Melbourne events you can't miss in 2017

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (29 Mar. 2017 – 23 Apr. 2017)

The "people's festival" draws thousands of people to Melbourne each year as the world's funniest men and women strut their struff all over the city. The festival doesn't hold back when it comes to sharing the comedy. The young and the young at heart; the wealthy and the fiscally-challenged; the rabblerousers and the do-gooders; the dirty jokers and the good, clean humourists... Absolutely everyone gets in on the joke. It's an unmissable Australian event.

More www.comedyfestival.com.au

Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (31 Mar ~ 9 Apr)

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival this year features international guests Dan Barber (Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, USA), Bill Granger (Bills, Sydney, Tokyo and London), Ruth Rogers (River Café, UK), Janice Wong (2am: dessert bar, Singapore) and several more big names over two and half weeks. "From famous dining spots to unexpected venues, rooftop bars to hidden cellars, each year the Festival goes beyond eating and drinking to create memory-making experiences," the festival website says. Now in its 23rd year, the festival will feature a pop-up artisan bakery rising daily in the heart of the city; a long lunch for 1500; a  'low and slow' barbecue opening party; and a global discussion on the future of food.

More www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

Midsumma (15 Jan — 05 Feb 2017)

Every year Midsumma is Melbourne's queer celebration, a world of arts and cultural events spread over 85 different venues throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. The festival is on until February 8. Midsumma Festival brings a mix of artists and performers together under a single umbrella for a celebration and exquisite presentation of queer arts and culture. The festival program includes visual art, theatre, spoken word, cabaret, film, live music, parties, sport, social events and public forums. Offering a diverse, exciting and relevant program, Midsumma Festival continues to attract a broad and ever-evolving audience to Melbourne and Victoria. Each year over 160,000 individuals from around the globe participate in and attend between 100-160 festival events, not only in Melbourne City but also from Altona to Gippsland, Reservoir to Moorabbin and regional Victoria.

www.midsumma.org.au

Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (March 26)

Ladieds and gentlemen, start your engines. The F1 Australian Grand Prix revs up Melbourne for a weekend of adrenalin-charged action in March. ith the world's fastest cars, coolest celebrities and latest technology converging on Melbourne for four days of breathtaking action. There are ticket options available, from corporate to general admission. Don't miss your chance to book and join thee masses to watch the world's premier drivers light up Melbourne and the Albert Park circuit.

More www.grandprix.com.au

White Night Melbourne (February 18)

White Night Melbourne, Australia's most celebrated cultural event will return for one night only on Saturday 21 February 2015. With an expanded event landscape, White Night Melbourne 2015 will offer a mix of free and ticketed entertainment over 12 hours and feature local, national and international artists and works from Australia, France, Canada, Greece, Portugal, India and the United Kingdom. The event runs from 7pm to 7am, and visitors will be able to experience the visual art, exhibitions, spectacular illuminations, music, theatre, special dining experiences, film, design and performances on display in venues and major cultural institutions right across the city centre.

More www.whitenightmelbourne.com.au

Scott Podmore

Award-winning writer, editor, photographer, videographer and owner of October Grey Media. Specialising in travel and lifestyle content and a full member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers. Has contributed regular content for the NewsCorp stable of newspapers and magazines, TravelTalk mag, The Departure Lounge and many more publications in Australia and internationally. Follow on Twitter & instragram #scottpodmore

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