Things to Do in Melbourne

Postal Lane Markets

Find flowers, gin, cheese, homewares, fashion and accessories at a brand-new market beside the GPO, popping up every weekend this summer.

The Exchange Pop-Up Beach Club

Hit the sand at Port Melbourne this summer for $2 oysters, a $6 happy hour and bottomless brunch.

Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Garden at The Commons

Celebrate the summer by drinking a chilled flute of champagne while watching global superstars hit the centre court.

AO Mornings at Australian Open

Begin your day at the tennis with a moment of peace and guided exercise.

Book Tickets

Jason Phu: Analects of Kung Phu at ACMI

A new exhibition at ACMI explores the link between philosophy and kung fu movies.

ACMI, Melbourne

AO Beach House at Australian Open

Take in the tennis action with sand between your toes, a wellness session or indulge in a VIP cabana.

Book Tickets

Docklands Drone Show by Celestial

After being grounded for New Year’s Eve, “Australia’s largest-ever drone show” – featuring 350 drones – finally takes to the skies every night for the rest of January.

Ballpark at Australian Open

The family-friendly precinct dedicated to activities and entertainment returns for 2022.

Laneways of Melbourne at Australian Open

A concentrated activation celebrating the city around it pops-up at the Australian Open.

Book Tickets

Imaginaria

The immersive, futuristic installation is back. Step into a giant, inflatable bubble, be enveloped by ethereal projections of the cosmos, interact with a responsive echo light chamber and more.

Book Tickets

Summer Bottomless Brunch at Jackalope Hotel

Head down to the peninsula for mushroom tartlets, crumpets with salmon caviar and scorched Wagyu brisket, plus free-flowing Bloody Marys, Mimosas and spritzes overlooking a vineyard.

Jackalope Hotel, Merricks North

Book Tickets

Mirka at the Jewish Museum of Australia

The exhibition goes beyond the artist’s paintings, highlighting never-shown works, historical mementos and drawings that’ll immerse you in the Melbourne icon’s world of art, food and famous friends. Plus, a soundscape that uses Mirka’s own voice will guide you through the space.

Book Tickets

22nd Oct 2021 – 31st Jan 2022

QT Secret Rooftop Garden Bar

It’s all about la dolce vita at this bar hiding on a CBD rooftop – and it’s sticking around all summer. Find the colourful oasis via a laneway, staff elevator and back-of-house doorway.

17th Jan – 31st Jan 2022

Assembly Label Sale

Get up to 60 per cent off selected men’s and women’s apparel, and do your part for charity while you’re at it.

7th Oct 2021 – 1st Feb 2022

Carriageworks x Smeg Digital Chef Masterclasses

Make bone marrow pasta with Peter Gilmore, a chocolate tart from Nadine Ingram of Flour and Stone, Thai dishes with Palisa Anderson and more.

3rd Nov 2021 – 1st Feb 2022

Nadine Ingram Masterclass at Carriageworks

The celebrated baker and founder of Flour and Stone will front up for a chat about cooking techniques and all things sweet.

18th Dec 2021 – 5th Feb 2022

Shakespeare Under the Stars: The Comedy of Errors

The Australian Shakespeare Company reckons the bard’s classic is exactly what we need in these Covid times: comedy, romance and family-friendly fun presented under the stars in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Book Tickets

2nd Jan – 6th Feb 2022

Jagged Little Pill at the Comedy Theatre

You Oughta Know this’ll be a hit. The Broadway musical inspired by Alanis Morissette’s Grammy Award-winning album is heading to Melbourne after its Sydney season.

Book Tickets

10th Jan – 6th Feb 2022

State Library Bricktoria

Lego bricks are taking over the State Library, with a metre-tall recreation of the building, a treasure hunt for exclusive Lego sets and an adults-only Bricks & Beats party.

12th Mar 2021 – 6th Feb 2022

Big Weather at the Ian Potter Centre

A varied collection of Indigenous artworks share cultural insight and interpretation of Australia’s natural weather systems, from floods to bushfires, across a diverse array of mediums.

