The Best Melbourne Events and Concerts in 2025
Welcome connoisseurs of culture and lovers of electrifying nights to Melbourne’s 2025 event calendar.
In Melbourne, elegance meets exhilaration, and 2025 is a vibrant stage set for unforgettable experiences. If you’re drawn to world‐class concerts, thrilling sporting spectacles, or captivating theatre, prepare to be immersed in a realm of glamour, sophistication, and boundless excitement.
As the heartbeat of Australia’s cultural scene, Melbourne is a sanctuary for those who seek both adventure and indulgence. Our beloved city stands at the crossroads of creativity and culture, inviting you to immerse yourself in a year of breathtaking concerts, riveting sports, and world‐class festivals.
Melbourne in 2025 is set to be a dazzling canvas of creativity and excitement, a city where each event is a testament to its vibrant soul.
Come and soak up the city from our unique CBD hotel vantage point, and let us take you on a journey through the most anticipated Melbourne events that 2025 has to offer.
In This Blog
- Major Events
- Soak Up the Best of the City from Dorsett Melbourne
- Melbourne FAQ
Major Events
In 2025, Melbourne’s major events promise to engage and inspire.
These top events and celebrations not only spotlight local talent but also welcome international influences, transforming the city into a global stage for creative expression and sporting spectacles.
Unmissable Cultural and Sporting Events
Credit: Visit Victoria
Melbourne seamlessly fuses its love for culture with the passion of sport, crafting a unique milieu where artistic expression and competitive spirit coexist in perfect harmony. This dynamic interplay is a hallmark of the city, ensuring that there is something for every taste – from world‐class art exhibitions to heart‐stopping sporting events.
Add these Melbourne events to your calendar to create lasting memories and mark 2025 as a truly special year.
Melbourne Fashion Festival
March in Melbourne heralds the Melbourne Fashion Festival, where the streets become a runway for the latest in style and design. Here, designers, trendsetters, and fashion enthusiasts gather for a showcase of elegant collections and bold new ideas. The festival is a celebration of sartorial innovation, with every show radiating sophistication.
Amid glitz and glamour, the festival transforms the city into a living gallery of haute couture. It is an essential rendezvous for anyone who appreciates fashion’s transformative power and is a sparkling highlight of Melbourne that leaves a lasting impression.
- When: 22 February - 8 March, 2025
- Where: Various
- Tickets: Available Here
Formula 1 Grand Prix
The Formula 1 Grand Prix roars into Melbourne with unmatched speed. This race transforms the city into a pulsating arena of high‐octane energy and glamour. The event is a feast for the senses, where precision engineering meets breathtaking spectacle.
Every lap and every overtaking manoeuvre is a testament to the fusion of sport and luxury. The Grand Prix creates an atmosphere that is both thrilling and opulent – a must‐experience for every racing enthusiast.
- When: 13 - 16 March, 2025
- Where: Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit
- Tickets: Available Here
Melbourne International Film Festival
Credit: Visit Victoria | Le Meridien Melbourne
In the crisp evenings of August, the Melbourne International Film Festival invites you into a cinematic wonderland. This prestigious event celebrates the art of film by screening a rich variety of genres from across the globe. The festival transforms the city into an open‐air cinema, where every screening is an immersive journey into storytelling.
Each film is a window into diverse cultures and experiences, making the festival a cornerstone of the 2025 Melbourne Events schedule. It is a celebration of visual artistry and narrative innovation – a night under the stars that promises to leave a lasting impression on every cinephile.
- When: 7 - 24 August, 2025
- Where: Various
- Tickets: Coming Soon
AFL Grand Final
September heralds the AFL Finals, an event where Melbourne’s sporting heart beats loud and proud. The AFL Finals are a cultural phenomenon that brings the city together, creating moments of pure sporting magic and unbridled joy.
This electrifying finale to the football season is not only a showcase of athletic prowess but also a celebration of community and tradition. The finals unite fans in an atmosphere charged with passion and excitement.
Every match is an exhilarating display of skill and teamwork and embodies Melbourne sporting fandom.
Take the day off, don your colours, and get in early to score the best tickets for the 2025 AFL Grand Final.
- When: 27 September, 2025
- Where: MCG
- Tickets: Coming Soon
Melbourne Royal Show
Running from September into October, the Melbourne Royal Show is a vibrant carnival that offers a delightful blend of tradition, entertainment, and family fun. The show features colourful parades, mouth‐watering treats, and a variety of attractions that charm visitors of all ages. It is one of the standout family experiences in the 2025 Melbourne events calendar.
