December's looking absolutely packed with live music, community events and good vibes as local artists and touring acts take the stage at The Merri Bar throughout the month.
From intimate acoustic sets on Sunday afternoons to the highly anticipated Merri Fest ’25 mini music festival on 21 December, there’s something happening nearly every night to keep the summer energy flowing.
The Preston venue’s regular programming continues strong with Tuesday trivia nights running right through until 16 December, giving teams one last chance to claim bragging rights before the holiday break. Thursday open mic sessions provide the perfect platform for emerging artists and anyone brave enough to test new material on a supportive crowd. Weekend programming splits between Saturday evening performances and Sunday afternoon sessions, creating distinct vibes for different crowds.
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviewsย here.
Trivia Night
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- Every Tuesday at 7.30pm
- Last one for 2025 on 16 December
- Kicks off again on 6 January
Test your knowledge every Tuesday night with hosted trivia starting at 7.30pm. Teams battle it out across multiple rounds covering everything from pop culture to obscure historical facts, with prizes up for grabs and plenty of banter between questions. The final trivia session for the year happens on 16 December, so gather your smartest mates and make the most of these last few weeks before the summer break.
Open Mic Night
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11 December from 7pm
Thursday’s open mic night on 11 December opens the floor to singers, songwriters, comedians and spoken word artists looking to share their craft. Starting at 7pm, performers get their moment in the spotlight with a supportive crowd that appreciates everything from polished sets to works in progress. Whether you’re planning to perform or just want to discover new talent, these sessions consistently deliver surprises.
Front Porch
6 December at 7pm
Melbourne’s bluegrass champions Front Porch kick off the weekend on 6 December with their distinctive blend of Americana styles that’ll transport you straight to a front porch somewhere deep in the American South. The quintet keeps that traditional bluegrass sound at their core while weaving in western swing, Dixieland jazz, ragtime and folk influences to create something fresh and entirely their own. Their sets celebrate acts like Bob Wills and Bill Monroe while making the music feel urgent and alive, proving that bluegrass isn’t stuck in the past but thriving in Preston.
Mark Easton
7 December at 4pm
Sunday afternoon gets seriously interesting when Mark Easton takes the stage at 4pm, bringing his wildly inventive take on blues music that incorporates Mongolian throat singing, Kazakh dombra, Middle Eastern percussion and more. The multi-instrumentalist from Queensland doesn’t just replicate the blues โ he reinvents it completely, blending guitar, harmonica, morin khuur and jaw harp into performances that’ve earned him comparisons to genre-defying innovators. With his 2023 album Dark Blue hitting number four on the blues airplay charts and his track Kazakhstan becoming a streaming hit in Central Asia, Easton’s global approach to roots music makes for an afternoon unlike any other.
Luke Koszanski & Huich Goh
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13 December at 7pm
Two of Melbourne’s most versatile musicians join forces on 13 December for an evening of original compositions inspired by flamenco, Irish, Scottish and world folk traditions. Guitarist Luke Koszanski brings his experience from The Senegambian Jazz Band, Ausecuma Beats and various flamenco projects, known for his ability to seamlessly shift from Congolese melodies to rock. Singapore-Australian violinist Huich Goh adds her experimental edge, drawing from gypsy jazz, Carnatic classical, Brazilian forrรณ and krautrock to create improvisations that feel both ancient and entirely new. Their duo work combines expressive, inventive playing with a sensitivity that makes guitar and violin truly sing to one another.
Dom La Ferlita
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14 December at 4pm
Melbourne pianist and singer-songwriter Dom La Ferlita brings his heartfelt storytelling to Sunday afternoon on 14 December, channeling influences from Billy Joel and Elton John into original compositions that balance technical skill with genuine emotional depth. Despite starting piano studies later than most professional musicians, La Ferlita has developed a sophisticated style that earned him recognition in Melbourne’s acoustic scene. His performances blend dynamic melodies with vulnerable lyricism, creating intimate moments that draw audiences in whether he’s working through reflective ballads or more upbeat piano-driven numbers.
Tim Woodz
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20 December at 7pm
Folk storyteller Tim Woodz wraps up the regular programming on 20 December with his quirky narratives and jazz-trained guitar approach that’s earned him a devoted following across Australia’s folk circuit. The Churchill-raised songwriter won the Maldon Minstrel award and has toured with icon Tex Perkins, building a reputation for spontaneous, warm performances about subjects you wouldn’t expect โ from possums on powerlines to backyard cricket. His songwriting captures daily life with humor and insight, delivered with a slightly gravelly voice and energetic presence that brings laughter, love and remarkably well-crafted sing-along songs to every show.
Merri Fest ’25
- 21 December, throughout the day
- Lineup: Ebi Nori, Oscar LaDell, Lalu, Rhys Thompson, DJ Antixx
The annual end-of-year celebration returns bigger than ever with Merri Fest ’25 on 21 December. This mini music festival transforms The Merri Bar into a multi-stage celebration of local talent, with performances running throughout the day and well into the night. Watch this space – we’ll have more on Merri Fest soon!
Head to www.themerribar.com or follow them on IG for more info.
This article was made in partnership with The Merri Bar.ย