21st Jan – 6th Feb 2022

Cupid’s Koi Garden at Fed Square

Walk through and cool down at a colourful interactive playground inspired by koi fish, with a six-metre-tall inflatable fountain splashing water into small pools.

23rd Jan – 13th Feb 2022

Midsumma Festival 2022

The iconic Midsumma Carnival and Pride March are back; Poof Doof throws a day disco; plus queer pool parties, drag bingo, film screenings under the stars, and more than 195 other events are taking place to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community over 22 days.

Book Tickets

21st Jan – 14th Feb 2022

40 per Cent Off the Vush Rose 2 for Valentine’s Day

It’s by the same Aussie sex toy company that made the pastel wand vibrator in Cardi B’s music video Up.

17th Nov 2021 – 17th Feb 2022

Irvrsbl Fitzroy Pop-Up

Find vintage luxury fashion – including pieces from Prada, Versace, Dior and Maison Margiela – at this new spot, but you’ll have to visit soon.

14th Jan – 19th Feb 2022

Cornelius Cheesemongers Pop-Up

Find specialty cheese from across Australia and the globe at this pop-up shop in a Mornington Peninsula winery.

17th Jan – 19th Feb 2022

Touching the Void

The awe-inspiring true story of struggle and survival on one of the world’s highest mountains is now an astonishing stage play.

Book Tickets

6th Jan – 22nd Feb 2022

Westpac Openair Cinema Season 2022

The city’s most beautiful cinema experience rises again this summer.

Book Tickets

14th Jan – 25th Feb 2022

Disney+ Drive-In by Openair Cinemas

Park the car to catch beloved animated classics like The Lion King, recent Marvel releases, throwback hits such as Pretty Woman and more – or settle into bean loungers for a picnic under the stars.

Book Tickets

3rd Dec 2021 – 27th Feb 2022

Linden Postcard Show

See over 1000 mini masterpieces – all just 8 by 10 inches small – by artists from around Australia.

4th Dec 2021 – 27th Feb 2022

Anna Hoyle: Your Choc-Mint Pelvik Floor Is So Boring at Linden New Art

The Melbourne artist has painted colourful (but fake) book covers spoofing self-help guides and wellness books. Tag yourself – I’m “She Cooked Tomato and Tuna Pasta Like a Depressed Housemate”.

11th Dec 2021 – 28th Feb 2022

Clothing the Gaps Pop-Up

The Aboriginal clothing label and social enterprise has opened a new pop-up store for the summer.

3rd Nov 2021 – 28th Feb 2022

Baby Pizza Aperitivo Hour

All summer long, Baby dedicates two happy hours each afternoon to aperitivo – with $6.50 Aperol spritzes and $8.80 cocktails (including Negroni Frappes).

Baby, Richmond

1st Dec 2021 – 28th Feb 2022

Garden Spritz Summer Sessions

Ring in the summer with a day-trip to Coldstream for a Garden Spritz and a picnic.

Book Tickets

5th Jan – 1st Mar 2022

BWS Cooler Mobile Game

The mobile game lets you win bevvies, electronics, immersive experiences, and a $50,000 grand prize.

13th Jan – 11th Mar 2022

Book the Broadsheet Table at Nomad Melbourne

Broadsheet Table invites you and a friend to dine at Nomad Melbourne like an industry insider, exclusive to Access members.

Nomad, Melbourne

Book Tickets

20th Nov 2021 – 13th Mar 2022

Matisse: Life and Spirit

Revel in more than 100 innovative, expressive works by the influential French artist at the Art Gallery of NSW this summer.

Book Tickets

8th Jan – 13th Mar 2022

Sunset Safari

The closest you can get to an African safari – complete with lions, giraffes and hippos – without jumping on a plane.

Book Tickets

4th Dec 2021 – 20th Mar 2022

Who’s Afraid of Public Space?

A look at the contested nature of public space and how it evolves.

Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Southbank

7th Nov 2021 – 20th Mar 2022

Club Havana at Nick & Nora’s

Celebrate the easing of restrictions with a Cuba-flavoured Sunday session in the city.

