What’s On in Melbourne in July 2026

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 38mm falling throughout the entire month last year over 17 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 13 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

Pretty Woman the Musical

One of the most beloved rom-coms of all time comes to the stage.

SIX the Musical

The global smash hit is coming back to Melbourne – again! From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr are ready to turn up the mic once again, remixing five hundred years of history into an 80-minute electrifying pop-concert fit for royalty. 

Steel Magnolias

The iconic story that made us laugh, cry and fall in love with six extraordinary women is back — live on stage in a dazzling new production.

Pride and Prejudice (sort of)

This musical comedy is a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story. 

Stephanie Lake Company: Vista

A brand new work from Stephanie Lake Company, the dancers and collaborators drive a shape-shifting world, where monochrome discipline collides with kaleidoscopic, joyful release.

Mackenzie

Shakespeare’s Macbeth reimagined – what if Macbeth was a 13-year-old child star?

Off Broadway

Created as a love letter to the world’s greatest musicals, Off Broadway takes the magic moments of your favourite musicals and delivers them in a glamorous and breathtaking production, complete with a powerhouse cast of exceptional musical theatre performers.

Firelight Festival

Experience the Firelight Festival, with fiery installations, live music, pop-up foodie feasts and more.

Heartbreak Hotel

This cathartic comedy explores what heartbreak does to our bodies and minds. Packed with personal anecdotes, synth-backed break-up anthems and deep dives into the microchemistry of heartbreak.

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 Fleetwood Mac, Linkin Park and Whitney Houston.

Melbourne Magic Show

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

Museums and art

Open House Melbourne

Over one weekend, participate in building tours, walking tours, talks and events in collaboration with architects and designers, building custodians, community organisations and creative practitioners that demonstrate the significant role that design has to play in the issues shaping Melbourne.

Melbourne Winter Masterpieces: Cartier

This year’s Winter Masterpieces brings the elegance of CARTIER to Melbourne’s NGV. There are almost 400 dazzling jewels and gems from the house of Cartier’s collection.

NGV Friday Nights

Experience the CARTIER exhibition after dark at NGV with weekly curated experiences featuring live music residencies, pop-up performances and activations, alongside drinks, dining and unlimited entry to the CARTIER 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.

Nocturnal: Museum After Dark

Explore Melbourne Museum – and the ROME: Empire, Power, People exhibition – after dark in June. There are special tours and talks, and music performances – entirely kid-free.

Body Worlds: The Anatomy of Happiness

At this fascinating exhibition, explore real human specimens, interactive features like the Anatomical Mirror and discover how joy transforms the body.

EMERGENCE[Y]

This exhibition brings together artists, scientists, and collaborators from around the globe to explore how we adapt to a world marked by ecological collapse, technological acceleration and social upheaval.

Planetarium Nights

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

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.

Food events in July

Mould: A Cheese Festival x Pinot Palooza

Cheese? Yes please! AND wine? Even better. This festival celebrates crumbly cheddars,  gooey camemberts and bitey blues from the best artisan producers across the country alongside pours of Pinot Noir.

Light to Night

A new month-long program at Chadstone, celebrating art, food and music.

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. July will see the market transformed into a Winter Wonderland with ice artists, lights and family-friendly activities.

Australian Sake Festival

With over 400 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

NAIDOC in the City Concert

In honour of NAIDOC Week, Fed Square is hosting a free celebration of music, culture and community. Christine Anu will headline the concert, along with performances from Zipporah Corser-Anu, Crooked TP & Brothers In Arms, Dungala Baimi, Bumpy, Benny Walker, Leonie Whyman and Traditional Aboriginal Dance Group Yuloo.

St Paul’s Cathedral Winterfest

Go shopping inside the beautiful St Paul’s Cathedral, which will be filled with local artisans, handcrafted gifts and live musicians. Ten percent of all sales from the market will go to supporting the Monash Children’s Hospital.

Bastille Day French Festival

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

Metro Comic Con

This pop culture convention celebrates fandom and feature appearances from popular stars from the big and small screens, comic book artists, cosplay opportunities and merchandise stalls.

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