The best things to do in Melbourne this November

Melbourne International Dumpling Festival is coming back to town for the first time since 2019. Feast on dumplings in all its shapes and forms, such as xiao long bao, pierogi and momo. This festival will take place at Queen Victoria Market on Monday, November 2, the day before the Melbourne Cup public holiday. It will run from 12pm to 10pm.

The Makers and Shakers Market is coming back to town, just in time for Christmas. Wander through the stalls and discover a curated selection of homewares, sustainable fashion, food and more! On top of the stalls, you’ll also find festive experiences and activities for the kids. Check it out at the Seaworks precinct in Williamstown on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8.

Geelong Showgrounds is transforming into a lively medieval gathering, filled with jousting knights, medieval trinkets and delicious mead. Geelong Medieval Festival will take place on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8. Get your tickets here.

After a sold-out season in London, the award-winning Fiddler on the Roof is coming to Melbourne. Listen to your favourite tunes from the show, including If I Were A Rich Man, Tradition, Matchmaker and Sunrise, Sunset. The revival will play at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne from Saturday, October 31.

Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond, A Beautiful Noise tells the story of how he became an American rock icon. This musical is playing at the Princess Theatre from now until November 7. Learn more here.

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus and the Footscray Yarraville City Band will come together for an evening of music and reflection at the Shrine of Remembrance. Commemoration in Concert will take place on Sunday November 8, from 4:45pm to 5:45pm. It’s free to see. Learn more here.

Australia’s oldest and largest celebration of queer cinema is coming back to town. Take part in the annual Melbourne Queer Film Festival with 53 sessions of feature films, shorts and documentaries. The festival is on from November 13 to 22. Learn more here.

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 November include a tribute to Kylie Minogue, the best of Hans Zimmer and more. See what’s on here.

A tasty Burrata Festival is taking over Prahran Market. The party starts with a ticketed event on Friday, complete with a drink on arrival, roaming cannoli, live music and more. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, visit the market for free tastings, a burrata trail, trader specials, cooking demonstrations and more. It’s on from November 13 to 15, and you can find out more here.

70 years after it debuted on Broadway, the beloved My Fair Lady is coming to the newly refurbished Ian Potter State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne. Julie Andrews rose to superstardom when she originated the role of Eliza Dolittle, a Cockney flower girl who transforms into a lady of society. This show will be a recreation of the 2016 Australian production, which was directed by Julie Andrews. This production is on from November 14 to January 17.

Readings is taking over venues around Carlton for over 24 hours for a literary day out. Find talks, book signings, walking tours, storytime for kids and more! A Day in Carlton starts on Thursday, November 12, with the majority of events happening on Saturday, November 14. See the program here.

Enjoy a taste of Poland in the heart of Melbourne. Have fun with traditional dancing, delicious pierogi, music and more. The Polish Festival will take place on Sunday November 15.

If you’ve ever wanted to wander through a dreamscape made of shimmering bubbles and glowing colours, here’s your moment: Bubble Planet has drifted into Melbourne. This immersive, multi-sensory experience invites you to explore 10 playful, interactive environments designed to awaken your senses and bring out your inner child. Find it at the Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre in Brunswick. Get your tickets here.

An immersive listening session is taking over Brunswick Picture House. Start the evening with some wine from Innocent Bystander, then settle in for a 60-minute Pitchblack Mixtape. Curated by Sydney DJ and producer Jerk Boy, the tracklist will take you on a sonic journey, celebrating Australia’s psych-rock sound. After the session, stick around for a lofi afterparty featuring drinks and nibbles. Pitchblack Playback will take place on Tuesday, November 17.

Shoot your shot at La Di Darts, a new social darts bar by the Funlab team. Find private dart booths with over 10 game modes and enjoy drinks delivered straight to your seat. This venue will open on Thursday, November 19, just beneath the Holey Moley on Little Bourke Street.

Hear four of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous stories leap off the page and onto the stage. Pair the different tales with four themed cocktails or mocktails. Find the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy on 75 Reid St in Fitzroy North. Get your tickets here.

