27 Extraordinary Things To Do In Melbourne This July
The winter school holidays are here and we’ve got the perfect list of activities to keep you occupied this July.
Winter is here and just because the nights are longer doesn’t mean Melbourne is starved for activities. Theatre is back, food festivals are on and there’s plenty of winter-themed places for you to visit. No matter your age, you’ll be sure to find something that you want to do in Melbourne this July.
1. Have dough much fun at the Donut Festival
Who doesn’t love a good donut? This festival was originally meant to take place in June, but was postponed due to the Melbourne lockdown. And, with the amount of donut days Melbourne has had, this Donut Festival from Queen Victoria Market feels well deserved. Enjoy churros, jam donuts, vegan donuts and more! It’s all happening Saturday July 4 on Queen Street.
For more information, click here.
2. Marvel at the Museum of the Moon in Bunjil Place
If you’re keen to drive out of the CBD, head to Bunjil Place in Narre Warren to see this mesmerising moon exhibit. At seven metres in diameter, this moon is a massive installation. It is lit internally, and combines lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition to create something ethereal. Bunjil Place is also throwing some events, like a planetarium and space-themed movies, to keep the galactic vibes going. Museum of the Moon will be at Bunjil Place until Sunday July 4.
Click here to learn more.
3. See Arendelle like never before at Frozen the Musical
Head to Her Majesty’s Theatre and see Frozen live on stage. On top of the 7 songs from the film, Academy Award-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez have created 12 new tracks just for the musical. It’s the perfect musical to get into the winter spirit.
For more details, head to Frozen the Musical’s website.
4. See Imaginaria before it goes
Be immersed in a futuristic installation of light and sound. Located in Docklands, Imaginaria is a playful space where imagination and technology combines into an amazing experience. This installation ends on Sunday July 11, so if you haven’t tried it yet, you should.
Book tickets here.5. Go on an adventure at Jurassic World By Brickman
Go on an adventure that’s 6 million Lego bricks in the making at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught has created a world-first immersive experience where you can experience the story of Jurassic World, from going through the iconic island gates to visiting the science labs. This experience took over two years to design and build, culminating in over 50 large-scale dinosaurs, props, scenes and activities.
To learn more, click here.
6. Be impressed by what NGV has on display
Visit NGV to see their new Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition, French Impressionism: From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This exhibition has over 100 pieces of art from Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, a place renowned around the world for its collection of Impressionist paintings. See works from all the favourites like Monet, Degas and Renoir, and check out 79 pieces that have never been exhibited before in Australia. While you’re in an impressionist mood, check out She-Oak and Sunlight: Australian Impressionism at The Ian Potter Centre for an Australian take on the form.
Head to NGV’s website to find out more.
7. Check out the Goya exhibit at NGV
We had to give Goya its own honourable mention. Visit the NGV and see the work of Francisco Goya. At over 160 art pieces, this exhibition has the largest group of Goya’s drawings ever seen in Australia. Goya is considered to be one of the first truly modern artists. His drawings expose the dark and comedic complexities of human nature.
Learn more here.8. Be transported to Hogwarts with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Return to the magical world of Harry Potter, and see his son Albus struggle with the weight of his family’s history. This play has won nine Olivier Awards, six Tony Awards and many more.
Read more and secure your tickets on their website.
9. Go ice skating at the Winter Village
This winter wonderland at Fed Square is here to deliver some frosty fun. Embrace your inner Ice Princess and go ice skating in the rink to let out all your pent-up lockdown energy. Or, book your own private igloo, sit under some twinkling fairy lights and nibble on a grazing plate. Whatever you choose, this is a great way to spend a winter day in Melbourne.
Learn more about the Winter Village here.
10. Feel the magic at ACMI’s Disney exhibition
At this Melbourne-exclusive exhibit, there are over 500 artworks to discover. These include original paintings, sketches and concept art from Walt Disney. Learn more about how your favourite childhood stories were brought to life and be amazed by the creativity.
Book your tickets here.11. Enjoy the Truffle Melbourne Festival at Queen Vic Market
Visit Queen Victoria Market on Saturday July 10 and Sunday July 11 for the Truffle Melbourne Festival. Watch live truffle demonstrations, try delicious dishes and see truffle dogs show off their truffle hunting skills. Listen to a DJ and enjoy tasty truffle cocktails.
Click here to learn more.
12. Feel the spirit at The Craft & Co’s Gin Market
Go to the Craft & Co on Smith Street for the longest running gin market in Australia. There will be nine market stalls of distillers for you to see. As this is a sit down event, these distillers will move table to table for you to try their products. The Winter Gin Market will take place Thursday July 22 to Sunday July 23. Tickets are $30 to $40 per person.
Click here for more info.13. Attend the Bastille Day Soirée by So Frenchy So Chic
So Frenchy So Chic is hosting a discothèque for Bastille Day. Go back in time and list to DJs spin the best French music from ‘60s Yéyé to ‘80s French Disco and ‘90s French Touch. They are promising six hours of music, champagne, good food and surprise arts performances. You better dress to impress, as the dress code is inspired by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. Join them under the mirror ball on Saturday July 10.
