
With the New Year comes new beginnings, and with the summer in full swing, there’s plenty happening around Melbourne to get the year off to a brilliant start. If your resolution was to have more fun, see more shows, try delicious food and do more things, then our January 2025 guide is perfect for you. There’s so many exciting things to do in Melbourne this January, so let’s get started.
1. Feel mesmerised by the Van Gogh exhibition at THE LUME
THE LUME Melbourne is bringing back their dreamy Van Gogh exhibition. This immersive experience broke attendance records two years ago, and attracted 1.8 million visitors across Australia and New Zealand. For its return season, you can expect familiar spaces like the bright Sunflower Room, as well as the world premiere of a shared virtual reality experience, Finding Vincent.
2. Check out the action at the Australian Open
The Australian Open is back from January 6 to 26 with some of the world’s biggest tennis stars descending on the city. Thrilling matches are guaranteed, and there are extra brilliant events to look forward to, including a stacked schedule of live music.
3. Join a thrilling immersive arcade game experience at 123Boom!
You’ll be on the edge of your seat throughout your time at 123Boom!, an immersive puzzle adventure where you and your team are tasked with diffusing a ‘bomb’ to save the day. To do so, you’ll require teamwork, skill, and problem-solving, all racing against the clock as the story advances and the seconds tick down. It’s open now, and you can find your tickets here.
4. Enjoy the outdoor cinema at Fed Square
Spend your summer evenings watching movies for free at Fed Square’s outdoor cinema. Look forward to Hollywood blockbusters, Bruce Lee classics, westerns, sci-fi and more. The screenings will kick off on January 3. See the program here.
5. Feel the sparks at the Museum of Desire
At the Museum of Desire, you’ll find over 20 sensory-rich experiences that explore desire and pleasure. Feeling curious? Get your tickets here.
6. Try all the amazing things at Midsumma Festival
Midsumma Festival is coming back to Melbourne for another fabulous summer. Major events like Midsumma Carnival and Midsumma Pride March will make a return, and there will also be plenty of cool shows, parties, exhibitions and events for you to check out. It’s all happening from Sunday January 19 to Sunday February 9. You can find more info here.
7. Immerse yourself in a sensory experience at SENSAS
Round up some friends and tackle some fun challenges at SENSAS. Test all five of your senses in some wacky experiences. This playful space is now open. Get your tickets here.
8. Embark on a Sunset Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Hop on a safari bus and witness some of the world’s most majestic animals roam about the savannah at dusk. Immerse yourself in this stunning natural adventure at Werribee Open Range Zoo on Saturdays from January 4 to March 8, from 5:30pm to 9pm.
9. See a film at the Best Biggest IMAX Film Festival
IMAX Melbourne is bringing back their Best Biggest IMAX Film Festival (BBIFF) this January. Look forward to a range of films that showcase the giant screen and surround sound. Highlights include a Christopher Nolan retrospective, a 3D double feature of James Cameron’s Avatar, a double feature of Dune and more. The festival kicks off on January 11. Learn more here.
10. Watch movies under the stars at Moonlight Cinema
Enjoy the summer nights by watching festive favourites and new releases at Moonlight Cinema. Find it on the lush Central Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens.
11. See Shakespeare Under the Stars
Shakespeare Under The Stars is coming back to Royal Botanic Gardens with a production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Sprawl out on Southern Cross Lawn and enjoy the show from December 21 to January 25. More info here.
12. Play the ‘Among Us’-style game, Saboteurs
Head to The District Docklands and go on a space adventure at Saboteurs. Play with your friends inside converted shipping containers, complete tasks, and eject any suspicious imposters. Get your tickets here.
13. Feel the Force at The Fans Strike Back exhibition
If you love Star Wars, then this exhibition is for you. Fly to a galaxy far, far away, and see over 600 items collected by fans, for fans. See sculptures, life-size figures, costumes and more! The Fan Strikes Back exhibition is now open at The District Docklands. Get your tickets here.
14. See a free street art exhibition with over 100 works
Head to the corner of Hosier Lane and marvel at incredible works of art in The Outsiders Melbourne exhibition. Taken from the Sandrew Collection, you can expect a room dedicated to Banksy, as well as pieces from Rone and more. It will run from now until May 25.