The incredible African Music and Cultural Festival is coming back to Fed Square for its 13th year. See over 40 African countries represented through music, food, fashion, film, market stalls, workshops and more. This festival is completely free to attend. Check it out from Friday November 20 to Sunday November 22.

Set in the money-obsessed Manhattan of the late 1980s, you’ll dive into the mind of the infamous Patrick Bateman in American Psycho – The Musical. An investment banker with a taste for designer suits by day, and something more sinister at night, this blood-soaked show includes music from Phil Collins, Tears for Fears, New Order and more. Find it at Chapel Off Chapel from October 31 to November 21.

Challenge yourself and your teammates to escape Prison Island. Instead of breaking out from a single room, you’ll take on a series of tasks in multiple cells and race against the clock. Find it at The District Docklands. Grab your tickets here.

Put on your elf ears and lace up your corsets for the Renfair Rave. This spellbinding event will take over the Royal Botanic Gardens with roving entertainers, medieval décor, costumes and DJs. It’s all going down on Friday, November 20 from 5pm to 11pm.

Celebrate the wonders of on-screen puppetry and take a look behind the scenes at memorable movie characters in the exhibition, Lifelike. See original puppets from Jim Henson’s workshop, trace the history of Pinocchio, encounter frightening animatronics and more! The Lifelike exhibition will open at ACMI on November 20.

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.

By day, the Seaworks precinct in Williamstown will transform into a witchy market, filled with over 60 stalls. Then, at night, the space will shift into an adults-only carnival, with DJs, drinks and roving performers. WitchFest will take place on Saturday, November 21.

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.

Alliance Française de Melbourne is taking over Abbotsford Convent for their delightful Christmas Market. Browse through the stalls for handmade crafts, homewares, fashion and more cool gift ideas, then feast on French treats and stick around for entertainment and more. Check it out on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22.

If you loved Sung Kang as Han in The Fast & Furious franchise, then you’ll love this. Kang is coming to Melbourne for the Australian launch of his directorial debut, Drifter. See him live, then stick around for Compello, a display of 60 show cars. Find it at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22.

Head to Melbourne Showgrounds and experience the music and culture of Fiji, along with exciting acrobat and circus skills, at the Fijian Flying Circus Tour. Shows will run from now until November 22. Get your tickets here.

Discover over 50 Latin-owned small businesses at the Cachivaches Latin Market. Feast on street food, charcoal-grilled meats and pastries, sip on coffee and browse through artisan stalls, while listening to Latin music. It’s all happening at Queen Victoria Market on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 from 9am to 4pm.

In this immersive exhibition, you’ll see over 250 Banksy artworks, from certified originals to rare pieces and carefully selected reproductions. These pieces will trace Banksy’s evolution from anonymous street artist to one of the most influential names in contemporary art. Find Banksy Limitless at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from November 25. Get your tickets here. 

Melbourne’s Christmas Wonderland is taking over Caulfield Racecourse with multiple themed zones, festive characters and fun activities. Check it out from November 25 to December 24. Learn more here.

Get excited for the festive season with the Christmas Night Market at Queen Victoria Market. Sip on cocktails, feast on delicious food, browse through stalls, enjoy live entertainment and more. It’s set to return on Wednesday nights from November 25 to December 16. Keep an eye out for updates here.

Inspired by the Christmas film, Elf the Musical is coming to Melbourne. Follow Buddy, a young orphan who accidentally ends up in the North Pole. When he grows up, his search for his real family takes him all the way to New York City, where festive mayhem awaits. See it at the Crown LIVE theatre from November 27 to December 27.

Put on some pink and celebrate all things Barbie in a delightful exhibition for all ages. Created by the Design Museum in London, you’ll explore the influence and legacy of this iconic doll. See over 250 objects, including houses, vehicles, accessories, fashion and friends like Ken. Barbie: The Exhibition will open at Melbourne Museum on Saturday, November 28.

