nations Exhibition – Indigenous stories told through sculpture & digital art
✔️ Live Mural Creation – Visitors contribute to a communal artwork
✔️ Emerging & Established Artists – A diverse mix of styles & mediums
I was drawn to the powerful Indigenous artworks and couldn’t resist adding my own brushstroke to the evolving interactive mural—art in real-time!
🚆 Getting There
- Tram: Routes 96, 109, 12
- Train: Southern Cross Station (short walk to MCEC)
10. Artists On Show in Melbourne
Beyond the big galleries, Melbourne’s best art is often found in unexpected places—from independent studios in Fitzroy to local cafés and laneways.
🌟 2025 Highlights: Street Art & Regional Exhibits
📍 Various Locations | Year-Round
✔️ Brunswick Street Art Festival – Large-scale murals & graffiti exhibitions
✔️ Rotating Café Exhibitions – Local artists showcasing fresh perspectives
✔️ Art Gallery of Ballarat – A must-visit for regional Victorian art
I stumbled upon a Brunswick street art show, where graffiti legends & newcomers turned an alleyway into a vibrant outdoor gallery.
🚆 Getting There
- Fitzroy & Collingwood: Tram Routes 86, 11
- Ballarat: 1.5-hour train from Southern Cross Station
11. French Impressionism at NGV
Experience Monet, Renoir, and Degas up close as NGV International brings a breathtaking collection from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris to Melbourne.
🌟 2025 Highlight: French Impressionist Masters
📅 June – October 2025 | 🎟️ ngv.melbourne
✔️ Claude Monet’s Landscapes – Soft brushstrokes & luminous color
✔️ Renoir’s Portraits – Vivid, emotional depictions of life
✔️ Degas’ Ballet Scenes – Capturing movement with unparalleled grace
Stepping into this exhibition feels like being transported to 19th-century France, where artists rebelled against tradition to capture fleeting moments of light and life.
🚆 Getting There
- Tram: Routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72
- Train: Flinders Street Station (5-minute walk)
12. Rekospetive
While French Impressionism celebrates the past, Rekospetive at Heide Museum of Modern Art is about Australian contemporary art’s future.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Experimental Art & Immersive Installations
📅 May 5 – November 30, 2025 | 🎟️ heide.com.au
✔️ Motion-Responsive Digital Projections – Art that reacts to your presence
✔️ Surreal Sculptures – Repurposed urban materials turned into striking forms
✔️ Outdoor Art Walks – A fusion of nature and modern creativity
One piece that stopped me in my tracks was a digital artwork that shifted as I moved closer—it felt like the art was watching me back.
🚆 Getting There
- Car: 20-minute drive from Melbourne CBD
- Public Transport: Bus 200 or 207 from the city
Melbourne’s Biggest Cultural Festivals
13. Midsumma Festival
Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival is Australia’s premier LGBTQ+ arts and cultural celebration, bringing together theatre, drag, visual art, live music, and community events in a vibrant citywide festival.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Midsumma Pride March
📅 January – February 2025 | 📍 St Kilda & multiple venues | 🎟️ midsumma.org.au
✔️ Pride March through St Kilda – A spectacular display of inclusivity & solidarity
✔️ Spoken Word & Theatre Nights – Powerful storytelling from LGBTQ+ voices
✔️ Drag & Cabaret Shows – Electric performances celebrating queer artistry
At last year’s spoken word night, I was moved by the raw, personal stories of love, struggle, and triumph. Midsumma isn’t just a festival—it’s a community-driven space where everyone is welcome.
🚆 Getting There
- Tram: Route 96 to St Kilda for the Pride March
- Various venues across Melbourne
14. Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Every March–April, Melbourne becomes a comedy capital, hosting top international stand-ups, improv acts, and hidden-gem performances in venues big and small.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Festival Gala & Free Shows
📅 March – April 2025 | 📍 Melbourne CBD | 🎟️ comedyfestival.com.au
✔️ Big-name headliners & fresh talent – From stand-up stars to indie comics
✔️ Festival Gala at Melbourne Town Hall – A must-see opening event
✔️ Free outdoor performances – Comedy in Federation Square
I once caught an improv show in a tiny North Melbourne bar, and it had the entire audience in stitches. The best part? You don’t need to spend big—there’s laughter on every corner of the city.
