What do you get when you combine a niche poetry community with a campy, old-school game show?

The streets will be filled with fun, snow (real and simulated), moving rides, free kids activities and market and food stalls.

Based on the beloved book by Shaun Tan, follow the little red leaf into this spectacular new work of musical theatre for ages 7 and older.

Based on the beloved book by Shaun Tan, follow the little red leaf into this spectacular new work of musical theatre for ages 7 and older.

Explore China’s ambitious One Belt One Road project and how it is transforming the region.

A panel of critics and filmmakers discuss if there are certain stories that cannot – or should not – be told, except by artists of a particular race, gender or lived experience?

Grab your Beatz and rhymes loving teen, this show is guaranteed to burst senses and expand minds!

Grab your Beatz and rhymes loving teen, this show is guaranteed to burst senses and expand minds!

This award winning script has been transformed by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot) into a side-splitting stage comedy with a stirring love story at its heart.

An annual sketch comedy show written, directed and performed by students that has been running for over 40 years

Honouring Stella Young through comedy and coincidence, Kate Hood plays an array of quirky characters, all wheelchair users,? to explore living with a disability? in Australia.

An Egyptian military commander, Radamès, struggles to choose between his love for her and his loyalty to the King of Egypt.

Put learning itself under the microscope with a series of discussions that offer vital correctives to the methods of sharing knowledge that dominate our society.

What can we learn from each other, our environment and about ourselves?

A BOGAN AND BOURGEOIS BATTLE FOR A SUBURBAN BACKYARD.

Put learning itself under the microscope with a series of discussions that offer vital correctives to the methods of sharing knowledge that dominate our society.

“My name is Lila and I am a proud Blackfoot woman. What I am doing is illegal.”  

Adventure, laughs and contemporary Aboriginal culture.

When a determined woman chases true love, even Buddha can’t stop her.

Adventure, laughs and contemporary Aboriginal culture.

Meaningful relationships often begin with the sharing of words and food.

Congress is a citizens’ assembly made especially for the people of Wyndham; a platform to celebrate diverse voices, our local community whilst championing our collective right to been seen
and heard.

The world of Laser Beak Man is brought to life in puppet form by the creative minds of Dead Puppet Society.

A non-stop, exhilarating party through the decades of dance, featuring Darebin’s dazzling dancing stars! A participatory dance performance, where audiences can learn dance moves and strut their stuff.

If there is a new normal, everyone’s crazy and nobody’s ill.

This FREE community event is open and accessible to all and is a fun family friendly day out full of entertainment, interactive arts experiences, sporting activities, music, dancing and good times!

Don’t miss RAGTIME, a musical about a new century, the golden age, an effervescent era of optimism when anything seemed possible and prospects seemed boundless.

This event recognises and celebrates the genuine impact young people have made to the biggest social and economic challenges of our time.

Spot is one of the most loved dogs in the world, and he’s coming to Melbourne! 

Exit Strategies is about escape, change and disappearance. About the privilege of movement.

In this complex world, old patterns of behaviour play out, old wounds are re-exposed and ultimately, a new reality where three becomes two must be found.

Wodonga Brass presents this traditional Carols by Candlelight.

Sandy Olsen is a goody two shoes. Danny Zuko is the leader of the greaser gang the ‘T.Birds’ from ‘Rydell High’. However when the two meet up during the summer, they fall in love

Smith Street Dreaming: One Street. Many Mobs. One Community.

Pollan’s latest investigation is more explicitly concerned than ever with changing minds.

The launch will provide community members with information about availability and location of this new facility.

Journalism is at its second crossroads in two decades: not one of means, but of privilege.

This is a black-tie gala event, held for the very first time this year in Melbourne, will salute artistic excellence and achievement on Australian stages over the past year in every form.

For the very first time in Melbourne, the stars of the Australian live theatre and entertainment industry come together for two remarkable nights

Join a conversation with artists, researchers and creatives delving into the QUEERDOM exhibition and the community reading/making room at Arts House.

Umyuangvigkaq is a place to gather ideas. This is a free event.

From the makers of Grug and Grug and the Rainbow, comes a slightly sideways tale about unexpected friendship, finding where you fit and learning to mix it up a little.

The future needs imagining before it can become real.

THE CABIN! is a horror show written by kids, for adults.

There are two sides to every story, and every story has a song.

Consider how China’s perception of itself has changed since the time of the terracotta warriors burial in the Qin Dynasty to the China we see under President Xi Jinping today.

Wherever people rise up, words fly too.

The Think Tank Program is designed for dance leaders, professional artists and teachers

What do we gain from knowing and learning First Nations words? And how can we embed more traditional language into the daily lives of all Australians?

