Australian Open (Tennis)
Where: Melbourne Park
When: 18-31 January 2010
Every year in January, Melbourne Park comes alive for the Australian Open Tennis Tournament, a festival of on and off-court entertainment that is enjoyed by the players and fans alike. See the biggest names in international tennis battle it out for a total prize pool of over $20 million.
Over 500 of the world’s best players vie for the glory of winning at the first Grand Slam event of the year with a total of 46 nations represented in the main singles draws alone. 2010 will be an exciting tournament as enthusiastic fans watch Rafael Nadal and Serena Wiliams defend their titles.
For the tenth consecutive year, the Australian Open attracted more than half a million patrons with an official tournament attendance of 603,160 in 2009. The Australian Open gets bigger and better every year so don't miss your chance to see the world's best tennis players compete for the honour of a Grand Slam title.
www.australianopen.com
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Where: Various Venues around Melbourne
When: 12-23 March 2010
Join the feast that is the annual 12 day Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Since its launch in 1993, it has grown to be the largest food and wine festival in the Southern Hemisphere. It attracts over 300,000 lovers of food and wine to participate in a busy program of 250 events including al fresco dinners in city laneways, lunches held in surprising settings, culinary master classes, star appearances and plenty of opportunities to sample the best of local food and wine.
Book to be one of more than 1,000 guests at the World’s Longest Lunch or join a lunching crowd in one of more than 20 locations around Victoria. Indulge your sweet tooth and see Melbourne’s best pastry chefs work their magic at the Wicked Sunday day of decadence at Federation Square. Taste the latest vintages and stock your cellar with wine from 60 of Victoria’s boutique vineyards at Cellar Door at Southgate.
www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
Where: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens
When: 24-28 March 2010
Every autumn the largest horticultural event in the Southern Hemisphere blooms on the edge of Melbourne’s Central Business District. The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show showcases Australia’s best landscape and floral artisans as well as garden retail products, entertainment for all ages and with great food on offer.
Wander through the 10 hectares of displays and see more than 300 exhibits, including a sustainable living garden, floral and design competition entries, and the Great Hall of Flowers.
www.melbflowershow.com.au
2010 Formula 1™ Australian Grand Prix
Where: Albert Park Lake, Melbourne
When: 25-28 March 2010 (TBC)
The fastest men on four wheels come to Melbourne’s purpose-built 5.3 kilometre track in Albert Park to contest the FORMULA 1™ Australian Grand Prix. This four-day carnival of speed, glamour and excitement features the world’s best drivers, V8s, great music, food and festivities.
Special events include celebrity challenges, performances by leading DJs and musicians, and after the main event a big-name rock legend takes to the stage to wrap up four days of fabulous F1.
www.grandprix.com.au
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Where: Various Venues
When: 24 March-18 April 2010
Melbourne’s annual festival of mirth has the whole city laughing out loud at over 100 venues each autumn. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival program boasts over 300 events, including stand-up, theatre, music, film and even visual art. See performances by the international greats of comedy, local favourites, and hopeful newcomers who brave open mic competitions or launch shows of their own.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world, alongside Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival.
www.comedyfestival.com.au
State of Design Festival
Where: Various Venues
When: 14-24 July 2010
The State of Design Festival is Victoria’s peak design event. The Festival covers many cross-disciplinary design agendas relating to the profession of design and the marketplace. Through partner organisations and brand alliances, the Festival links Victorian design into the global design conversation.
Under one Festival umbrella the best local designers are honoured through the biennial Premier’s Design Awards, while others are discovered at the trade fair, Design:Made:Trade.
www.stateofdesign.com.au
Toyota Australian Football League (AFL) 2010 Finals Series
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Etihad Stadium and across Australia
When: September 2010 (dates TBC)
Every Australian autumn, AFL fans don their team colours for the opening bounce of the AFL Premiership Season, which extends to the end of August. Grab yourself a seat and soak up the atmosphere amid the passionate fans and colourful team mascots. Matches are held each weekend at the retractable roof, state-of-the-art Etihad Stadium at Docklands or at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Sixteen teams and their loyal supporters start the season hopeful for a place in the top eight and a chance to play in the finals series in September. As Australia’s most popular sport, the AFL continues to surpass attendance records each year.
www.afl.com.au
Spring Racing Carnival Incorporating the Melbourne Cup Carnival
Where: Metropolitan race courses at Flemington, Moonee Valley, Caulfield and Sandown and country courses all over Victoria
When: October-November 2010 (Melbourne Cup: 2 November 2010)
Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival is a 50 day celebration of the world’s best racehorses and jockeys. The Carnival is much more than racing, with entertainment, events, celebrity appearances and fashions on the field at 13 metropolitan and 69 country race meetings. It culminates in the world’s most famous two-mile handicap, the Melbourne Cup, popularly known as "the race that stops a nation". Join the thousands of elegantly dressed race-goers and embrace the excitement of the sport and the spectacular fashion.
www.springracingcarnival.com.au
Melbourne International Arts Festival (MIAF)
Where: Various Venues
When: 8-23 October 2010
MIAF is Melbourne’s flagship cultural event. It is one of Australia's premier festivals, celebrating performing and visual arts from around the world. MIAF hosts exclusive performances by some of the finest national and international artists and companies. Almost half a million people attend more than 500 performances, including free and ticketed dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia and outdoor events.
www.melbournefestival.com.au
Boxing Day Test Match
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
When: 26-30 December 2010
The Boxing Day Test cricket match is played each year beginning on 26 December at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It pitches the Australian cricket team against the opposition national team touring Australia that summer.
For information about tickets to the Boxing Day Test, visit the Cricket Australia website www.cricket.com.au
For a full list of events, see www.visitvictoria.com.au.