What’s On in Melbourne in April [Updated for 2023]

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.

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 hit a high of 28°C on a couple of days, so it can get pretty warm.

There’s usually little rain, with just a moderate 73mm falling last April throughout the entire month.

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!

The Easter weekend brings Good Friday (April 7) and Easter Monday (April 10) so we’ll all have a nice weekend. This is also the start of school holidays, which run from April 7-23.

April 25 is Anzac Day, the day we commemorate the sacrifice of Australian soldiers.

Major events and festivals in April

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

Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

Feel your heart race and the rumbles thunder through your body as world’s best racers arrive in Melbourne.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

Foodie heaven. Grab a seat at the World’s Longest Lunch or World’s Longest Brunch, or a ticket to one of the hottest food parties. Only a few days left in April!

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Australia’s best comedy festival continues, with laughs aplenty. Acts include international and Australian performers such as Arj Barker, Dylan Moran, Dave O’Neil and Claire Hooper.

Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

There are only a few days left. See the best landscape and floral talent from Australia and around the world as they show off the most beautiful of floral and garden displays.

Theatre, film and music

Bluesfest

No need to go to Byron Bay – Bluesfest is coming to Melbourne for the very first time! See performers including Ash Grunwald, Xavier Rudd, Buddy Guy, Keb Mo’ and Paolo Nutini.

Live at the Bowl

Major acts perform at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl throughout April, including Fatboy Slim and several difference music festivals.

Thursday Nights at Malthouse Outdoor Stage

Head to the Malthouse Theatre’s outdoor stage on Thursday nights for DJ sets, food and drinks.

Mary Poppins

It’s supercalifragilisticexpialidocious in Melbourne with the arrival of everyone’s favourite nanny!

& Juliet

Shakespeare gets a remix with some of your favourite pop anthems from Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, The Weeknd and Kelly Clarkson.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

The cut-down version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is now playing in one (still long!) session.

Museums and art

Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion

Marilyn Monroe. Geena Davis. Halle Berry. Margot Robbie. Michelle Yeoh. These – and more – screen goddesses are recognised in a new exhibition at ACMI.

Gandel Gondwana Garden

Gondwana – the huge supercontinent that formed a mere 500 million years ago and connected Australia to much of the Southern Hemisphere – is brought to life in a new exhibition at Melbourne Museum.

Rone

If you’ve never been in Flinders Street Station’s abandoned upstairs wing, now’s your chance, with Melbourne street artist Rone bringing his incredible art to this secret area.

Temple of Boom

Created by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang and an “evocative reimagining of The Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens”, the Temple of Boom is the NGV Architecture Commission for 2022.

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.

Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse

The NGV is the place to be to see the works of one of the world’s most influential and innovative fashion designers.

Monet & Friends at The Lume

Monet & Friends immerses visitors in French Impressionism at this digital gallery. Enhanced with sound and aromas, it’s a true sensory experience.

Thor: Love and Thunder at ACMI

Catch the incredible costumes and props worn by the all-star cast of Taika Waititi’s blockbuster Thor: Love and Thunder.

Melbourne Now

Celebrate new and ambitious local art and design. Everything from fashion and jewellery, painting, sculpture, architecture and ceramics, to video, performance, printmaking and publishing will be on display.

Food events in April

Feast to Feed

Join this feast hosted by some of Australia’s top chefs and you’ll not only be making your stomach happy, you’ll be helping to raise money to make meals for people struggling. All funds go to charity organisation Alex Makes Meals.

Hawker 88 Night Market

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

Eid

To mark the end of Ramadan, immerse yourself in the diverse cultures, arts and foods from Africa, the Middle East, the Subcontinent, Turkey, Bosnia, and South East Asia.

Sporting and outdoor events in Melbourne in April

Run the Tan

Take on the famous Tan’s 3.8km track at this 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 and festivals

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.

Awurudhu Pola

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

South Asian Festival

This colourful festival returns, with food trucks, performances and dance, and fun family activities.

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