What’s On in Melbourne in April 2026

Hello April! We’re now well into the year, and marching our way through autumn.

April in Melbourne is a great month to visit – although with the school holidays and Easter weekend, it’s a busy time to come to the city.

It’s also my birthday month – so happy birthday to me!

PS. Don’t forget that daylight saving time ends on 5 April!

Here’s a curated selection of the must-dos happening this month.

Melbourne weather in April

The average temperature in Melbourne in April is between 12°C and 21°C during the day, although in April last year we had a couple of days above 30°C, so it can get pretty warm.

There’s usually little rain, with just 20mm falling last April throughout the entire month – which is pretty low for April.

Check the upcoming Melbourne weather forecast online, and read my full guide to autumn in Melbourne.

Public holidays in Melbourne in April

April is a great month for public holidays in Melbourne – we have three this year!

The Easter weekend brings Good Friday (3 April) and Easter Monday (6 April) so we’ll all have a nice long weekend. School holidays continue, which run from 3-19 April.

ANZAC Day is on 25 April, the day we commemorate the sacrifices made by Australian soldiers. This day falls on a Saturday this year, however, without a public holiday in lieu.

Major events and festivals in April

Check back regularly throughout the month – I’ll keep this page updated as I hunt down more events!

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Australia’s best comedy festival continues, with laughs aplenty.

Theatre, film and music

The Book of Mormon

This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent on a mission to a place that’s about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get. 

ART

Richard Roxburgh, Damon Herriman and Toby Schmitz star in the internationally award-winning play ART by Yasmina Reza. A razor-sharp comedy about friendship, ego and the chaos a single opinion can cause.

Julius Caesar

Bell Shakespeare presents Julius Caesar, Shakespeare’s political masterpiece.

The Great Gatsby

Directed and choreographed by Joel Burke, this spectacular new production reimagines Fitzgerald’s iconic story through The Charleston, Rhapsody in Blue, When the Saints, and more alongside brand new compositions by award winning composers Jason Fernandez and Dominic Cabusi.

Moonlight Cinema

Catch a flick under the stars in the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens.

Candelight Concert Series with Fever

Fever brings their stunning candlelit concerts to venues across Melbourne. There’s everything from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake to tributes to Ed Sheeran, Amy Winehouse and Aretha Franklin.

Melbourne Magic Show

Have your mind blown by the magic and illusion of Master Magician Luke Hocking.

Museums and art

Westwood | Kawakubo

The NGV’s summer blockbuster exhibition pairs two global icons of the fashion world for the first time: British designer Vivienne Westwood and Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons.

NGV Friday Nights

Music, eating and drinking plus late-night exclusive access to the NGV’s Westwood | Kawakubo exhibition.

Women Photographers 1900-1975: A Legacy of Light

This fascinating exhibition celebrates the wide-ranging photographic practices of more than eighty women artists working between 1900 and 1975.

DIVA

Celebrate legendary divas such as Judy Garland, Joan Crawford, Dame Nellie Melba, Grace Jones, Cher, Prince, Tina Turner, Elton John, Madonna, Adele, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, P!nk, Bjork and Billie Eilish in this dazzling exhibition.

Future Country

Spanning weaving, photography, sculpture, possum-skin- cloak making, moving image, sound and design, this exhibition celebrates emerging First Nations artists. The artists and designers have been paired with established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives.

ROME: Empire, Power, People

Featuring original statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery and everyday objects from the humblest to the most sumptuous, this exhibition explores Rome’s political, cultural and social life.

Planetarium Nights

Head to Scienceworks for an adults-only, after dark experience. April’s events to be announced.

Experience the Dome Promenade

One of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings is opening a hidden part that hasn’t been open to the public in 100 years.

Food and drink events in April

GABS Festival (Great Australian Beer “Spectapular”)

Taste test limited-edition craft beverages made exclusively for this festival, including beers ciders, seltzers, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.

Little Food Festival

Australia’s first and only food festival for kids, this educational festival teaches kids how to understand the world around them and about good food.

Hawker 88 Night Market

Fill your belly with food, with different weekly themes highlighting the food, culture and music of countries across Asia.

Sporting and outdoor events in Melbourne in April

Run the Tan

Take on the famous Tan’s 3.8km track at this fundraising event to encourage and celebrate healthy, active lifestyles.

Punting on the Lake

Glide between the bays and islands of the Royal Botanic Gardens’ Ornamental Lake on a guided boat cruise.

Community events, exhibitions, shows and festivals

The Pet Show

Pet lovers won’t want to miss The Pet Show, which brings together the best of the pet industry. Hear from vets and pet experts, meet plenty of animals (everything from dogs to snakes and turtles) and be entertained by Bluey and Bingo. A portion of ticket sales is donated to RSPCA Victoria.

Ko na Mauri Mebourne!

Celebrate the unique traditions of the I-Kiribati community in Victoria, with rhythmic dance, music and songs.

Anzac Day Dawn Service

On 25 April every year, we remember those who fought and sacrificed their lives for Australia and New Zealand in wars across the world.

Sri Lankan Festival

Celebrate the culture, heritage and arts of Sri Lanka – and taste delicious foods like kottu, hoppers, curries and sweets.

What are you most excited to see and do in April in Melbourne?