Melbourne's Must-Visit Festivals And Events

As the cultural and sporting capital of Australia, you can be sure that Melbourne’s social calendar is always teeming with world-class festivals and exclusive events. While there are new additions popping up all the time, the following have embedded themselves within the very identity of Melbourne and continue to solidify their reputation as must-see events.

Royal Melbourne Show

Since September 1848, Victorians have rolled up to the Royal Melbourne Show for 11 days of agricultural amusement. Located at the Melbourne Showgrounds, the show features blue ribbon competitions, amusement rides for all ages, a variety of pavilions, arts, and crafts, pop up restaurants, and most importantly show bags. This year there are 375 show bags on offer across all price points. Don’t miss the dazzling Royal Melbourne Show Fireworks spectacular every night.

AFL Grand Final

Falls Music and Arts Festival

Held annually over the New Year’s period, the Falls Music and Arts Festival is a multi-day music festival that brings together local and international artists across a variety of genres including rock, hip-hop, electronic, indie music and blues and roots. More commonly known as Falls, the festival began in 1993 in Lorne and has since branched out to Byron Bay, Marion Bay and Fremantle.

Moomba

Celebrating diversity and tradition the Moomba Festival is Australia’s largest free community festival drawing over a million people each year. First organised in 1955, the event is held in March across the Labour Day long weekend. Traditional events include the Moomba parade, the crowning of the Moomba Monarchs, a carnival, live music, water sports, nightly fireworks and the hilarious birdman rally which began in 1976.

Melbourne Cup

Run at 3pm on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington Race Course, the Melbourne Cup is the ‘richest two-mile handicap’ thoroughbred horse race and is celebrated in Victoria with a public holiday. Known as the race that stops a nation, the Emirates Melbourne Cup attracts 100,000 people including many famous faces and is an opportunity to sport formal spring racing attire in an effort to win Fashions on the Field. Those watching from home celebrate with a BBQ and their own sweeps.

Australian Open

Holding the record for the highest attendance at a Grand Slam tournament is the action-packed Australian Open which takes place in Melbourne. Held in January, the Australian Open is the first of the four international Grand Slam events and features men’s and women’s singles; men’s, women’s and mixed doubles and junior’s championships in addition to exhibition, legend and wheelchair events. Watch as legends including Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal compete for the cup at Melbourne Park.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.