What’s On in Melbourne: Your Ultimate Guide for September & Beyond

The wintery wilderness is loosening its hold, and Melbourne is already pivoting into its most charismatic season. Spring here doesn’t just arrive — it unfurls, with blooms spilling across gardens, rooftop bars shaking off their hibernation, and the city buzzing with fresh energy.

Alfresco tables at our favourite wine bars fill again, long lunches spill into sunlit afternoons, and night-time events pulse with a lighter, brighter rhythm. It’s a season of renewal, but in true Melbourne style, it’s never saccharine — just sharp, stylish, and full of possibility. Step out, soak it in, and let the city show you how spring is really done.

Here’s everything to see and do this month in Melbourne.

Spring Just Got Boozy: Lychee Desserts and Sgroppinos Await at Askal and Inuman

To toast the arrival of White Possum’s latest drop — a Melbourne indie distillery known for its weird, wild and wonderful small-batch Aussie spirits — Filipino favourite Askal is going all-in on lychee. From 8th September to 5th October, diners can dig into a limited-edition dessert by Culinary Director John Rivera: Kariton Sorbetes’ coconut sorbet with raspberry sherbet and crystallised rose petals, theatrically finished at the table with a pour of White Possum Lychee Liqueur.

Upstairs at Inuman, the bar is shaking up frozé’s cooler cousin — a tart, tropical lychee sgroppino that’s icy, playful and dangerously easy to sip. A spring fling worth clearing the calendar for.

8th September to 5th October

167 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

Tesselaar Tulip Festival

Step into a sea of blooms this spring as the Tesselaar Tulip Festival transforms the Dandenong Ranges into a floral fairytale. From early September through October, more than a million tulips will unfurl across Silvan’s rolling fields, painting the landscape in dazzling swathes of colour.

It’s not just about the blooms — weekends brim with live music, food stalls, and cultural celebrations, from Turkish and Dutch traditions to Jazz & Wine afternoons. Little ones can hunt through fairy gardens and clamber aboard tractor rides, while grown-ups indulge in wine tastings and photo moments among the tulip rows.

Celebrating its 70th year in 2025, this family-run festival is a rite of spring: equal parts nostalgia, nature, and pure joy. Bring a picnic rug, your camera, and an appetite for waffles and poffertjes — this is the closest you’ll get to Holland without leaving Victoria.

13th September to 12th October, 2025

357 Monbulk Road, Silvan 

Ultra Culture x POOL Wines Party

Brunswick’s coolest corner store is throwing the party you actually want to be at. On September 20th, Ultra Culture Kiosk links arms with cult-fave POOL Wines for an afternoon of cheap pours, hot buns, and high vibes. We’re talking $12 glasses of white, orange, and red, $100 cases of their cheeky “Cough Drop” drop, and buns stuffed with ham, tomato, or a mystery wildcard just for the day. No tickets, no fuss — just Brunswick doing what it does best: drinking natty, eating carbs, and looking painfully good while doing it.

Saturday 20th September, 1pm to 6pm

Ultra Culture Kiosk, 3A Talbot Street, Brunswick

The First — And Only — Total Lunar Eclipse of 2025

Set your alarms, sky gazers — a rare Blood Moon is set to light up Australian skies in the early hours of September 8th. This total lunar eclipse will bathe the moon in a fiery red glow for more than an hour, the first visible since 2022, and the only one you’ll catch this year. No telescope needed, just a clear view of the night sky (and maybe a cosy blanket). It’s not every day the universe serves up a cosmic moment like this — catch it at its peak at 3.30am AEST.

An Evening of Champagne & Storytelling at 1 Hotel Melbourne

Pop the corks — 1 Hotel Melbourne has teamed up with Champagne Lallier for an evening that’s equal parts bubbles, storytelling, and culinary brilliance. Effervescence with Intention combines a five-course menu by Executive Chef Julio Martinez with pours from Lallier’s most prestigious cuvées, guided by Dame Chevalier Sara Underdown, one of Australia’s foremost champagne authorities. Expect dishes like Glacier 51 toothfish with miso emulsion alongside Blanc de Noirs, or a duck tartlet lifted by Lallier Rosé.

This is more than dinner — it’s champagne education wrapped in indulgence.

