Ashleigh Hastings

January 2025: The great thing about Melbourne is that while half population is on holiday, our world-class theatre scene is still buzzing all through January. There are so many Melbourne Theatre productions happening right now, we couldn't even come close to fitting them all on this list. If the razzle-dazzle of musicals is your thing, grab a ticket to Sister Act. If Shakespeare is more your style, we highly recommend Macbeth at the Royal Botanic Gardens.  From the toe-tapping to the cathartic, consider this your ultimate guide to all the best Melbourne theatre shows happening this January. When stuck for things to do between shows, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Want something else to do this month? Check out our gig guide.

In Australia, January 26 has very different meanings for different people. For First Nations people, the day marks the beginning of colonisation and is sometimes called Invasion Day or Survival Day. For recent migrants, January 26 is the day of many citizenship ceremonies across the country. However you choose to spend it, we've picked out the main events taking place on the public holiday in 2025.In terms of time off work, it's worth noting that this year January 26 falls on a Sunday – meaning the public holiday will take place on Monday, January 27.Want to plan your year ahead? These are all the public holidays in NSW in 2025.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. Want to escape the city? These are the best camping sites near Sydney, these are the best places to camp by the beach in NSW, and these are the best day hikes close to the city.

As much as we love the hustle and bustle of city life, there are moments when you just need to hit pause and escape to the middle of nowhere. From the coast to the countryside and the outback, Australia offers up a wealth of picturesque towns where you are sure to find some peace and quiet.  At any of these adorable towns, you can trade crammed bus rides for refreshing nature walks, overcrowded beaches for secluded shores, and busy city parks for untouched pieces of paradise. Here are 12 charming towns that are anything but boring. 🌊 10 beach towns to visit in Australia (that aren't Byron Bay)🚘 The best day trips to take from every Aussie capital city😎 The 30 most incredible places to visit in Australia

The global Black Lives Matter movement in mid-2020 following the death of American man George Floyd sparked protests and demonstrations around the world and spurred on acknowledgement of the race-related injustices that continue to take place in this country against its original inhabitants, too. If you were one of the many people who posted a black square to show your support for the Black Lives Matter movement, it’s important to follow this up with action and education. Every single Australian must be reading, learning, doing research, speaking up and donating to causes that work to minimise everyday injustices and make serious moves to change institutionalised racism. We’ve gathered together a list of some of the charities and organisations supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and PoC voices around Australia and the world. If you aren’t in a position to help financially, there are other ways you can show your support. Read on to learn how to provide financial support, get to know these organisations or get involved in their vital work.  Looking for other ways to lend a hand? Here's where to volunteer in Melbourne.

Lavender grows pretty darn well in Victoria. So much so that we have a number of lavender farms near Melbourne dedicated to growing the woody, sweet-smelling shrub. Sure, you can find lavender bushes thriving throughout Melbourne, but there is something really amazing (not to mention photogenic) about visiting a lavender farm where you can stroll through purple fields.  Best of all, many come with their own cafés so you can enjoy lunch once you’ve finished frolicking amongst the flowers. Just so you know, lavender blooms around summer in Australia and the best time to visit Melbourne lavender farms is December and January, when they are at their most beautiful. As for what to wear to the lavender farm, we recommend pants and sturdy, closed-toe footwear. For more floral excursions, consult our guide to the best spots to see flowers in Melbourne year-round. Just after green spaces where you can relax? Here are the best parks in Melbourne.

In Australia, January 26 has very different meanings for different people. For First Nation Australians, the day marks the beginning of colonisation and is sometimes called Invasion Day or Survival Day. For recent migrants, January 26 is the day of many citizenship ceremonies across the country. For others, it's a family day around a barbecue. However you choose to spend it, we've picked out the best things to do on the public holiday, including events, road trips, places to eat and exhibitions. Take a look at our best picnic spots in Melbourne or park yourself at one of the city's best barbecue spots. 

The five days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve are a strange, awkward, in-between time for everyone. Most places have closed shop for the summer, while others have new holiday hours that are tricky to wrap your head around. At this time of year, Sydney tends to feel more empty than usual as most locals make a mass exodus for elsewhere, but if you plan on sticking around and having a lovely summer holiday in a whole city that you're likely to get (probably, mostly) to yourself, we have put together a list for you of all the coolest things for you to do in town between Christmas Day and NYE. You're welcome.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Want more culture? Check out our guide to the best art exhibitions and theatre and musicals on in Sydney this month. 

