March in Melbourne means welcoming autumn, with the leaves changing colour and delicious, crisp mornings.
March is a great month to visit Melbourne, with several blockbuster events underway.
Here’s a curated selection of the must-dos happening this month!
This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
Melbourne weather in March
The average temperature in Melbourne in March is between 15°C and 24°C during the day.
There’s usually little rain, with just a moderate 54mm falling last March throughout the entire month.
Check the forecast online, and read my full guide to autumn in Melbourne.
Public holidays in Melbourne in March
We have just one public holiday in March in Victoria, which is March 13 for Labour Day.
Major events and festivals in March
Check back regularly throughout the month – I’ll keep this page updated as I hunt down more events!
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.
Dates: 24 March to 2 April
Where: Federation Square + various other venues
Cost: Some events free, check program for pricing for signature events
More info: Melbourne Food and Wine Festival website
Melbourne Fashion Festival
The PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival brings runways, exhibitions, workshops, film screenings and expert discussions over a 9-day festival.
Dates: 3-11 March
Where: Various
Cost: Free and paid events
More info: Melbourne Fashion Festival website
Moomba
Moomba is Australia’s largest community festival, with a street parade, fireworks, water sports and live performances, set on the banks of the Yarra River.
Dates: 9-13 March
Where: Alexandra Gardens and Birrarung Marr
Cost: Free
More info: Moomba website
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Australia’s best comedy festival returns, with laughs aplenty. Acts include international and Australian performers such as Arj Barker, Dylan Moran, Dave O’Neil and Claire Hooper.
Dates: 29 March to 23 April
Where: Various venues
Cost: Prices vary
More info: Melbourne International Comedy Festival website
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
The best landscape and floral talent from Australia and around the world descend on Melbourne to show off the most beautiful of floral and garden displays.
Dates: 29 March to 2 April
Where: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens
Cost: Tickets from $33
More info: Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show website
Theatre, film and music
Live at the Bowl
Major acts perform at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl throughout March, including Lorde, Bon Iver and King Stingray.
Dates: Various dates throughout March
Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Cost: Free to $119
More info: Website
Thursday Nights at Malthouse Outdoor Stage
Head to the Malthouse Theatre’s outdoor stage on Thursday nights for DJ sets, food and drinks.
Dates: Thursday nights throughout March
Where: Malthouse Outdoor Stage
Cost: Free entry
More info: Malthouse Theatre website
Mary Poppins
It’s supercalifragilisticexpialidocious in Melbourne with the arrival of everyone’s favourite nanny!
Dates: Throughout March
Where: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Cost: Tickets from $59
More info: Mary Poppins website
& Juliet
Shakespeare gets a remix with some of your favourite pop anthems from Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, The Weeknd and Kelly Clarkson.
Dates: 26 February to 9 April
Where: Regent Theatre
Cost: Tickets from $60
More info: & Juliet website
Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical
Based on the Hollywood film starring Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical returns to Melbourne for the second time. It’s only here for a short performance, so get in quick.
Dates: Until 5 March
Where: Athenaeum Theatre
Cost: Tickets from $79
More info: Cruel Intentions website
Fed Live
Catch Masked Wolf, with Big Twisty & The Funknasty, Agung Mango, POOKIE and Kootsie Don at this all-ages gig.
Dates: 24 March
Where: Fed Square
Cost: Free
More info: Fed Square website
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.
Dates: Until 30 April
Where: The Princess Theatre
Cost: Tickets from $85
More info: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child website
Museums and art
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.
Dates: Until 23 April
Where: Flinders Street Ballroom
Cost: From $34
More info: Website
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.
Dates: Until October
Where: NGV
Cost: Free
More info: NGV website
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.
Dates: Throughout March
Where: Royal Exhibition Building
Cost: From $29
More info: Museums Victoria website
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.
Dates: Exhibit open until 16 April 2023
Where: NGV
Cost: From $25
More info: NGV website
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.
Dates: Until 30 June
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Cost: From $33
More info: The Lume website
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.
Dates: Daily throughout March
Where: ACMI
Cost: Free
More info: ACMI website
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.
Dates: 24 March to 30 August
Where: The Ian Potter Centre
Cost: Free entry
More info: Ian Potter Centre website
Sporting and outdoor events in Melbourne in March
Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
Feel your heart race and the rumbles thunder through your body as world’s best racers arrive in Melbourne.
Dates: 30 March to 2 April
Where: Albert Park
Cost: Tickets and packages vary
More info: Australian Grand Prix website
Punting on the Lake
Glide between the bays and islands of the Royal Botanic Gardens’ Ornamental Lake on a guided boat cruise.
Dates: Daily throughout March
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens
Cost: From $75 (for up to 3 adults)
More info: Punting on the Lake website
Moonlight Cinema
Catch a flick under the stars in the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens.
Dates: Until 26 March
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens
Cost: From $25
More info: Moonlight Cinema website
Summer Night Market at QVM
This is your last chance to experience the Queen Vic Market’s Summer Night Markets. Every Wednesday night until 15 March, enjoy an extravaganza of delicious food, entertainment and locally made goods.
Dates: Until 15 March 2023
Where: Queen Victoria Market
Cost: Free entry
More info: Queen Victoria Market website
Food events
Melbourne International Dumpling Festival
Dumplings galore! Try dumplings from all around the world, with xiao long bao, pierogies, gyoza, manti, mandoo, khinkali, pelmeni, momo, matzah balls and ravioli all awaiting.
Dates: 22 March
Where: Queen Victoria Market
Cost: Free entry, dumpling prices vary
More info: Website
Hendrick’s High Tea
Gin and desserts unite at this special Hendrick’s High Tea at The Waiting Room at Crown Melbourne.
Dates: Friday to Sunday until 26 March, 12-5pm
Where: The Waiting Room at Crown Melbourne
Cost: From $79 per person
More info: Hendrick’s High Tea
Taste of Asia Festival
Enjoy Asian street food as well as dance and musical performances and cultural activities.
Dates: 25 March
Where: Flagstaff Gardens
Cost: Free entry
More info: City of Melbourne website
Community festivals
Turkish Festival
Explore the diversity of Turkish street food and experience new tastes and flavours, and enjoy traditional music.
Dates: 11-12 March
Where: Queen Victoria Market
Cost: Free entry
More info: QVM website
Holi Festival
A kaleidoscope of colours will fill the air – and cover people! – as Holi Festival celebrate unity in diversity and bring communities together.
Dates: 11-12 March
Where: Ron Barassi Senior Park
Cost: Free
More info: Holi Festival website
Pasifix
Celebrate Pacific Islander culture, music and dance at this all-ages event featuring performers from Hawaii, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
Dates: 18 March
Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl Reserve
Cost: From $25
More info: Arts Centre website
African Music and Cultural Festival
Embrace the tastes, sounds and rhythms of Africa at this one-day festival.
Dates: 25 March
Where: Immigration Museum
Cost: From $15
More info: Immigration Museum website
What are you most excited to see and do in March in Melbourne?
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Best Melbourne resources
- Check out my Melbourne travel guide for everything you need to know about planning a trip to Melbourne
- Look for flights to Melbourne on Skyscanner.
- Book accommodation on Booking.com or Expedia for your Melbourne trip. The Ovolo Laneways Hotel is a good choice in the CBD.
- You won’t really need a car in Melbourne, but if you do want to get out of the city, then rent a car through DiscoverCars.
- Pick up a copy of the Lonely Planet Pocket Melbourne to help plan your trip.