60 Things To Do This March For A Marvellous Time In Melbourne

Summer has ended and autumn has begun but that doesn’t mean the fun has run its course. Feel the autumn breeze, watch the trees begin to change their colour, and feel spoiled for choice with all the incredible things to do in Melbourne and beyond this March. Have fun at festivals, try delicious food, see a cool show and more! Scroll through this list and start popping these ideas into your diary. What will you try first?

1. Have fun at Moomba

Moomba Festival is taking over the Labour Day long weekend, with Birdman Rally making a return. Have fun at the carnival, watch the parade, see some fireworks and more!

Moomba will run from March 11 to 14. Find more details here.

2. Savour a bite at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

The iconic Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is coming back, and celebrating its 30th anniversary. The festival program is full of incredible events, including a pasta fair, a Friday night party in celebration of the hot chip, and a special lunch with Nigella Lawson.

The culinary festival will run from March 25 to April 9. Learn more on their website.

3. Join the revolution at Hamilton

Don’t throw away your shot! The ground-breaking musical, Hamilton, is finally coming to Melbourne this March. Be swept away by the thrilling score and lyrics, which blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway.

Hamilton will rise up at Her Majesty’s Theatre from March 15. Check out their website for booking information and more.

4. Have a laugh at Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Laugh your way through the month at everyone’s favourite comedy festival. There’s a huge roster of local favourites and international comedians that will hit the stage over three hilarious weeks. The only question is, which one will you see?

The festival will run from March 30 to April 24. Browse the program here. 

5. See the best of contemporary French cinema at the Alliance Française French Film Festival 

Be swept away by drama and romance at the Alliance Française French Film Festival. Discover 42 feature films and documentaries, spanning a wide range of genres. This festival will run in Melbourne from March 3 to April 6.

See the schedule for Melbourne here.

6. See Foo Fighters perform live in Geelong

This performance of Foo Fighters is the first event as part of Always Live, a new cultural event that will promote live music across Victoria. See this international act in Geelong on Friday March 4.

Learn more about Always Live here.

7. Enjoy a foodie festival at The Peninsula Picnic

At The Peninsula Picnic, you’ll savour all the perks of a foodie festival, with plenty of local food and wine, while listening to some talented Australian musicians. Enjoy the autumn breeze, pack a picnic rug, and drive down to Mornington Racecourse on Saturday March 19.

More details here. 

8. Be amazed by the triceratops at Melbourne Museum

Meet Horridus, a creature 67 million years in the making. With a massive frill and three horns, this triceratops will soon take over two levels of Melbourne Museum. Horridus is the world’s most complete and most finely preserved specimen. See it with your own eyes when it makes its debut at Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs later this year. This exhibition will open at Melbourne Museum on Saturday March 12.

Learn more here. 

9.  Take your dog out for a day of fun at Scratch Patch

A pop-up playground for dogs is coming to Edinburgh Gardens. There are heaps of cool dog zones, so every dog, from the timid to the adventurous, can have some fun. Visit Scratch Patch from Saturday March 5 to Sunday March 27.

Find more info here. 

10. Sip your way through a Prosecco Festival

Enjoy a bubbly Saturday by popping over to Abbotsford Convent. Discover over 35 different types of prosecco, as well as other types of sparkling wine, cider and beer. The Prosecco Festival will take place on Saturday March 26.

Learn more here. 

11. Check out the Melbourne Fashion Festival

Enjoy ten days of runways, styling and beauty workshops, industry seminars, exhibitions, tours, live entertainment and more at the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival. This festival will run from March 3 to 12.

See what’s happening at the festival here.

12. Explore Fringe Rebound

Melbourne Fringe is bouncing back for three fabulous weeks. Head to Fringe Common Rooms and discover over 20 different Festival Hub shows that were impacted by COVID-19. Discover comedy, music, theatre, cabaret and more from February 22 to March 13.

See the program here. 

13. See Skywhales soar through the sky for MPavilion

See two of Patricia Piccinini’s majestic Skywhales take to the skies this March. Head to Corben Oval in Fairfield and see the whales take their inaugural flight over Melbourne at sunrise on Saturday March 19. Piccinini will also do a talk about her creations at MPavilion on Thursday March 10.

Find more details about the Skywhales here.

14. See performances at Live at the Bowl

Enjoy wonderful, open-air performances at this iconic location. This March, there will be heaps of contemporary music shows at Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

15. Eat and drink at Yarra Botanicals

A new outdoor pontoon bar and eatery will soon float on the Yarra River. Yarra Botanicals will offer casual, pub-style eating and drinking all year round, with a focus on the environment and sustainability. This will open in Southbank on Thursday March 10.

See more here. 

16. See a live performance at Reunion Park

An outdoor, pop-up concert venue named Reunion Park is coming to the Burnley Circus Site. Located just 15 minutes from Melbourne CBD, this will be a live music and performing arts precinct that will celebrate Melbourne’s vibrant arts and culture scene. This pop-up will run from March 4 to April 10.