January 2025: Summer is in full swing and Melbourne's galleries and museums are open to enjoy. Currently, we're loving the fact that NGV's Ian Potter Centre has an entire exhibition dedicated to depictions of Cats and Dogs. Meanwhile, NGV International has opened a massive Yayoi Kusama retrospective alongside the return of NGV Friday Nights.  Over at ACMI, envision tomorrow through the eyes of the screen at The Future and Other Fictions. Alternatively, for a look at pint-sized paintings from many different artists, head to the Linden Postcard Show. There's always something to see in this all-embracing city of ours, so don't let the month pass you by without getting your fix of the best art, culture and exhibitions in Melbourne this January. When in doubt, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Keen to add some art to your home? These are the best places to buy art in Melbourne.

New York has Broadway, London has the West End, and here in Melbourne musicals, it's all about the East End. We're an all-singing, all-dancing city which means we're spoiled for choice when it comes to the musicals taking centre stage in the historic East End Theatre District in the CBD. From glitzy theatrical numbers, singalong musicals, to smaller-scale productions, Melbourne is an absolute haven when it comes to all things musical theatre. See for yourself by checking out the new and upcoming musicals making their way here in 2025. Book the best spot with our guide to scoring the best seats in every Melbourne theatre. Keen on all kinds of theatre? Here are the best shows happening this month.

January 2025: Summer is here and the Melbourne music calendar is ramping up accordingly. From summer festivals to massive sunset shows at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, there are gigs galore happening in Melbourne this month. When stuck for things to do between live gigs, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Craving a pint with your favourite local band? Here are the best live music pubs in Melbourne.

We’re calling it: 2025 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for travel in Australia. In a country that buzzes from sunrise to sunset, you’re guaranteed to find new and exciting things happening no matter where you wake up (or wind down). As the Travel and News Editor for Time Out Australia, it’s my duty to scope out all the newest happenings across every state and territory. From epic tours and highly-anticipated restaurants to the hottest new hotels and hidden gem exhibitions, here’s our ultimate list of the 25 best new things to do in Australia in 2025. How many will you tick off? 🦘 The 30 best places to visit in Australia👀 10 major Aussie moments to look out for in 2025🇦🇺 The 20 top tourist attractions in Australia

If there's one sure-fire way of injecting joy into your year – it's festivals. Gathering with like-minded people in rainbow-festooned palaces full of amazing music, glittering performances and zesty food sounds like utopia to us – which is why it's a blessing that Australia has an incredible array of festivals on offer, one for every season of the year. In this list, we round up the best festivals that we reckon you should check out Down Under this year. Starting with those that are on earliest in the year and ending with those at the end, each of these festivals has been selected for its scale, its astonishing visuals, and its commitment to seriously good times. From music to comedy to wild light displays in the Outback, rest assured that going to any of these incredible Aussie festivals will be a bloody good time indeed.  🎭 The best musical and theatre shows in Australia🎨 Australia's best art galleries🍔 The best food festivals in Australia

  For the 18th time, the Melbourne Art Fair is returning as a major fixture on the calendars of arty folks around the country (and Australasia). The fair describes itself as a progressive event showcasing boundary-pushing contemporary art, with a focus on underrepresented artists and women-led curation.   More than 100 interdisciplinary artists will come together at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), across four busy days from February 20-23. This year the fair will span an incredible 9,000sqm space and feature works from 70 leading galleries and Indigenous owned art centres.  If you’ve never been to an art fair before, here’s what to expect. Galleries will present works from different artists, a series of talks will bring together thinkers from across the spectrum and the Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair Showcase Exhibition will shine a light on the cultural and creative diversity of 20 independent First Peoples artists and designers. Alongside more conventional artworks, you’ll also find video works and large-scale works and two major new commissions. A snapshot of this year’s participating galleries includes APY Art Centre Melbourne, Australian Tapestry Workshop, Coma, Daine Singer, Five Walls, Mars Gallery, Munupi Arts and Crafts Association, Moa Arts, Neon Parc, Tolarno Galleries and Void Melbourne – alongside many, many more.  The full program for Melbourne Art Fair’s mammoth 18th edition has just been announced and you can find all the ju

