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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.
THE LITTLE FOOD MARKET RETURNS: Melbourne’s Most Delicious Midwinter Pilgrimage
If there’s a more exquisite way to spend a winter’s day in Melbourne than wandering the grand, colonnaded halls of the Royal Exhibition Building with a rare cheese sample in one hand and a locally blended vermouth in the other, we’d like to hear it. From 18th to 20th July, The Little Food Market transforms this heritage icon into a feasting fantasia — equal parts marketplace, festival, and sensory love letter to Australian produce. Over 200 handpicked tastemakers from across the country will descend, serving up everything from banh mi to barrel-aged whisky, silky small-batch cheese to wood-fired pizzas crisped to perfection.
Regional precincts spotlight Gippsland, Bendigo and the Mornington Peninsula’s finest, while the Chef’s Hat Stage hosts live demos on pasta, fermentation and the architecture of the perfect cheeseboard. Premium ticket holders leave with limited-edition Alice Oehr-designed glassware and a tote full of goodies.
Come hungry, leave enchanted. This is a weekend in Melbourne at its most delicious.
Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July
Friday: 12pm to 8pm
Saturday: 10am to 7pm
Sunday: 10am to 5pm
Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens
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
SKI, DINE, PARTY: Mt Buller’s Hottest Weekend
This weekend, Melbourne’s tastemakers are trading laneways for lift passes, as hospitality heavyweights Marmont ascend to Mt Buller for an unmissable alpine evening curated by hospitality powerhouse Tommy Collins. Hosted at their chic alpine venues, The Villager and Little Villager, the snow-dusted mountainside is transformed into a glamorous après-ski playground — complete with open-air street parties and DJ-fuelled revelry under the stars. With Grant Smillie and friends at the helm, expect an evening of soul-warming cuisine, signature cocktails, and serious style. Buller’s never looked — or tasted — so good.
Marmont on the Mountain, July 19th – book here
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
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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
ECHO: Every Cold Hearted Oxygen at Malthouse Theatre
A theatrical experience like no other, ECHO lands at Malthouse direct from London’s Royal Court Theatre for a strictly limited season (14th to 19th July). Each night, a new performer — think Ben Lawson, Pia Miranda, Stan Grant, Michelle Brasier and more — steps on stage unrehearsed, guided live by playwright Nassim Soleimanpour via tech-magic from Berlin. It’s raw, electric, and never to be repeated.
Don’t miss this mind-bending blend of theatre, trust, and real-time storytelling this month in Melbourne.
14th to 19th July
Merlyn Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank
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
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
THEATRICAL SUNSHINE: Catch Annie the Musical
Annie is a beloved musical that has captured the hearts of theatregoers worldwide for decades, and we’re thrilled that this inspiring tale is returning to Sydney! Kicking off in March, the red, curly-haired orphan and her friends will take the stage at Capitol Theatre, delighting audiences of all generations. Starring the legendary Anthony Warlow as ‘Daddy’ Warbucks, Debora Krizak as the iconic Miss Hannigan, and Mackenzie Dunn as Lily St. Regis, this stellar cast is guaranteed to captivate.
Secure tickets here
From July 8th
Princes Theatre, Melbourne
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
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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