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.

what's on in melbourne this weekend French Impressionism at NGV Melbourne
NGV Melbourne

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.

Miss Trixie Drinks Tea (Image Credit: Miss Trixie Drinks Tea)

A $5 BAKE SALE THAT’S TOO GOOD TO MISS: Miss Trixie Drinks Tea Turns Five

Melbourne’s cake queen, Alice Bennett, is marking five delicious years of Miss Trixie Drinks Tea with a sugar-fuelled pop-up at The Co.Bake Space in Richmond on Saturday 12 July. Think slices, cookies, and nostalgic treats all just five bucks a pop — yes, even the famed fairy bread cake sandwiches and honey joy slice.

The first 200 lucky early birds score a free Upstate Studios gym pass (because balance, right?), plus everyone gets a refreshing sip from Daylesford & Hepburn Mineral Springs Co. Pro tip: BYO container to help this sweet party stay sustainable. Miss Trixie’s April pop-up sold out in 90 minutes, so set alarms and bring your sweet tooth.

Saturday 12th July, 9am until sold out

239 Swan Street, Richmond

Finders Keepers Market

STRETCH THOSE TOTE ARMS, MELBOURNE: Finders Keepers Market

Finders Keepers Market — Melbourne’s design dreamland — returns this July at the majestic Royal Exhibition Building. Over 270 brilliant makers and designers will flood the halls with ceramics, jewellery, slow fashion, art, and homewares that make your heart skip. We’re especially excited to see favourites like Six Eyed Scorpion, Ficifolia, Ultra Culture Community, Del Bocia, Celia Loves, Acide, Everything Flows Studio, Lawn Bowls, and more among the gorgeously curated lineup. Expect fresh local food trucks in the leafy Picnic Ground, live tunes to soundtrack your wander, and a whole lot of magic moments.

Need a gentler pace? Low Sensory Hour on Sunday from 9 to 10am offers calm vibes before the crowd arrives. Early birds, snag discounted tickets online — and get ready to lose yourself in Melbourne’s most adored creative playground. Tap the link in our bio for details.

$10 online presale or $12 at the door

Friday 11th July, 4pm to 9pm

Saturday 12th July, 10am to 5pm

Sunday 13th July, 10am to 5pm
+ Low sensory hour Sunday 9am – 10am

Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens

NAIDOC in the City – NAIDOC Week at Fed Square

Fed Square comes alive for NAIDOC Week 2025 with a powerful program honouring culture, connection and community. Under this year’s theme — The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy — the square hosts a weeklong celebration of First Peoples excellence. Join the opening Flag Raising Ceremony, catch Electric Fields live at the free NAIDOC in the City concert, explore open-air markets showcasing First Peoples fashion and art, take in powerful exhibitions, and dive into storytelling sessions, film screenings and creative workshops. A vibrant, all-welcome tribute to the past, present and blazing future of First Nations leadership.

6th to 13th July

Federation Square

NAIDOC Week at Fed Square (Image Credit: What’s On Melbourne)

NAIDOC WEEK: NAIDOC Week at Fed Square

Fed Square comes alive for NAIDOC Week 2025 with a powerful program honouring culture, connection and community. Under this year’s theme — The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy — the square hosts a weeklong celebration of First Peoples excellence. Join the opening Flag Raising Ceremony, catch Electric Fields live at the free NAIDOC in the City concert, explore open-air markets showcasing First Peoples fashion and art, take in powerful exhibitions, and dive into storytelling sessions, film screenings and creative workshops. A vibrant, all-welcome tribute to the past, present and blazing future of First Nations leadership.

Until 13th July

Federation Square

Lightscape

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 (Image Credit: Dan Castano)

MONET & MORE: 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: Swingers – The Art of Mini Golf

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

Loving Our Guide to What’s On This Weekend in Melbourne? Check Out…

What’s On

Fun Date Ideas in Melbourne Set to Impress This Winter

Dinner and a movie? Been there, done that. These are the coolest date nights in town.
Read More
Fenton Farmhouse x Super Norma

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

VIVA

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

Beetlejuice the Musical

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

Hadestown

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 NGV Melbourne
NGV

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

Harry Potter the Exhibition

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

Lego Star Wars Exhibition (Image Credit: Eugene Hyland)

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

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.

You Might Like

Beauty

Where to Get the Best Bouncy Blowout in Melbourne

Chic salons guaranteed to raise your hair game...literally.
Read More
What’s On

Sound Check: The Latest Music News You Need to Know

Stay in the loop with the hottest updates from the music world, covering everything from global chart-toppers to the latest buzz in your local scene.
Read More
Shopping

Sink In to the Best Sofa Beds for a Dreamy Night’s Sleep

These stylishly chic pull-out sofa beds are a dream to sleep on.
Read More
Please wait...