🚆 Getting There
- Train: Flinders Street Station (Town Hall venue nearby)
- Tram: Routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72
15. Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)
Every August, MIFF turns Melbourne into a global cinema hub for two weeks, showcasing everything from Hollywood blockbusters to indie gems and experimental films.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Global Sci-Fi Retrospective
📅 August 2025 | 📍 Multiple venues in Melbourne CBD | 🎟️ miff.com.au
✔️ International & indie films – Discover cinema from all corners of the world
✔️ Director Q&A Sessions – Exclusive insight into filmmaking
✔️ Live-score silent films – A unique fusion of classic cinema and live music
Last year, I saw an incredible Korean drama followed by a director’s Q&A, and another night, a silent film with a live orchestra—an unforgettable cinematic experience.
🚆 Getting There
- Venues include The Forum, ACMI, and The Capitol Theatre
- Easily accessible by train or tram
16. Melbourne Jazz Festival
As October rolls in, Melbourne’s nights come alive with smooth jazz, from grand concert halls to hidden laneway bars.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Rooftop Jazz Sessions & International Legends
📅 October 2025 | 📍 Citywide Venues | 🎟️ melbournejazz.com
✔️ Big-band concerts at Hamer Hall
✔️ Late-night jam sessions in Fitzroy & Brunswick
✔️ Free outdoor performances in Federation Square
One of my most magical Melbourne moments was a Carlton rooftop jazz session, watching the city glow as a saxophonist played under the stars.
🚆 Getting There
- Main venues: Hamer Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, The Jazzlab
- Various tram & train options depending on location
17. Queenscliff Music Festival
Set against the stunning backdrop of Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, the Queenscliff Music Festival blends live music, coastal scenery, and a laid-back festival vibe, making it the perfect weekend escape.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Folk, Blues & Indie Rock by the Ocean
📅 November 22–24, 2025 | 📍 Queenscliff, Victoria | 🎟️ qmf.net.au
✔️ Indie rock, folk, blues & electronic acts
✔️ Sunset acoustic sessions under fairy lights
✔️ Family-friendly zone – Craft workshops & storytelling
Last time I went, I spent the mornings at the beach, danced to live music in the afternoons, and enjoyed intimate acoustic sets under the stars—there’s truly something magical about music by the ocean.
🚆 Getting There
- Car: 90-minute drive from Melbourne
- Public Transport: Train to Geelong + ferry from Sorrento
18. Holland Festival
Every March, Melbourne turns orange as the Holland Festival takes over Caribbean Gardens, bringing together Dutch food, music, and family-friendly activities.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Dutch Street Food & Cultural Performances
📅 March 2025 | 📍 Caribbean Gardens, Scoresby | 🎟️ hollandfestival.com.au
✔️ Traditional Dutch cuisine – Stroopwafels, herring & bitterballen
✔️ Folk music & clog-making demonstrations
✔️ Family-friendly activities – Games, storytelling & soccer tournaments
Last time I went, I couldn’t resist the warm stroopwafels and ended up loving herring with onions and pickles. From mini windmill displays to Dutch folk dancing, this festival is a fun and unique cultural experience.
🚗 Getting There
- Car: 45-minute drive from Melbourne (limited public transport options)
19. Melbourne Cup Carnival
For one week every November, Melbourne pauses for the Melbourne Cup Carnival, a blend of sport, fashion, and city-wide celebrations.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Melbourne Cup Day & Fashions on the Field
📅 November 1–8, 2025 | 📍 Flemington Racecourse | 🎟️ vrc.com.au
✔️ Melbourne Cup Day (November 4, 2025) – The “Race That Stops a Nation”
✔️ Fashions on the Field – Iconic fashion competition
✔️ Spring garden displays & entertainment
Even if you’re not into horse racing, the electric atmosphere, extravagant outfits, and celebratory energy make it an iconic Melbourne experience.
🚆 Getting There
- Train: Direct services from Flinders Street Station to Flemington Racecourse
Unique & Multidisciplinary Events in Melbourne
One of the things I love most about Melbourne is that it doesn’t stick to the ordinary. Art here doesn’t just stay inside galleries; performances don’t always happen in theatres. The city embraces immersive, experimental, and larger-than-life events that blur the lines between art, culture, and community.
