Things to Do in Melbourne

Limited-Edition Lobster Rolls

Last year Betty's Burgers sold out of these rolls in less than a week. Get in quick.

Piccolina’s Giant Frozen Baci

The super-sized gelato version of the hazelnut-heavy Italian chocolate ticks all the Valentine’s Day boxes. (There’s a love note hidden inside.)

Gather for Good

Big-name chefs including French Saloon's Ian Curley, Florentino's Guy Grossi, Nomad's Jacqui Challinor and Karen Martini are hosting a one-off dinner for bushfire relief.

Book Tickets

Still Together

Join a mass guided meditation beneath a towering KAWS statute at the NGV.

NGV International, Southbank

Book Tickets

Mov'in Bed Cinema

Stretch out under the stars (and doona) for screenings of Jaws, Ad Astra and Last Christmas.

Sublime Sea: Rapture and Reality

From underwater ballet to marine creatures, this new exhibition showcases art inspired by the sea.

Pet Sounds

This nautical pet-nat party will have you sailing into the sunset.

Book Tickets

Dog Photog Cowboys

Yee haw – Melbourne's dog photography studio is heading to the wild Wild West.

Book Tickets

Ketel One Botanical Takeover of Arbory Afloat

It’s bringing a leafy new garden to the floating bar.

Arbory Afloat, Melbourne

Patrón Pop-Up at Pontoon

A beachside bar in St Kilda celebrates the season with a fiesta.

Pontoon, St Kilda

The Cool-Down at David's

On Thursdays and Fridays, sip bottomless frozen iced teas (or Asahi or wine). Knock-offs, sorted.

David's, Prahran

Concrete Citizens

This new photo exhibition centres around Brutalist apartment complexes in former Soviet states, and the lives led within them.

Rose-Gin Bottomless Brunch

Welcome back summer with a rosé-gin cocktail list, boozy ice-cream flavours and plenty of brunch classics at the Provincial Hotel.

Book Tickets

Jonathan Van Ness: Road to Beijing

The hairstylist, Queer Eye star, and podcaster is bringing his world tour Down Under.

Baby Pizza Aperitivo Hour

All summer long, Baby dedicates three happy hours each afternoon to aperitivo.

Baby, Richmond

At this huge new street-art festival, there’ll be a never-before-seen exhibit by “China’s Bansky”, a sailboat floating in a shipping-container pool, and a hidden bar selling two-metre-long beer cartons (with 100 tinnies inside).

24th Jan – 29th Feb 2020

Maker & Monger x Smith & Daughters Vegan Jaffles

Against the odds, Shannon Martinez and Anthony Femia have created two molten plant-based jaffles – available at Maker & Monger for a limited time only.

Maker & Monger, Prahran

1st Jan – 29th Feb 2020

$20 Cacio e Pepe and Spritz at Marameo

This bargain bowl of cheesy and peppery goodness comes with a refreshing spritz.

Marameo, Melbourne

29th Nov 2019 – 29th Feb 2020

Taco and Tequila Bar at Howler

The pop-up bar is back, with $5 tacos and $5 frozen Margaritas every Friday and Saturday night.

Howler, Brunswick

1st Jan – 29th Feb 2020

Southern-Style Bottomless Brunch at Le Bon Ton

Steel yourself for three hours of unlimited brunch and booze at Le Bon Ton.

Le Bon Ton, Collingwood

12th Feb – 29th Feb 2020

Huli-Huli Chicken at Belles

Belles Hot Chicken is getting the Hawaiian treatment – for two weeks only.

13th Feb – 29th Feb 2020

Shakespeare Under the Stars: Twelfth Night

With 17th-century drama and flashes of pop culture, revisit the timeless tale – under the stars – in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Book Tickets

21st Jan – 29th Feb 2020

A Sugar-Free Soda Cocktail Menu at Johnny’s Green Room for Summer

One of Melbourne’s favourite rooftop bars is putting on a menu of three cocktails with sugar-free Capi soda for summer.

Johnny’s Green Room, Carlton

7th Jun 2019 – 29th Feb 2020

Herbivorous Nights

The intimate monthly vegetarian degustation is back. And from next month it's adding a pop-up cocktail bar by award-winning bartender Orlando Marzo.

Young Bloods Diner, Fitzroy

20th Jan – 29th Feb 2020

Home, I’m Darling

The London comedy smash makes its Melbourne debut.

Book Tickets

14th Nov 2019 – 29th Feb 2020

Common Ground

Eight tonnes of salt have landed at warehouse gallery Grau Projekt for a new (free) exhibition centred around pink salt lakes.

Grau Projekt, Clifton Hill

2nd Dec 2019 – 29th Feb 2020

Summer of Dance

For the next few months, the Immigration Museum will make you move.