Nick and Nora’s, Melbourne

22nd Jan – 20th Mar 2022

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition

See recreations of some of the Renaissance artist’s most famous works, up close and to scale with the iconic originals in Italy.

Book Tickets

2nd Dec 2021 – 27th Mar 2022

Moonlight Cinema

Park yourself on a beanbag under the stars, with grazing boxes, popcorn, churros and Espresso Martinis. Or BYO your own snacks and drinks.

Book Tickets

2nd Dec 2021 – 4th Apr 2022

Melbourne Street Eatz

Food trucks are parking along the Yarra River each week, with drinks from pop-up bars, live music, garden games and more.

5th Jan – 6th Apr 2022

Summer Night Market

The annual after-dark event series returns to Queen Victoria Market for another season of street food, local art and designs, second-hand books and records, live performances and even a line-up of psychics and fortune tellers.

22nd Jan – 9th Apr 2022

Murder Mystery: Labassa Mansion

Find clues, solve riddles and catch the culprit behind the murder of a wealthy widow inside a heritage-listed mansion in this immersive detective experience.

Book Tickets

10th Dec 2021 – 22nd Apr 2022

NGV Friday Nights Are Back

The beloved end-of-week extravaganzas that link high art with big beats and themed food are back.

NGV International, Southbank

Book Tickets

2nd Dec 2021 – 24th Apr 2022

MPavilion 2021

The free architecture and design pop-up will be home to more than 250 events over five months, with Patricia Piccinini’s Skywhalepapa hot air balloon, Melbourne Music Week’s opening weekend, new music by Deborah Cheetham playing daily and more.

Book Tickets

17th Dec 2021 – 25th Apr 2022

Bark Ladies: Eleven Artists From Yirrkala

Tradition collides with daring contemporary ideas in this multi-layered exhibition of Yolngu women’s work at the NGV.

NGV International, Southbank

Book Tickets

1st Dec 2021 – 29th Apr 2022

The Sparkling Diamond High Tea at The Westin

Moulin Rouge! the Musical fever has arrived in the hotel’s lobby lounge, with high tea and a new menu (including the Green Fairy with absinthe pineapple and a Satine cocktail) inspired by the musical.

Book Tickets

11th Nov 2021 – 29th Apr 2022

Moulin Rouge! $30 Tickets Digital Lottery

Good seats for the Tony Award-winning show usually go for around $100 (and up to $250). Here’s how to get them for cheap.

12th Nov 2021 – 29th Apr 2022

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Snap up tickets while you can can can. The Australian premiere of the Tony Award-nominated musical is coming to Melbourne’s refurbished Regent Theatre.

Book Tickets

5th Nov 2021 – 1st May 2022

Petanque Social at Crown Melbourne

Laze on a day bed or eat food by Nobu, 400 Gradi and other Crown eateries along the Yarra.

11th Dec 2021 – 15th May 2022

Jeffrey Smart at the National Gallery of Australia

In the year the Australian artist would have turned 100, the NGA is showing more than 100 Jeffrey Smart paintings – including his last, completed in 2011.

Book Tickets

18th Jun 2021 – 22nd Jun 2022

A Miracle Constantly Repeated: Patricia Piccinini

Best known for her hyperrealistic human-animal sculptures, the boundary-pushing Australian artist is taking over Flinders Street Station’s mysterious, abandoned ballroom for Rising. And the season has just been extended until 2022.

Book Tickets

1st Nov 2021 – 30th Jun 2022

Van Gogh at The Lume Melbourne

A digital experience at Melbourne’s newest art gallery turns Van Gogh’s life and works into an immersive adventure.

Book Tickets

23rd Nov 2021 – 30th Jun 2022

Become a Master Brewer

RedBalloon wants you to make beer brewing your next project.

Book Tickets

6th Dec 2021 – 1st Aug 2022

Pond[er] at NGV’s Grollo Equiset Garden

The garden behind the gallery has been transformed with a salute to the state’s pastel-pink salt lakes – and you can splash through it.

