Spring in Melbourne: The season’s best events
Teleisha Thomas
August 2026As Melbourne dusts off the chill, and the city's gardens tip into colour, the calendar fills with reasons to be out and about. From the first tulips in September through to a fan favourite ballet performance, here is where to spend your spring.
NATURE
Tesselaar Tulip Festival 12 September - 11 October, Silvan
Spring announces itself first in the Dandenong Ranges, where more than a million tulips come into bloom across the Tesselaar Flower Farm. A fixture of the Victorian spring calendar, the festival draws visitors from across the state for its ribbons of colour, and locally grown blooms. Well worth the scenic drive.
MUSIC
Melbourne International Jazz Festival 16 - 25 October, various venues
The city hums for ten days each October as the Melbourne International Jazz Festival takes over concert halls, clubs and public spaces across town. With around a third of the program free to attend, the festival brings over 550 artists to venues including the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Federation Square and the Melbourne Recital Centre.
SPORT
The NFL arrives in Melbourne 6 – 11 September, Birrarung Marr, Melbourne Park and surrounds
American football fan? The first ever regular season game of the NFL will be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, 11 September. Be part of the energy with events and activations across NFL Game Week such as the three-day NFL Kickoff Festival at Melbourne Park.
ENTERTAINMENT
Comedy in the Vines 22 - 25 October, Coldstream
Out in the Yarra Valley, the orchard lawns of Cherry Hill come alive for four days of comedy, wine and long spring afternoons. Comedy in the Vines pairs some of the country's biggest comedy names with more than twenty of the region's finest winemakers. The format is built to roam rather than rush, letting you drift between stand-up sets, tastings and live music with a glass of Yarra Valley pinot in hand.
EXHIBITION
Barbie: The Exhibition 28 November – 16 May, Melbourne Museum
Created by London's Design Museum, the exhibition explores the history and design of one of the world’s most famous dolls and celebrates the enduring influence of the Barbie brand over 67 years. Its Australian debut features over 250 objects including 150 remarkable and innovative dolls.
FASHION
Melbourne Fashion Week19 - 25 October, various venues
Presented by the City of Melbourne, Melbourne Fashion Week positions the city as Australia's fashion capital, with runways and activations taking over unexpected spaces across town. Expect more than 300 designers and retailers across a program of premium runways, exhibitions and talks.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Australian Ballet returns with fan-favourite, The Nutcracker 24 – 31 October, Ian Potter State Theatre
An early Christmas treat for the whole family, The Australian Ballet will be performing Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker at the Ian Potter State Theatre this October. Its famous motifs and melodies exquisitely evoke the world
of this picture-perfect ballet: whirling snowflakes, bandbox soldiers, and of course the Sugar Plum Fairy.
COMMUNITY
Jellis Craig Foundation Month1 - 31 October
The Jellis Craig Foundation Month brings our network and the wider community together to raise vital funds for local charities and causes across the neighbourhoods we work in. It is a celebration of collective impact, and of the people and places that make these communities what they are. At its heart is the Jellis Craig Foundation Classic, a walk and run event open to all Jellis Craig staff, family and friends.
Anytime
WITH FRIENDS
Ride the river vibes
Gather your crew and cruise the Yarra in a silent electric GoBoat. Drift past the MCG or the gleaming Crown Casino with snacks and blankets in tow. When you're back on dry land, hop between riverside gems like Ponyfish Island, Riverland Bar or the summer-soaked Afloat.
FAMILY AFTERNOON
Embrace alfresco dining
With its rich history and picturesque location, Studley Park Boathouse offers a charming and scenic environment for visitors. Whether you’re seeking a casual outing, or a special celebration, the boathouse aims to provide a memorable visit for all.
