Newsletter: What's On Melbourne | 15 - 21 September 2026 |
What's On Melbourne Newsletter
Tuesday 15th September 2026 - Monday 21st September 2026
Featured This Week
Australia's Happiest City Ballarat: Cultural Spring
Blossom Festival @ Cherry Hill Orchards
Heads Up --> scroll down V
Human Animals
La Main Fonda
Magic Show: Impossible Occurrences
Melbourne Royal Show
Monty Python's Spamalot
National Institute of Circus Arts: Behind the Veil
NEW26 Exhibition
One Fine Baby Expo
School Holiday Guide
SXhibition Melbourne
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
The Songs Of John Farnham
Weekend Markets Guide <-- must see!
Free Every Week
Stay safe - Be kind - Be Melbourne
Tuesday 15th September 2026 - Monday 21st September 2026
Featured This Week
Australia's Happiest City Ballarat: Cultural Spring
Blossom Festival @ Cherry Hill Orchards
Heads Up --> scroll down V
Human Animals
La Main Fonda
Magic Show: Impossible Occurrences
Melbourne Royal Show
Monty Python's Spamalot
National Institute of Circus Arts: Behind the Veil
NEW26 Exhibition
One Fine Baby Expo
School Holiday Guide
SXhibition Melbourne
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
The Songs Of John Farnham
Weekend Markets Guide <-- must see!
Free Every Week
Stay safe - Be kind - Be Melbourne
Mind-blowing magic right before your eyes - Dinner & Show
Impossible Occurrences Magic Show
Every Friday night witness magic miracles up close with award-winning magician Luke Hocking at Melbourne's #1 magic & illusion show at the 5 Star Marriott Hotel.
Melbourne's best guide to keep the kids entertained during the School Holidays
Spring School Holidays Guide
Holidays: 19th September 2026 - 4th October 2026
Loads of fun including children's activities, care programs, festivals, exhibitions, shows and attractions.
Top Picks
THIS WEEK
Australia's Happiest City Ballarat Becomes Victoria's Regional Cultural Capital This Spring
Ballarat | Australia's happiest city
Fresh from being named Australia's happiest city in the 2026 Happy City Index, Ballarat is throwing open its doors.
From major country and Australian rock concerts to cutting-edge circus, medieval battles, heritage machinery, regional produce and one of the city's biggest markets, spring brings a packed cultural calendar to Ballarat and its surrounding region.
Curated baby products and maternity wear
One Fine Baby Expo
Saturday 19th September 2026 + Sunday 20th September 2026 @ Royal Exhibition Building
This FREE two-day baby expo in Melbourne is Australia's most stylish baby expo not only bringing together 100 must-have brands & services for you to try and buy from but also infant first aid courses free advice and plenty of action to keep your little ones entertained!
Every year, CherryHill Orchards showcases the stunning white blossoms
Blossom Festival
19th September 2026 - 4th October 2026 @ CherryHill Orchards - Wandin East
This popular annual event offers picture-perfect photo opportunities and a festive atmosphere, creating an idyllic day out in the countryside for family and friends. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and enjoy a day amongst the blossoms with your family and friends.
Lovingly ripped off" from Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Monty Python's Spamalot
Wednesday 16th September 2026 - Sunday 11th October 2026 @ Athenaeum Theatre
The hilarious and clever production ruthlessly-and affectionately-parodies the staples of musical theatre, showcasing a truly unique blend of powerful Broadway-style vocals, tap-dancing knights, and even the occasional flying cow
Experience the sights, sounds and flavours of Chile as Australia's biggest Chilean cultural celebration returns
La Main Fonda
Friday 18th September 2026 - Saturday 19th September 2026 @ Seaworks | Williamstown
A celebration of Chilean culture, music, food and traditions, La Main Fonda offers an authentic festival experience where families, friends and the wider community can come together to enjoy two unforgettable days of entertainment, dancing and delicious cuisine.
Welcome to a world where perfection is manufactured, productivity is worshipped, individuality has become a dangerous defect, and every smile has been carefully rehearsed
Behind the Veil
15th - 19th September 2026 @ National Circus Centre - Prahran
This is a world where circus becomes both celebration and rebellion. Gravity is defied not simply for entertainment, but as an act of resistance against conformity, impossible standards, flawed structures and an escape from one's own hypocrisies.
