The must-do events during Melbourne’s busiest month: mad March
Victoria’s events calendar is swelling with “something for everyone” this March. Find out what’s on – from footy to fashion, the circus to surfing.
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Whether you’re into footy, flowers or fashion, surfing or the circus, thoroughbreds or the theatre – Victoria has you covered this mad March.
The state’s calendar is swelling with world-class events, with the Melbourne Fashion Festival and musical Groundhog Day among the attractions kicking off the month.
Legendary theatre performer Andy Karl promised audiences “everything from theatre magic to heart and comedy” from the Tim Minchin-composed Groundhog Day.
Melbourne Fashion Festival model Akech Nyoul described her event as “the best place to see all the new collections from Australia’s top designers”.
Melbourne Storm starts season 2024 with back-to-back home games, including a round one test against reigning premiers the Penrith Panthers on March 8.
Hooker Bronson Garlick urged the purple army to turn out in force. “There are no AFL games on in Melbourne (that night). We need all the support down at AAMI Park,” he said.
Richmond triple premiership player Daniel Rioli said he was “looking forward to being out on the ‘G” for his club’s traditional round one match against Carlton on March 14.
“Carlton are hitting their straps now,” he said. “But obviously anything can happen in round one, it’s always pretty hot.”
Racing fans of the F1 and horse variety will be spoiled for choice, with Australian Grand Prix action on from March 21 and major race days scheduled for every Saturday of the month.
The latter includes the All-Star Mile at Caulfield on March 16, at which 16 competition winners will be honorary racehorse owners for the day and win cash prizes of up to $100,000.
Jockey Laura Lafferty said the race offered “an opportunity to see some really high-class, world-class horses.”
The VRC will host Super Saturday on March 9 and Australian Cup on March 30 as part of the Flemington Racing Spectacular.
Also at Flemington, Cirque du Soleil will showcase spectacular new show Luzia under the Big Top from March 24.
Set in an alternative-reality Mexico, Luzia was “a really fun, vibrant experience”, performer Helena Merten said.
Blockbuster exhibitions Triennial – including the ocean-themed Rififi: Jean Jullien for Kids – and Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition will remain open into April at the NGV and Melbourne Museum. International photography festival Photo 2024 is also on throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria.
The world’s best surfers will descend on Bells Beach for the Rip Curl Pro from March 26, with competitor Ellie Harrison pumping it up as “a really fun (event) to watch and be a part of”.
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show event director Marcus Gale promised a “refreshed program boasting a host of world-class talent and awe-inspiring exhibitions” between March 20-24.
Melbourne will also host WNBL and NBL finals action.
Lauren Jackson’s Southside Flyers will take on the Melbourne Boomers in the deciding WNBL semi-final at the State Sports Centres in Parkville on March 6, with the winner advancing to the best-of-three grand final series against Perth Lynx, kicking off on March 10.
In the NBL, top-of-the-table Melbourne United will open its best-of-three playoff series at John Cain Arena on March 7 against either the Illawarra Hawks or New Zealand Breakers.
If United advances, it will have home-court advantage in the best-of-five championship series.
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said: “There’s no better place to be than Melbourne in March, with our unparalleled line-up of major events offering something for everyone”.
Mad March events
Melbourne Fashion Festival: now until March 9
WNBL deciding semi-final Southside Flyers vs Melbourne Boomers: State Sports Centres – Parkville, March 6
NBL playoffs Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks or New Zealand Breakers: John Cain Arena, March 7 and March 13 (if required)
PHOTO 24 international photography festival: now until March 24
Triennial: NGV, now until April 7
Groundhog Day The Musical: Princess Theatre, now until April 21
Titanic The Artefact Exhibition: Melbourne Museum, now until April 21
Moomba Festival: March 7-11
Melbourne Storm round 1 match (v Penrith): AAMI Park, March 8
Super Saturday: Flemington Racecourse, March 9
First AFL match in Melbourne (Carlton v Richmond): MCG, March 14
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: March 15-24
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by The Australian Ballet: State Theatre, March 15-26
All-Star Mile: Caulfield Racecourse, March 16
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show: REB and Carlton Gardens, March 20-24
Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix: Albert Park, March 21–24
William Reid Stakes Day: Moonee Valley, March 23
Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA: Big Top at Flemington, from March 24
Rip Curl Pro: Bells Beach, March 26-April 5
Melbourne International Comedy Festival: March 27-April 21
Australian Cup Day: Flemington Racecourse, March 30
Our Mad March ambassadors
Rip Curl Pro surfer Ellie Harrison
Melbourne Fashion Festival model Akech Nyoul (wearing Jason Grech)
Groundhog Day the Musical star Andy Karl with the groundhog
Cirque du Soleil Luzia performer Helena Merten
Jockey Laura Lafferty
NGV kids’ exhibition, Rififi: Jean Jullien for Kids, attendees Adelina, 9, and Hugo, 5
Melbourne Storm player Bronson Garlick
Richmond player Daniel Rioli
F1 Australian Grand Prix car
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show florals
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