Top Things to do in Melbourne
What to do and see in Melbourne, Victoria: The Best Cultural Events
Lovely, laid-back Melbourne has something for everyone: family fare, local and international art, haute boutiques, multicultural dining, Australian and Aboriginal history, spectator sports, and pulsing, swanky nightlife. Cruise on the free City Circle Tram loop to check out unique attractions like the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Healesville Sanctuary, which buzzes with local animal species.
Restaurants in Melbourne
1. Melbourne Cup Carnival
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
There’s no place like Flemington – the beating heart of Australian horse racing and home to the world’s most vibrant racing event, the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival. Glamourous, refined and full of history, the Melbourne Cup Carnival creates a celebratory atmosphere unparalleled by any other Australian major event and combines the very best of what Melbourne has to offer – food, wine, sport, business, celebrity and fashion. It’s a place where records are broken, history is made and offers an experience like no other.
Reviewed By kayjayach - Toukley, Australia
Travelled down for the Melbourne Cup this year and had an amazing day. Best people watching day ever, in between races of course. Didn't end up rich in money, but definately rich in experience. Saw some magnificent outfits. Still don't know how some of the race goers wear the heels that they do. As everyone says, a must do for the bucket list! Got on the rail for the big race in a great spot not far from the finish line. Big day, big crowd and even bigger atmosphere. Melbourne public transport system also needs the nod, along with all their pleasant and helpful staff.
2. Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By nicolapX5582VJ - Melbourne, Australia
Simon Taylor last night at The Toff - full house . He was fab , highly recommend , a great show and the audience really enjoyed his humour . Support local talent - great night out .
3. Melbourne New Year's Eve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
The City of Melbourne puts on a spectacular free NYE for the whole family. The entertainment starts at 6pm at Yarra Park where kids can enjoy entertainment, rides, games and be spellbound by the fireworks display at 9.00 pm. Because the Melbourne skyline is visible from many places around the city, people organise rooftop parties, dinner with friends or simply settle in front of one of the 4 stages that the City of Melbourne sets up with music, facilities and food stalls: King Domain, the Treasury Gardens, the Flagstaff Gardens or the Docklands. Those events are alcohol free.
Reviewed By 619je - Keysborough, Australia
The highlight of New Year's Eve in Melbourne is the fireworks. The fireworks cover the whole of the CBD. Good places to watch include Federation Square, Southbank and the waterfront. The fireworks seem to get better every year. If you are looking for somewhere with a bit of class, the Eureka Skydeck has a New Year's party with refreshments provided. Plus, it's hard to get a better view of the fireworks. The celebrations in Federation Square cater for children; there's a free concert and the celebrations start early and finish early. Flinders Street Station is just across the road.
4. Melbourne Festival
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 10 reviews
Provoking and inspiring, Melbourne Festival seeks to connect art forms, people and ideas. At the heart of Melbourne's culture of creativity, we curate unique experiences that bring people together and break new ground in culture and the arts. Melbourne Festival is one of Australia's leading international arts festivals and has an outstanding reputation for presenting unique international and Australian events in the fields of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia, free and outdoor events over 19 days each October. Festival Dates 2017: 04—22 October 2018: 04—21 October
5. Remembrance Day
6. Melbourne Chinese New Year
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
New Year's Day in 2022 will be celebrated on 1 February 2022. This is the Year of the Tiger. The new moon will appear on 31 January 2022. The tiger is a fierce animal, but its effect will depend in the 60 year stem cycle, as well as the 12 year zodiac cycle. The Lunar New Year will be greeted with great celebration in Chinatown, with dragon dances and fireworks. The 15th day of the New Year is Lantern Festival, traditionally small children will walk the street with lanterns. Traditionally, families will gather for a feast on New Years Eve, eating dumplings by the dozen. If there is a drawback to the Year of the Tiger, it is that girls born in this year may be believed to have a ferocious temper and may have difficulty find husbands.
7. Moomba Festival
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 41 reviews
Every Year during the Labour Day weekend in Melbourne, the Yarra river prepares for one of the oldest community festivals : the Moomba Festival. This carnivalesque festival starts with an annual parade of floats, designed by the whole community and accompanied by dancers, performers and school kids. During the 4 day festival there is music, performances, food and the amazing Birdman Rally, where people design homemade flying devices and fly them out into the river to raise money for charity. There is a King and Queen of the parade and the event ends with spectacular fireworks above the Yarra River.
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
Melbourne has the reputation for being, so the city elders decided to have a festival of fun over the Labour Day long weekend. This year it will be 4 October 2021. It is truly a festival for all the family. The Moomba Parade -- which always has a King and Queen -- goes down Swanston St. The Yarra River is always a focus of the festival, in particular the water skiing and also the Birdman contest. The winning Birdman must go as far he can from the launching pad on the river in his home-made "Flying Machine." it's always the most hilarious event of Moomba.
8. Melbourne International Animation Festival
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 6 reviews
If you are an animator in Australia, or anywhere around the world, the Melbourne International Animation festival is for you. Every year hundreds of people around the world enter their short animated films and "only" 400 short films are shown during the 11 days of the festival! The best value is to buy the full pass that gives you access to all the films. If you are just curious, then go for the mini-pass, it gives you access to 6 films.
9. White Night Melbourne
10. Melbourne International Film Festival
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 9 reviews
