Melbourne

• Australian Open · Jan 15 – Jan 28 · sport

  Grand-slam tennis in the summer heat - bars overflow, Federation Square the city's loudest patch at night.

• Australia Day · Jan 22-28 · holiday

  BBQs, river concerts and a contested public holiday - much of the centre closed.

• Chinese New Year · Feb 12 – Feb 25 · festival

  The spring festival - lion dances, red lanterns and family reunions; the calendar’s biggest celebration and busiest travel week.

• Holi · Feb 26-Mar 4 · festival

  The festival of colours - a riotous, joyful spring rite of coloured powder, water and street celebration.

• Moomba Festival · Mar 5-11 · festival

  Long-weekend river festival - fireworks, water-skiing on the Yarra, and a parade through the CBD.

• Melbourne Food and Wine Festival · Mar 19 – Apr 1 · festival

  Two weeks of laneway pop-ups and regional masterclasses - a city that already worships food doubling down.

• Easter · Mar 26 – Mar 8 · religious

  Holy Week into Easter - processions and quiet reflection give way to a celebratory weekend.

• Melbourne International Comedy Festival · Apr 2 – Apr 22 · festival

  Three weeks of stand-up across the city - pubs and tiny theatres running shows every night.

• ANZAC Day · Apr 23-29 · holiday

  Dawn service at the Shrine, then the AFL ANZAC clash at the MCG - a uniquely Melbourne combination.

• Vesak · May 28-Jun 3 · religious

  Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing marked in one day - temple visits, lantern-lit processions and acts of merit.

• AFL Grand Final · Sep 24-30 · sport

  The city's biggest sporting day - the MCG sold out, pubs heaving, a public holiday on the Friday.

• Melbourne Cup · Oct 29-Nov 4 · sport

  Australia's biggest horse-racing day - hat-and-suit crowds, restaurants booked out for a week.

• Diwali · Nov 5-11 · festival

  The festival of lights - rows of diyas, fireworks and sweets; the brightest, most celebratory week of the Hindu year.

• Christmas school holidays · Dec 17 – Dec 31 · school break

  Summer break for the school system - domestic crowds, beaches at Mornington and Sorrento at capacity.

• Boxing Day Test · Dec 24-31 · sport

  Boxing Day Test cricket at the MCG - an Australian summer tradition even non-fans drift into.

a reason to go mixed worth knowing about