Living in Melbourne

Melbourne has a vibrant culture and is often called the most "European" city in Australia. It is home to a large number of universities, theatres, galleries and museums as well as The Australian Ballet. Exhibitions are held in traditional spaces as well as more unusual locations such as open laneways. Melbourne's street art is famous around the world and has developed into a tourist attraction in its own right.

Melbourne's calendar of annual cultural events includes:

• Midsumma Festival (Jan/Feb)
• Moomba Waterfest (Mar)
• Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (Mar)
• Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport (Mar)
• Apollo Bay Music Festival (Mar)
• Port Fairy Folk Festival (Mar)
• Melbourne Fashion Festival (Mar)
• Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Mar/Apr)
• Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (Apr)
• Melbourne Jazz (Apr/May)
• Melbourne International Film Festival (Jul/Aug)
• Melbourne Writers Festival (Aug)
• Melbourne Fringe Festival (Sep/Oct)
• Melbourne International Arts Festival (Oct)
• Wangaratta Festival of Jazz (Oct/Nov)
• Queenscliff Music Festival (Nov)

Melbourne's countless bars and pubs play host to a wide range of live music gigs, and many famous Australian musicians originate from Melbourne including Kylie Minogue, Nick Cave, Olivia Newton-John - and even Dame Nellie Melba!

All photos from Flickr, licensed under the Creative Commons for commercial work. Credits top (left to right): avlxyz, Me!bourne Mermaid, ccdoh1, Me!bourne Mermaid, Hector Garcia. Credits bottom (left to right): Los Cardinalos, Looking Glass, Paul-in-London, deep_schismic, Mugley