The Australian Open
Melbourne comes alive during the Australian Open. This is a major tennis tournament which is the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events every year. It features men’s and women’s singles; men’s, women’s and mixed doubles and junior’s championships; as well as wheelchair, legends and exhibition events. The Australian Open has been played in Melbourne for the past 110 years, and spectators have seen thousands of historic matches between some of the world’s tennis greats. Attendance here often rivals and occasionally exceeds the US Open. Melbourne holds the record for the highest attendance at a Grand Slam event.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
From the humble beginnings of 56 shows in year one to over 500 shows in 2016, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has become Australia’s national comedy festival and one of the biggest in the world. This is the largest cultural event in Australia and runs over four weeks. Melbourne Town Hall serves as the festival hub, though performances held in various venues across the city.
The Australian Football League (AFL)
Sport is a crucial part of the social fabric in Melbourne, and the Australian Football League (AFL) takes on something of a religious aspect here. AFL season runs roughly from March – September each year, and you can catch a game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). However the biggest event of the year is the Grand Final on the last Saturday in September, and the city takes on a completely different atmosphere.
Melbourne International Film Festival
One of the oldest film festivals in the world, the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is a film-lover’s paradise. This is the most significant screen events in Australia, and people attend to see international premieres, red carpet glamour and the best in global cinema. This is an iconic Melbourne event which takes place annually over three weeks in the heart of the city. The event takes pride in championing local film: it is Australia’s largest showcase of new Australian cinema, and the country’s most vocal advocate for emerging and established local film-making talent.
The Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup Day is Australia’s most famous Tuesday. At 3.00 pm AEST, on the first Tuesday in November, Australians everywhere stop for one of the world’s most famous horse races—the Melbourne Cup. The whole nation stops whatever it’s doing to listen to the race call, or watch the race on TV. Even those who don’t usually bet try their luck with a small wager or entry into a ‘sweep’—a lottery in which each ticket-holder is matched with a randomly drawn horse.
Formula 1 Australian Gran Prix
The Australian Grand Prix is a motor race held annually in Melbourne, which will be hosted by Formula One until 2023. This is the oldest surviving motor racing competition held in Australia having been held 79 times since it was first run at Phillip Island in 1928.
Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight
Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight is a Melbourne Christmas tradition which has been running for 79 years. It’s Australia’s largest annual Christmas carol event, with performances by national and international celebrities accompanied by an orchestra. Held in the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne’s King’s Domain Gardens, all funds raised go directly to provide services for children who are blind or have low vision and their families. In 2016 they raised over $1.2 million! Book tickets or donate here.
Cricket: Boxing Day Test
The Boxing Day Test match is a cricket test match held at the MCG between the Australian cricket team and an opposing national team which is touring Australia for the summer. So if you’re in Melbourne over Christmas, get out the zinc and the novelty hat and join up to 100,000 cricket fans at the MCG for a sporting event that’s become an Australian institution.