Let’s work together for a shared future.

On July 5th, Fannys at Franny’s and CLOSET will return to Brunswick for a big, gay sequel after our sold-out first foray.

Grab your mouse ears and get ready for the ultimate interactive event at Disney On Ice celebrates Mickey and Friends.

What kind of King would you be?

Dive into a mesmerising world of total circus as the astonishing spectacle of Wunderage unfolds around, beside and above you.

The Art of Pride is central to the experience of expressing ourselves.

Tonight, we witness Spaced, a creative experience combining visual art and spoken word poetry, and ask the age-old question, “If there was a magic pill that could cure your disability, would you take it?”

It’s Amazing Babes’ sixth anniversary and we’re back by popular demand.

Arts Centre Melbourne hosts an industry night that welcomes any and all from the arts sector. Come meet our programming team and find out how we operate and curate the work that gets presented on our stages.

Delve into current processes for making art and living life as a creative practitioner.

Come along and celebrate Pride month with queerspace at MOMENTS OF PRIDE, an exhibition celebrating LGBTIQA+ Pride.

Death is wild and unpredictable, when it comes to the end of my life, my trust is with myself.

Safe Theatres Australia (STA) is an initiative committed to creating theatrical workspaces that are free of sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination; workspaces that are safe for everyone.

Join host Maeve Marsden, along with a line up of stars and strangers, for a night of queer stories, unexpected tales of lives well lived and battles fought, pride, prejudice, love and humour.

How loud are the lies of the powerful, yet how strong are the voices speaking truth?

A panel featuring six Deaf independent artists.

Australia is the only western democracy without a Charter of Human Rights or an equivalent legal protection. What’s holding us back?

Join Sarah Ward and Bec Matthews, lead creatives behind Queen Kong, and multitalented performer Emma J Hawkins as they share their learnings and experiences about creating performance with access embedded at its heart.

A dual presentation of Chinese art and culture past and present.

Representation matters: discuss, debate, celebrate, elevate!

Haunted House, Monument of Love, Great Continent. Cloudstreet is all that and more! (Encounter the epic story of Cloudstreet in two parts).

Double Booked returns in June, with a conversation between two superb Australian writers.

Haunted House, Monument of Love, Great Continent. Cloudstreet is all that and more! (Encounter the epic story of Cloudstreet in two parts).

What is arts inclusivity and who is leading the way in Australia?

Panellists will discuss the reasons for the disastrous long-standing impasse on the issue and share their thoughts on the momentum behind the new push for reform.

Where are all the Australian Deaf and disabled performing artists? What do we want?

BIG IDEAS, BIG IMPACT: creating understanding through International cultural projects.

Little Kids’ Day In will be a fun day especially for kids aged 5 and under, their parents and carers. (Auslan session runs from 11am-1pm)

Undateable. Unemployable. Unstoppable.

Sylvester is a truly multidisciplinary artist who works in staged photography, sculpture, video, installation, performance and music.

All speeches at this event will be Auslan interpreted. (Join the Jazz Assembly in the world premiere of a brand new piece of music commissioned specially for this chorus of voices).

BlakWiz is the deadliest live quiz show, with trivia questions that connect the dots all the way to the Dreamtime.

Join us in celebrating the launch of Kindred: 12 Queer #LoveOzYA Stories, the highly anticipated collection of new Australian LGBTQ+ fiction for young adult readers!

Taryn Simon is widely recognised as one of the most exciting and renowned conceptual artists of her time,

Ana will be presenting her TEDx Talk from Hamburg and will also engage the audience with some Q&A afterwards.

This year, Charlotte Smith surrounds herself with some of Australia’s most exciting entertainers

Once again performers from Ballarat National Theatre take you back to a time

Now in its third year, UMMTA is proud to be producing 4 snippets of music Theatre work in ‘The Sitzprobe’ at the Lithuanian Club

Contemporary artist, Cai Guo-Qiang, create all new art works inspired by his home country’s culture and its enduring philosophical traditions, including a monumental installation of 10,000 suspended porcelain birds.

Sixteen years ago a group of Australians rocked the political landscape with Escape from Woomera, a video game putting players in the shoes of a refugee escaping detention

A recipe for the end of the world: take men, politics and the internet. Stir gently.

Yarra City Arts presents an evening of conversation about the power of storytelling through different art forms, and the morals and ethics associated with telling stories.

The Storytime program is for children aged 3-5 years, their parents and carers.

Green Day’s explosive, award-winning Broadway phenomenon American Idiot is getting set to take Doncaster by storm.

The Emerging Writers’ Festival is a not-for-profit organisation whose foundations are built on supporting emerging writers.