13th September, 7pm

Book here

1 Hotel Melbourne, Docklands

TSITP Watch Party – Hickens Hotel, Melbourne

Because crying over Conrad is better done in company, Hickens Hotel is hosting a fan-fuelled watch party for The Summer I Turned Pretty S3 E09. From 6:15pm, gather with fellow Cousins Beach obsessives for drinks, bites, and the collective gasp when Belly makes yet another impossible choice. Parisian dress code is encouraged (stripes, berets, très chic) — or wear white to rep Belly herself. The night doesn’t end with the credits; stay for post-show chats, theories, and over-analysis.

Purchase tickets here

Wednesday, 3rd September, 6:15pm to 9pm AEST

Hickens Hotel, 127 Russell Street, Melbourne

Road Trip, Alert: Hunt Down Australia’s Best Vanilla Slice

Forget the cruffin — the snot block reigns supreme. Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip has just reclaimed the crown at the Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph, officially serving up the nation’s best custard slab for 2025. Family-run since 1977, this regional Victoria icon now has lines out the door, dishing up thousands of their glossy, flaky slices to sugar pilgrims every week.

Road trip, anyone? Birchip is 3.5 hours from Melbourne — and worth every kilometre.

47 Cumming Avenue, Birchip

Melbourne’s Dreamiest Peanut Butter Pop-Up Lands This September

Peanut butter, but make it whipped. Bega is turning Federation Square into a soft, cloud-like wonderland for one weekend only this month in Melbourne — and yes, everything’s free. Welcome to the Whipped Cloud Cafe, a collab with cult bakery Cobb Lane, where pillowy interiors meet a menu stacked with peanut butter-loaded treats: jammy choux buns, cookie swirls, and sea salt pretzels dripping with whipped PB glory.

Plus, you’ll walk away with a free jar of the new Whipped Peanut Butter (while stocks last).

September 19th to 21st, 8am to 1pm (Friday), 9:30 to 5:30pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Shop the new peanut butter here

Federation Square, Melbourne CBD

The Water in St Kilda Beach Shimmered With Dazzling Bioluminescence Last Night

St Kilda’s shoreline slipped into a dream last night — waves edged in neon blue, as if the sea had been brushed with starlight. For those fortunate enough to be there, the phenomenon was bioluminescence: a fleeting marvel caused by microscopic organisms known as Noctiluca scintillans, or more poetically, sea sparkle. With every ripple, the ocean lit up, a reminder that nature’s most spellbinding shows are often unscripted.

Scientists say the glow comes when conditions align — calm water, warm temperatures, rainfall feeding the bay, and a breeze drawing the organisms to shore. Following Melbourne’s recent rains, the stage was perfectly set.

Where to See the Glow

• St Kilda & Port Melbourne: Accessible and close to the city, these stretches of Port Phillip Bay often shimmer through the warmer months.
• Rye Pier: A winter and early-spring favourite, where still, moonless nights reveal turquoise swirls underfoot.
• Gippsland Lakes: In summer, whole expanses of water can ignite in light, especially after heavy rain.
• Victoria’s Forests: Beyond the coast, the Otways’ damp gullies hide glow worms, while ghost mushrooms cast a gentle green luminescence in autumn.

When to Go

The spectacle is unpredictable — gone as quickly as it arrives. Your best chance is on a calm, dark night after rain, when the bay is undisturbed and the moon is nowhere to compete.

How to Experience It

Join the Bioluminescence Australia Facebook group for live sightings and tips from fellow glow-chasers. If you do head out, step slowly into the shallows and watch the water spark with light at your feet. Bring your camera, but leave the glow untouched — it is beauty to behold, not to hold.

NGV’s Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday

From mushroom leather handbags to seaweed straws, NGV’s Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday proves the future of design is as practical as it is visionary. More than 50 Australian and international innovators are reshaping the way we live — air-purifying paint freshens your walls, clothes grow with your child, and oyster shells are reborn as terrazzo tiles. Part science lab, part style guide, this free exhibition is a lively blueprint for a world where sustainability doesn’t just look chic, it feels inevitable.

Free entry

29th August, 2025 to 1st February, 2026

The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square

Burrata Festival: A Night Dedicated to Italy’s Creamiest Treasure

This October, the South Melbourne Market rooftop will be draped in decadence for the very first Burrata Festival — a night dedicated to Italy’s creamiest treasure. From burrata-laced creations by Melbourne favourites like Cannoleria, LaManna and Farmer’s Daughters, to sweet indulgences from Pistachio Papi and Naturalis Gelato, every corner promises temptation. Sip spritzes from Vino Bambino, explore local artisan stalls, and watch chefs including Alejandro Saravia work their magic in the Smeg Kitchen. With live music, roving entertainers and an Italian Disco DJ, plus indulgent VIP lounges and wine masterclasses, it’s a spring celebration made for cheese lovers.

