Described as Australia's sporting and creative capital, Melbourne is a global event city. With events covering food and wine, sports, culture, comedy, music, and gardening, the annual calendar offers unique opportunities and incentives to leverage your business event.

Take a look at some of the world’s most premium and exciting events that make up Melbourne’s bustling events calendar and talk to the Melbourne Convention Bureau about weaving these into your business event program. 

1. Australian Open – January

The Australian Open is a prestigious two-week tennis tournament that takes place at Melbourne Park every year in the last two weeks of January. It is the first of the four Grand Slams held annually and features top players from around the world competing for the men's and women's singles titles, as well as double and mixed-double, junior, wheelchair, and legend's titles. The tournament dates back to 1905 and is the largest of the Grand Slams, attracting an impressive 839,000 attendees in January 2023.

 2. Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (March)

Each year, thousands of food and wine enthusiasts flock to Melbourne's restaurants, laneways, rooftops, and regional Victoria for an immersive gastronomic experience. The festival showcases Victoria's abundant fresh produce, bustling food markets, innovative chefs, award-winning restaurants, expert winemakers, and passionate artisan producers. It's a celebration of Melbourne's culinary playground in a vibrant and flavorful showcase.

3. Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix™ (late March–April)

Melbourne has been hosting the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix™ since 1996 and has recently signed to host the race until 2035. This annual event spans a four-day track schedule, jam-packed with live practice, qualifier and racing events at the Albert Park Grand Prix™ circuit. Take your incentive itinerary to the next level with a high-octane, high-speed race experience. 

4. Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix (late October)

Each year in October, the famed Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit hosts the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, to determine the world MotoGP champion. Catch all the action on Phillips Island, just a 2-hour drive from Melbourne. Whilst on the island, do make sure to catch visit Phillip Island Nature Parks’  world famous Penguin Parade and nearby Seal Rocks and The Nobbies, or a heritage farm on Churchill Island.

5. Melbourne Cup Carnival (late October–November)

The Melbourne Cup Carnival is a four-day event at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne and is regarded to be one of the most important horse racing carnivals in the world. The Melbourne Cup is the centerpiece of the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival and the Melbourne Cup Carnival. It's also the richest 'two-mile' handicap event in the world, with a total prize pool of $8 million. Don your best attire in keeping with the dress code of the day, and head to the courses!

 6. Cricket matches at the MCG

Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues. Lookout for cricket matches taking place at the MCG and be sure to plan an incentive visit around an exciting match of India and Australia’s shared passion – cricket. Melbourne played host to some of the most iconic matches of the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup matched in 2022 including the India vs Pakistan and Final match. MCG Events can work with you to host intimate functions or larger gatherings, with the Olympic Room and Members Dining Room each having capacity for up to 1,000 guests in a cocktail configuration.  

7. Theatre and Plays

Melbourne boasts of an exciting calendar of musicals and plays such as Moulin Rouge, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Mary Poppins, & Juliet and so much more. The East End Theatre District has the city’s most historic and esteemed theatres that bring blockbuster productions to life right from musicals, operas, literary or comedy gigs. End the evening with a post-theatre dinner at an award-winning restaurant. 

Drawing on more than 50 years of experience, Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) understands that a successful incentive program requires the right city, support at ground level and unforgettable experiences. What better way to elevate an incentive program than with a world class event in the city.

Find out more about how MCB can help you plan your incentive program in Melbourne around the city’s bustling events calendar.