A nine-day festival of workshops, performances, panels and publishing conversations for emerging writers, centred at The Wheeler Centre.
What's On Melbourne lists the Emerging Writers' Festival through Friday 18 September 2026 with all-day festival rows at The Wheeler Centre. The refreshed representative occurrence uses Tuesday 15 September 2026, the first festival day on or after this run date. The broader program has more than 70 in-person and digital events, so visitors should choose a specific session and check booking, access and venue details on the official program before travelling.
The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
A Melbourne Museum exhibition of Roman statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery and daily-life objects from the Imperial period.
What's On Melbourne lists Rome: Empire, Power, People at Melbourne Museum until Sunday 25 October 2026, with daily 9am to 5pm rows visible from the run date. The refreshed representative occurrence uses Tuesday 15 September 2026 from 9am to 5pm. The listing describes more than 150 objects and paid museum-entry pricing, with a separate Italian guided-tour offer on Saturdays.
A school-holiday pop-up at The District Docklands where children can build, create and experiment with hands-on construction materials.
What's On Melbourne lists the Supreme Construction Pop-up from 14 September to 10 October 2026 at The District Docklands. The refreshed representative occurrence uses Tuesday 15 September 2026 from 9am to 4pm. Weekday sessions run 9am to 4pm, weekend sessions run 10am to 3pm, booking is not required, and the listing notes paid adult and child entry with children under one free.
Level 1, The District Docklands, 440 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008
A free NGV children's exhibition inviting visitors into a playful gallery environment shaped around drawing, theatre, and performance.
What's On Melbourne lists Children's Play: Ragnar Kjartansson at National Gallery of Victoria until 4 October 2026. The refreshed occurrence is Tuesday 15 September 2026 from 10am to 5pm, the first listed row on this run date. The official page says this is a free exhibition and booking is not required, with relaxed sessions separately flagged for selected dates; check the current page before relying on access, crowding, or session-specific arrangements.
National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3006
A free State Library Victoria exhibition presenting rare books, manuscripts, zines, literary material, and collection objects connected to women writers and book history.
What's On Melbourne lists World of the Book at State Library Victoria until 12 January 2027. The refreshed occurrence is Tuesday 15 September 2026 from 10am to 6pm, the first listed row on this run date. The official page says this is a free exhibition and booking is not required; check the source for current gallery access, crowding, accessibility, and any library notices before planning around it.
State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
A Princess Theatre musical memoir about Neil Diamond, built around the songs and career that made him a global star.
What's On Melbourne lists performances until 25 October 2026. The refreshed occurrence is Wednesday 16 September 2026 from 1pm to 3:30pm at Princess Theatre, the first listed row after the 13 September Melbourne date boundary. Later paid sessions vary by day and some dates include evening performances, so check current availability, accessible seating, and ticket conditions before booking.
Princess Theatre, 163-181 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
By-donation Wednesday lunchtime recitals at St Paul's Cathedral, offering short midday classical music performances in the central city.
What's On Melbourne lists Wednesday concerts through 16 December 2026 at St Paul's Cathedral. The refreshed record uses Wednesday 16 September 2026 from 1pm to 1:30pm, the first listed Wednesday session after the 9 September Melbourne date boundary. The reviewed detail page says this is a free event with booking not required, and its narrative notes admission is by donation; the September performer is left to the source because visible program notes only name performers through 26 August.
St Paul's Cathedral, Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
A free Emerging Writers Festival panel about sustaining independent reporting in hostile conditions.
What's On Melbourne lists this Emerging Writers' Festival talk for Wednesday 16 September 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm in the Level 2 Performance Space at The Wheeler Centre. The official page names Antoun Issa, Soaliha Iqbal and moderator Evelyn Araluen, says the event is free, and links booking through the festival.
Level 2 Performance Space, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
A theatrical dance production at Her Majesty's Theatre reimagining Dracula with a large ballet cast and orchestral source music.
What's On Melbourne lists Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest through Sunday 25 October 2026 at Her Majesty's Theatre. The refreshed occurrence is Wednesday 16 September 2026 from 7pm to 9pm, the first listed row after the 13 September Melbourne date boundary. The official detail page lists paid tickets from $60 to $135 and multiple later sessions; check the page for current ticket availability, accessible seating, and exact performance schedule.
Her Majesty's Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
A cabaret show at Arts Centre Melbourne combining vocals, aerial performance and dance across a short September season.