Thursday 30th October, 5pm to 9pm

322 Coventry Street, South Melbourne

Showroom Bar at The Royce x Perrier Unite with Stefano Filardi for a Paired Degustation Extravaganza

Showroom Bar at The Royce Hotel is transforming a night out into performance art, teaming up with Perrier and cocktail luminary Stefano Filardi of Maybe Sammy fame (yes, one of the World’s 50 Best). On Friday 12th September, Filardi’s martini wizardry takes the stage alongside Executive Chef Pawan Dutta’s five-course triumph — think Moreton Bay bugs in lemongrass velouté and Sher Wagyu grilled to perfection. Paired with cocktails that flirt with theatre (coconut yoghurt tequila, anyone?) and set within a dining room dripping in Art Deco splendour, it’s velvet-draped decadence at its finest. Curtain up — glamour and flair are in full flight this month in Melbourne.

Friday 12th September, 6.30pm

Dinner with paired cocktails $245 per person

Book here

The Royce Hotel, 379 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Hofbräuhaus Throws a Six-Week Beer-Soaked Birthday Bash

Melbourne’s OG German beer hall is back for its 57th Oktoberfest — and if anyone knows how to stretch a party, it’s Hofbräuhaus. From 13th September to 25th October, expect six rollicking weeks of litre steins, golden schnitzels the size of your head, pork knuckles with proper swagger, and Bavarian knödel that put carbs back on the pedestal where they belong.

The soundtrack? Live oompah bands, big singalongs and the odd stein-holding showdown (winner takes a year’s worth of beer — prost to that). Add schnapps rounds, surprise guest acts and 15,000 revellers in Market Lane, and you’ve got yourself a mini Munich in the heart of Chinatown.

Have a birthday in September or October? You’ll be shouted a stein and schnapps on the Haus. Lederhosen optional, but highly recommended.

Saturday 13th September to Saturday 25th October

Hofbräuhaus, 18-28 Market Lane, Melbourne

La Dolce Vita: Melbourne’s Italian Film Month

This spring, Melbourne goes full cinephile with the ST. ALi Italian Film Festival (17th September to 22nd October). From Paolo Sorrentino’s Oscar-winning La Grazia to Ferzan Özpetek’s glittering Diamonds, the lineup serves drama, comedy, and glamour in generous helpings. Watch lost Fellini scripts come alive in Napoli–New York, or scream with delight at Dario Argento’s restored Deep Red.

Contemporary tales, giallo classics, and heart-tugging stories await — a cinematic stroll through Italy’s finest, all without leaving the city. Grab tickets, and let Melbourne screen la dolce vita this month.

See the full program here

17th September to 22nd October

Candlelight: The Wizard of Oz Lights Up Melbourne

This October, Melbourne is swapping ruby slippers for candlelight. For two nights only, the Sea Life Aquarium will glow with thousands of flickering candles as Eclective Strings reimagines The Wizard of Oz soundtrack in a spellbinding classical concert. From “Over the Rainbow” to “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” each note is cast in a golden, intimate atmosphere where cinema meets symphony. Add the aquarium’s dreamy surrounds, and you’ve got a one-way ticket to Oz — no tornado required.

October 20th to 21st, 6:45pm

Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium

Ngarrak Nakorang Wilam Park: Melbourne’s New Urban Sanctuary is Coming in 2026

Rising from the footprint of the former Healesville Freeway Reserve, Ngarrak Nakorang Wilam Park is set to become Melbourne’s newest urban sanctuary. Spanning 35 hectares in the city’s east, it’s being designed for connection — to nature, culture, and community. A 3.5-kilometre walking and cycling trail will link play spaces, picnic areas, shelters, and thoughtfully planted greenery that supports native wildlife, from kookaburras to Gang Gang Cockatoos. The park’s story is inseparable from the Wurundjeri people, with interpretive signage and cultural insights woven throughout.

Construction began in mid-2025, with completion expected mid-2026, creating a space for reflection, recreation, and a quiet city escape.

