Summer is always a fun time to be in Melbourne, with dozens of music events, day festivals and open-air parties to get excited about.
To help you navigate where to boogie this summer, we’ve rounded up some of the best ones to add to your calendar. Fingers crossed the weather comes to the party.
Butter Sessions Party at 24 Moons
Melbourne label Butter Sessions is throwing its first party of the year at Northcote club 24 Moons. Miami DJ duo INVT will play an exclusive Melbourne set, while Gunna/Kurnai, Gunditjmara, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta DJ Naycab will go back-to-back with Gunai/Kurnai and Yorta Yorta DJ and producer dj pgz. Label heads Sleep D will close out the night with their last Aussie DJ set for the summer.
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SIGN UPFriday January 5 at 24 Moons, Northcote. $28–$33.
Divination featuring Objekt
Following a standout Sun Cycle set, Berlin-based producer and DJ Objekt is popping up in the CBD for an all-night party, courtesy of popular club night Divination. Objekt’s genre-defying style, which often sees him moving from three-step and heavy bass to ambient music in one set, guarantees plenty of surprises.
Sunday January 7 at Flinders Court, CBD. $48.96.
Luna #18
Party, radio show and mix series Luna Blessings is hosting an all-night party at open-roof venue The Gasometer. Don’t miss the chance to see homegrown talent-turned-global superstar Roza Terenzi and Montreal-based producer and DJ Maara play energetic sets underneath the disco ball before they head back to Europe.
Friday January 13 at The Gasometer, Collingwood. $30.
CONFIDE Queer Summer Sunday Series Volume 3
Queer club night and DJ collective CONFIDE returns with another day-to-night party at The Gasometer, headlined by Aussie-born, globally loved DJs Merve and Adam Munnings. There’ll also be a back-to-back set from Aldonna and Jesse DM; a debut set from newcomer Gremlin; and more.
Sunday January 14 at The Gasometer, Collingwood. $30.
Chewin’ the Fat’s Fifth Birthday Fundraiser
Community-minded dance party Chewin’ the Fat raises awareness for and encourages open discussion around mental health. Hosted at the sunny Fairfield Amphitheatre, expect back-to-back sets from PBS Breakfast Club host Milo Eastwood and Frizzy McGuire; Colette and local legend DJ JNETT; live showcases from Pookie, Birdsnake, Teether and nini; and a rhythmic performance by Samair.
You’ll be dancing for a good cause; all profits are donated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation Healing Our Way and mental health charity Sane.
Saturday January 20 at Fairfield Amphitheatre, Fairfield. $50.
Strictly House with Derrick McKenzie (Jamiroquai)
Derrick McKenzie – the drummer from legendary British band Jamiroquai and co-writer of the band’s famous track Cosmic Girl – will take over The Gasometer for one night only. He’ll be showing off his DJ chops with a groovy house set, supported by top local talent such as Black Dave, Brent Honey, Hannah D and Nak.
Sunday January 21 at the Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. $39.80.
Smalltown Public Holiday Eve Party With Folamour
French groove maestro Folamour is making his much-anticipated return to Melbourne for the first Smalltown day party of the year, hosted at indoor-outdoor venue The Timber Yard. The DJ and producer, known for his playful and energetic style, will be supported by Dutch disco and techno duo Dam Swindle and British house DJ Laurence Guy.
Thursday January 25 at The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne. $96.75
Neurotiq Erotiq
Neurotiq Erotiq – the Melbourne label from DJ duo In2Stellar – is throwing a huge 12-hour day-to-night party across both levels of The Gasometer. Expect a stacked line-up of international and local talent, including Alfred Czital, Raleigh and Zeynep from Berlin label Harmony Records; Anatole Serret, Nak and more, plus a set from In2Stellar. A portion of the profits will be donated to Pay the Rent.
Saturday February 3 at The Gasometer, Collingwood. $30
Shelter – Melbourne/Naarm
All-female DJ collective Girls Don’t Sync make their Aussie debut at Shelter’s fifth day party. If the name sounds familiar, you might have caught their recent upbeat edit of Drake’s Hands On Your Knees at Manchester’s The Warehouse Project, which went viral on Tiktok. Also on the line-up: British house DJ and producer Ben Hemsley, electronic producer Flansie, Swiss DJ Thelma and many more.
Saturday February 3 at The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne. $109.
Nonkgrong Festival: Day Party 2024
As part of a week-long festival, Nongkrong is bringing an all-Indonesian line-up to Collingwood Yards for one day only. It kicks off with live performances from groove and neo-soul artist Komang and electronic producer Rino, followed by DJ sets from Munir, known for blending Indonesian sounds with futuristic dance beats; Sophie McAlister, who traverses house, disco, jungle, bass and techno; and major electronic DJ and producer Bayu.
Saturday February 3 at Collingwood Yards, Collingwood. $55.
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival Melbourne
Summer in Melbourne wouldn’t be complete without Laneway, which is returning for its 18th Melbourne instalment. This year’s line-up boasts iconic British grime and R’n’B artist Stormzy; Grammy winner Steve Lacy; and singer and Euphoria star Dominic Fike. Also on the bill: dance-pop duo Confidence Man, 18-year-old newcomer D4VD, DJ and producer horsegiirL and global techno favourite Skin on Skin.
Saturday February 10 at The Park, Flemington. $214.10 – $229.40.
Daybreak Festival 2024
Although only in its second year, Daybreak is fast establishing itself as one of the city’s best day festivals. Taking over Abbotsford Convent across two stages, the community-focused party will play host to international talent such as Patrick Holland and Kasper Marott. But the local line-up is just as strong, featuring the likes of Darcy Justice, Jazz, DJ Plead, Kia, Reflect Blue and Wax’o Paradiso.
Saturday February 24 at Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford. $119.99–$129.99
Join the Waitlist
Head to Tixel to find resale tickets to Bicep and Ross From Friends at Melbourne Pavilion on January 5 (presented by Let Them Eat Cake); DJ Heartstring at The Industrique on January 6 (presented by Steel City Dance Discs); Wax’o Paradiso Open Air at Abbotsford Convent’s lush Heritage Gardens on January 13; Sugar Mountain on January 20; Nia Archives at 170 Russell on January 28; and more.