Featuring 120 artists live on stage, helping raise vital funds for Head and Neck Cancer Australia
The Songs Of John Farnham
Sunday 20th September 2026 @ Rod Laver Arena
Artists performing on the night include Richard Marx, Keith Urban, Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Mahalia Barnes, Kate Ceberano, Diesel, Hans, Human Nature, Jack Jones, Jessica Mauboy, Ruby Rodgers, Jon Stevens, Mitch Tambo, Mark Vincent and Ross Wilson + Celine Dion direct from Paris and Hugh Jackman from Los Angeles.
This free exhibition revives a program that became an important early-career platform for Australian contemporary artists
NEW26
18th September 2026 - 22nd November 2026 @ Australian Centre for Contemporary Art - Southbank
Seven emerging artists from four states with ambitious new commissions for NEW26, marking the return of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art's influential NEW series after a decade-long break.
Australian premiere screening of a documentary about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza
Human Animals
Thursday 17th September 2026 @ Kino Cinema | Melbourne
While Gaza experiences an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, relatively normal life continues for Jewish Israelis. Human Animals moves between these two worlds. Through raw and powerful footage, it explores the reality of life in the strip, and of life in an Israeli city just kilometers away.
Step into a world where curiosity is celebrated, boundaries are explored, and pleasure meets possibility
SXhibition Melbourne
18th - 20th September 2026 @ Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Australia's boldest adult lifestyle and wellness event-bringing together world-class performers, leading brands, educators, and creators.
NEXT WEEK
Great family fun and farm experiences by day and a feast of fabulous food and entertainment by night
Melbourne Royal Show
Thursday 24th September 2026 - Sunday 4th October 2026 @ Melbourne Showgrounds
Boasting hours of world-class entertainment and performances, the thrill and excitement of carnival rides, spectacular stunts, glittering nightly fireworks and much more..
ONGOING
Witness the beauty of over a million spring flowers in bloom
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
12th September 2026 - 11th October 2026 @ Tesselaar Tulip Farm
More than a million spring flowering bulbs live entertainment delicious foods (or bring a picnic) free onsite parking dogs on leads welcome pram friendly.. a kaleidoscope of colour.
Embark on an extraordinary journey of curiosity creativity and discovery
CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO Bricks
Until November 2026 @ Discovery Centre | Bendigo
Designed and created by one of the world's leading LEGO brick artists and only LEGO Certified Professional (LCP) in the southern hemisphere Ryan 'Brickman' McNaught and his team. CURIOSITY welcomes family kids and adults alike to embark on an exhilarating exploration of knowledge and creativity.
Interactive artwork turns modern Chinese history into a surreal side-scrolling videogame
Feng Mengbo: Long March Restart
Until January 2027 | Free @ ACMI
Feng Mengbo: Long March Restart brings one of the Chinese artist's major interactive works to Melbourne for the first time placing visitors at the controls of an unconventional journey through 20th-century history.
Step Into Space with Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience
STARSTRUCK
Daily until 30th September 2026 @ 206 Bourke Street
This immersive Melbourne experience blends cutting-edge technology authentic science and cinematic storytelling to bring the wonders of the universe vividly to life.
Live musical experience by candlelight
Candlelight Concerts
Melbourne's most quietly beautiful night out is a Candlelight Concert by Fever.
Our Picks
Come and explore our beautiful city and enjoy food and wine events that celebrate spring
Bendigo Bloom | Spring Flower Festival
August - November 2026
Bendigo is celebrating the 23rd year in 2026 of its famous Tulip display with over 50000+ tulips blooming along Pall Mall the Conservatory and various gardens.
A Three-Tiered Journey Reimagined Through Cheese
High Cheese at The Westin Melbourne
Until 17 October 2026 @ Allegro Restaurant
Executive Chef Apoorva Kunte unveils a bold new menu inspired by the elemental themes of Fire & Water where heat spice cooling textures and luxurious creaminess come together in a dramatic progression of flavour.
Step into a world where imagination takes centre stage as the NGV Children's Gallery into an interactive theatrical playground filled with storytelling creativity and performance.
Ragnar Kjartansson: Children's Gallery
Until 4th October 2026 @ Free at NGV International
Inspired by the grand theatrical feasts of the Middle Ages and the lavish celebrations of Europe's Rococo courts Ragnar Kjartansson has created a unique exhibition that invites children and families to become part of the performance.
Brings together some of Cartier's most iconic pieces
Cartier | Melbourne Winter Masterpieces
Until 4th October 2026 @ NGV International
A landmark exhibition featuring more than 300 extraordinary objects - from precious jewels and historic gemstones to iconic watches and clocks - that trace the evolution of Cartier's enduring legacy in art design and craftsmanship.
50 Objects. 50 Years. One Collection.
ENCORE!