Set to open mid-2026

Vermont, Melbourne

Victoria’s Secret Gardens Are Blooming — Here’s Your Spring Escape

Spring is calling, and Open Gardens Victoria is swinging the gates open to some of the state’s most breathtaking, off-the-radar gardens — but only for a single weekend each. From lush designer landscapes to wild native wonderlands, this year’s lineup is a choose-your-own-adventure across Victoria, celebrating the organisation’s 10th anniversary with returning favourites from the early days.

Highlights include:

• Telopea, Emerald (Sep 20th to 21st) — ten acres of drama, native blooms, a two-acre cactus garden, and sweeping hilltop views.
• Red Gums, Bellarine Peninsula (Oct 25th to 26th) — sculptural rocks, 150+ species, and talks with landscaping legend Sam Cox.
• Farm Raiser & Bellfield Community Garden, Banyule (Oct 25th to 26th) — veggie patches, compost workshops, pizza ovens, and good vibes.
• Blackwood Ridge, Macedon Ranges (Nov 1st to 2nd) — Japanese-inspired ponds, garden rooms, and high-impact seasonal colour.
• Ridgefield, Yarra Valley (Nov 8th to 9th) — 500 rose varieties and an on-site boutique perfumery.
• Bentwood, Yarra Valley (Nov 8th to 9th) — vintage sculptures, panoramic Kinglake views, and flower paddocks.
• Little Steading, Flinders (Nov 15th to 16th) — coastal bush meets wildflower meadows and dreamy pool gardens.
• Gherang Gardenalia, Surf Coast Hinterland (Nov 29th to 30th) — collector’s garden, native heroes, CWA scones, and a pop-up gallery.

Why go? For the plant sales, garden talks, coffee vans, zero screens, complete spring reset, and ridiculously photogenic moments at every turn. Your entry fee even supports community grants and mental health initiatives. Spring is waiting. You can go ahead and plan your garden-hopping weekends, now.

Pacific Flavours, Market Fresh: The Kana Club Hits Queen Vic

This September, Queen Victoria Market transforms into a Pacific playground. TV chef Arrnott Olssen’s acclaimed pop-up, The Kana Club, takes over Brick Lane Market for three nights of spicy sliders, coconut-laced curries, and Qalu — the Fijian caramel you never knew you needed. Pair a signature cocktail on arrival with a four-course, market-to-table feast, then linger for a live panel where traders spill the secrets behind their freshest produce.

The only downside? There are limited seats available! Melbourne’s taste buds, consider yourselves warned.

$89 per person

Book here

Thursday 18th, Friday 19th and Saturday 20th September

5.30pm arrival, for a 6pm start (finishes 10pm)

Brick Lane Market, 466 Queen Street, Melbourne

SANCTUM: Melbourne’s New Members’ Club for Sport, Culture and Connection

This spring, Melbourne welcomes SANCTUM, a members-only club connecting the city’s tastemakers, culture-chasers, and sport enthusiasts in one elevated space. Positioned on the CBD’s fringe and just moments from Melbourne’s iconic sporting and entertainment precincts, SANCTUM offers curated experiences that go beyond velvet ropes — from behind-the-scenes access at major events to intimate dining with cultural icons.

The HQ interiors, designed in collaboration with Cox Architects, balance restraint, warmth, and adaptability. Natural stone, hand-finished timbers, soft suedes, and bespoke Australian-made furniture create a space that moves seamlessly from day to night, work to play. It caters to moments both private and social: a quiet lounge for focused work, a curated performance at sunset, or an impromptu gathering at the bar.

SANCTUM members are able to access a range of premium perks, including:

• Priority access at Lucas Restaurants
• Wellness benefits through Fitness First
• Concierge services via Cavalo Prestige Cars
• Exclusive ticketing and green-room experiences at major sporting and cultural events
• VIP invitations to private dining and immersive cultural moments
• Travel perks, preferred hotel rates, and lifestyle concierge services

With a capped, diverse membership and a calendar of immersive experiences, the club delivers insider access, considered design, and a like-minded community. It’s where Melbourne’s heartbeat is felt, shared, and elevated — a place to belong, explore, and experience the city anew.

