Steam It Up

A feast for the senses

Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love

Moulin Rouge, The Baz Luhrmann movie released two decades ago, is an all-time favourite, and now it is coming to the stage. Moulin Rouge! The Musical will bring splendour and romance, grandeur and glory, to the Regent Theatre (from 13 August). Luhrmann has handed the task of re-creating the story of Satine and Christian to a team led by Tony Award-winning director Alex Timbers, who has remixed the story and music for a whole new audience. +moulinrougemusical.com

Go On, Look Up

Imagine this… A huge moon floating above an ice rink on the stage at one of Melbourne’s favourite outdoor venues, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Eat and drink under the stars backstage, as a rotating set of DJs provide the soundtrack. Then get to the ice rink via a bamboo maze of light and mirrors. That’s The Wilds, and it’s the centrepiece of RISING (26 May – 6 June), Melbourne’s newest after-dark festival. Beginning on the evening of a total lunar eclipse, this citywide event will take place over 12 nights, bringing music, performance, ceremony and food to the to the Arts Precinct, Birrarung, Chinatown, Midtown and further afield. +rising.melbourne

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Food Glorious Food

The tentpole program of Melbourne Food & Wine Festival’s “one year, three festivals” calendar is its Winter Edition: 10 days celebrating the Victorian capital’s incredible eating and drinking culture, built around a hub of parties and big days out at Queen Victoria Market, including a pasta party called The Big Spaghetti, and radiating across the city with oneoff feasts, tours, talks, adventures and activities. 30 July–8 August. +melbournefoodandwine.com.au

French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

French Fancy

More than a hundred works are arriving at NGV International for French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (4 June – 3 October). This year’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition will feature works by some of the world’s best loved painters, including Monet, Renoir and Degas. Presented thematically, these extraordinary works, including 79 never before seen in Australia, will examine significant moments in this artistic movement. An exhibition highlight will be 16 canvases by Claude Monet depicting his favourite scenes, including his Giverny garden. +ngv.melbourne

ABOVE: Pierre Auguste Renoir, French 1841–1919, Dance at Bougival 1883, oil on canvas, 181.9 x 98.1 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Picture Fund. Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

AFL Photos

Footy Fever

Embrace one of Melbourne’s greatest obsessions, footy, with the start of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. See long-devoted fans pack stadiums all winter long to cheer on their favourite team, with the action peaking in September over the Finals Series. Pick a team, rug up and join the roar of the crowds as you follow the masses to the hallowed grounds of ‘The G’, the game’s spiritual home, to revel in the excitement of one of the city's favourite pastimes. +afl.com.au

Disney: The Magic of Animation Melbourne Winter Masterpieces

Disney Magic

Discover the creativity and innovation of almost 100 years of Disney Animation in ACMI's latest exhibition, Disney: The Magic of Animation as part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces. Shown in Australia for the very first time, this exhibition contains original sketches and rare artworks from 1928 to the present day, including the latest release Raya and the Last Dragon, exclusive to Melbourne. See over 500 artworks from your favourite animations. Don't miss the chance to see how animators use colour to express emotions, and the technical skill of crafting character and storytelling. You can even step inside a scene from the Disney classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. 13 May – 17 October +acmi.net.au

A message from the

Lord Mayor of Melbourne

It may be cold outside this winter, but that’s no reason to hibernate and miss out on all that is on offer in the City of Melbourne. Make a day of it or plan a staycation and take the time to explore all that’s new in the city.

For many Melburnians, winter means wrapping themselves in a woollen scarf and cheering for their sporting team. For many others, it is traditionally a season to head indoors and explore the cultural fabric of our colourful and creative city.

Book tickets to one of the latest theatre productions or peruse the contemporary and internationally acclaimed art on display at one of the city’s many galleries or exhibitions. Rug up and take a stroll through our beautiful parks and gardens, take in the waterfront views at Docklands or explore our much-loved laneways. Experience authentic Melbourne streetscapes like never before as creative artists bringing our laneways to life with lights, art and sound.

See what’s new in Melbourne’s retail scene. Peruse the latest fashion in our unique laneway boutiques or browse the selection in our shopping malls. A great way to wrap up a busy day is a visit to one of the city’s sophisticated bars, restaurants or cosy cafes and experience first-hand Melbourne’s reputation as one of the culinary capitals of the world. On behalf of the City of Melbourne, I invite you experience the magic of Melbourne in winter.

Sally Capp Lord Mayor

Little Lon Hwa Goh

Believe Your Eyes

THE LUME Melbourne

See a show, catch a festival – it’s all happening in Melbourne this season.

THE LUME

THE LUME Melbourne is an epic adventure into the vivid colours of Vincent Van Gogh. Why tiptoe through silent galleries to view masterpieces from afar when you can be immersed in the world of art on a grand scale? Using 150 projectors, these world-renowned artworks come to life while a symphony of sounds, aromas and tastes create an awe-inspiring multisensory experience. +thelume.com

Malthouse Theatre

Known for curating inventive and largely immersive theatrical experiences, Malthouse Theatre is a favourite with locals. Located in a renovated former brewery in Southbank, it’s about as Melbourne as it gets! Be sure to pick up a drink during the intermission as all takings from the bar going straight back into supporting theatre productions. +malthousetheatre.com.au

RISING

Melbourne has a new annual art festival – RISING. Opening on May 26, the evening of a total lunar eclipse, the 12-day event is focused on celebrating the night. Expect plenty of public art installations, feasting, performances and music in unexpected places throughout the city for this inaugural event. +rising.melbourne

Harry Potter returns

After a hiatus, muggles are being welcomed back to the spectacular world of Harry Potter. The immersion begins from the moment you arrive at The Princess Theatre, with the entire venue having been transformed for the play. Experience epic duels, extraordinary spells and see beloved characters come to life in this awardwinning production that’s playing exclusively in Melbourne. +harrypottertheplay.com

For more events and things to do, visit +whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Banksia, Atong Atem, RISING