St Kilda Festival, the legendary free and all-ages music festival, returns in February with more live music, family entertainment and community activations. As one of the country’s most beloved summer festivals, St Kilda Festival showcases Australia's best established and emerging live music acts against the idyllic natural backdrop of the St Kilda foreshore. The festival has been lighting up the inner city waterfront since 1980, to widespread acclaim. In the past couple of years, the festival introduced a new format, spreading the good times and sweet tunes across two days.  The 2025 line-up has now been revealed, kicking off with the First Peoples First program on February 15. Day one will feature Troy Cassar-Daley, alongside his daughter the multi-award-winning Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung artist, Jem Cassar-Daley. Also on the line-up are Jungaji, Charlie Needs Braces, Crooked TP and Jess Hitchcock. Day two is the Big Festival Sunday on February 16, where thousands flock to the foreshore for music, market stalls and more. The Main Stage line-up includes Young Franco, Peter Garrett and the Alter Egos, Cub Sport and Sarah Blasko. Over on the Optus Stage, you’ll find DJ Dorothy the Dinosaur (huge), ‘bogan funk’ heroes Playlunch and more. This year there’ll be two Catani Gardens stages, with the north side playing host to Julia Jacklin, Mudrat and more. On the south side, you’ll find Velvet Trip and Painters and Dockers, while the local stage will spotlight, you guessed it, local

Some films just don’t hit the same when you’re watching at home on the small screen, minus the cinema atmosphere and surround sound – Oppenheimer, anyone? We reckon true cinematic masterpieces deserve the proper big screen treatment, which is why we were excited to learn that IMAX Melbourne is bringing back its new film festival for a second edition, after a popular 2024 debut season. The Best Biggest IMAX Film Festival is focused on films that look best of the big(gest) screen.  This year’s festival is happening now and runs until early March, with a program curated to please everyone from Nolan die-hards to the Sci-Fi obsessed. If you’re in the mood to tick off multiple flicks on one go, you can catch Dune and Dune 2 or Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water as double features.  Other program highlights include 2001: A Space Odyssey, Inception, Interstellar, The Matrix and THe Dark Knight Trilogy.  It’s not often Melburians get the chance to revisit cult films on such a humongous screen, so visit the IMAX Melbourne website for more information, session times and tickets. Prefer some fresh air? Here are the best outdoor cinemas in Melbourne.

Checking in for a luxury staycation should evoke a buzz of excitement, but as I approach the castle-like bluestone walls of Coburg’s Pentridge Prison, the fearsome facade immediately makes me feel as if I’m being watched. I shouldn’t be surprised – the building I’m entering features a panopticon and bears brutal associations in our collective consciousness. Converting a former maximum security jail into a genial getaway spot is quite the ambitious undertaking, yet it's one that the Interlude undertakes with gusto. At reception, I’m greeted with a crisp glass of sparkling wine and provided with comprehensive instructions for how to find my room, which initially feel excessive but turn out to be just specific enough. After a trip through Olivine, the on-site wine bar, through a surprisingly colourful lounge area and up to the first floor, all that’s left is a sharp U-turn and I’ve arrived at my unusual destination: five interconnected cells that have been renovated into my lavish lodgings. The room (one of the Interlude Sanctuary Suites) is long and narrow, with the raw bluestone walls left largely exposed and bars still firmly attached to the tiny windows. However, aside from the obvious elements, this hideout is more plush than punishing. Sure, the cell door would have taller guests ducking, but the inviting couch, warm wood finishes and soft bed tucked away in its own cozy nook more than make up for it. Did I mention the fact that there’s a bath capacious enough to warrant a

Rising will return for twelve nights across two weekends from June 4-15. As a chill settles over the city each year, the festival returns with a nocturnal vengeance. The program for 2025 is yet to be announced, but it typically consists of free and ticketed options for performances and installations encompassing theatre, music, dance and art.  Wander through large-scale installations, micro-bars and everything in between as Melbourne's landmarks and labyrinthine laneways are drenched in a new light. Intrigued? Watch this space for more details as they appear. You can find out more about the festival on the website.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Looking for more things to do in Melbourne? Check out what's on this week. 