This festive gathering encapsulates the spirit of community and celebration, inviting locals and visitors alike to revel in a day of nostalgia and modern excitement. It is an event where every smile and every ride tells a story of Melbourne’s warm and welcoming soul.
- When: 25 September - 5 October 2025
- Where: Melbourne Showgrounds
- Tickets: Coming Soon
Melbourne Marathon Festival
On 12th October, the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival is a celebration of endurance and community. The city comes together to create a festival-like atmosphere where athletes and spectators unite to honour the joy of movement and personal achievement. The marathon is a true celebration of urban fitness and resilience.
With a scenic route through the city’s iconic streets, the marathon festival includes runs for every fitness and length - from a mini marathon and 2.5km walk all the way to the full 42km competition.
It’s a day of high energy, inspiring moments, and a shared commitment to healthy living that leaves every participant feeling empowered and invigorated.
- When: 12 October, 2025
- Where: Across Melbourne, see the route map
- Registration: Available Here
Melbourne Cup Carnival
In the golden days of spring, the Melbourne Cup Carnival unfolds as a sophisticated celebration of horse racing and high‐society glamour. This iconic event is a feast for the eyes, where stylish crowds and finely groomed thoroughbreds come together for a day of thrilling competition and fashion.
With multiple race events spread across the week-long festival, get ready for plenty of nail-biting finishes.
Every race is a moment of suspense and triumph, with the carnival serving as a true highlight of 2025’s Melbourne event guide. Finally, the Melbourne Cup is ‘the race that stops the nation’ - where elegance meets excitement, and every detail is steeped in the tradition of Melbourne’s most prestigious sporting events.
- When: 1 - 8 November, 2025
- Where: Various
- Tickets: Available Here
Boxing Day Test
Credit: Visit Victoria
December in Melbourne is crowned by the timeless tradition of the Boxing Day Test – a cricket match that fills the city with festive cheer and competitive excitement. Held on the day after Christmas, this event is steeped in history, offering a blend of nostalgia and modern sporting prowess.
A cherished ritual that brings together generations of cricket lovers, the Boxing Day Test match is a staple in Australian summers. With every boundary and wicket, the event celebrates Melbourne’s enduring love for the sport and its cultural heritage. It is a fitting grand finale to a year brimming with spectacular experiences.
- When: 26 December, 2025
- Where: The MCG
- Tickets: Coming Soon
Must-See Concerts
Melbourne’s musical scene in 2025 is set to dazzle, with a star‐studded line‐up of live performances that promise to enthral every music lover.
Prepare to be swept away by nights filled with pulsating beats and unforgettable moments. With every performance designed to create an atmosphere of pure magic, Melbourne’s 2025 concert calendar is the epitome of glamour and excitement. Let the rhythm take hold and transform your evening into a celebration of life and art.
Dua Lipa
The electrifying vibes of Dua Lipa’s performance at the iconic Rod Laver Arena promise to set the stage ablaze. Expect a dazzling fusion of futuristic pop beats and mesmerizing choreography that captures the very essence of modern musical brilliance.
Secure your tickets for this unforgettable night and prepare to immerse yourself in the magic.
- When: 17 - 23 March, 2025
- Where: Rod Laver Arena
- Tickets: Available Here
Katy Perry
Katy Perry is bringing her Lifetimes Tour to Melbourne in 2025, turning the arena into a vibrant wonderland of colour and sound. Her energetic show, complete with theatrical effects and infectious hits, promises to be an unforgettable pop spectacle.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extravagant event – reserve your seats today and experience one of the most exciting highlights of Melbourne’s 2025 concert scene.
- When: 7 - 14 June, 2025
- Where: Rod Laver Arena
- Tickets: Available Here
Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams brings her first international tour to Melbourne in 2025, where her emotive vocals and thoughtful lyrics create a deeply personal performance. Her show promises to be a delicate yet powerful celebration of modern indie music.
For an evening of introspective beauty and captivating live performance, book your tickets and enjoy a signature moment in your concert calendar.
- When: 9 - 11 May, 2025
- Where: Rod Laver Arena
- Tickets: Available Here
Oasis
Rock legends Oasis are set to return with a high-voltage performance at Festival Hall Melbourne, reuniting fans with their timeless anthems and raw energy. Their show is a journey back to the golden era of rock, infused with modern bravado. Experience the unbridled power of Oasis in Melbourne this year.
- When: 31 October - 4 November, 2025
- Where: Marvel Stadium
- Tickets: Available Here
Metallica
Following Oasis, Metallica’s explosive live show at Marvel Stadium is a must-see for rock enthusiasts. Expect a relentless barrage of iconic riffs and high-intensity performance that will leave you exhilarated.
