As the leaves change colour and the weather gets colder, it’s time for us to round up what to do in Melbourne this Autumn.
Get ready for a huge season of events… It’s all happening in and around the city over the next three months – from fashion to food, fast cars to African animals, we’re all set to kick off what could easily be labeled ‘the best time of the year’ to visit Melbourne.
What to do in Melbourne this Autumn
The Night Market
Round up your and family and friends and get set for Melbourne’s favourite mid-week hangout at the Night Market. It’s the perfect balmy evening hang out, with everything from paella, pavlova, Pimms, pretty lights, party vibes, and plenty of backyard style games to play.
The Night Market features over 60 global street food stalls, more than 100 specialty shopping stalls, festival bars, and a rotating line-up of live music and entertainment. Find it at Queen Victoria Market, on the corner of Queen Street and Therry Street.
Wednesday Night’s until 20 March, 2019
Melbourne Fashion Festival
The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is an annual celebration of fashion, arts, ideas and creative endeavour for everyone to enjoy.
The Festival presents the country’s largest consumer fashion event including world-class runway shows featuring Australia’s established and emerging designers, state-of-the-art production, beauty workshops, retail events, industry seminars, forums, live entertainment and much more.
1 – 10 March, 2019
Also check out:
6 stylish ways to have a girls night out during Fashion Week
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Sunset Safari at Werribee Zoo
If you are looking for your next bucket list experience in Melbourne, then the Sunset Safari is for you! The experience was unforgettable, and for a bargain price of only $105, I promise you it will be the ultimate night out with a completely authentic wildlife and cultural experience.
Getting up close and personal with some of Africa’s most impressive animals was an experience I’ll never forget. The majestic Southern White Rhinos, Zebras, Elands (the world’s largest antelope), Wild Horses, and my favourite, the herds of giraffes were all spectacular to see up close and personal.
Running every Friday and Saturday night in March, 2019
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival presented by the Bank of Melbourne is an annual state-wide celebration of Victoria’s food and wine industry that attracts more than 250,000 attendees to a diverse program of 200+ events.
Run by a small not-for-profit organisation, the Festival has grown over its history from grassroots beginnings with only a handful of events in 1993, to now being recognised as Australia’s pre-eminent food and wine festival.
In March, food and wine lovers indulge in events that fill Melbourne’s labyrinthine network of restaurants, laneways, lights-turned-down basements and dizzying rooftops and spill into spectacular regional Victoria.
6 – 24 March, 2019
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The Spiegeltent
For 7 days in April, the Ringwood Spiegeltent will deliver a dazzling array of the most exciting and colourful entertainment gathered from Australia and around the world. Situated in Melbourne Street, adjacent Ringwood Town Square, the Spiegeltent is where carnival meets cabaret in the heart of Ringwood.
With feature performances from Dolly Diamond, Rouge, Anthony Callea, Lehmo and Dave O’Niell, Vika and Linda Bull, Trash Test Dummies and more! All performances are on sale now, so head over to website to see the full program and buy tickets.
5 -13 April, 2019
Melbourne Flower Show
The smell of freshly cut grass and bursting blooms will scent the Melbourne air once again for the International Flower & Garden Show, hosted in the exquisite heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens over five glorious Autumn days in March.
Featuring the best landscape and floral talent from Australia and around the world alongside an extensive array of garden retail products, the Show is a celebration of lifestyle and our great outdoors.
27 – 31 March, 2019
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Melbourne Comedy Festival
Prepare yourself for lashings of laughter as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival returns!
Melbourne will once again become the happiest place on Earth, with this annual event, the International Comedy Festival. Taking over the city each autumn with an enormous program of stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street performance, film, television, radio and visual arts.
27 March – 21 April, 2019
Rooftop Cinema
Melbourne’s Rooftop Cinema at Rooftop Bar is the perfect way to catch a flick with your bestie this summer. Showcasing classic films, nostalgic favourites and recent releases in a completely unique environment, amongst Melbourne’s beautiful nightlight skyline.
Book your tickets early and head along to Curtain House in the CBD for some bevies, some popcorn, and the ultimate movie session in the city.
Running until 31 March, 2018
Catch a live gig at The Espy
After closing its doors for 2 years (for stage one of their epic* renovation), The Espy is back baby!!! With three stages over five levels, twelve bars, four immersive spaces (including one of the chic’est cocktail bars in Melbourne), amazing views of the St Kilda foreshore, and a Cantonese restaurant… The Espy HAS IT ALL!
If you’re a forever fan of The Espy, or are keen to visit for the first time, I can assure you that the hotel has a perfectly curated laid back Melbournian vibe, with an unlimited range of music options to suit any music fan, young or old (over 18 obviously).
Check out The Espy 2019 Gig Guide here
Find more live music events in Melbourne here.
Harry Potter and The Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part stage play written by Jack Thorne based on an original story by Thorne, J. K. Rowling and John Tiffany. The show is now playing exclusively at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre, and is in one word… SPECTACULAR!
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage, bringing together some of the most exciting talent working in the theatre today.
Boasting a $6.5 million restoration exclusively for the production, it is a must-see for all Harry Potter fans, musical fans, or anyone who appreciates the very best in Australian entertainment, costume design, lighting and sound effects.
Tickets on sale now for shows up to February, 2020
Australian Grand Prix
There is only one AusGP and this year it’s set to be another big race in Melbourne, where the whole world will be watching.
At speeds of over 300 km/h, the world’s fastest cars and their drivers will once again take on the exhilarating turns and straights of the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit at the 2018 Formula 1® Rolex Australian Grand Prix.
14 – 17 March, 2019
Moomba Festival
Moomba Festival showcases a jam-packed, fun-loving and family-friendly program of events and activities along the banks of the Yarra. It is Australia’s largest free community festival, and an iconic Melbournian tradition, dating back half a century.
Release your inner adrenaline junkie on the carnival rides, check out world-class athletes water ski and wakeboard down the river, enjoy performances from talented artists, catch the wacky Birdman Rally and much more this long weekend in Melbourne.
8 – 11 March, 2019
Autumn Racing
The Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival is held in February and March each year and takes place at Flemington, Caulfield, and Moonee Valley racecourses.
This year’s racing carnival features six group one race meetings of exciting thoroughbred racing action, highlighted by Super Saturday at Flemington on 9th March.
Running until 31 March, 2018
Also check out:
WHAT TO WEAR IN MELBOURNE