This virtual reality adventure was created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Stand on the edge of black holes, see a supernova, explore an exoplanet and much more. Smithsonian Starstruck is now showing at 206 Bourke Street in Melbourne.

Find over 130 independent artists and makers showcasing their peculiar wares at the Ugly Cutie Market. Look forward to handmade objects and delightfully strange creatures, as well as a photo booth, a pin exchange and complimentary gift wrapping for Christmas. The market will take place at the Crown Conference Centre on November 28 and 29.

Hundreds of Santas are set to walk, run and roll along the Tan Track in the Royal Botanic Gardens. All funds raised will support Vision Australia’s specialist children’s services. The event village will also include kids activities, Seeing Eye Dogs puppies, live entertainment and more. The Santa Fun Run will take place on Saturday November 28. More info here.

Escape This has brought their award-winning escape rooms to Melbourne. Will you attend Magic University, embark on a Pirate adventure or scare yourself in a haunted house? See what’s available here.

Whisk yourself away, by car or by ferry, to the Portarlington Greek Festival. Look forward to over 100 stalls, live music, belly dancing and more! The festival will take place on Sunday, November 1 from 10am to 5pm.

Visit Duneira Estate in the Macedon Ranges and admire the pretty bluebells, listen to live music, indulge in treats and explore the house and gardens. The Duneira Bluebell Festival will run from 10am to 4pm on Saturday October 31 and Sunday November 1.

Wombat Park Estate is opening their doors for their spring open garden. Stroll along the lawns and beneath the exotic trees of this historic venue, then browse through their country market. This event will run from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1.

You’ve been called for jury duty. In this live theatre courtroom drama, you’ll listen to the case and decide who is guilty or not guilty. There’s a few different sessions around Melbourne of The Jury Experience for you to try.

Head to the Macedon Ranges and visit local wineries at Budburst Wine Festival. Discover over 26 winemakers and enjoy tastings, curated food menus and more. The festival will take place on Saturday November 14 and Sunday November 15. See more here.

Escape to Hanging Rock Winery in the Macedon Ranges and marvel at over 50 kinetic sculptures from 30 artists. While you’re there, sip on wine and treat yourself to a tasting platter. Art in the Vines: Art in Motion 2 is open from now until the end of April 2027.

Head out to Romswood Peony Farm and pick your own peonies to take home. The farm will open for select days throughout November, and the first peony picking day will take place on Sunday, November 15. Learn more here.

CherryHill Orchards are throwing a delightful Cherry Picking Festival. Wander through rows of trees in either Wandin East or Coldstream, eat as many cherries as you like straight from the tree, and pack some cherries to take home. Have a picnic while you’re there, sample some cherry ice cream and treat yourself to some refreshing drinks. The cherry picking will start in Coldstream on November 13, and in Wandin East on November 27. Learn more here.

Head to Geelong, and bask in the glow of 3.3 million lights at this gorgeous festival. Wander down enchanting trails and glittering bridges in this 50-acre wonderland. On top of the glistening lights, there’s plenty of Christmas activities and entertainment for the family. This special Christmas Festival at Adventure Park will run from November 21 to December 24. See more here.

Head out of Melbourne this November and visit Kryal Castle. They’re throwing the annual Victorian Medieval Festival, with jousting knights, a mini medieval village, a birds of prey show and more. Check it out on November 21 and 22. See more here.

Warratina Lavender Farm is opening again for the season. Wander through rows of vibrant lavender, try lavender ice cream, see live demonstrations and more. Lavender Season is on from November 25 to January 17. Learn more here.

Queenscliff is coming alive with heaps of live performances spread across three days. Queenscliff Music Festival is on from November 27 to 29. Learn more here.

Wander through the rows of blooming flowers at twilight and pick some to take home at Bloom Into You Flower Farm. Relax with a picnic while you’re there, sip on Prosecco and listen to live music. Gather & Bloom sessions take place on Saturdays from 4pm, running from spring to summer.