What's On In Melbourne This Spring

Spring has sprung in Melbourne, and that means festival season is about to blossom. From the Royal Melbourne Show to the Melbourne Fringe Festival, as well as international tours and cultural events, there is much to do throughout September, October and November in Melbourne.

September

FASHION | Melbourne Fashion Week

Various locations
ENTERTAINMENT | Melbourne Fringe Festival

Celebrating cultural democracy and independent artistic expression, the 2017 Melbourne Fringe Festival features 440 events across 164 venues ranging from lounge rooms to theatres. From live art to participatory conversations, children’s events and performances, the festival has something for everyone.

Various locations
FILM | Lavazza Italian Film Festival

Immerse yourself in la dolce vita at the 17th annual Lavazza Italian Film Festival. See 28 films across three weeks beginning with Italian Golden Globe-winning Let Yourself Go! The festival will conclude with Roberto Benigni Oscar-winning classic Life Is Beautiful.

FESTIVAL | Royal Melbourne Show

Experience 11 days of agricultural amusement at the beloved Royal Melbourne Show at the Melbourne Showgrounds. See blue ribbon competitions and world-class entertainment, explore the pavilions, brave the amusement rides and choose between the 375 show bags on offer this year.

October

‘Manganiyar Seduction’ at the 2011 Melbourne Festival © Aussieartsworker/WikiCommons

FESTIVAL | Melbourne Festival

Innovative and unique, this year’s Melbourne Festival boasts 65 events across 17 days encompassing music, theatre, dance, visual arts and multimedia. Don’t miss the Australian exclusive A 24-Decade History of Popular Music by the remarkable New York performance artist Taylor Mac. Other highlights include Tree of Codes, A Requiem for Cambodia: Bangsokol, The Magnetic Fields and more.

Various locations
SCIENCE | Bill Nye

Don’t miss Bill Nye ‘The Science Guy’ on his first Australian tour this October. After more than 30 years in the biz, the scientist and television presenter is bringing his live show to Melbourne, following the success of his Netflix series, Bill Nye Saves The World. Through footage, photos and experiments, Nye will enlighten audiences and answer questions.

Hamer Hall, Melbourne
FESTIVAL | Oktoberfest

Revel in Bavarian culture at this year’s Oktoberfest. Held on the St Kilda foreshore the festival includes a stein power lifting competition, a silent disco, amusement rides, plenty of pretzels, German beer and of course live music from Shannon Noll. Don’t forget your costume.

St Kilda Foreshore, St Kilda
FITNESS | Medibank Melbourne Marathon Festival

Register for the 2017 Medibank Melbourne Marathon Festival and celebrate 40 years of running. Race in the full marathon and half marathon, challenge yourself in the 10 kilometre run and ASICS 5.7 kilometre fun run or participate in the ASICS three kilometre walk.

November

THEATRE | Toruk – The First Flight

Enter the world of Pandora in Cirque du Soleil Toruk – The First Flight. Inspired by James’s Cameron Avatar, the show is narrated by a “Na’vi Storyteller” and features large-scale puppetry and awe-inspiring stagecraft to tell the mythical tale of Toruk.

Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
SPORT | Melbourne Cup

Dress up, place a bet and witness the prestigious Emirates Melbourne Cup. Run at 3 p.m. on the first Tuesday in November; the race that stops a nation is the ‘richest two-mile handicap’ thoroughbred horse race in the world, open to horse’s 3 years old and over. Melbourne Cup is also renowned for Myer’s Fashions on the Field.

Flemington Racecourse, Flemington
HEALTH | Mind, Body and Spirit Festival

Restore your wellbeing at the Mind, Body, Spirit Festival. The free biannual event encompasses seminars and workshops led by over 60 guest speakers as well as guided meditation sessions, psychic readings, performances and Soul Kitchen Stage cooking demonstrations. There will also be 200 exhibitors.

Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre, Melbourne
MUSIC | Lorde

Following the release of her critically acclaimed second studio album Melodrama, New Zealand sensation Lorde will bring her riveting live show to Melbourne. Featuring the hits Royals, Tennis Court, Green Light and Perfect Places, the Australia Dance concert is sure to bewitch fans.

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.