Find out more here

Entertainment’s Wine Dinner Series Returns

Melbourne’s skyline sets the stage as The Entertainment Group uncorks the reimagined Wine Dinner series at Taxi Kitchen. On Wednesday, 17th September, guests will indulge in four exquisitely crafted courses by Executive Chef Tony Twitchett, each paired with six premium wines from Howard Vineyard. Above the Yarra, diners can soak in sweeping city vistas while savouring joyful vibes, impeccable service, and flavours that linger in memory. More than a meal, this is a celebration of community, connection, and Melbourne’s celebrated hospitality.

Wednesday 17th September, 6:30pm to 9:30pm

Book tickets here

Taxi Kitchen, Federation Square, Melbourne  

A Retrospective: Terry Ffytffe from Preston to London

Step into four decades of figurative expressionism, faith, and the human condition with Preston-born Terry Ffytffe’s rare Melbourne exhibition at Gallery Unbound. From 17th September to 5th October, explore works spanning luminous portraits, allegorical explorations, and confronting social commentary, including the monumental Warehouse A (1996) — an eight-foot oil canvas reflecting on war, dehumanisation, and the fragility of humanity.

Though painted in the 1990s, Ffytffe’s work resonates profoundly today, reminding us of the human cost behind contemporary global conflicts. Spanning his career, the exhibition juxtaposes haunting social critique with cosmic musings on creation and light, offering a journey through both darkness and hope.

Opening Night: Friday, 19th September, 6pm to 8pm — all welcome, free entry, drinks available

Gallery Unbound, 497 High Street, Northcote

Spotted: Melbourne Zoo Welcomes Its First Giraffe Calf in Nearly 20 Years

Melbourne Zoo is celebrating a sky-high arrival — the first giraffe calf born there in almost 20 years. Delivered to first-time mum Nakuru, the gangly, wide-eyed newborn is already nearly two metres tall and took her first wobbly steps just minutes after birth. The drop-birth went smoothly, with keepers monitoring every moment from afar, and Nakuru has taken to motherhood with grace.

While the duo enjoy some quiet bonding time, lucky visitors may soon spot them on the zoo’s main trail. More than just adorable, this calf is a vital addition to the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe population — and a reminder of nature’s everyday magic.

NOSTRA Brings Handmade Pasta and Big Sunday Feels to Northcote

After a string of sold-out pop-ups across Melbourne (and a little Kyneton detour), NOSTRA is setting up shop at Onlys in Northcote for an eight-week residency starting on August 22nd. Expect hand-rolled pasta, fire-licked vegetables, and slow-cooked everything from chef Dane Hewson (ex-Embla, Etta), with Lydia Greenwood curating the vibe. Alongside their regular dinner service (Thursdays to Sundays), Thursdays bring $25 pastas and $10 martinis while Sundays turn into Nostra Famiglia — a spirited long lunch with guest chefs from Love Shack, Embla, Leonardo’s and more.

It’s all about food, connection and feeling like you’ve walked into a friend’s party — one where the playlist’s good and someone’s always pouring another glass.

August 22nd to October 13th

Onlys, 58A Victoria Road, Northcote

Jackalope’s Luxe Winter Day Pass Is the Peninsula’s Best-Kept Secret

Jackalope’s Winter Day Access Pass is here to turn your off-season into peak indulgence. Set on a private vineyard in Merricks North, this lush day package ($100 for two) includes access to the 30-metre heated infinity pool, outdoor spa, and infrared sauna, plus robes and tea on arrival. Make it a luxe midweek reset or vineyard day-date, then warm up by the fire at Flaggerdoot or linger over lunch at Rare Hare.

Sundays to Thursdays ‘til 30th September

166 Balnarring Road, Merricks North

Birrarung Riverfest Returns with 23 Days of Art, Culture & Nature

Spring unfurls along the Yarra as Birrarung Riverfest returns, transforming the river’s edge into a living stage of art, culture, and eco-conscious adventure. Now in its third year, the festival flows through 60+ events, from Wurundjeri-led bushfood walks and artful sensory strolls at sunrise, to gig nights, sunset paddles, and planting days for endangered species.

Closing on World Rivers Day with a flotilla at Federation Square, it’s a celebration of place, community, and the river’s enduring spirit. Fall in love with Birrarung all over again this spring, and to help protect her for generations to come.

Saturday 6th September to Sunday 28th September

Unlock Your Creative Spirit This Winter with NGV Art School

This winter, NGV Art School beckons the curious, the passionate, and the creatively restless to dive deep into a world where art transcends the canvas. From the hypnotic elegance of Japanese kimono craft to the vibrant pulse of First Peoples’ art, each course is a masterclass in seeing — and feeling — the world anew.

