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Subscribe What’s On This Weekend in Melbourne: Our Melbourne Editor’s Top Picks
Looking for things to do in Melbourne this long weekend? I've got you covered.
There’s something magical about a weekend in Melbourne — the city hums with possibility, lit by neon, warmed by good food, and buzzing with creativity. Whether you’re staying close to home or chasing something new across town, the weekend is your chance to romanticise your days to the fullest.
From cosy pop-ups and brilliant theatre performances, sumptuous exhibitions, and family-friendly fun, the city is bursting with ways to spend your time well.
So throw on a coat, grab a coffee, and let’s dive into what’s on this weekend in Melbourne.
EMBRACE WINTER’S CHILL: Lightscape
Lightscape Melbourne has returned to the Royal Botanic Gardens, transforming the dreary winter nights into a glowing wonderland of immersive light art. Perfect for families to wander through magical installations or couples seeking a dreamy date night under radiant canopies, Lightscape is a joyous celebration of winter’s charm in the city. Running from June 20th to August 10th, it’s a seasonal highlight that never fails to enchant — a blissful way to embrace Melbourne’s crisp evenings.
Sitchu Tip: Travelling from afar or in need of a luxe staycation? Snap up the Crowne Plaza Winter Light Up package. It includes two tickets to Lightscape during your stay, along with exclusive Crowne Plaza Melbourne beanies and a blanket to keep you cosy. After wandering through the dazzling trail of light displays and soundscapes, unwind in comfort in a plush King Bed overlooking the city skyline, South Wharf or the hotel pool. The next morning, enjoy a steamy cup of coffee from your in-room pod machine and a hearty buffet breakfast at Ottie’s — everything you need for a truly unforgettable night (and morning) in Melbourne’s magical winter glow.
Friday, June 20th to Sunday, August 10th
Royal Botanic Gardens
French Impressionism at NGV International
Lose yourself in the luminous world of French Impressionism at NGV International. From June to October, over 100 breathtaking masterpieces from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, illuminate the gallery, featuring Monet’s dreamy water lilies, Renoir’s vibrant dance scenes, and Degas’s intimate ballerinas. Wander through a rich tapestry of light, colour, and emotion, where nostalgia and innovation intertwine. It’s a sensory journey into the heart of 19th-century Paris — perfect for a weekend escape that stirs the soul and sharpens your artistic eye.
From Friday, 6th June
NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
RISING GETS PLAYFUL: Swingers Turns Mini Golf into Art
Flinders Street Station has transformed into a rebellious playground with Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf. Running from 4th June to 31st August, it’s one of RISING 2025’s standout experiences, sticking around a little longer. This playable exhibition features nine imaginative holes crafted by trailblazing female artists, including Miranda July, Kaylene Whiskey, and Saeborg. Blending quirky sculpture, cultural storytelling, and subversive history, it invites you to challenge the rules and rethink the very concept of play.
Competitive spirit at the ready — this is your chance to swing wildly outside the lines and into pure creative mischief. Ready to putt with attitude?
Book here
Until 31st August
Flinders Street Station
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FRIDAY NIGHTS AT FENTON FARMHOUSE: Pasta, Wine, and Vibes
Kickstart your weekend at Fenton Farmhouse’s Friday Nights, where the energy is high and the vibes are unbeatable. Every Friday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, this Carlton hotspot serves up $2 oysters and welcomes BYO from your favourite Super Norma pasta dishes. With its farm-to-table ethos and a curated wine list, Fenton’s is the perfect place to unwind, indulge, and kick off the weekend in style. Good food, great company, and pure weekend energy await.
Fridays, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
158 Rathdowne Street, Carlton
GET CHEEKY: 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
GHOST WITH THE MOST, BABE: Beetlejuice the Musical
Get ready to say “It’s showtime!” because Beetlejuice the Musical has landed in Melbourne and it’s freakishly fabulous. Expect big laughs, bonkers visuals, and songs so catchy they’ll haunt your head (in the best way). This gloriously chaotic ride blends gothic charm with Broadway razzle-dazzle, serving up ghosts, gags and a whole lot of heart.
Lifelong fan or simply drawn to the stripes, sass and supernatural chaos — this gloriously oddball spectacle is your ticket to an unforgettable show.