Until 11th October 2026 @ Australian Museum of Performing Arts
Some of the most recognisable pieces in Australian entertainment history are about to step back into the spotlight with Arts Centre Melbourne unveiling a major new exhibition celebrating five decades of the Australian Performing Arts Collection.
Takes you back 450 years ago to the ancient Inca Empire in stunning virtual reality
Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City
Wed-Mon until 30th September 2026 @ 206 Bourke Street
Five years in the making this groundbreaking recreation by the world's top 3D modelling specialists lets you explore this Seventh Wonder like never before!
View ancient Roman artifacts and learn about their daily life
ROME: Empire Power People
Daily until 25th October 2026 @ Melbourne Museum
Featuring original statues mosaics frescoes jewellery and everyday objects from the humblest to the most sumptuous this Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Rome's political cultural and social life.
An immersive experience surrounded by bubbles
Bubble Planet
Daily until 30th November 2026 @ Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre - Brunswick
Step into a planet beyond your imagination with VR technology themed rooms fantastical landscapes and even the biggest ball pit you have ever seen.
PERFORMING ARTS
Back by Popular Demand
Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest
Until 25th October 2026 @ Princess Theatre
Following a sold-out season in London and a record-breaking tour across Australia and New Zealand in 2025 the critically acclaimed ballet Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest returns to Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre.
A Beautiful Noise explores the ambition personal struggles and creative drive behind one of popular music's most recognisable careers
A Beautiful Noise | The Neil Diamond Musical
Until 7th November 2026 @ Princess Theatre
The musical traces Diamond's path from a Brooklyn childhood to international fame with Broadway star Will Swenson leading the Australian production as the younger Neil Diamond.
Reviews: Absolutely fabulous! You don't have to be a Neil Diamiond fan to love this show.
The global phenomenon SIX the Musical returns with its award-winning blend of history pop music and spectacular live performances
SIX the Musical
Extended by popular demand until October 2026 @ Comedy Theatre
Following worldwide success SIX the Musical returns to Melbourne transforming one of history's most famous royal stories into a dazzling pop concert packed with powerhouse vocals infectious songs and unforgettable performances.
Shows & Musicals
Now check out all the shows plays and musicals playing now and coming soon in Melbourne's best Theatre Guide.
COMING TO MELBOURNE
A FREE 4 day program for Grades 4-7 students
FREE STEM school holiday program
29th September 2026 - 2nd October 2026 @ Cairnlea Community Hub
Students will learn 3D design with immersive VR and robotics as they develop their problem solving and collaboration skills. Students will also hear from STEM experts and explore future pathways.
One of Australia's most beloved films makes its long-awaited journey to the stage in a brand-new production filled with heart humour and the unforgettable charm of the Kerrigan family.
The Castle (Live on Stage)
23rd March 2027 - 2nd May 2027 (extended again) @ Her Majesty's Theatre
Based on the iconic Australian comedy The Castle follows Darryl Kerrigan and his family as they take on an unlikely fight to protect the home they love. Packed with laugh-out-loud moments memorable characters and the enduring spirit of the Aussie battler the stage adaptation celebrates family community and the timeless pursuit of "serenity".
EXPERIENCES
Think you know Melbourne?
Art in Melbourne
Discover Melbourne art exhibitions, public galleries, private galleries, street art, sculpture and statues.
From major exhibitions and iconic galleries to hidden laneways and outdoor installations, explore the best of Melbourne's thriving art scene.
Sponsored Partner
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Hop on board this two hour cruise that ventures out into Port Phillip Bay to Williamstown. Departing from Southbank Promenade you will gently meander down the Yarra River passing by a number of city highlights including Crown Casino Westgate Bridge Exhibition Centre and Polly Woodside.
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KEEP READING..
Heads Up..
Weekend Markets
Art, design and local makers in the heart of the CBD
Melbourne Makers' Market
Saturday 19th September 2026 @ City Square Melbourne
A curated, design-led market dedicated entirely to original work: handmade, locally made, and made with intention.
Learn about the vegan lifestyle from passionate vendors and likeminded individuals
The Vegan Market - Coburg Town Hall
Sunday 20th September 2026 2026 @ Coburg Town Hall
Explore a variety of stalls showcasing the finest vegan food drinks fashion beauty products and eco-friendly goods.
Shop, eat and discover the brands shaping local retail
Making Moves Market
Sunday 20th September 2026 @ Abbotsford Convent
A one-day event by Australia Post, bringing together 50 Australian small businesses for a day of shopping, food, entertainment and inspiration at the Abbotsford Convent.
Check out these weekend markets
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➼ Newsletter #1029 What's On Melbourne
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