Learn more about the event and buy tickets here.14. Discover a new world at Treasures of the Natural World
Head to Melbourne Museum to see some of the world’s oldest, rarest and most fascinating treasures of the natural world. This exhibit was produced and curated by the legendary Natural History Museum in London. Melbourne Museum has further developed this exhibit by including the narratives of the First Peoples, who have always had a deep relationship with the natural world. See over 200 artefacts, from Darwin’s personal collection of treasures to a 200 million-year-old Ichthyosaurus fossil.
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15. Explore Melbourne’s laneways, transformed by the Flash Forward project
Head to the CBD and see new artwork hidden amongst the laneways of Melbourne. In this creative project, 40 of the city’s laneways will be transformed into something new. Some of the laneways, like Hughs Alley in Chinatown, have already been completed.
Stay tuned to their social media for updates.
16. Be moved by Becoming You
Visit the Immigration Museum and see 72 Australian storytellers present their coming-of-age stories. From the awkward moments to the hilarious, these stories are presented in unexpected and diverse environments. See stories from notable Australians like writer Alice Pung, AFL footballer Jason Johannisen and drag queen Karen from Finance.
Click here to book tickets and learn more.17. Feel the heat at Magic Mike Live
Enter a custom built tent at Birrarung Marr and see Channing Tatum’s vision come to life. Watch the performers display incredible feats of acrobatics and dance on a 360 degree stage. Let loose with some custom cocktails and enjoy the show.
Book your tickets here.18. Enter a technicolour world at The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse is a fun experience designed by Patch Theatre that is perfect for young people and the young at heart. Enter a series of interconnected rooms and explore the endless wonders of light. This event, held at the Arts Centre, is described as part installation, part scientific quest and part rave.
Learn more about The Lighthouse here.
19. Let loose with Sliders Curling at Ballers Clubhouse
Visit Ballers Clubhouse, the largest bar and games venue in Melbourne. This winter, they’ve created a fun take on the winter sport known as ice curling. Presented by Jägermeister, they’ve created Sliders Curling. Book a lane with your friends and fuel your competitive spirit with an exclusive Jägermeister cocktail menu.
Book here.20. Be immersed in Because the Night, a unique theatre experience
The Malthouse Theatre presents Because the Night, an immersive theatre experience that will leave you wanting more. Follow the actors as a silent witness and uncover the secrets of the land of Elsinore. Start from one of three starting points and enter a labyrinth of over 30 interconnected spaces.
Enter the story and book your tickets here.
21. Be enchanted by the Melbourne Magic Festival
Suspend your disbelief and enjoy the spectacle of the Melbourne Magic Festival. Running from June 28 to July 10, see over 150 performances and 35 different shows at 11 venues across Melbourne.
Browse the shows here and book your tickets online.22. Feel the fire at Firelight Festival in Docklands
The City of Melbourne is going to light up the Docklands District over five fiery nights. Heat up with the fire installations, enjoy music and live performances and enjoy some wintery food and drinks. More details about the Firelight Festival will be announced in early July. This festival will take place July 21 to 25.
Stay tuned to this website for more details.
23. Discover the Flinders Street Ballroom at A Miracle Constantly Repeated by Patricia Piccinini
The mysterious ballroom inside Flinders Street Station has been opened. Visual artist Patricia Piccinini has created an exhibition where technology and nature coexist. See hyper-real silicone sculptures, enormous dioramas and sentient saplings among the ballroom architecture.
Book your tickets here.24. Throw some axes at Lumber Punk
Are you ready to sling some steel? Lumber Punks is a thrilling venue to try out in South Melbourne. Over a 90 minute session, you’ll play some games and learn how to throw some axes, from the little ones to the bigger ones. That’s one way to get rid of your stress!
Click here to book tickets.25. Explore Melbourne in a new way with Questo’s open air exploration games
Questo is an app that combines real-life elements with storytelling. There are two games available to try in Melbourne, and both will take you around the city and help you see it in a whole new light. Take on the role of a young street artist and see the best street art around Melbourne. Or, transform into a vampire and uncover the city’s deadliest secrets.
26. Have fun at Adventure Park’s Winter Glow
Adventure Park in Geelong is making a glowing winter wonderland for the school holidays. Running from June 25 to July 10, this theme park will be transformed into a land of snow, fire and ice. There will be live ice-sculpting and fire-twirling displays each day, as well as a play zone for kids to frolic in the snow. Kids can glow with UV face painting, parents can drink mulled wine and spiced cider, and families can enjoy an immersive light installation.
Learn more on Adventure Park’s website.
27. Escape to Ballarat for the Ballarat Winter Festival
If Geelong isn’t far enough for you, visit Ballarat for the Ballarat Winter Festival. Go ice skating, see wondrous lights, watch some knights joust and discover more fun things to do. The Festival ends on July 18.
Click here for more info.Looking for more escapes? Try: 5 Extraordinary Things To Do In Victoria With The New Regional Travel Voucher