Are you ready to laugh so hard it hurts? One of the largest comedy festivals in the world, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) returns next month with a program that promises to be as entertaining as it is expansive.  Since being launched in 1987 by Barry Humphries and Peter Cook, the festival has since grown to become Australia's largest cultural ticketed event offering both family entertainment and show-stopping adult performances. After Montreal's Just for Laughs and the Edinburgh Fringe, MICF is the third-largest comedy festival in the world and attracts the crème de la crème of comedians from across Australia and around the globe.  In 2025, you can expect a mammoth line-up of international performers such as Ruby Wax (UK/US), Amy Gledhill (UK), Jin Hao Li (Singapore/UK), Ahir Shah (UK), Melanie Bracewell (NZ), Anirban Dasgupta (India), Schalk Bezuidenhout (South Africa) and more.  As for local acts, you can see the likes of Bron Lewis, Claire Hooper, Geraldine Hickey, Gillian Cosgriff, He Huang, Jenny Tian, John Safran, Lous Wall, Nazeem Hussain, Zoë Coombs Marr and so many more. Much-loved annual events such as the 35th Annual Great Debate and Upfront return, alongside the Raw Comedy competition, Deadly Funny and Class Clowns. The new Asian Allstars Gala will return for a second edition, showcasing extroadinary talent from Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore and more. Running from March 26-April 20 2025, the program is chock-full of stand-up comedy, cab

Block out your calendars on Sunday, January 19, because this beloved all-day queer party is back once more to kick off the 22 days of rainbow joy that is Midsumma Festival. No matter whether you’re a family in the mood for a picnic lunch or you’re ready to dance the night away, Midsumma Carnival’s packed line-up really does have something for everyone. Sashay down to Alexandra Gardens on the bank of the Yarra for a free day of music, performances, entertainment and many dozens of stalls. Stay hydrated at the pop-up bars, satiated at multiple food zones, or explore booths from queer-friendly community groups and businesses selling wares and sometimes giving away free goodies.  A marvellous and multifaceted line-up of LGBTQIA+ artists will grace three stages from 11am, with more than 120,000 fabulous humans expected to traverse the festival grounds throughout the day and night. Midsumma Carnival is designed to be safe and accessible for everyone, with a more family-friendly atmosphere in the daytime. When the sun goes down, the gardens will play host to a dance party until the wee hours (aka 9pm – it is a Sunday, after all).  The line-up is impressively vast, featuring Adan Noviello, the Huxleys, Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus, Tina Del Twist and more. You can also expect DJ sets including Sunday School DJs, DJ Gay Dad and Sugar Plump Fairy.  The famous Dog Show is the perfect opportunity to dress up your pooch and compete for the prize of Ultimate Best Dog. Afterwards, put y

You don’t need to care about Aussie Rules to get a lot out of 37, a play that’ll take you right back to 2015, the year wildly successful AFL player Adam Goodes celebrated a goal with a cultural dance linked to his Indigenous identity. His miming of throwing a spear into the crowd sparked a horrific public campaign of vilification that ultimately led the star to quit the game, in silence and with two premierships and two Brownlows under his belt.  The ‘Goodes saga’, as the whole sorry tale has since become known, served as (yet another) reckoning on racism in so-called Australia, with Goodes going on to thrive as an activist far beyond the field. Named for the number on Goodes’s iconic Sydney Swans guernsey, 37 is set not on the national stage of the AFL, but instead follows the Cutting Cove boys. The local team of this small coastal town has been stuck at the bottom of the ladder for too long and this season, they’re determined to scramble their way to the top. The Marngrook cousins, named after the Indigenous game that inspired AFL, could be just what the team needs to get ahead, but how will the chips fall when Goodes’s war cry draws back the veil on tensions within the team and the nation at large? With direction from Isaac Drandic (The Birthday Party, ABC’s Cleverman) and writing from two-time Tasmanian Aboriginal Artist of the Year Nathan Maynard, 37 returns to Melbourne Theatre Company’s Southbank Theatre from January 24. The play runs for 90 minutes with no interval an

Get ready to bask in the Texas sun right here in Melbourne, because soulful singer-songwriter Leon Bridges is coming to town. He released his new album Leon (which was six years in the making) last November, and now he’s ready to serenade Sidney Myer Music Bowl for a single Melbourne date. The Texan singer-songwriter is known for his powerful live sets, with this one expected to draw from his entire career-spanning catalogue of songs. This will be the sixth time Bridges has visited Australia and the Melbourne show is just one stop on a national tour that also includes dates in Brisbane, Bowral and Sydney.  Support for the Melbourne gig comes from fresh local favourites Glass Beams, who’ve been generating buzz due to their mysterious identities and unusual fusion of surf rock and traditional Indian music. Also warming up the crowd are Los Bitchos, a sun-soaked instrumental four-piece from London. Catch the action on Thursday, January 23 at the bowl. Tickets are on sale now over here for $119.90. Feel like a boogie? Here's our guide to the best summer music festivals in Melbourne.