20. RISING Festival
Every June, Melbourne transforms into a surreal nighttime wonderland for two weeks with light installations, outdoor performances, live music, and large-scale art pieces.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Moonlight Chorus & Immersive Installations
📅 June 4–15, 2025 | 📍 Multiple locations, including Federation Square & Birrarung Marr | 🎟️ rising.melbourne
✔️ “Moonlight Chorus” on the Yarra – Floating lanterns whispering cultural stories
✔️ Large-scale light installations – Dreamlike cityscapes
✔️ Experimental live performances & world premieres
Last year’s “Euphoria” installation at Birrarung Marr—a tunnel of glowing orbs that pulsed with movement—felt like stepping into a living, breathing artwork. If you love immersive and unexpected experiences, RISING is unmissable.
🚆 Getting There
- Train: Flinders Street Station (walking distance to main hubs)
21. Melbourne Fringe Festival
For three weeks every September–October, Melbourne Fringe Festival becomes a wild, creative playground, featuring experimental theatre, cabaret, immersive performances, and pop-up shows in unconventional spaces.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Immersive Dance in an Abandoned Train Station
📅 September 30 – October 19, 2025 | 📍 Citywide venues | 🎟️ melbournefringe.com.au
✔️ 400+ events across Melbourne
✔️ Pop-up performances in bars, warehouses & alleyways
✔️ Avant-garde, edgy, and unpredictable
Last year, I found myself in a one-woman show inside a shipping container—bizarre, hilarious, and unforgettable. At Fringe, you never know what you’ll get, and that’s what makes it magical.
🚆 Getting There
- Key venues: The Substation (Werribee Line), North Melbourne theatres (Tram Routes 57, 58)
22. Always LIVE
Melbourne’s music scene thrives year-round, and Always LIVE brings concerts to parks, rooftops, laneways, and even trams.
2025 Highlight: Sounds of the Bay & Secret DJ Set
📅 Year-Round | 📍 Various locations across Melbourne | 🎟️ alwayslive.com.au
✔️ Stadium concerts & intimate acoustic gigs
✔️ Mystery DJ set in a secret warehouse (location revealed via text!)
✔️ Live music on trams & pop-up performances
One of my favorite memories? A secret indie gig at Melbourne Zoo under the stars—a perfect mix of music and magic.
🚆 Getting There
- Major concerts: Rod Laver Arena (Tram 70, 75), Sidney Myer Music Bowl (short walk from Flinders Street Station)
23. Melbourne Skydeck
At 300 meters high, the Melbourne Skydeck offers breathtaking panoramic views, now paired with immersive digital art and VR experiences.
2025 Highlight: Melbourne 360 Digital Exhibit
📅 Year-Round | 📍 Eureka Tower, Southbank | 🎟️ melbourneskydeck.com.au
✔️ Interactive screens showcasing Melbourne’s past, present & future
✔️ Virtual reality experiences with thrilling aerial views
✔️ Sunset views over the Yarra & city skyline
Watching Melbourne from above while seeing historical footage of the city in the 1800s was a surreal experience—a perfect blend of past and future.
🚆 Getting There
- Short walk from Flinders Street Station
24. Moomba Festival
Moomba is Melbourne’s most beloved festival, blending parades, carnival rides, fireworks, and playful traditions into a joyful, free event.
🌟 2025 Highlight: Birdman Rally & Fireworks
📅 March 7–10, 2025 | 📍 Along the Yarra River | 🎟️ Free Entry | moomba.melbourne.vic.gov.au
✔️ Birdman Rally – Watch contestants attempt to “fly” over the Yarra
✔️ Carnival rides & street food – From giant slides to Korean corn dogs
✔️ Spectacular fireworks lighting up the city
Moomba is not just a festival—it’s a tradition. Whether you’re soaking up the energy of the parade, laughing at Birdman competitors, or sharing festival treats with family, it’s Melbourne at its most vibrant and playful.
🚆 Getting There
- Train: Flinders Street Station (walking distance to main festival areas)
Writing this guide reminded me why I love this city so much. Melbourne isn’t just about its laneways, coffee, or famous four-seasons-in-a-day weather—it’s about its people, creativity, and the way art and culture are woven into everyday life.
Whether you’re watching an avant-garde play in a warehouse, singing along at a hidden rooftop gig, or getting lost in an interactive light installation, there’s always something new to discover—especially during Melbourne’s annual festivals that light up the city with energy and colour.
