Disney’s The Lion King is heading back to Melbourne! If your kids have been begging to see Simba, Timon and Pumbaa live on stage, this show is the one to book.
Performances kick off at the Regent Theatre from Thursday 25 March 2027 — the first time the show has played Melbourne since 2015.
Here’s everything you need to know about dates, tickets, age suitability and what to expect if you’re planning a family night at the theatre.
When and Where Is The Lion King Playing in Melbourne?
The Lion King opens at the Regent Theatre on Collins Street on Thursday 25 March 2027. The Regent sits right in the CBD, so it’s an easy one to pair with dinner beforehand or a wander through the city if you’re making a day of it.
This is the show’s third Australian tour. It’s currently playing to sold-out houses at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, and heads to Brisbane’s QPAC before landing in Melbourne.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets go on sale from 9am Thursday 15 October 2026 via thelionkingmusical.com.au. If you want a shot at good seats before the general rush, you can join the waitlist on the same site to be notified first.
Ticket Prices
Prices start from $60 and vary by seat, date and time. For the Sydney season, Disney covered the booking fees, so the price on the ticket is the price you pay — no surprise add-ons at checkout. Midweek evening shows outside school holidays tend to be the best value if you’re flexible on dates.
Group and School Bookings
Families booking as part of a group of 10 or more can save up to $30 a ticket. School groups get a discounted rate too, with one free teacher ticket for every 20 student tickets. Both are booked through Ticketmaster’s group sales team rather than the standard booking page.
Is The Lion King Suitable for Young Kids?
The show is recommended for ages 6 and up. It’s a full-length production that goes for 2.5 hours, and the official guidance notes theatrical smoke, fog effects, strobe lighting and some violence. We recommend having a quick chat with younger or more sensitive kids about what to expect before the curtain goes up.
Babies under 2 can come along free, without needing their own seat, if you grab a complimentary ‘babes in arms’ ticket on the day.
How Long Is the Show?
The full performance runs for approximately 2.5 hours, including a 20-minute interval. That’s a decent stretch for little ones, so factor in a pre-show meal and a toilet stop before you find your seats. There’s a strict lockout for latecomers once the show begins, though you’ll be seated once there’s a natural break.
Who’s in the Cast
Buyi Zama returns as Rafiki, a role she’s now played across three Australian tours. She’s joined by Nick Afoa as Mufasa, Daniel Frederiksen as Scar, Aphiwe Nyezi as Simba, Emily Nkomo as Nala, Jamie McGregor as Timon and Rutene Spooner as Pumbaa, alongside a large ensemble cast.
Why It’s Worth the Hype
The Lion King isn’t new to Australia, but it’s not a show many current parents will have caught here since 2015. Globally, it’s been seen by more than 127 million people and picked up six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It’s also currently the fastest-selling production in the history of Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.
If your family loved the animated film or the 2019 remake, the stage version leans on the same Elton John and Tim Rice songs, with extra choral and orchestral layers that don’t come through on screen.
Planning Your Trip to the Regent Theatre
The Regent Theatre is a heritage building right in the heart of the city, which makes it easy to build a full family day out around a performance. If you’re staying in town or driving in for the day, it’s worth planning transport and parking ahead of a 2.5-hour show with a young audience.
Book at the nearby Wilson Parking carparks (Flinders Gate or T&G Building) with the discount code MARRINER for a small discount.
For more ideas on what else to see and do nearby, check out our guide to the parks and playgrounds in Melbourne CBD for somewhere to burn off energy before curtain call, plus the best CBD cafes with kids or best family-friendly CBD restaurants for a pre- or post-show meal.
Join the Waitlist Now, Tickets On Sale 15 October 2026
Tickets aren’t on sale until Thursday 15 October, but joining the waitlist now is the easiest way to get first access. Given how quickly the Sydney season sold out, popular Melbourne dates (particularly school holiday performances) are likely to sell quickly.
We’ll be updating this guide once tickets are live and again after opening night, so check back closer to March 2027 for a full family review.