The Peninsula Film Festival is a three-day festival of film events founded by actor and Rosebud local Steve Bastoni, and the largest outdoor film festival in Victoria. The 14th edition will take place from January 17-19, and according to Bastoni, you can expect “a rich program featuring incredible screenings, panel discussions and networking opportunities designed to celebrate the art of cinema”.  The event kicks off at Rosebud Cinema on the Friday with a screening of Unbreakable, the story of tennis star Jelena Dokic’s ascension to the world number four ranking against extraordinary odds. Stay afterwards for a chat with Ivan O’Mahoney, one of the film’s directors.  On the Saturday, the short film festival takes place under the stars near the shores of Rosebud Beach. A stellar judging panel of Aussie film and TV names will assess the shorts, including Michala Banas (Upper Middle Bogan, McLeod’s Daughters), Gary Sweet (Police Rescue, Stingers), Doris Younane (Five Bedrooms, Heartbreak High), Simone Buchanan (Neighbours, Hey Dad) and Stephen Curry (The Castle, Mr Black). General admission for the short film festival event starts from $10, or $7 for group tickets. Get yours at the Peninsula Film Festival website, or at the gate pending availability. For those wanting to learn more about filmmaking, the last day of the festival offers a workshop with experts sharing their insights into the industry. Visit the website for a detailed festival program and to purchase tickets to scre

After a small hiatus, the Other Art Fair is returning to Melbourne and everyone, not just the ‘art crowd’, is invited. The fair features more than 100 emerging and indie artists from Melbourne and beyond, with the aim to reframe what an art fair can look like – geddit? From January 30 until February 2, the fair invites you to enjoy performances, immersive workshops and unexpected experiences. You can meet the artists, raise a glass (or two) or even get a tattoo during your visit.  If you’ve been before, it’s worth noting that each year promises a fresh batch of artists hocking take-home art for all budgets, across mediums typically including painting, sculpture, installation, photography, digital art and more. This time around, the line-up includes Steve Leadbeater, Katherine Gailer x Lucy Lucy and Simone Thomson.  It’s all happening at the Timber Yard in Port Melbourne – head to the Other Art Fair website for more information and to book tickets, which will cost you $15.76 for a regular session or $42.43 for an opening night ticket which allows complimentary re-entry.  Need inspiration all year round? Here's where to buy art in Melbourne.

Not sure what you’re doing to ring in the new year? We vote you skip the chaos of NYE and rock up to the sunny Sidney Myer Music Bowl the next day instead. There, you can catch hip-hop legends the Roots with a full live band. This is the first headline Australian tour for the lauded act in a dozen years, so don’t miss your chance to feel the beat IRL.  When are the Roots playing in Melbourne? These Grammy Award-winning visionaries will be on hand to help Melburnians kick off the new year with a bang. The band is playing at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl for one night only on Wednesday, January 1.  Where can I get tickets for the Roots in Melbourne? At the time of writing, there are still lawn tickets available for the Roots’ show at the bowl. They’re priced at $149.90 via Ticketek. Who are the supports for the Roots? Brooklyn-based rapper Talib Kweli and local legend Nai Palm will support the Roots on the night. What are the set times for the Roots’ Melbourne show? Gates will open at 6pm on the night, giving you plenty of time to settle in before Nai Palm starts at 7pm. Talib Kweli will take the stage at 7.45pm, before the Roots play at 9.15pm.  Where else are the Roots playing in Australia? Aside from their Melbourne show, the Roots are also playing at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion and Brisbane’s Eatons Hill Hotel.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Want fun now? Here's what's on in Melbour

If it seems like bombastic bad boy of British pop Robbie Williams has been popping up everywhere in the news lately, it’s because he has. The ‘Angels’ singer is deep in the promo tour for his Better Man biopic where he’s portrayed via a CGI chimp, which Time Out’s critic says leaves lauded flicks like Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody in the dust. After headlining New Year’s Eve at the Sydney Opera House, Williams is taking the whole popping up thing literally today, with a surprise gig at Melbourne’s Fed Square just announced.   Premier Jacinta Allan published a simple yet mysterious tweet announcing the gig, which read “Robbie Williams. Fed Square. Tomorrow. 5pm. For free.” The event will go for around an hour, including a short set of Williams’ hits and a Q&A session. In a move we didn’t have on our 2025 bingo card, Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece will also present Williams with the keys to the city. Why? Better Man was created primarily in Melbourne at locations including Rod Laver Arena, University of Melbourne and even the Melbourne Town Hall – meaning it had a pretty big positive impact on the local film industry and economy. The film was also directed and co-written by Michael Gracey, a Victorian filmmaker, and shot in Docklands Studios with backing from the state government.   Anyone can rock up to secure a spot to see the star IRL for free, and we’re expecting that competition for a good view will be fierce. Organisers say the best way to enter Fed Square is through Swansto