Secure tickets here
Until 31st August
Regent Theatre, Melbourne
SEE OUT THE WORKING WEEK WITH SPICY MARGS: $35 Steak & Margarita Night at Duke Lane
What’s arguably better than steak and wine? Margaritas and wine! Duke Lane is helping you celebrate the end of the week the right way, with their brand new steak night deal — and boy is it good. Grilled porterhouse steak perfection meets crispy golden fries, your choice of creamy pepper sauce or zesty chimichurri, plus a signature margarita, including classic, coconut, or spicy! And for $35, it’s an absolute steal. We’ll cheers to that!
Fridays, from 5:00 pm
2 Duke Street, Windsor
MYTHOLOGICAL MAYHEM: Hadestown
Step into the underworld — stylishly. Hadestown is shaking the foundations of Her Majesty’s Theatre with its smoky, jazz-fuelled take on Greek mythology. This Tony Award-winning musical reimagines the love story of Orpheus and Eurydice with toe-tapping tunes, political bite, and all the drama of Mount Olympus’ group chat.
With Christine Anu as the magnetic Hermes and a cast that absolutely hits, it’s a soulful, sizzling ride to hell and back — and one of the hottest tickets in town right now.
Secure your tickets here
Her Majesty’s Theatre
What to Do This Weekend in Melbourne: Kid-Friendly
PLANS FOR THE PLANET: Olaf Breuning for Kids at NGV
NGV International is turning art into adventure with Plans for the Planet: Olaf Breuning for Kids. Totally free and wildly fun, this interactive wonderland blends nature, art and sustainability with lava floors, immersive forests, and swipe-card surprises. Designed to spark joy and eco-conscious conversations, kids can draw, reflect, and even see their future visions projected on gallery walls. It’s a tree-mendous way to spend a family day out.
Free
Friday June 6th to Sunday October 5th
Ground Floor, NGV International
WANDS AT THE READY: Harry Potter™: The Exhibition
Grab your wands and broomsticks — Harry Potter™: The Exhibition has landed in Melbourne! Perfect for little witches, wizards, and big kids who still believe in magic, this immersive adventure brings Hogwarts to life with spellcasting, Quidditch fun, and a peek inside Hagrid’s Hut. See real costumes from the movies, brew potions, and explore enchanted spaces.
Whether you’re Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin, this magical experience is sure to delight the whole family.
Secure your tickets here
62 Dawson Street, Brunswick
MAY THE BRICKS BE WITH YOU: LEGO® Star Wars™ Exhibition
Get ready to blast off into a galaxy of fun at the LEGO® Star Wars™ Exhibition at Melbourne Museum! Perfect for little jedis and big kids (read: all ages) alike, this epic display features towering LEGO creations like a 4.5m AT-AT and an interactive droid hall. With hands-on build zones and mind-blowing models made from over 8 million bricks, it’s a must-visit for families craving adventure and creativity.
Secure your tickets here
Melbourne Museum
HISTORY LESSON: Hidden: Seven Children Saved
Discover Hidden: Seven Children Saved at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum this long weekend — a deeply moving, design-led exhibition tracing the true stories of seven children who survived the Holocaust in hiding before finding refuge in Australia. Equal parts immersive and illuminating, the award-winning experience invites reflection on resilience, humanity, and hope.
With beautifully realised scenography and interactive storytelling, this powerful exhibition proves that some of the most unforgettable journeys don’t require a plane ticket — just an open heart and curious mind.
Melbourne Holocaust Museum, 13 Selwyn Street, Elsternwick
A VOYAGE THROUGH TIME: Titanic Exhibition
Take the kids (aged 8+) on an unforgettable journey aboard the legendary Titanic — without ever leaving Melbourne. This immersive VR experience lets you walk the decks, meet fellow passengers, and dive 4,000 metres below the ocean’s surface to explore the wreck. It’s a visually stunning and emotionally rich adventure that blends history with cutting-edge tech.
Perfect for curious minds and budding historians, this is one time-travelling voyage you won’t want to miss!
Secure your tickets here
Level 1, 206 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Now you know what’s on this weekend in Melbourne, it’s time to start planning! Or, perhaps you’re heading out of town? We’ve got you covered there, too! Check out our guide to the best travel destinations in Victoria, or discover the most romantic stays.
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