The most sensational things to do in Melbourne this June

RISING festival is back in Melbourne. Embrace the colder nights and experience over 100 events, featuring 376 artists, seven world premieres and 11 Australian premieres. Find the festival all across the city, in railway ballrooms, galleries, town halls, theatres and more. RISING will run from Wednesday May 27 to Monday June 8.

Head over to Queen Victoria Market and warm up with roaring fires, toasty street food, cosy drinks and blazing entertainment. Winter Night Market will run on Wednesday nights from 5pm to 10pm, from June 3 to August 26.

The Immigration Museum is lighting up with the striking, immersive show, Eonarium: Enlightenment. Paired with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, you’ll feel hypnotised by colourful projections that will sweep you away on a journey through spring, summer, autumn and winter. Get your tickets here.

If you love a good winter market, there’s one taking over the Tram Cafe in Melbourne CBD. Treat yourself to cheap eats with dishes for just $12, and stick around for local makers, live music and more. The Winter Market will run from 4pm to 8pm on Thursday, June 4. Entry is free!

Take part in Discoteca Italiana at Melbourne Museum, and party into the evening with Italian DJ sets, as well as espresso martinis, tiramisu, cannoli and more yummy treats. This party will take place on Saturday June 6, from 7pm to 11pm.

Otherwise, visit the museum on Thursday, June 4 for Nocturnal: Museum After Dark. See the Rome exhibition, attend talks, try a silent disco sound bath and more. This event is on from 6pm to 9:30pm. To see what else is on, click here.

See original statues, mosaics, frescos and more at the Melbourne-exclusive exhibition, Rome: Empire, Power, People. Learn all about the spectacle, rise, rule and legacy of this powerful civilisation at Melbourne Museum. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the extended program, like a Brunetti Classico pop-up or art classes.

Celebrate all things scones in this flavoursome festival from Mary Eats Cake. Taking place in both their Brunswick and Montrose venues, you can create your perfect scone with a range of bases, condiments and toppings. The Scone Festival is on from June 3 to 28. Learn more here.

If you’ve ever wanted to wander through a dreamscape made of shimmering bubbles and glowing colours, here’s your moment: Bubble Planet is drifting into Melbourne. This immersive, multi-sensory experience invites you to explore 10 playful, interactive environments designed to awaken your senses and bring out your inner child. Find it at the Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre in Brunswick. Get your tickets here.

St Kilda Film Festival is coming back for its 42nd year. See almost 200 short films, and enjoy screenings and events at venues like the Palais Theatre, Astor Theatre and St Kilda Town Hall. The festival will run from June 4 to 14. More info here.

Whether you want to get an autographed signed, cosplay as your favourite character, buy one-of-a-kind creations, or just have a nice day out with friends, Oz Comic-Con is the perfect place to get in touch with your pop culture side. Find it at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 6 and 7. More info here.

Artists, scientists and collaborators from around the world will explore how we adapt to a world burdened by ecological collapse, technological accelartion and social upheaval in the EMERGENCE[Y] exhibition at Melbourne Science Gallery. It’s on display from June 6 to December 5. See more here.

Treat yourself to all sorts of yummy desserts at Dandenong Market. Look forward to cannoli, crepes, loukoumades and much more. The Street Feast – Sweet Edition will take place on Saturday June 6 from 10am to 3pm. Learn more here.

Do you have a budding film buff? Take them to the Children’s International Film Festival! Perfect for those aged 3 and up, this festival features a curated collection of feature length films and special events. Expect a mix of English language and foreign films with subtitles.

In Melbourne, this festival will run at Classic Cinemas in Elsternwick, Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn and Cameo Cinemas in Belgrave from June 6 to July 5. Learn more here.

The candlelit performances have taken place at venues like The Athenaeum and The Astor Theatre as well as at The Timber Yard, the Meat Market and Fed Square. With more venues being added to the growing list, there’s a Candlelight concert around every corner.

Candlelight concerts in June include the best of Hans Zimmer at the aquarium, a show dedicated to The Weeknd and more. See what’s on here.

A month-long winter festival is coming to Chadstone for the very first time. At Light to Night, you can expect immersive art, dining experiences, community events, after-dark music events and more. The festival will kick off on Thursday, June 11, and run until Sunday, July 12.

