preloadMelbourne festivals

Melbourne is known for its vibrant street art, delicious coffee and eclectic range of shopping, so it’s no wonder that loads of major events take centre stage in the city throughout the year. We’ve rounded up some of the best events in the year so that you can immerse yourself in the culture each time you visit. Find out what’s on in Melbourne for the rest of 2018.

What’s On In Melbourne – Best Events & Things To Do

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Credit: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Credit: Melbourne International Comedy Festival / Jim Lee

Date: 28th March – 22nd April 2018
Visit their website

The annual Melbourne International Comedy Festival kicks off at the end of March and is held over four weeks. Prepare yourself for a barrel of laughs with over 500 shows held from a range of local and international comedians. The shows are held throughout Melbourne in a variety of venues including theatres, bars and hotels, so grab your tickets, sit back and be entertained. If you book three or more tickets for a show, you can snag a 10% discount on eligible shows.

Rent a car in Melbourne from S$ 22* Book cheap hotels in Melbourne, from S$24*

2. Good Food & Wine Show

Enjoy a fun day out with friends discovering new varieties of food, cheese and wine

Date: 1st – 3rd June 2018
Visit their website

The annual foodies haven will have your tastebuds tickling as you become immersed in all things food and wine. Enjoy gourmet delicacies, join a wine selectors cellar door session and learn new cooking techniques in state-of-the-art masterclasses – this event is the perfect excuse to share good food with great company. Make sure you don’t fill up too much at brunch – there’ll be plenty of tasties at the event!

Rent a car in Melbourne from S$ 22* Book cheap hotels in Melbourne, from S$24*

You Might Like: Melbourne’s Most Instagrammable Brews For Every Coffee-Lover’s Bucket List

3. Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Madeleine Peyroux is set to perform at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival | Credit: MelbourneJazz.com

Date: 1st – 10th June 2018
Visit their website

Watch the city of Melbourne come alive during the Melbourne International Jazz Festival in June. Even if you don’t think jazz is really your thing, this festival encourages people of all ages to experience the personal impact that jazz can have on its listener. Held at a number of exciting locations across the city including arts venues and jazz clubs, you can see an array of performers, collaborators and emerging artists. As the venues are all over town, if you’re planning to go to more than one event in a day, make sure you plan your travel ahead so that you don’t miss a thing.

Rent a car in Melbourne from S$ 22* Book cheap hotels in Melbourne, from S$24*

4. Melbourne International Film Festival

Melbourne International Film Festival | credit: visitmelbourne.com

Date: 2nd – 19th August 2018
Visit their website

Enjoy award winning films and innovative screen experiences at the annual Melbourne International film festival. Held for three weeks in August, the festival is an Australian cultural icon, showcasing local talent and exceptional filmmaking. Immerse yourself in a transformative experience to connect with community in Melbourne. If you’re a regular visitor to Melbourne, why not become a MIFF member? You’ll enjoy festival venue priority entry and ticket discounts year round.

Rent a car in Melbourne from S$ 22* Book cheap hotels in Melbourne, from S$24*

5. Melbourne Festival

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ0e3SMh0J2/?hl=en&taken-by=melbfestival

Date: 4th – 22nd October 2018
Visit the website

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 17 days each October. Provoking and inspiring, the festival seeks to connect art forms, people and ideas. At the heart of Melbourne’s culture of creativity, the festival encapsulates unique experiences that bring people together and break new ground in culture and the arts.

Rent a car in Melbourne from S$ 22* Book cheap hotels in Melbourne, from S$24*

6. Melbourne Cup Carnival

Date: 3rd – 10th November 2018
Visit the website

The Melbourne Cup Carnival is an extraordinary combination of first-class racing, larger than life fashion, fun, and history that occupies an esteemed place in Australian culture. A larger than life event that gives each and every attendee an opportunity to experience an unforgettable week of style, fashion and fun, nothing beats the exhilaration and excitement of being there amongst the crowd during the celebration that stops a nation.

Rent a car in Melbourne from S$ 22* Book cheap hotels in Melbourne, from S$24*

7. Melbourne Music Week

Credit: Melbourne Music Week
Credit: Melbourne Music Week

Date: 17th -25th November 2018
Visit their website

The Melbourne Music Week goes on for over a week, celebrating the connection between music, people and places, making it the perfect event for music lovers everywhere. Melbourne Music Week is a one of a kind event in Australia, attracting visitors from all around the country. From headline acts at Melbourne town hall, to intimate gigs in exciting, non-traditional locations, Melbourne Music Week perfectly captures the creativity, and individuality that is the Melbourne music industry. This renowned festival has built a reputation for re-imagining spaces for creative and innovative uses. There’s a different flagship venue every year, such as the Argus Building in 2012, the Former Royal Women’s Hospital in 2015, and in 2017, St Paul’s Cathedral. We’re thoroughly excited to see which iconic venue will be chosen as the MMW Hub this year.

Rent a car in Melbourne from S$ 22* Book cheap hotels in Melbourne, from S$24*

>>Can’t get enough of Australia? You may also like: The 5 Most Epic Aussie Road Trips To Just Get Away

*Note: These rates are based on search queries made on kayak.sg on 16 March, 2018. The prices are quoted in SGD. Flight prices are based on results for a return economy flight search. Hotel prices are for double occupancy and include taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change, may vary, or no longer be available.

About the author

KAYAK Since 2004, KAYAK has been revolutionising the travel industry. Metasearch for travel? No one was doing it. Until we did. Today, we process billions of queries across our platforms each year for travel information, helping millions of travellers around the globe make confident decisions. With every query, KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to show travellers the information they need to find the right flights, hotels, hire cars and holiday packages.

Explore more articles