17. See glowing animal installations in Wyndham Park

Head to Melbourne’s west and enter a magical, glowing dreamscape. Walk underneath trees drenched in colour, and see illuminated creatures in this immersive experience. Set in Werribee’s Wyndham Park, this installation celebrates the natural beauty of the parkland setting. LIT is a free experience, and will run each night from February 25 to March 6.

18.  Explore the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

The heritage-listed Carlton Gardens and iconic Royal Exhibition Building will be transformed into a plant paradise. Be amazed by enchanting floral and landscape designs, workshops, a floral-inspired high tea and more at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. This festival for all ages will start on Wednesday March 30, and run until Sunday April 3.

Find more details here. 

19. Escape to this field and Pick Your Own Sunflowers 

Drive out to Dunnstown and explore this massive sunflower field. Take gorgeous pictures and pick your own sunflowers to take home and bloom.

The fields are currently open and subject to the season. Stay tuned for updates on their social media.

20. Unleash your inner Karen at Karen’s Diner

This pop-up experience is coming to Carlton on March 24. Enjoy great food, terrible service, and unprofessional staff, so you can release your pent-up Karen rage.

Learn more here. 

21. Take part in Melbourne Holi Festival

Bring some colour into your life at the Melbourne Holi Festival. Spread love and peace in this colourful event, and watch some dance performances, listen to live music, and check out some food trucks. This festival will take place at The Paddock in Fed Square on Sunday March 20.

Learn more about it here. 

22. Find your Happy Place

Have fun at the World’s Most Instagrammable Exhibit in Crown. This pop-up will stay open until March 27.

Learn more here. 

23. Feel dazzled by Wanderlust

Be amazed by stunning aerial routines, fire displays, acro acts, comedy and more when you see Wonderlust at Gasworks Arts Park in Albert Park. See this naughty dance cabaret in Melbourne before it flies off to Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Wanderlust will play from March 31 to April 2.

Get your tickets here. 

24. Explore the city on a bike as part of this ACMI exhibition

Explore the streets of Melbourne on your bicycle, with a smartphone on your handlebars and a narrator for guidance. Ride aimlessly around in the evening, with no particular destination, in Rider Spoke, an immersive piece of theatre that invites you to be a co-author of the story. This experience is coming to ACMI for a limited season, from March 2 to 6.

Find more info here. 

25. Dance at this warehouse party with iconic French DJ Space 92

Party at this Dangerous Goods music festival with chart-topping techno artist, Space 92. After sitting at number one on the techno charts for over two weeks with his EP Atlas, the French producer is making his way to Australia. He’ll also be joined by 28 of Melbourne’s finest DJs.

This festival will take place at The Third Day in North Melbourne on Saturday March 26. Get your tickets here. 

26. Enjoy Wednesday nights at the Summer Night Market

Roam the stalls at Queen Vic Market while listening to great music and sipping on cocktails. Summer Night Market will take place on Wednesday nights, from now until April 6.

27. Catch a movie at Barefoot Cinema

Watch movies under the stars and with the smell of fragrant roses in the air when Barefoot Cinema takes over Victoria State Rose Garden in Werribee. They’ll play movies from March 2 to 19.

See what’s playing here. 

28. See the magical musical An American In Paris

Feel swept away by romantic Broadway musical, An American in Paris, when it lands at the Art Centre’s State Theatre this March. It will play in Melbourne from March 18 to April 24.

Learn more here. 

29. Go on a Sunset Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo

See majestic animals roam about the open plains at dusk, then follow it up with some delicious food and refreshing cocktails. Immerse yourself in a bit of nature every weekend, from now until March 13.

Find more details here.

30. Watch a movie at Melbourne Zoo

Stay at the zoo after-hours and watch movies under the stars. This will end on March 12.

See the movie program here. 

31. Be amazed by Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition

This wonderous exhibition will transport you straight to Rome. See Michelangelo’s works of art like never before, up close and personal with brand-new perspectives.

 Get your tickets here. 

32. Enjoy a show at the Malthouse Outdoor Stage

Enjoy an array of live shows outside. Music, dance, comedy, theatre, talks and more – there’s something for everyone at the Malthouse Outdoor Stage.

See what’s showing here. 

33. Enjoy dinner and a show at The Marquee Room 

Head to Toorak for some fabulous Friday night shows at the Marquee Room. Enjoy a tribute to Dean Martin on Friday March 4. Then, catch a celebratory tribute to Cher on Friday March 25.

34. Have a blast when Supanova come to Melbourne Showgrounds

Celebrate all things pop-culture when Supanova comes to Melbourne. See celebrity guests, dress up in cosplay, buy goodies and more. Supanova will take place on Saturday March 5 and Sunday March 6.

Learn more here.

35. Explore Fed Square for some fun events

Discover the urban silo art trail, see a live gig and more at Fed Square.

See the program here. 

36. See a movie under the stars at Moonlight Cinema

Enjoy a mix of new releases and nostalgic favourites under the stars at Royal Botanic Gardens.

See the March program here. 

37. Heat things up at the Herb and Chilli Festival

The annual Herb and Chilli festival is coming back to Wandin. Take a drive out to the Yarra Valley and discover over 80 different stallholders, as well as cooking demonstrations, entertainment and kid’s activities. This festival will run on March 19 and 20.