The two-day event provides a unique platform for producers, artists and theatre-makers to make connections and showcase their work to a wide range of venue managers and programmers with the ultimate aim of facilitating touring.

“Beg, borrow or steal tickets. Your kids will love you for it.” – Stage Whispers

The two-day event provides a unique platform for producers, artists and theatre-makers to make connections and showcase their work to a wide range of venue managers and programmers with the ultimate aim of facilitating touring.

In her latest book, Greek to Me, Norris shares her love of all things Greek. Of course, it’s about language ….

Featuring Joel Bray’s trademark confection of conversation, dance and all-you-can-eat audience participation, Daddy is a sweet feast with a deadly aftertaste.

Taking dance theatre and weaving in threads of stand-up, visual art, multimedia and performance, this production has dazzled and charmed audiences since its 2018 premiere.

But, so, there’s the plan, some idea, and then there’s nature, and you, everyone, you adjust. And your life, is the adjustment.

The concert comprises stunning performances by young performing artists. The performances will be selected from Top Class 2019; a concert series of works presented in February and March.

Australia’s favourite duo Peking Duk return in 2019 with their Biggest Tour Ever – and they are providing Auslan access!

Here’s what you need to know: The ocean is rising. We caused it. We’re going to fix it but someone has to die. 

What do libraries mean to us – as public places and civic institutions? Why do attacks on libraries evoke a special kind of horror?

For his troubles, he’s been knighted and he’s topped bestseller lists, but he’s also sometimes hit raw nerves at home and abroad.

Forbidden Laughter celebrates the powerful performance medium of Butoh, inviting audiences to experience surreal narratives within a bizarre and mysterious installation at the rustic Industrial School, Abbotsford Convent. 

Four Letter Word Theatre gives you a Double Bill show offering two unique responses to a term that highlights the prejudice and paradox, the illusion, delusion and confusion at the heart of the Australian psyche.

Experience a youth-driven, Blak arts intervention as dis rupt takes over Hamer Hall for a groundbreaking afternoon of live music, performance and visual arts.

If books function as tools of empathy, what happens when we never see ourselves in them, let alone at the centre of a story?

Free, all welcome, no need to book.

Special event art project workshops

Rachel Kushner is among America’s brightest literary stars.

Auslan interpreters will be present for pre and post match entertainment at the MCG.

The F Word Address is our annual talk from an outstanding Australian woman on a pressing feminist issue.

(SOLD OUT)TIM MINCHIN, internationally renowned award-winning musician, comedian, actor, writer and composer, will return to the Australian stage with his first national tour since 2012.

Diana Nguyen just wants more work in the entertainment industry. She wants to buy a house and raise her fantasy children. And she suspects that if Pauline Hanson could focus more on Asians again she might be able to keep her dreams alive

Sketch comedy stalwarts Dr. Duck are back with a new show of all-new sketches. Clever, witty, sharp and satirical.

The Storytime program is for children aged 3-5 years, their parents and carers.

Wil’s reputation for delivering an outstanding, brand-new hour of comedy every year speaks for itself. He has sold out Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre for the last 11 years which surely has to be some kind of record. 

Cal’s been at this whole life thing for a while now, but she still hasn’t quite nailed it. How can you reach your potential when someone left it on the top shelf?

CRAIC-LING is a fast-paced sketch show featuring a tutorial in how to hold a baby, a Gregorian chant about drunken monks and a step by step guide in how to kill an actor.

A multidimensional mandala made up of mash-ups, mojos and meditations

Alice Tovey’s new show, Garbage Monster, explores the parts of ourselves and our society that we hide away. 

Echoing Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Parks’ Brechtian epic tells a mesmerizing tale of vengeance, violence, and sacrifice through both story and songs.

Gratuitous, ridiculous, hilarious, and possibly hazardous, Melbourne’s maestros of kids’ comedy return to the Festival.

Tyler Tolman will be sharing with you the latest science and what is actually causing our bodies to regenerate, renew, rebuild and restore; called RejuvenEssence.

In her brilliant debut hour, Sarah questions how this girl is being raised and reflects on her own upbringing, identity and sexuality.

A stand-up comedy night presenting Australia’s funniest young comedians.

A heartfelt-comedy about family, culture and the strength of women. “Joyful, and laugh-out-loud funny from start to end…” Suzy Wrong

Geraldine does things like mushroom hunting now, even though she doesn’t really like Mushrooms. Clearly things are going well.

Claire’s favourite dinosaur is a Pterodactyl. Other favourite things include going to Aldi, her murderous goldfish Gavin, fighting the patriarchy, and cheese.