Whether you crave the tactile joy of in-person discovery or the flexible allure of online learning, NGV’s educators and curators invite you to journey through colour, design, storytelling, and history with fresh eyes and open hearts.

For more information on classes and enrolment, visit here

Embrace Solo Luxury This Winter at voco Melbourne Central

This winter, rediscover the art of self-indulgence with voco Melbourne Central’s exquisite solo staycation packages: Reset NOMO and Escape NOMO (Night On My Own). Tailored for the discerning solo traveller, these experiences marry serene comfort with curated cultural adventures. Reset NOMO offers a sublime two-hour massage and facial at Spa Bar Melbourne, while Escape NOMO presents a bespoke itinerary of Melbourne’s finest shows and exhibitions. Both packages include breakfast in bed, a welcoming bottle of Dal Zotto Prosecco, a luxe self-care kit, and a late checkout, allowing you to savour every moment of this elegant urban retreat.

Packages start from $380

Available now through December 2025

18 Timothy Lane, Melbourne

A New Cultural Landmark Now Open in the Grampians

After fourteen years of anticipation, the WAMA Foundation has officially opened its doors, becoming one of regional Victoria’s most extraordinary cultural destinations. Just outside Halls Gap, this 16-hectare site hosts Australia’s first National Centre for Environmental Art, currently showcasing End & Being by Jacobus Capone — a powerful meditation on climate, memory, and transformation.

With curated talks, DJ sets, workshops, local wines, and the thriving Gariwerd Botanic Garden featuring over 500 native plants, WAMA offers an immersive blend of art, nature, and community. Food trucks and a cosy cafe round out the experience, making it an essential winter escape for culture lovers and nature seekers alike.

Adults $18

Saturday, 11am to 6pm, Sunday and Monday, 10am to 5pm

4000 Ararat-Halls Gap Road, Halls Gap, Victoria

Glow On the Go: HYDE Melbourne Adds Cult LED Masks to the In-Room Lineup

Self-care just got a glow-up at Melbourne’s most creative new stay. HYDE Melbourne Place is now offering Sonna’s cult-status LED face masks — available straight from your in-room compendium. With six high-tech settings (think Rejuvenate, Anti-Ageing, and Morning Mode), this luxe treatment is perfect for winding down or getting ready to go out.

Designed by Kennedy Nolan and stocked with Leif and Aesop, HYDE is all about sleek vibes — and Sonna fits right in. Wellness, but make it effortlessly chic this winter.

130 Russell Street, Melbourne 

Book your stay here

French Impressionism at NGV

Claude Monet, Renoir, Degas and their Impressionist pals are back at NGV International — this time with a vengeance. After the 2021 lockdown robbed us of the show, French Impressionism from Boston returns, brighter and bolder, with over 100 masterpieces capturing the magic of light, colour, and life’s fleeting moments. Wander through Parisian streets, lush forests, and Normandy’s coast — all while soaking in 18 Monet canvases spanning three decades. It’s a dreamy, brush-stroked escape that’s pure visual poetry and the perfect winter muse.

Until 5th October

180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

VIVA Melbourne

Round up your crew and dive headfirst into VIVA, Melbourne’s sultry new cabaret that’s cranking up winter’s heat. Set in North Melbourne, this dazzling spectacle fuses burlesque, acrobatics, and live tunes into one unapologetically bold night of glamour and grit. With fresh shows like VOGUE — where high fashion struts with high-octane flair — and VICIOUS, a hypnotic late-night thrill ride, expect jaw-dropping costumes, cheeky moves, and an electric vibe.

Perfect for birthdays or a spicy escape, VIVA is your ticket to fearless fun and fierce femininity unleashed.

Secure tickets here

64 Sutton Street, North Melbourne

Prison Island Brings Escape Room Excitement to Melbourne

Melbourne’s newest thrill is about to drop — Prison Island lands on the first Thursday of June, ready to turbocharge your social life. This isn’t your average escape room; it’s a high-stakes blend of brain-busting puzzles, physical challenges, and sneaky strategy wrapped up in a gritty prison vibe.

Whether you’re a seasoned escape artist or just craving a wildly different night out, Prison Island serves up adrenaline, laughs, and serious bragging rights. Winter chills? Forget ’em — the heat is all inside this epic escape game.

