Skip the Car and Catch These Summer Events by Train

Summer is one of Melbourne’s best seasons, with a calendar packed full of festivals, sport and cultural events, and long days that invite you to stay out a little later.

From outdoor cinema to major exhibitions, these events are worth prioritising this summer. Thanks to improved connections across the city, they’re also easier to slot into your plans. Faster north-to-south travel and simpler interchanges mean you can move between events without planning your day around traffic or parking.

Here are a few to keep on your radar.

NGV Summer Blockbuster

Each summer, the NGV reinvents itself with a major exhibition that draws crowds from across the city and beyond. This year’s double feature spotlights fashion designers Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons, and runs until April 2026. The exhibition explores more than 140 items that highlight the designers’ shared interest in history, rebellion and the body, while revealing the strikingly different ways they interpret those ideas. Iconic pieces such as Westwood’s punk-inspired tartan gowns and Kawakubo’s asymmetrical, sculptural silhouettes are seen throughout, with rooms themed around punk, provocation and reinvention. If you’re coming from the southeast, the gallery is a short walk from Town Hall Station, making a weekday visit or post-work detour feasible.

Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix takes over Albert Park once again this year from March 6 to 8, drawing crowds for a weekend of racing alongside large-scale entertainment and live performances. With the opening of the new Metro Tunnel, getting across the city during Grand Prix weekend is easier, helping spectators bypass CBD congestion and road closures as they head towards Albert Park. Gates to the circuit are as close as 10 minutes' walk from the new Anzac Station.

Moonlight Cinema at the Royal Botanic Gardens

Few summer rituals rival watching a film outdoors. Moonlight Cinema operates across several locations, but the Royal Botanic Gardens site remains a favourite. Screenings run until April 6, featuring nostalgic titles like The Parent Trap and Back to the Future alongside recent releases such as The Housemaid and Rental Family. Picnic rugs, deckchairs and on-site food make for a relaxed evening and, with evening services every 10 minutes to the new Anzac Station, it’s an easy option for a spontaneous night out.

AFL Season

The 2026 AFL fixture is out, and Melbourne fans have plenty to look forward to as the Dees usher in a new chapter of Demon Spirit. The season opens at the MCG in the first round, with Melbourne hosting St Kilda on Sunday March 15. This marks Steven King’s first game in charge, while new Dees Jack Steele and Max Heath could face their former club in front of a home crowd. For supporters heading to the MCG on the new Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury Line, there’s new ways to move. Change trains at Caulfield or Malvern, or alight at Town Hall Station.

Moomba

Held every Labour Day long weekend along Birrarung Marr, Moomba is a long-standing Melbourne festival. Highlights from previous events include the Moomba Monarchs’ Monday parade, the Birdman Rally on the Yarra, carnival rides, food stalls and more. Evenings typically feature fireworks and river-based shows, alongside a music program of headliners and local acts. All events are free and, with Town Hall Station nearby, access is straightforward. Moomba will run from March 5 to 9 this year, with a line-up yet to be announced.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Transport Victoria. Heading to an event this summer? The Metro Tunnel gives you more ways to get there. Plan your journey on the PTV app or transport.vic.gov.au.