15. Lock in plans to check out Alcotraz
In this interactive experience, you’ll smuggle liquor into prison and receive up to four personalised cocktails. Alcotraz is now open in Melbourne. Get your tickets here.
16. See the Notre-Dame cathedral without flying to Paris
Embark on a journey through the cathedral at Notre-Dame de Paris, the Augmented Exhibition. With the help of an augmented reality tablet, you’ll journey through the cathedral’s 850-year-history. Notre-Dame de Paris, the Augmented Exhibition is now showing at the Immigration Museum.
17. Check out the cultural offerings at MPavilion
MPavilion is back in Melbourne for another incredible season, and things are in full swing during the summer months. Enjoy cultural events, talks, performances, installations and more. See their full program here.
18. Embrace the warmer nights at the Summer Night Market
The iconic Summer Night market is back in Queen Victoria Market. Sip on cocktails, feast on delicious food, browse through stalls, enjoy live entertainment and more. It runs on Wednesday nights, from now until March 12.
19. See the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at NGV
Nearly 200 works by Yayoi Kusama are on display NGV. This is the largest Kusama exhibition in Australia. See iconic pieces from her eight-decade career, as well as never-before-seen works like a new infinity mirror room.
20. Immerse yourself in a thrilling Darkfield experience
Step into a shipping container, lose yourself in the darkness and challenge your grip on reality in the immersive Darkfield experiences. Try their most popular experiences, SÉANCE and FLIGHT, on the Forecourt of Arts Centre Melbourne.
21. Watch the award-winning Dear Evan Hansen
The Tony Award-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen, will play in Melbourne this December. Follow the story of a socially anxious high schooler, who is thrust into the spotlight when he unintentionally invents an important role for himself in the centre of a tragedy. See it at the Playhouse in Arts Centre Melbourne from now until February 16. More info here.
22. Explore the Antopia exhibition at Melbourne Museum
Shrink down to the size of an ant and experience a day in the colony at Antopia. This interactive exhibition will feature projections, immersive spaces and more to help you learn about the secrets of ants. Find it at Melbourne Museum from December 14 to March 10. Learn more here.
23. Party at NGV Friday Nights
The popular NGV Friday Nights are back this summer, in celebration of the upcoming Yayoi Kusama exhibition. Taking place every Friday night from December 20 until April 18, you can expect a massive line-up of pop-up performances, music residencies, food, and plenty of drinks.
24. Wander through Home Truth at NGV
Explore a house within a house at the 2024 NGV Architecture Commission, Home Truth. Designed by architecture studio Breathe, this installation invites you to reflect on how small-scale architecture can encourage more sustainable living environments. It’s free to visit, and open daily until April 2025.
25. Have a pawsome time at the Cats & Dogs exhibition in NGV
Explore our love for Cats & Dogs in this wholesome exhibition by NGV. See over 250 works of art and design from both contemporary and historical artists. Find it at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia in Fed Square.
26. Walk among the dinosaurs at Jurassic World: The Exhibition
Journey through the iconic Jurassic World gates and come face-to-face with roaring dinosaurs from the legendary movie franchise. Encounter a brachiosaurus, velociraptors, a Tyrannosaurus Rex and more. Check it out at the Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre in Brunswick. Get your tickets here.
27. Have nun-stop fun at the Sister Act musical
Get ready to sing praises to the smash-hit musical comedy, Sister Act. Check it out at the Regent Theatre.
28. Check out MPavilion
MPavilion is coming back to Melbourne. Enjoy cultural events, talks, music and more. MPavilion will run from November 21 to March 22, 2025. See the full program here.
29. Experience a tale as old as time with Beauty and the Beast
Feel enchanted by the magical Beauty and the Beast musical. Watch in wonder as your favourite characters perform spectacular songs, like ‘Be Our Guest’, ‘Belle’, ‘Gaston’ and more. This production is now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
30. Experience the magic of a Candlelight Concert
The candlelit performances have taken place at venues like The Athenaeum and The Astor Theatre as well as at The Timber Yard, the Meat Market and Fed Square. With more venues being added to the growing list, there’s a Candlelight concert around every corner.