More info here. 

39. See a performance of Jagged Little Pill

Be amazed by this dynamic musical, inspired by Alanis Morissette’s album of the same name. Enjoy this Grammy-winning show at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre for a limited-time only this March.

Learn more here. 

39. Feel chic at NGV’s Chanel exhibition

The long-awaited exhibition, Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, is as fabulous as it sounds. Find it at NGV International.

40. See Bark Ladies: Eleven Artists from Yirrkala at NGV

This exhibition celebrates NGV’s collection of work from Yolŋu women artists from the Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre (Buku), in North-East Arnhem Land.

This exhibition is free to attend. Find it at NGV International.

41. Splash around in NGV’s Pink Pond

Cool down in this gorgeously pink experience.

42. Stay late at NGV Friday Nights

Browse the Chanel exhibition in the evening, then listen to live DJs and try some French-inspired dining.

43. Satisfy your cravings at Melbourne Street Eatz

Be surprised by a weekly rotation of delicious food trucks in South Wharf. Enjoy it Thursday to Sunday, all the way until April!

44. Feel blown away by the spectacular Moulin Rouge musical

This larger-than-life musical will take your breath away! Find it at the Regent Theatre.

45. Be whisked away to Hogwarts with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Be amazed by this magical play and watch it in the original two-part format.

46. Be immersed in Van Gogh at The Lume

See Van Gogh’s masterpieces come to life in this multi-sensory exhibition at the LUME.

47. See A Miracle Constantly Repeated

Step into the mysterious Flinders Street Ballroom and see this surreal exhibition by Patricia Piccinini.

48. Solve a murder mystery at Labassa Mansion

Roam the rooms of this opulent mansion and search for clues to solve a murder.

Get your tickets here. 

49. See a performance of Anna Karenina by the Australian Ballet

After standing ovations in its debut season, The Australian Ballet back in Melbourne with a performance of Anna Karenina. See the passion of Tolstoy’s famous novel brought to life on stage. This show will be in town until March 9.

Learn more here. 

50. Enjoy high tea at the Conservatory

Head to the Conservatory at Crown for high tea inspired by Bvlgari’s Serpenti collection. Enjoy delicate and intricate desserts, like a strawberry frangipane tartlet, with free flowing tea and coffee. Upgrade your meal to include champagne if you’re feeling particularly glamourous.

The Bvlgari Serpenti High Tea will take place at select times on weekends. Learn more here. 

51. Take your dog to Warratina Lavender Farm

Visit this beautiful lavender farm in the Yarra Valley with your precious pooch for a fun day out. Browse a doggy market and find beautiful gifts for your furry friend, book them in for a professional pet photography session, join a dog training session, watch competitions and more! This adorable Dog’s Day Out will take place on Sunday March 6.

Learn more about it here. 

52. See Admissions by Melbourne Theatre Company

Watch this provocative satire hold a mirror up to privilege and power in the education system. See it at The Sumner in Southbank Theatre from March 5 to April 9.

Get details here. 

53. Have a feast at the East Malvern Food and Wine Festival

Head to Central Park in East Malvern for the 5th annual East Malvern Food and Wine Festival. Expact a range of Victorian wineries, as well as food trucks, pop-up stalls and favourite local restaurants. There will also be live performances and entertainment. See it on Sunday March 27.

Find more info here.

54. Take some yummy pasta and cheese classes from That’s Amore

Level up your cooking skills with classes from That’s Amore Cheese. The first class will teach you how to make tortelloni and ravioli. It will take place on Saturday March 26.

See their website for details. 

55. Discover arts and culture at Darebin’s FUSE Festival

Streets, parks, venues, theatres, galleries and other public spaces around Darebin will be transformed into hubs of culture and creativity. Explore this multi-arts festival from March 11 to 27,

See what’s happening here. 

56. Have a drink at this travelling pub

Enjoy a non-alcoholic beer at this travelling pub, which will start its journey up the east coast this March. Catch it in Melbourne on Monday March 7.

57. See an operatic production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

This contemporary production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is taking over Yarra Park for a limited time only. See it on Sunday March 6 and Sunday March 13.

More info here. 

58. Check out Melbourne Design Week

See events, exhibitions, installations, workshops and more for Melbourne Design Week. This will run around Melbourne from March 17 to 27.

Learn more here. 

59. Escape to the Ballarat Begonia Festival

Across ten days this March, the Ballarat Begonia Festival is set to entertain and enchant. See thousands of beautiful blooms in the begonia display, as well as live music, workshops, markets, roving performers and more. The festival will take place in both the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and in the Ballarat CBD. This festival is completely free, and will run from March 11 to 20.

Learn more about it here. 

60. Discover Elvis: Direct from Graceland in Bendigo Art Gallery

In this exclusive exhibition, you’ll explore the life and style of the famous Elvis Presley. See a wide range of costumes, memorabilia, and treasured items straight from the Graceland archive. This incredible exhibition will open at Bendigo Art Gallery on March 19, and stick around until July 17.