What's On Melbourne lists Zerial from Wednesday 16 September to Sunday 20 September 2026 at Arts Centre Melbourne. The refreshed representative occurrence uses Wednesday 16 September 2026 from 7pm to 8:10pm, with later evening, afternoon and Sunday matinee sessions listed on the official page. The listing gives paid tickets from $55 to $99 and accessibility information supplied by the listing owner.
Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank VIC 3004
A musical comedy retelling of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table at the Athenaeum Theatre.
What's On Melbourne lists Monty Python's Spamalot at the Athenaeum Theatre from 16 September to 4 October 2026. The refreshed representative occurrence uses Wednesday 16 September 2026 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, with later matinee and evening sessions varying by date. The official listing gives paid tickets from $69 to $139, so check live availability before booking.
An ACMI exhibition exploring vinyl culture, music, art, fashion, film, social movements, and immersive sound installations.
What's On Melbourne lists Reverb at ACMI until 4 October 2026. The refreshed occurrence is Thursday 17 September 2026 from 11am to 5pm, the first visible future row on the reviewed schedule after this run date. Later sessions vary by day, including 5pm and 7pm closes. The source lists paid tickets from child through adult categories, so confirm booking availability, session hours, and any after-hours listening-room programs before travelling.
Discounted ACMI matinee film sessions running through spring with changing cinema programs.
What's On Melbourne lists Matinees at ACMI Cinemas through 31 May, with weekly Friday, Saturday and Sunday screenings. The refreshed representative occurrence uses Friday 18 September 2026 from 1:30pm to 3:30pm at ACMI Cinemas, Fed Square. The source lists paid adult and concession prices and notes that films change across the program, so visitors should confirm the title and ticket availability before booking.
An overnight Melbourne Museum family program with a film screening, torchlight tours, breakfast and a dinosaur-themed morning activity.
What's On Melbourne lists Family Museum Sleepovers at Melbourne Museum on 18, 19, 25 and 26 September 2026. The refreshed representative occurrence uses Friday 18 September 2026 from 6pm to 9am the next morning. The listing describes an overnight program with a movie, after-dark museum tours and breakfast, with paid adult and child tickets.
Friday evening gallery sessions combining after-hours access to the Cartier exhibition with live music, bars, and food.
What's On Melbourne lists Friday sessions through 2 October 2026. The refreshed occurrence is Friday 18 September 2026 from 6pm to 10pm at NGV International, the next listed Friday session after the 11 September Melbourne date boundary, with late-night Cartier exhibition access, music, performances, activities, films, and paid food and drinks available on site.
NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3006
A school-holiday treasure-trail activity through Fitzroy Gardens for primary school-aged children and families.
What's On Melbourne lists Fitzroy Gardens Wonder and Whimsy from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October 2026, with daily 10am to 3pm rows. The refreshed representative occurrence uses Saturday 19 September 2026 from 10am to 3pm at the Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre. Booking is not required, adult assistance is needed, and the price includes Cooks' Cottage admission.
Visitor Centre, Fitzroy Gardens, Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002
A free City Square market showcasing contemporary art, design, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and collectible design pieces.
What's On Melbourne lists Melbourne Makers' Market for Saturday 19 September 2026 from 10am to 3pm at City Square on Swanston Street. The page says booking is not required and describes a curated artist and designer market with live music and roaming performers in the central city.
A free Fed Square festival of Chinese dance, music, martial arts, Hanfu, heritage displays, workshops and food.
What's On Melbourne lists the Chinese Traditional Cultural Festival for Saturday 19 September 2026 from 11am to 10pm at Federation Square. The page says booking is not required and describes a main-stage program, interactive heritage displays, a marketplace and workshops, with the City of Melbourne, Victorian Government and Fed Square listed as supporters.
A South Wharf Oktoberfest opening party with music, Bavarian games and keg tapping.
What's On Melbourne lists Oktoberfest at Munich Brauhaus on Saturday 19 September, Saturday 10 October and Saturday 17 October 2026. The refreshed representative occurrence uses the opening party on Saturday 19 September 2026 from 11am to 11pm at Munich Brauhaus Melbourne, 45 South Wharf Promenade. The official page lists free to paid entry and booking through the venue.
Munich Brauhaus Melbourne, 45 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf VIC 3006
A family-friendly illuminated dance performance at The Capitol retelling Peter Pan with local dancers in glowing costumes.
What's On Melbourne lists Ballet of Lights: Peter Pan in a Sparkling Show on Saturday 19 September 2026 and Saturday 16 January 2027 at The Capitol. The refreshed representative occurrence uses the first Saturday 19 September session from 4pm to 5pm. A second 6pm session is listed the same day, with paid tickets from $39 to $74.
The Capitol, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