NGV International, Southbank

Book Tickets

20th Sep 2021 – 31st Aug 2022

Seeing the Invisible at Royal Botanic Gardens

A monumental gilded cage by art star Ai Weiwei. A shimmering, spherical portal with an intensifying soundtrack. And more. All you need is an app to see the Melbourne and Cranbourne gardens digitally transformed for this ambitious international exhibition.

17th Jan – 30th Dec 2022

Tsitsipas Souvlaki at Stalactites

Tennis young gun Stefanos Tsitsipas has collaborated with the late-night Greek institution on a limited-edition souvlaki – to raise funds for Beyond Blue.

filters

19th Nov 2021 – 30th Jan 2022

Postal Lane Markets

6th Nov 2021 – 30th Jan 2022

The Exchange Pop-Up Beach Club

14th Jan – 30th Jan 2022

Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Garden at The Commons

17th Jan – 30th Jan 2022

AO Mornings at Australian Open

2nd Dec 2021 – 30th Jan 2022

Jason Phu: Analects of Kung Phu at ACMI

ACMI, Melbourne

17th Jan – 30th Jan 2022

AO Beach House at Australian Open

15th Jan – 30th Jan 2022

Docklands Drone Show by Celestial

17th Jan – 30th Jan 2022

Ballpark at Australian Open

17th Jan – 30th Jan 2022

Laneways of Melbourne at Australian Open

12th Nov 2021 – 30th Jan 2022

Imaginaria

5th Dec 2021 – 30th Jan 2022

Summer Bottomless Brunch at Jackalope Hotel

Jackalope Hotel, Merricks North

18th Feb 2021 – 30th Jan 2022

Mirka at the Jewish Museum of Australia

22nd Oct 2021 – 31st Jan 2022

QT Secret Rooftop Garden Bar

17th Jan – 31st Jan 2022

Assembly Label Sale

7th Oct 2021 – 1st Feb 2022

Carriageworks x Smeg Digital Chef Masterclasses

3rd Nov 2021 – 1st Feb 2022

Nadine Ingram Masterclass at Carriageworks

18th Dec 2021 – 5th Feb 2022

Shakespeare Under the Stars: The Comedy of Errors

2nd Jan – 6th Feb 2022

Jagged Little Pill at the Comedy Theatre

10th Jan – 6th Feb 2022

State Library Bricktoria

12th Mar 2021 – 6th Feb 2022

Big Weather at the Ian Potter Centre

21st Jan – 6th Feb 2022

Cupid’s Koi Garden at Fed Square

23rd Jan – 13th Feb 2022

Midsumma Festival 2022

21st Jan – 14th Feb 2022

40 per Cent Off the Vush Rose 2 for Valentine’s Day

17th Nov 2021 – 17th Feb 2022

Irvrsbl Fitzroy Pop-Up

14th Jan – 19th Feb 2022

Cornelius Cheesemongers Pop-Up

17th Jan – 19th Feb 2022

Touching the Void

6th Jan – 22nd Feb 2022

Westpac Openair Cinema Season 2022

14th Jan – 25th Feb 2022

Disney+ Drive-In by Openair Cinemas

3rd Dec 2021 – 27th Feb 2022

Linden Postcard Show

4th Dec 2021 – 27th Feb 2022

Anna Hoyle: Your Choc-Mint Pelvik Floor Is So Boring at Linden New Art

11th Dec 2021 – 28th Feb 2022

Clothing the Gaps Pop-Up

3rd Nov 2021 – 28th Feb 2022

Baby Pizza Aperitivo Hour

Baby, Richmond

1st Dec 2021 – 28th Feb 2022

Garden Spritz Summer Sessions

5th Jan – 1st Mar 2022

BWS Cooler Mobile Game

13th Jan – 11th Mar 2022

Book the Broadsheet Table at Nomad Melbourne

Nomad, Melbourne

20th Nov 2021 – 13th Mar 2022

Matisse: Life and Spirit

8th Jan – 13th Mar 2022

Sunset Safari

4th Dec 2021 – 20th Mar 2022