Candlelight concerts in January include a tribute to Coldplay, the music of Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings and more. See what’s on here.
31. See The Future & Other Fictions at ACMI
The Future & Other Fictions exhibition will feature over 180 works from 19 creative visionaries from around the world. Explore how futures are imagined across film, videogames and screen-based art with sets, props, scripts, costumes and more. The Future & Other Fictions will take over ACMI from now until April 27, 2025.
32. Fly over to Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition at ACMI
Have a gander at the development behind the beloved Untitled Goose Game at this free, world premiere exhibition at ACMI. Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition will run from now until February 16, 2025.
33. See the whimsical Accidentally Wes Anderson exhibition
An exhibition inspired by the colour and symmetry of Wes Anderson films is now open in Melbourne. See over 200 curated photos from around the world, explored themed areas and have fun with interactive sets. Find Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition at 360 Bourke Street. Get your tickets here.
34. Have the best time at TINA: the Tina Turner Musical
Celebrate the life and music of Tina Turner at TINA: The Tina Turner Musical. This spectacular show features over 20 of her iconic songs, including Simply the Best and What’s Love Got to Do with It. See it at the Princess Theatre.
35. Feel the magic with Penn & Teller
The magnificent Penn & Teller are returning to Melbourne as part of their 50th anniversary world tour. Check it out at Art Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall from Tuesday January 21 to Sunday January 26.
36. See Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert
Go on an adventure with Indiana Jones, while listening to John Williams’ iconic score performed live by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The concert will take place at The Plenary in Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday January 25, Friday January 31 and Saturday February 1. See more here.
37. Feel a sense of Joy at the Immigration Museum
Seven Victorian-based artists are sharing what joy means to them with a variety of delightful rooms at the Immigration Museum. Journey back in time to a 90s video store, cuddle up with a gigantic soft toy rabbit and more. The Joy exhibition is now open for you to explore, and will stay in town until August 29, 2025.
38. Check out this exciting Banksy exhibition
After successful runs in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Sydney, the Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” exhibition is now here in Melbourne. This museum-quality exhibition features over 180 Banksy artworks as well as multiple installations. Find it at The District Docklands. Get your tickets here.
39. Feel immersed in the Dome Under Film Festival
Head over to Melbourne Planetarium and watch films projected across a 16-metre domed ceiling at the Dome Under Film Festival. This festival will run from January 31 to February 2. More info here.
40. Have fun at this Cherry Picking Festival
CherryHill Orchards are throwing a delightful Cherry Picking Festival. Wander through rows of trees, eat as many cherries as you like straight from the tree, and pack some cherries to take home. During the festival, there will also be food trucks, cherry ice cream, cherry drinks and special experiences. The festival in Wandin East will end in early January.
41. Explore Blue Lotus Water Garden
Spanning over 14 acres, Blue Lotus Water Garden contains over 40 different ponds, lakes and water features. Here, you’ll find the biggest display of lotus and waterlily flowers in the Southern Hemisphere. This dreamy garden will reopen to the public for the summer season on December 26.
42. Wander through lavender fields
During the hotter months, some stunning lavender farms around Victoria are open for you to explore.
43. Spend a day at the Portarlington Mussel Festival
Whisk yourself away to the coast this summer for the Portarlington Mussel Festival. Every January, 30,000 people journey to this seaside town to celebrate and try their delicious mussels. On top of the famous seafood, there will be market stalls, wine tastings, exhibitions, cooking demonstrations and entertainment. It’s all happening on Saturday, January 11.
44. Watch something at the Peninsula Film Festival
If you’re relaxing on the Mornington Peninsula this summer, why don’t you swing by the Peninsula Film Festival? Held at Rosebud, you can look forward to special screenings, filmmaking workshops and a short film festival. Check it out from January 17 to 19. More info here.
45. Go camping
From December 1 to June 30, camping will be free in every national park and state forest in Victoria. Not sure where to go first? See our recommendations here.