Take a step back in history and browse events presented at previous Festivals.
| Year | Artistic Director | Program |
| 1986 | Gian Carlo Menotti | Program |
| 1987 | Gian Carlo Menotti | Program |
| 1988 | Gian Carlo Menotti | Program |
| 1989 | John Truscott AO | Program |
| 1990 | John Truscott AO | Program |
| 1991 | John Truscott AO | Program |
| 1992 | Richard Wherrett AM | Program |
| 1993 | Richard Wherrett AM | Program |
| 1994 | Leo Schofield AM | Program |
| 1995 | Leo Schofield AM | Program |
| 1996 | Leo Schofield AM | Program |
| 1997 | Clifford Hocking AM | Program |
| 1998 | Sue Nattrass | Program |
| 1999 | Sue Nattrass | Program |
| 2000 | Jonathan Mills AO | Program |
| 2001 | Jonathan Mills AO | Program |
| 2002 | Robyn Archer AO | Program |
| 2003 | Robyn Archer AO | Program |
| 2004 | Robyn Archer AO | Program |
| 2005 | Kristy Edmunds | Program / Program Guide |
| 20 Years of Melbourne Festival | Online Book | |
| 2006 | Kristy Edmunds | Program |
| 2007 | Kristy Edmunds | Program |
| 2008 | Kristy Edmunds | Program Guide |
| 2009 | Brett Sheehy AO | Program Guide |
| 2010 | Breet Sheehy AO | Program Guide |
| 2011 | Breet Sheehy AO | Program Guide |
| 2012 | Breet Sheehy AO | Program Guide |
| 2013 | Josephine Ridge | Program Guide |
| 2014 | Josephine Ridge | Program Guide / Website |
| 2015 | Josephine Ridge | Program Guide / Website |