What’s on in Melbourne in February 2024

February in Melbourne is the last month of summer, with long, hot days continuing.

The school holidays are over, crowds are thinning – but there are still plenty of events going on around the city. From festivals and live music to art exhibitions and outdoor activities, Melbourne is a hub of culture and entertainment all year round, and February is definitely no exception.

Here’s a curated selection of some of the coolest must-dos happening this month!

Melbourne weather in February

The average temperature in Melbourne in February is between 19°C and 35°C during the day, with overnight temperatures between 11°C and 20°C.

There’s usually little rain, with just 6.8mm falling last February throughout the entire month.

Check the forecast online or check out more summer in Melbourne details.

Pack plenty of sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the hot sun!

Public holidays in Melbourne in February

Booooo, there are no public holidays in February in Melbourne or Victoria 🙁

Major events and festivals in February

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

Midsumma Festival

Melbourne’s premier LGBTQI+ festival runs over 22 days, ending with a massive Pride Street Party on 4 February. Midsummar Carnival kicks off the festival on 21 Jan.

Chinese Lunar New Year

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon as Chinatown comes alive with traditional lion dances, music and food to celebrate Lunar New Year. It’s an event not to be missed.

Theatre, film and music

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival

The festival that began in Melbourne’s laneways is back after a huge hiatus due to Covid. Local and international acts are on the line-up, including Stormzy, Confidence Man and Steve Lacy.

Taylor Sheesh

See the Filipino drag sensation perform Taylor Swift’s hits – right as Swiftie mania hits Melbourne.

St Kilda Festival

Join this free celebration of Australian music, summer and St Kilda. Saturday, the first day of the festival, includes an incredible line-up of First Nations artists.

Grease the Musical

Grease is the word! One of the world’s most iconic movies has hit the big stage.

Groundhog Day the Musical

The award-winning musical is coming to Melbourne only as it makes its Australian premiere.

Sidney Myer Music Bowl free concert series

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra puts on a series of free concerts under the stars. These are very popular, so get there early with your picnic blanket. Gates open at 5.30pm with entry on a first-in basis, and the concerts start at 7.30pm.

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.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Clearly a fan favourite, because this musical spectacular has returned to Melbourne! You’ve only got a few more days to catch it.

Museums and art

Nocturnal: Hot & Bothered

Head into Melbourne Museum after dark and celebrate queer culture with after-hours talks, tours and activities.

Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition

More than 200 artefacts from the Titanic are used to tell the stories of those involved in that fateful night more than 100 years ago.

NGV Triennial

This blockbuster exhibition will take over all floors of the NGV, featuring the works of more than 100 artists and designers.

(This is) Air

This year’s NGV Architecture Commission and part of the NGV Triennial, (This is) Air uses air as a building material. The sphere structure will morph and change throughout the day.

BBC Earth Experience

Experience an unforgettable journey through the natural world, narrated by David Attenborough. 

Connection at The Lume

These are the final days of The Lume’s incredibly immersive and stunning First Nations exhibition called Connection.

Rain Room

Walk through a room of rain without getting wet? This immersive art installation is beautifully done.

Monopoly Dreams

Immerse yourself in giant Monopoly sets, win prizes and – most importantly – stay out of jail!

Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature

Featuring five large-scale digital works, this new ACMI exhibit explores the majesty of the natural world – from droplets of water to cells of the human body to black holes.

Planetarium Nights

Head to Scienceworks for an adults-only, after dark experience. February’s events include Unveiling the Invisible Universe (and what the invention of the telescope made possible) and Dimensions: Once Upon Our Reality (where you’ll be encouraged to think about the big questions of our time).

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 this exhibition at Melbourne Museum.

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.

Sporting and outdoor events in Melbourne in February

Summer at the Square

Fed Square puts on a range of outdoor events, from films to candlelight concerts and live music – all for free.

Moonlight Cinema

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

Summer Night Market at QVM

Queen Vic Market’s Summer Night Markets are back every Wednesday night, bringing an extravaganza of delicious food, entertainment and locally made goods.

Sunset Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo

Dusk is when wild animals are their most active, and you can catch all the action on a Werribee Open Range Zoo Sunset Safari.

Dragon Boat Festival

Watch from the shore as dragon boats race along the Yarra River.

Food events

Valentine’s Day mystery picnic

Grab your loved one for a Mystery Picnic. You’ll receive clues that will lead you to shops around Melbourne to pick up your picnic treats, then enjoy them together in one of Melbourne’s parks.

Community festivals and events

Afro-Caribbean Carnival

Come help kick off this inaugural festival – expect plenty of food, fun and music.

Northcote Rise Festival

Discover local businesses in Northcote at this family-friendly street festival.

Fairfield in Feb

Head to Fairfield Amphitheatre for two evenings of free concerts – and delicious food.

Antipodes Lonsdale Street Greek Festival

Join in on Melbourne’s biggest Greek street party, with music, activities and of course plenty of feasting.

National Sustainable Living Festival

The largest and longest-running sustainability-themed event in Australia, the festival aims to inspire and provide solutions to the sustainability and climate challenges we currently face.

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