Nearly 400 sparkling jewels, tiaras, necklaces, brooches and more will soon sparkle at NGV. Coming exclusively to Melbourne from London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, the Cartier exhibition will feature glittering pieces worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Rihanna, Princess Margaret, Dame Nellie Melba and more. It will also showcase plenty of stunning jewels and objects that have never been seen in Australia before. Find it at NGV International from June 12 to October 4.

The popular NGV Friday Nights is coming back this winter, in celebration of the Cartier exhibition. Explore the exhibition after hours, then stick around for live music, food and drinks. The festivities will take place every Friday night from June 12 until October 2.

The gorgeous, after-dark experience, Lightscape, is coming back to the Royal Botanic Gardens for a fifth season. Wander through the green heart of Melbourne and feel enchanted by 15 new and returning installations. Lightscape will illuminate Melbourne from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, August 2.

Join the Astronomical Society of Victoria on their Stellar Nights tour, and admire the cosmos through two telescopes. Stellar Nights is run on select nights from June 1 to August 31. Otherwise, return to Melbourne Observatory for one of the Solar Tours, which runs on Sundays from June 14 to August 23.

The Westin Melbourne has brought back the delectable High Cheese experience. Warm up this winter with three decadent tiers of cheesy goodness. This reimagined high tea experience is available from Tuesday to Saturday nights, from now until October 17.

Take an intimate look at the human body in the thought-provoking exhibition, BODY WORLDS: The Anatomy of Happiness. Witness real human specimens, frozen in time, and learn how emotions can change the body from the inside out. Find it at The District Docklands. Get your tickets here.

The popular Melbourne Donut Festival is coming back to Queen Victoria Market. Find delicious donuts of all shapes and sizes, such as mochi donuts, creative crullers, hot honey chicken parm donuts, anchovy zeppole and more.It’s all happening on Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14.

A wonderfully cosy French foodie experience is coming to Fed Square. Escape to the French Alps and warm up with either cheese fondue or raclette in your own private chalet. Fondue Chalet will run from now until Sunday, June 28.

After winning an Olivier Award for Best Comedy, this irreverent retelling features five talented women and plenty of pop classics. Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) will play in Melbourne at the Athenaeum Theatre from June 18 to July 11.

Scream, jump and dance through the night at this high-energy rave, featuring bangers from Blink-182, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Paramore and more. Emo Night Brooklyn will take place on Friday, June 19 at Rubix Warehouse. Get your tickets here.

Journey back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth at Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary. Wander along trails and marvel at over 60 animatronic dinosaurs in this prehistoric event. Dinos at the Zoo will run from now until Sunday, July 12.

Healesville Sanctuary has launched Sky Country Tours, an intimate stargazing experience led by Kamilaroi astrophysicist and science communicator Krystal De Napoli. Walk to Lake Coranderrk, and observe dark-sky constellations, planets, and the moon. Learn out the sky has shaped culture, knowledge and survival for tens of thousands of years. These sessions will take place on select nights from now until June 20.

Witness death-defying acrobatics, hilarious clowning and whimsical characters under the Big Top at KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil. Find it at Flemington Racecourse from now until July 19.

Watch as talented ballet dancers bring your favourite stories to life, while performing in glowing costumes. Find Ballet of Lights at the Capitol Theatre. See what’s playing here.

In The Vinyl Factory: Reverb, you’ll explore the influence of vinyl culture and music on art, fashion, film and social movements. This exhibition at ACMI showcases The Vinyl Factory Collection and takes a deep dive into different eras of music. Expect a deep listening room, interactive moments, large-scale installations and more. It’s on from now until Monday, August 31.

ACMI and the ABC are celebrating 60 years of Play School! Young fans are encouraged to visit this free exhibition, and explore the behind-the-scenes of this beloved show. Play School: Come and Play! is great for those aged two to five, and is running from now until July 12.

The Mormons are back! After delighting theatregoers in 2015, The Book of Mormon is making its return to Melbourne. This hilarious, Tony Award-winning musical follows a pair of mismatched Mormon boys, who are sent on a mission to a place that’s as far from Salt Lake City as you can get. Find it at the Princess Theatre.

Listen to talented musicians bring your favourite jazz songs to life in The Jazz Room. Grab a drink, soak in the tunes, and feel amazed by spontaneous solos and improv. There’s a few sessions happening around Melbourne for you to enjoy. Get your tickets here.

You’ve been called for jury duty. In this live theatre courtroom drama, you’ll listen to the case and decide who is guilty or not guilty. There’s a few different sessions around Melbourne of The Jury Experience for you to try.