Book Tickets

2nd Nov 2019 – 1st Mar 2020

Terminus: Jess Johnson and Simon Ward

Descend into science fiction-inspired illustrations via an immersive virtual reality experience at Heide.

Heide Museum of Modern Art

Book Tickets

20th Sep 2019 – 1st Mar 2020

KAWS: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness

Perhaps best known for his signature limited-edition vinyl toys and sculptures, the cult New York-based pop artist attracted adoring crowds in Hong Kong, stampedes in China and $14 million for a recent painting.

NGV International, Southbank

Book Tickets

26th Dec 2019 – 4th Mar 2020

Barefoot Cinema

There are more than 35 films on this year’s program, which includes 60-plus sessions at four picturesque locations. The newest venue is a 5000-rose garden in the grounds of a historic estate.

14th Feb – 6th Mar 2020

Bathe in Cinema

Spend your Friday night floating in a hot spring under the stars, watching a classic film. This is relaxation at its peak.

Book Tickets

23rd Nov 2019 – 8th Mar 2020

Sunset Safari

The closest you can get to an African safari without jumping on a plane.

Book Tickets

20th Nov 2019 – 11th Mar 2020

Summer Night Market

The annual after-dark market series returns on November 20.

20th Nov 2019 – 11th Mar 2020

Casa Nata x Summer Night Market

Ahead of opening a permanent store in Thornbury in December, Melbourne's first dedicated Portuguese tart shop is popping up at the Queen Vic Market.

18th Feb – 16th Mar 2020

Ferment Yourself Wild With Sandor Katz

The American fermentation expert has plotted a month-long Australian tour. There’ll be dinners, workshops and talks in collaboration with some of our country’s best chefs, brewers and farmers.

16th Nov 2019 – 18th Mar 2020

Chivas Regal – The Blend Workshop and Tasting Session

Learn how to blend your own whisky while sampling a classic.

Book Tickets

30th Jan – 19th Mar 2020

$1 Cheese Toasties

Get them at George’s Bar in Fitzroy during Thursday night trivia.

George's Bar, Fitzroy

8th Feb – 21st Mar 2020

Torch the Place

One of this country’s brightest literary stars makes his playwriting debut at MTC.

Book Tickets

7th Dec 2019 – 22nd Mar 2020

Feedback Loops at ACCA

The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art’s exhibition Feedback Loops presents six projects by artists who draw on the aesthetics of the internet to create immersive, fantastical new ‘worlds’.

Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Southbank

14th Nov 2019 – 22nd Mar 2020

MPavilion

Catch inspirational talks, performances and even free coffee at this annually redesigned cultural gathering space.

23rd Jan – 27th Mar 2020

The Happiest F$ckin Hour (of Your Life)

Get a weekday dopamine hit with $5 Margaritas and snacks at Mary’s.

Mary's, Melbourne

28th Nov 2019 – 29th Mar 2020

Moonlight Cinema

Park up on a bean bag for a summer of film.

Book Tickets

1st Jan – 29th Mar 2020

Melbourne Book Market

Thousands of new and pre-loved books, plus records, CDs and collectables.

15th Jan – 31st Mar 2020

Lagotto Nights

The Italian cafe has extended its opening hours – and added a porchetta sanga to the aperitivo menu (inspired by the famous pig's head version at Congress).

Lagotto, Fitzroy North

1st Jan – 31st Mar 2020

Asia Topa 2020

Australia’s biggest performing arts triennial is on now, with more than 80 events scheduled throughout Melbourne and Victoria.

13th Jan – 31st Mar 2020

Piccolina’s Gelato Lamington

All proceeds from this gelato-filled riff on an Aussie classic will raise funds for bushfire relief.

12th Dec 2019 – 31st Mar 2020

Ocean Invaders

Crawl through a cylindrical tank surrounded by swarms of colourful jellyfish at the aquarium's new immersive exhibit.

Book Tickets

5th Feb – 31st Mar 2020

A Curated Collective Pop-Up

Three independent Aussie labels – Aestas, Købn and Kerrin – have come together under one roof.

9th May 2019 – 1st Apr 2020

On Court With a Collingwood Magpies Netballer

Cut those nails and pull out the lycra, Sharni Lambden is here to give you some pointers.

3rd Jan – 5th Apr 2020

Summertime Social

Play giant Jenga, snack on lobster rolls and sip boozy slushies at this summer-long rooftop party.

6th Dec 2019 – 10th Apr 2020

NGV Friday Nights

See the gallery’s latest summer blockbuster after hours with a drink and a soundtrack of 1980s New York City.

NGV International, Southbank

Book Tickets

25th Nov 2019 – 12th Apr 2020

Black Star Pastry Melbourne Pop-Up

The cult Sydney patisserie is serving savoury danishes and tarts – and that world-famous layer cake – at a new St Kilda shop. For a good time, not a long time.