What’s On in Melbourne in July (Updated for 2023)

July puts us in the thick of winter in Melbourne, but luckily we still have so much going on in the city – and plenty of places to warm those cold bones.

So, grab a seat by a fireplace in a bar, tuck into a comforting meal or join a warming festival to escape from the chill.

Here’s a curated selection of the must-dos happening this July in Melbourne.

Melbourne weather in July

Oooh, it is getting chilly! The average temperature in Melbourne in July hovers between 6°C and 14°C during the day, but it can get a lot colder than that.

There’s usually not many huge rainfalls, but you can expect a little rain on many days, with around 40mm falling throughout the entire month last year over 15 days.

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

Public holidays in Melbourne in July

No public holidays in July in Melbourne, sadly! School holidays are still underway, with the kids going back on 10 July.

Major events and festivals in July

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

Lightscape

Be mesmerised by an eight-metre sphere filled with over 20,000 moving LEDs, singing trees and a flickering fire garden among colour-changing installations, soundscapes and large-scale illuminated sculptures.

Theatre, film and music

One Song: The Music of Archie Roach

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Dan Sultan, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn, Deborah Cheetham and more pay tribute to the late and great Archie Roach.

Electric Fields and the MSO

Incredible electronic duo Electric Fields will perform with the MSO as part of NAIDOC Week.

The Rocky Horror Show

One of the most-loved films is in Melbourne with a theatre spectacular starring Jason Donovan and Myf Warhurst.

& 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. This is your absolute last chance to see it!

2:22 – A Ghost Story

This award-winning supernatural thriller is London’s must-see theatre event and is coming to Melbourne for a limited 4-week season.

An Evening with the Late John Cleese

Comedy legend John Cleese will be reporting on his experiences in the afterlife, and what the audience can expect when they get there.

‘Eyes of the Orangutan‘ showing

Join the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation for an exclusive showing of the powerful documentary ‘Eyes of the Orangutan’ to raise funds for these critically endangered animals.

Museums and art

Connection at The Lume

The Lume – the incredibly immersive art experience – bids farewell to Monet & Friends and welcomes a stunning First Nations exhibition called Connection.

Shadow Spirit

One of the highlights of June’s RISING Festival is sticking around. See First Nations art transform Flinders Street Station’s hidden ballroom.

Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi

Curated by Paris’s Musée d’Orsay, see the works of the great French painter Pierre Bonnard at NGV as part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces.

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.

Sutr Santati: Then. Now. Next.

Curated by Lavina Baldota of the Abheraj Baldota Foundation, this brand-new exhibition brings together diverse and stunning textile traditions of India. 

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.

Imaginaria

Part game, part gallery, part journey, Imaginaria is great for the whole family. Immerse yourself in shimmering light sculptures, enter the interactive cave or the multi-dimensional light maze, or step inside a giant infinity bubble.

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 latest NGV Architecture Commission.

Experience the Dome Promenade

One of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings has opened a hidden part that hasn’t been accessible to the public for 100 years.

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.

Food events in July

Winter Night Market

The Winter Night Market is back at Queen Vic Market every Wednesday evening, with street food trucks and stalls, local brewers and distillers, shopping and lively entertainment.

European Night Market

Imagine you’re in Europe in winter in this market that takes over Madame Brussels Lane. There are food vendors, mulled wine and performances.

Australian Sake Festival

With over 200 varieties of Japanese sake available for tasting, this two day festival will be a celebration of all things Japanese with delicious food, amazing cultural performances and of course, sake!

Community events and festivals

Metro Comic Con

This inaugural pop culture convention will celebrate fandom and feature appearances from popular stars from the big and small screens, comic book artists, cosplay opportunities and merchandise stalls. Celebrity guests appearing include actors Henry Thomas (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Katy O’Brian (The Mandalorian) and way more.

Firelight Festival

Fire installations, laser shows, live music, fire twirlers and plenty of snacks and beverages converge to create a toasty festival, the Firelight Festival.

Bastille Day French Festival

Celebrate all things French with food, art and performances at this annual festival.

African Festival

Stay warm in winter by dancing to African drumbeats and trying food from across the continent.

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