If you think you’ve done all of Brighton, think again. While we’re of the opinion that there’s positively heaps to do in this bougie beachside neighbourhood, residents and visitors alike will be pleased to learn that the local cinema is about to reopen after a significant upgrade. The cinema formerly known as Palace Dendy Brighton will open its doors once more on Wednesday, December 11. But now, you can call it Palace Church Street to signify its brand new Hollywood-style glow-up.  However, the changes go far deeper than just a name. So, what differences will locals notice? Expect an upgraded foyer space – ‘glamour’ and ‘palm-inspired’ are the words Palace Cinemas have used – and a stylish new bar serving up pre-film cocktails. On the more practical side of things, there’ll also be not one, but two new auditoriums to increase the capacity of the previously cosy complex. Now for the question that’s surely on your lips: will there be fancy chairs? Patience, cinephiles. We’re told that cinema four (the largest auditorium) will soon be upgraded with extra-comfy fully reclining chairs, like the popular style seen at Palace Pentridge. You can expect that to happen by Easter 2025.  Find out more over at the Palace Cinemas website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Prefer to watch your movies beyond four walls? Here are the best outdoor cinemas in Melbourne Alternatively, here are the b

Update Monday, December 16: If you thought you'd missed out on tickets for Drake's 2025 Melbourne, Australia tour, today is your lucky day! Turns out our city is home to so many Drake fans that the artist has now added a fourth and final show to the Melbourne leg of the tour. The new show will take place at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday, February 13. Tickets go on sale at noon today (local time) over here with a limit of ten tickets per transaction. Good luck! Melburnians, what does it mean when that hotline bling? It means only one thing: Drake is coming to town. In huge news for fans of the artist, the Canadian singer has just confirmed that he's coming to Melbourne in 2025, as one of three Australian stops on his Anita Max Win Tour.  In true Champagne Papi style, Drake teased his return to Oz (after eight years, no less) through a series of mysterious Instagram stories. He then confirmed the visit on a live stream yesterday. Here's what we know about Drakes 2025 Australia tour.  When is the Drake Melbourne tour? The Grammy-winning artist has now revealed his tour dates, including two Melbourne shows. The Anita Max Win Tour will begin at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on February 9 and 10, with a new show just announced for Wednesday, February 12 due to high demand. After the Melbourne shows, Drake will also head to Sydney and Brisbane. The third Melbourne show will go on presale at 2pm today (December 3) as part of the Mastercard and Vodafone presales. When do Drake Melbourne

Every year, Darwin heralds in a perfect storm of sequins, disco balls and world-class talent for BASSINTHEGRASS – the Northern Territory’s biggest music festival. Now entering its 22nd year, this one-day extravaganza is set to light up Darwin’s famous Mindil Beach on Saturday, May 17, 2025. With the festival selling out in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, you’ll want to grab your tickets for next year’s event ASAP. Here's everything you need to know about BASSINTHEGRASS 2025. When is BASSINTHEGRASS 2025? The one-day festival is happening on Saturday, May 17 in 2025, with live music kicking off at 2pm and continuing late into the night.  Where is BASSINTHEGRASS? BASSINTHEGRASS is held on the magical Mindil Beach on Larrakia Land in Darwin – likely the only spot in Australia where you can find a beachside festival in a tropical climate, just a few minutes' drive from the city centre. There are always plenty of free buses running to and from the event.  Darwin’s weather is wonderfully predictable, so you can expect somewhere around 32 degrees – perfect for debuting a stylish festival fit. Better yet, Darwin only has two seasons: wet and dry. BASSINTHEGRASS falls in the dry season, so there will be none of those annoying plastic ponchos in sight. Instead, there’ll be palm trees gently waving over you as you revel in the mosh pit. Photograph: Supplied | BASSINTHEGRASS Who’s performing at BASSINTHEGRASS? The BASSINTHEGRASS crew always put together a cracker lineup of powerhouse Aussie

