22nd September 2008 - 27th September 2008
2008 Toyota AFL Grand Final Week & Parade

Catch footy fever during Toyota AFL Grand Final Week at Federation Square. Free daily activities include player appearances and footy panels. Friday, 26 September, the city hosts the 2008 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade, starting at 12.15 pm outside the Arts Centre and travelling along Swanston and Collins Streets before finishing at the Old Treasury Building. Saturday September 27, watch the 2008 Toyota AFL Grand Final live on the big screen at Federation Square and after the siren, see the presentation of the winning team on stage. For more information please 03 9643 1999.

4th October 2008
2008 Great Melbourne Pursuit

From the team that brought you the Melbourne Amazing Race, Uplift Events is proud to present their 3rd public Great Melbourne Pursuit. Combining elements from the Amazing Race and orienteering into one exciting urban adventure, teams of 2 will race against the clock around Melbourne and the inner suburbs visiting famous landmarks and locations while completing a variety of fun and exciting activities. There will also be thousands of dollars worth of prizes up for grabs from some of our prize sponsors GAP Adventures, Pole Divas and Rap Jumping. If you love the outdoors, competing and enjoy keeping fit then this is the ideal event as competitors from all ages and fitness levels can enter in this fun filled day. Just gather your partner, a friend, a family member or a work colleague and form a team of 2. You will also be competing for a great cause as the event will be raising funds to proudly support the Royal Children's Hospital. Participation costs $60 per person or $120 a team. For further information check www.upliftevents.com.au or to make a booking please call 0425 887 383.

9th October 2008 to 26th October 2008
Melbourne International Arts Festival

Melbourne International Arts Festival is one of Australia's leading international arts festivals and has an outstanding reputation for presenting unique international and Australian events in the fields of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia, free and outdoor events over 17 days each October. Kristy Edmunds’ third Melbourne International Arts Festival program will deliver an astonishing collection of work by some of the world’s finest contemporary artists. The 2007 Festival Program will be launched on July 17 and includes the likes of performance artist Laurie Anderson, legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham, renowned performer Daniel Kitson, the infamous Barrie Kosky and acclaimed director Peter Brook. Tickets on sale July 18. Visit www.melbournefestival.com.au to sign up to receive a program guide in the mail.
For bookings, call Ticketmaster on 136100.

17th October 2008 to 19th October 2008
2008 Around the Bay Bike Ride

Around the Bay in a Day is Australia's premier mass participation bike ride. Presented by Bicycle Australia. This bike ride is leading into it’s sixteenth year, the event is experiencing significant growth, with over 14,000 riders participating in 2007. With a final figure yet to be finialised, it is anticipated that these riders will raise a record tally for the official charity partner, The Smith Family. The event offers a choice of four ride distances: 50km, 100km, 210km and 250km. With the exception of the 100km ride, which starts in Sorrento, all rides start and finish at the same location – Alexandra Gardens in the heart of the city of Melbourne. If you would like to participate in this event or require any further information please call 03 8636 8888 or simply checkout www.aroundthebay.comm

1st October 2008 to 16th November 2008
Spring Racing Carnival

Whether for you it's the horses; the jockeys and trainers; the fashion, colour and glamour, or just a great day out, this year's Melbourne Cup Carnival will be bigger and better than ever before. Enjoy the best of racing, here in Melbourne, Australia, over 50 glorious spring days. For further information on events, costs, dates and venues, please view the Racing Victoria website.

1st November 2008 to 8th November 2008
The Melbourne Cup Carnival

Melbourne Cup Carnival is an unparalleled celebration of racing, style and glamour. For one week in Spring, Flemington becomes the focus of the nation’s corporate, social, and equine activity. With the best thoroughbreds from Australia and around the world and the amazing display of racing fashion, it’s a celebration not to be missed and never to be forgotten.Dome.

AAMI Victorian Derby Day
1st November 2008

AAMI Victoria Derby Day lifts the curtain on the Victoria Racing Club's world-renowned Melbourne Cup Carnival. Traditionally a day for racing purists, Derby Day is considered one of the most prestigious single days of racing in Australasia, featuring a card of nine Group races including five at Group 1 level. For the first time in 2007, the Melbourne Cup Carnival will be a fully ticketed event. This means you must pre-purchase your general admission ticket BEFORE you get to Flemington. If you have pre-booked ticketing to a marquee, reserved Grandstand seat, dining area or restaurant, your admission to the racecourse will be included in your package. However, if you are planning to attend in a general admission area of the racecourse, you must pre-purchase your entrance ticket through TICKETMASTER.

Emirates Melbourne Cup
4th November 2008

Heralded as the race that stops the nation, the Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup is run on the first Tuesday in November each year. This spectacular event is the centrepiece of the Melbourne Cup Carnival showcasing Australia’s finest racing, fashion and entertainment. For the first time in 2007, the Melbourne Cup Carnival will be a fully ticketed event. This means you must pre-purchase your general admission ticket BEFORE you get to Flemington. If you have pre-booked ticketing to a marquee, reserved Grandstand seat, dining area or restaurant, your admission to the racecourse will be included in your package. However, if you are planning to attend in a general admission area of the racecourse, you must pre-purchase your entrance ticket through TICKETMASTER.