The District Docklands, Level 1/22 Star Crescent, Docklands

Kimono at the NGV

Kimono is another exhibition at the NGV set to wow Melburnians this June, offering a breathtaking deep dive into the rich history, craftsmanship, and enduring cultural significance of Japan’s most iconic garment. From the ornate designs of the Edo period to bold contemporary interpretations by designers like Hiroko Takahashi and Jotaro Saito, Kimono showcases the garment’s evolution over centuries. Highlights include Saito’s Dark Romantic collection, which premieres in Australia and features hand-painted pieces created using the traditional yuzen dyeing technique.

Alongside the garments, the exhibition will also display over 150 related works — think woodblock prints, paintings, and decorative arts — creating a rich, immersive experience that tells the full story of the kimono’s global influence.

180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Try Croissanteria’s Lobster Croissant Roll

This flakey pastry haven has just upped the ante and extended the good times into the evening with the launch of Croissanteria By Night. Once the coffee rush is over and the city descends into dusk, you can expect a change of pace with mood lighting, European small plates and yummy cocktails. There’s even a decadent lobster roll croissant on the menu. Wash it down with a rhubarb fizz, peach & tea Bellini or Grey Goose elderflower mist. Sounds like there’s no place we’d rather be!

Crown Melbourne

Try This Dubai Chocolate Thickshake

The Dubai chocolate craze is making its way through Australia and the latest dessert to be given a pistachio makeover is Ribs & Burgers’ thickshake. Top off your meal with this decadent dessert or swing by for an afternoon pick-me-up.

What can you expect? Lashings of pistachio paste and chocolate sauce topped with generous sprinklings of pistachio crush and crispy kataifi pastry. It’s here for a good time, not a long time so be sure to pop it on your must-eat list.

Locations across Melbourne, find your closest here

YTB Launches Reimagined Afternoon High Tea

The iconic YTB (Yugen Tea Bar) has a brand new afternoon high tea, available to enjoy every weekend. YTB’s reimagined take on the classic afternoon high tea offers a curated menu that balances savoury and sweet morsels, providing delight with every bite. Highlights that grace the tier include a carrot tart, Kung Pao Chicken and ramen egg sandwiches, buckwheat teriyaki, and Hokkaido tart. We’ll be booking into this one, stat.

Saturdays and Sundays, 12pm to 2:30pm

$130 per person

605 Chapel Street, South Yarra

Regional Farmers Monthly Market at Abbotsford Convent 

The Abbotsford Convent has got a new monthly farmers market, with more than 45 stalls of organic fruit and vegetables, locally sourced dairy, homemade desserts and more on offer. Embrace the spring sunshine and stroll through the bustling stalls, with highlights include Spring Creek Organics, Heathmont Honey, the fresh kefir and vintage cheddar at Blue Bay Cheese, and the delightful desserts at Pudding Nana. Bread and butter pudding, anyone? 

$2 entry

8:00am to 2:00pm

Second Saturday of every month

What’s On in Melbourne This Month: Regional Adventures

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Nomads of the Night Sky: Stargazing in East Gippsland

Leave the city lights behind for Nomads of the Night Sky, a stargazing campout like no other in remote East Gippsland. Held at Noorinbee Hall and Recreation Reserve near Cann River, this immersive overnight experience includes expert-guided stargazing with equipment supplied, a three-course spit roast dinner (featuring wild venison), nocturnal wildlife walks, and breakfast. Bring your tent, your curiosity, and maybe a four-legged friend — this pet-friendly site includes hot showers and toilets. A relaxed, back-to-nature weekend under the stars awaits.

Book here, from $169

Saturday 20th to Sunday 21st September

Djaara Lights in Bendigo

Step into the story of the land at Djaara Lights, a mesmerising fusion of art, culture, and technology illuminating Bendigo’s Oscars Walk and Bath Lane Precinct. Through stunning Dja Dja Wurrung artwork and augmented reality, experience the six seasons of Djandak as told by the Traditional Owners. It’s immersive, moving, and a must-see this month.

Daily, 7pm to 11pm

Until March 2027

Bendigo, Victoria

Looking for more fun things to do in Melbourne this spring? We have plenty to keep you entertained. From Melbourne’s best new restaurants and bars to friendly pubs, cafes and late-night cocktail haunts, here’s all you need for an epic weekend in the city.