What’s on in Melbourne in March [Updated for 2023]

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!

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.

Melbourne Fashion Festival

The PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival brings runways, exhibitions, workshops, film screenings and expert discussions over a 9-day festival.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fed Live

Catch Masked Wolf, with Big Twisty & The Funknasty, Agung Mango, POOKIE and Kootsie Don at this all-ages gig.

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

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.

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.

Punting on the Lake

Glide between the bays and islands of the Royal Botanic Gardens’ Ornamental Lake on a guided boat cruise.

Moonlight Cinema

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

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.

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.

Hendrick’s High Tea

Gin and desserts unite at this special Hendrick’s High Tea at The Waiting Room at Crown Melbourne.

Taste of Asia Festival

Enjoy Asian street food as well as dance and musical performances and cultural activities.

Community festivals

Turkish Festival

Explore the diversity of Turkish street food and experience new tastes and flavours, and enjoy traditional music.

Holi Festival

A kaleidoscope of colours will fill the air – and cover people! – as Holi Festival celebrate unity in diversity and bring communities together.

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.

African Music and Cultural Festival

Embrace the tastes, sounds and rhythms of Africa at this one-day festival.

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