The Broadway musical, Waitress, has made its Australian premiere in Melbourne. Follow Jenna, a small-town waitress and expert pie maker, who longs to escape her marriage and start again. Find it at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne. Learn more here.

Journey 450 years ago to the legendary Inca citadel. Developed with leading archaeological experts, this virtual reality experience, you’ll explore Machu Picchu and see the agricultural terraces, the Temple of the Sun and more, surrounded by the majestic Andes. Find it at 206 Bourke St. Get your tickets here. 

This science museum in Spotswood is throwing open their doors after hours to celebrate the winter solstice. Open to adults only, you’ll explore exhibitions, see a Planetarium show, enjoy live entertainment and more. Scienceworks After Dark will run from 6pm to 10pm on Saturday June 20. Learn more here.

Geelong Gallery will soon present their blockbuster exhibition Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel, art dealer among the artists. See over 70 paintings from two generations of Impressionist artists, including Monet, Renoir, Berthe Morisot and Camille Pissarro. Many of them have come from private collections in France, and have never been seen before in Australia. Stretching across five galleries, this exhibition will look at the legacy of Paul Durand-Ruel, the first art dealer who supported the Impressionist artists. This exhibition will run from June 20 to October 11.

Head to The District Docklands and go on a space adventure at Saboteurs. Play with your friends inside converted shipping containers, complete tasks, and eject any suspicious imposters. Get your tickets here.

See the largest magic festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, right here in Melbourne. This year, feel enchanted by 320 performances in 59 different shows. The Melbourne Magic Festival will run from June 29 to July 11. More info here.

Adventure Park is bringing back their dazzling Winter Glow experience. Escape to their delightful winter wonderland, and frolic in the snow, go on the rides, see ice sculpting displays, get a makeover in the Enchanted Snow Salon and more. This event will kick off on June 20 and run until August 29. Find out more.

Head to the Mornington Peninsula for Winter Wine Weekend and try 150 wines from 37 wineries at Red Hill Reserve on Saturday June 6. Listen to live music and enjoy delicious street food. Then, stick around the region, visit the wineries and enjoy special events on Sunday and Monday. Learn more here.

Drive out to the Heathcote region over the King’s birthday long weekend for wine, gourmet food, tastings, entertainment and more from over 20 participating venues. Heathcote on Show will run from Saturday June 6 to Monday June 8. See more here.

Drive out to Port Fairy and watch adorable little sausage dogs race each other in the annual Dachshund Dash. This beloved event is part of Port Fairy Winter Weekends, and will take place on Sunday June 7. Meanwhile, the festival will run from June 5 to 8.

The Shortest Lunch is coming back to the Yarra Valley. Sample over 100 wines from over a dozen family-run wineries. Along the way, you’ll find hearty winter dishes, live music and more. The Shortest Lunch will take place on Saturday June 20 and Sunday June 21, in celebration of the winter solstice. Learn more here.

Whisk yourself away to Sorrento, and celebrate the winter solstice. Back for its third year, the Sorrento Solstice Festival attracts over 10,000 people to the coast, where you can heat up with a massive burning effigy on the bay. At the festival, you’ll also find glowing lanterns, live music, DJs, food trucks and more. The festival will take place on Saturday, June 20, followed by a Solstice Swim on Sunday, June 21. This festival is free to attend!

Stroll through this gold rush attraction in Ballarat, and gaze in wonder as the streetscapes and goldfields transform into a winter wonderland. Look forward to dazzling light projections, falling snow, fun activities, live music and more. Winter Wonderlights will return from June 26 to July 19.

Get into the winter spirit in Ballarat, with heaps of fun experiences. Go ice skating, head to Kryal Castle, sip on hot chocolate and more! The Ballarat Winter Festival is on from Saturday June 27 to Sunday July 19.

Bendigo will light up with projections, light shows and interactive moments in Rosalind Park. Electric Wonderland will return for the winter school holidays from June 26 to July 12.

The annual East Gippsland Winter Festival is returning for the sixth time, celebrating art, food, culture and nature over one glorious month. With over 100 events to look forward to, there’s a lot of reasons for you to drive out of Melbourne and explore the region this winter. Expect a series of free events, dining experiences, picturesque locations and more. The festival will start on Friday June 19 and end on Sunday July 19

Snow season is almost here! Discover the amazing alpine regions of Victoria, hit the slopes, build a snowman and more. Find out where to see snow in Victoria here.