Don’t miss this monumental event, book your tickets today.
- When: 8 November, 2025
- Where: Marvel Stadium
- Tickets: Available Here
Cliff Richards
The legendary Cliff Richards graces St Kilda’s Palais Theatre with his timeless collection of classic hits. His performance is a nostalgic journey that blends musical mastery with the elegance of a bygone era.
Secure your tickets and enjoy an enchanting evening that perfectly rounds out the 2025 Melbourne concert guide.
- When: 6 - 7 November, 2025
- Where: Palais Theatre
- Tickets: Available Here
Lady Gaga – The MAYHEM Ball Tour
Lady Gaga returns to Australia for the first time in 11 years with The MAYHEM Ball tour, taking over Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on 5 and 6 December. These mark her first-ever stadium shows in the country — and they're set to be nothing short of spectacular.
Expect a night of electrifying performance, bold fashion, and theatrical brilliance from the 14-time Grammy Award winner, with what is set to be a true standout on Melbourne’s 2025 events calendar.
The best part? A stay at Dorsett Melbourne puts you within a 10-minute walk of Marvel Stadium — making it the perfect HQ for any Little Monsters heading to the shows.
- When: 5 & 6 December, 2025
- Where: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
- Tickets: Available here
Top Musicals Coming to Melbourne
Credit: Visit Victoria
The magic of live theatre shines bright in 2025 with a selection of extraordinary musicals that define Melbourne’s theatrical side. These productions bring together soaring musical scores, captivating storylines, and spellbinding performances to create unforgettable nights on stage.
Prepare to be swept away by the creative genius and dramatic flair that these shows offer.
Hadestown
Hadestown weaves a spellbinding tale that bridges myth and modernity at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Its rich narrative and soulful score combine to create a performance that is both haunting and beautiful. The award-winning musical is making its way to Melbourne this year, so who’s up for a date night?
- When: From May, 2025
- Where: His Majesty’s Theatre
- Tickets: Available Here
Beetlejuice
Step into the wildly imaginative world of Beetlejuice at the Regent Theatre. Its irreverent humour, quirky characters, and dynamic visuals create an experience that’s both unpredictable and utterly captivating.
For a ticket to this eccentric theatrical romp, visit Ticketek and prepare for an unforgettable journey through one of the most inventive entries into Melbourne’s 2025 musical theatre guide… just don’t say his name three times.
- When: From May, 2025
- Where: Regent Theatre
- Tickets: Available Here
Annie
The timeless optimism of Annie lights up the Princess Theatre with its uplifting songs and heartwarming story. This classic musical continues to charm audiences with its message of hope and resilience.
Experience the joy and inspiration of Annie by booking your seats today — a beloved fixture in the 2025 Melbourne musical scenes that promises to leave you smiling.
- When: From July 2025
- Where: Princess Theatre
- Tickets: Available Here
Soak Up the Best of the City from Dorsett Melbourne
At Dorsett Melbourne, every stay is an opportunity to experience the city’s vibrant heartbeat. Our hotel offers an urban sanctuary where contemporary touches meet timeless style, giving you the perfect base from which to explore the best of Melbourne’s events, concerts, and musical theatre in 2025.
Book your stay with us and immerse yourself in the chic comfort and unparalleled service that only Dorsett Melbourne can provide.
Ready to start planning your Melbourne trip today? Start your stay with hotel savings when you book direct with us and our best price guarantee.
Melbourne FAQ
Our Melbourne FAQ is your trusted guide to navigating the city’s diverse landscape of events, dining, and culture. Whether you’re new to the city or a returning visitor, these insights ensure that your 2025 Melbourne experience is seamless and enjoyable.
What Is The Best Way To Get Around Melbourne?
Melbourne offers an efficient and extensive public transport network, including trams, trains, and buses all under the myki payment network.
Coupled with ride-sharing and cycling options, getting around the city is both convenient and stylish.
Is There A Free Tram Zone In Melbourne?
Yes, the central business district is covered by a Free Tram Zone, allowing you to travel between major attractions at no cost – perfect for exploring the urban landscape and getting to and from your events easily.
What Are The Best Areas To Stay In Melbourne?
From the energetic CBD to the artsy enclaves of Fitzroy and the beachside charm of St Kilda, Melbourne offers diverse neighbourhoods that cater to every lifestyle and preference. Our very own Dorsett Melbourne is a go-to stay for sports enthusiasts, theater-goes, and concert fans alike. Our prime position makes every event easily accessible, book your stay today.