We’ve been saving up all year and the moment has finally arrived. After a massive year, Aussie music producer and Melbourne local Dom Dolla is back in town to perform his largest ever shows in our city. After co-headlining Spilt Milk, scoring a Grammy nomination and playing massive sets all around the world, Dom Dolla is playing two huge shows at Flemington Racecourse this weekend. For big events like this, it’s good to have all your ducks in a row before you go. So, we’ve collated all the details you need to know below. When is Dom Dolla in Melbourne? Mr Dollar is playing at Flemington on Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14 for two nights only. How to get to the Dom Dolla Melbourne shows Due to the sheer size of the event, public transport is by far the best way to get to and from the Dom Dolla Melbourne shows. The closest station is Flemington Racecourse and it’s only a short approximately five-minute walk from the entry gates. If you’re being dropped off, there will be a designated zone on Epsom Road, between the Members Gate and the Epsom Road gate. After the show, head to Racecourse Road instead if you need to grab a rideshare. If you’re getting the train home, you’ll be pleased to learn there are extra services running back to the city. What are the Dom Dolla Melbourne set times? The set times for Dom Dolla Melbourne have finally been released. Be sure to check them carefully as they’re different for each night. Here they are… Friday show Doors 5pm Jnett 5-6.5

The next time you’re at Melbourne Central cramming in some last-minute holiday shopping, make sure you don’t forget to look up! The inner city shopping centre is known for being built around a shot tower, so there’s plenty to gaze up at all year round. But from now until January 13 2025, your eyes will also meet a galaxy of inflatable shapes that are as celestial as they are colourful. Photograph: Griffin Simm The large-scale installation (which spans more than 30 metres through the heart of the shopping centre) has been created by world-renowned artists and designers Craig and Karl in their classic pop art style. The duo, who have been dubbed the ‘kings of colour’, collaborate from separate bases in London and New York to create fun, playful art pieces.  The out of this world installation is a world exclusive and it’s free to enjoy, so grab your friends (or your little ones) and take a squiz.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.  RECOMMENDED:  Arts Centre Melbourne is hosting a pop-up nightclub for nine nights only Melbourne has scored a sexy new museum that promises to show you a good time The NGV is bringing back its fan favourite French Impressionism exhibition as its next winter blockbuster

When you think of a fun night out at our beloved Arts Centre Melbourne, the fun in question probably takes the form of a world-class ballet or a serious play. But what if we told you the ACM is throwing a series of club nights curated by legends of the club scene? Club 8 – named for its location on level eight of the Theatres Building and the number’s connotations of luck, prosperity and success in Chinese numerology – will pop up at the Arts Centre between February 20 and March 8. These nine eclectic nights of music and performance art are all part of Asia TOPA, aka the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts.  While it usually runs every third year, Melbourne hasn’t been blessed with an Asia TOPA festival in five years. Now, the celebration makes a much-anticipated return from February 20 to March 10, 2025. Split into three streams called performance, knowledge and nightlife, the festival aims to showcase the best of Asia-Pacific arts, culture and ideas through a mix of free and ticketed events. You’ll be able to find Club 8 right under the famous spire, in the recently renamed Leaper Family Pavilion. Each of the nine nights has a distinct theme and line-up, celebrating the diversity of Melbourne and Australia’s diasporic communities.  The roster of incredible artists ready to raise the Arts Centre roof includes Rainbow Chan, Kianna Oricci, Panelia, Réjizz, Soju Gang, Betty Apple and Betty Grumble.  Asia TOPA creative director Jeff Khan describes the Club 8 program as “ra

Melbourne, are you ready to get frisky? A provocative new museum is opening on Saturday, December 7 and it seems like it’s going to be hotter than hell. The Museum of Desire will be an adults-only, multi-sensory space designed to celebrate all things love, pleasure, and yes, sex.  When the venue opens there’ll be more than 25 spaces for 18-plus visitors to explore. It’s all in the name of flirty fun and switching up social norms around desire and sexuality. Expect a world where sex is art, and hopefully the art is sexy too… We don’t yet know exactly what the museum will look like, but we have been given hints about a kissing booth, a ball pit full of boobs, a “giant neon vulva artwork” and projections from the Huxleys.  Visitors who are feeling especially amorous will also be able to finger the ‘orgasm harp’ to a musical climax, or check out the ‘Confessions of a Photocopier’ installation for some office antics we wouldn’t recommend emulating in real life.  Tickets for the Museum of Desire are now available via the website. Prices start from $33, so get ready for a museum like you’ve never seen before. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.  RECOMMENDED:  Yes! Two massive new light installations are coming to regional Victoria next year The NGV is bringing back its fan favourite French Impressionism exhibition as its next winter blockbuster Two Melbourne bars were just named in the World's

Australia has always embraced Glass Animals, even since the days when the charmingly eccentric four-piece was struggling to draw in big enough crowds to cover the cost of their rider. Frontman Dave Bayley tells Time Out Melbourne that just days after playing to a completely empty room in Liverpool early in the band’s history, they arrived in Australia and sold out their first venues.  “We just asked for bread and hummus, that was our whole rider,” he says. But the five pound spread was too much to ask for when they’d sold a grand total of zero tickets.  Fast forward around a decade and things couldn’t be more different for the band. A Grammy nomination, a viral hit of the highest order and a Triple J Hottest 100 win all came off the back of their third album Dreamland, depositing Glass Animals in the peculiar position of reaching a new peak in a pandemic.  “It was quite a weird experience,” says Bayley. Afterwards, he tried to make up for lost time by “doing everything”, only to remember he’s deeply introverted.  “The world wants you to be an extravert, but I’m not really that. I had a bit of an existential crisis.”  That inflection point looked like falling ill and ending up locked in a house for two weeks, trying to “work out the meaning of life”. And of course, the prospect of getting to work on album number four loomed over the band like a cosmic cloud.  The world wants you to be an extravert In the absence of distraction, the album “just spilled out” in a fortnight, in a

Update November 22: In devastating news for Sydney's Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) fans, the rapper-turned-actor has announced that his upcoming Australian tour is officially cancelled. This news may not come as a huge surprise for those closely following the artist, as he was also forced to cancel shows in North America and Europe last month. Donald Glover posted on X in October, sharing that he would need to postpone the shows to focus on recovering from surgery for “an ailment that had become apparent". Now, Aussie fans have received an email from Ticketek with a new message from Glover. “Unfortunately, my path to recovery is taking longer than expected”, reads the statement.  “The upcoming concerts in Australia and New Zealand are cancelled. One of the last things I'd ever want to do is disappoint my fans. I really appreciate the support you have shown and know that I will do what I can to give you an exceptional experience when the time is right. Thank you.” If you’ve got a ticket, you can expect to receive an automatic refund from Ticketek to the buyer’s original payment method – although it will take up to 30 days to process. If you purchased through an agency or with a gift voucher, you’ll need to contact the company by December 20 to secure a refund.  We’ve got our fingers crossed that Glover’s recovery continues smoothly from here on out, and that a future reschedule could be on the horizon.**** Fresh off the back of tour announcements from musical megastars

Update November 22: In devastating news for Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) fans, the rapper-turned-actor has announced that his upcoming Australian tour is officially cancelled. This news may not come as a huge surprise for those closely following the artist, as he was also forced to cancel shows in North America and Europe last month. Donald Glover posted on X in October, sharing that he would need to postpone the shows to focus on recovering from surgery for “an ailment that had become apparent". Now, Aussie fans have received an email from Ticketek with a new message from Glover. “Unfortunately, my path to recovery is taking longer than expected”, reads the statement.  “The upcoming concerts in Australia and New Zealand are cancelled. One of the last things I'd ever want to do is disappoint my fans. I really appreciate the support you have shown and know that I will do what I can to give you an exceptional experience when the time is right. Thank you.” If you’ve got a ticket, you can expect to receive an automatic refund from Ticketek to the buyer’s original payment method – although it will take up to 30 days to process. If you purchased through an agency or with a gift voucher, you’ll need to contact the company by December 20 to secure a refund.  We’ve got our fingers crossed that Glover’s recovery continues smoothly from here on out, and that a future reschedule could be on the horizon. Fresh off the back of tour announcements from megastars Olivia Rodrigo and B

As the cultural capital of Australia (don't believe us? Read this), Melbourne is lucky enough to be home to an abundance of world-class venues where you can catch a gig, see an indie theatre performance, unleash your crafty side or dance the night away. And you can bet we've been to them all, and know exactly which spots are celebrating the city's artsy side. So if you're looking to get your culture fix, check out these Time Out Melbourne Recommended Arts and Culture Venues for 2024. (Time Out Recommends 2024 is presented in partnership with Tyro.) Bergy Bandroom Fortyfivedownstairs High Note Honey Bones Gallery Open Studio Poison City Records Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre Section 8 That Paper Joint Theatre Works The Astor Theatre The Gasometer Hotel The Night Cat The Paperback Bookshop The Substation Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDS: The 50 best things to do in Melbourne for 2024 The 49 best restaurants and bars in Melbourne for 2024 The ten best wellness spots in Melbourne for 2024