30 Awesome Things To Do This Weekend In Melbourne
Welcome to the weekend.
Melbourne is filled with fun and cool things to keep you occupied this weekend. The city is buzzing with stunning winter events after dark. There’s also cool exhibits to check out, and food to try. Here are some of our top recommendations on where to go, what to eat and what to look forward to this weekend in Melbourne.
1. Enjoy a film from the Melbourne International Film Festival
Celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Melbourne International Film Festival by catching a film from their extensive program this weekend. MIFF is on now, and is playing in metro, suburban and regional theatres. The festival will run until August 21, with films available to stream online from August 11 to 28.
2. Go truffle hunting at Grazeland
Head to Melbourne’s west and enjoy tasty truffle treats, both sweet and savoury, at Grazeland’s first truffle festival. This event will run from Friday August 12 to Sunday August 14.
3. Check out National Science Week at Melbourne Museum and Scienceworks
National Science Week is coming back to Museums Victoria for the first time since 2019. There’s heaps of intriguing exhibitions, activities and events to help you celebrate the beauty of science. The program starts on Saturday August 13, and will continue until Sunday August 21.
While you’re there, be sure to check out the Open Horizons exhibition before it goes on Sunday August 14.
4. Wander through a nocturnal world at Tyama
Go on a multi-sensory journey through Victoria’s natural world at this stunning exhibition. Informed by First Peoples knowledge, this exhibition features interactive worlds that respond to movement and sound. Journey from the night sky, through caves and into the sea at Melbourne Museum this weekend.
5. Return to the ’90s at the Throwback Lounge
This walk down memory lane is all about the ’90s, with iconic arcade games, performances, a cereal bar and much more! Find The Throwback Lounge at The District Docklands every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August.
6. Go back in time with Queen Vic Market’s Rockabilly & Retro Market
Discover vintage clothes, collectables and more at this retro market. Then, enjoy hot rod-inspired food at the Rock ‘n’ Jazz diner, see classic hot rods on display, and listen to live entertainment from 10am to 3pm. This event will take place at Queen Vic Market on Sunday August 14, from 9am to 4pm.
7. Check out costumes and props from Thor: Love and Thunder at ACMI
In this free exhibition, you’ll see costumes worn by Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale and other stars from the blockbuster film, Thor: Love and Thunder. You’ll also see props from the film on display, including Thor’s famous hammer, Mjölnir. Find this showcase inside The Story of the Moving Image exhibition, from now until July 28 in 2023.
8. Discover over 70 works of art from Tate’s collection at ACMI
Journey through 200 years of art history, involving painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, kinetic art, installation and the moving image. Expect wondrous pieces from artists like Claude Monet, Yayoi Kusama and James Turrell.
This exhibition is on until November 13. Learn more here.
9. Browse through the Docklands Community Market
Take in harbour views at Newquay Promenade and go shopping at the Docklands Community Market. Enjoy food from the stalls and find a unique item to take home. This market will run on Sunday August 14 from 10am to 2pm.
10. See world-exclusive exhibition, The Picasso Century, at NGV
See over 170 works of art from Picasso and his contemporaries, and explore his career from beginning to end.
Learn more here.11. Discover Mr Miyagi in the Big Smoke at QT Melbourne
Windsor restaurant Mr Miyagi has popped up at QT Melbourne’s ‘Hot Sauce Laneway’. Enjoy a specially-curated menu of slow-cooked meats and Japanese flavours. This pop-up will run for six weeks, on Thursday to Saturday evenings, from June 30 to September 2.
More info here.12. Listen to the wonderful music of BTS and more K-pop icons at this Candlelight Concert
Do you love BTS? Then you’ll want to head over to Meat Market and check out this mesmerising Candlelight Concert. Listen to a string quartet as they go through favourite songs like DNA, Fake Love and Save Me. There’s other K-pop hits on the line-up too, including Taeyang’s Wedding Dress, Twice’s Fancy and a Blackpink mashup. This concert will take place on Saturday August 13.
Get your tickets here.13. Meet the nicest kids in town at Hairspray the Musical
This beloved musical is now playing at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne.
14. Treat yourself with a meal as part of Go Fooding Month
Some of Melbourne’s best restaurants are serving up special three-course menus as part of the inaugural Go Fooding Month by TheFork. Discover a selection of menus for $49, $79 or $99 at some fine dining establishments or neighbourhood eateries around town. These special menus will be available for all of August.
15. Feel the heat at Bricklane Bagels
Bricklane Bagels is launching a limited-edition hot sauce, Welcome to the Tropics. To celebrate, they’re releasing two bagel combinations to try. One features a 12 hour slow cooked beef brisket with Tropics hot sauce, coleslaw, American cheese, pickles and Bricklane special sauce. The other features spring onion, dill cream cheese, avocado and the Tropics hot sauce.
If you arrive early enough, there’s heaps of freebies up for grabs, including a free scoop of gelato and a free coffee. Find Bricklane Bagels at 224 Clarendon Street in South Melbourne this weekend, from 10am to 3pm on Saturday.
16. Lose your head over Six the Musical
Head to the Comedy Theatre this weekend for an energetic night out. Feel like you’re at a pop concert, and watch the six wives of Henry VIII tell their stories and reclaim their crowns. After a night at SIX, you’ll understand why this Tony award-winning musical has over 450 million Spotify streams.
Dance this way for more.17. Celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day at Fed Square
Head to Fed Square on Saturday for a massive celebration, with heaps of fun activities including a dance competition and Bollywood film screenings. This event will start with a flag-raising ceremony at 10:30am and end at 9pm on Saturday August 13. This celebration is just one event of the Indian Film Festival, which is on from now until August 20.
18. Indulge yourself with High SocieTea at The Westin
Indulge in a sophisticated afternoon high tea this weekend at The Westin Melbourne. Treat your taste buds to a luxurious, three-tier offering of caviar, cheese and chocolate. High SocieTea is available for a limited time only, from August 12 to October 13.
19. Discover the work of Bruce Munro at the Heide Museum of Modern Art
Feel amazed by indoor and outdoor pieces from internationally celebrated artist, Bruce Munro, at Heide. Discover over twenty works inside the museum itself, as well as an immersive outdoor installation that will illuminate the surrounding parklands every night. Bruce Munro: From Sunrise Road is on now, and will run until Friday October 16.
More info here.20. See the cosmos unfold before your eyes at Neighbourhood Earth
Float out of Melbourne this weekend and explore space like never before in this immersive experience. Voyage through the solar system in an immersive cinema space, walk through replica spacecraft, see museum-quality astronaut suits and more.
Neighbourhood Earth is now showing at Emporium. Get your tickets here.
21. Go crazy at 9 to 5 the Musical
Dolly Parton’s hilarious and mischievous show is now playing at Arts Centre Melbourne. It follows three working women, and their unique and shocking way of turning the tables on their horrible boss. Learn more about the show here.
22. Dine in a private après-ski lodge
Head to the rooftop of Richmond’s Fargo and Co, and indulge in boozy hot chocolate, gourmet bites, a pink chocolate fondue fountain and more. Make a booking with your friends this weekend.
More info here.23. Feel thrilled by a performance of Hamilton
You can finally be in the room where it happens, and see this revolutionary musical live on stage. Hamilton is currently playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
24. Dine in an igloo
Stay warm and cosy inside your own private igloo. Enjoy a private dining experience in four venues around Melbourne this weekend. These locations, like The Wharf Hotel, are now open for igloo bookings.
25. Stay toasty at Anglers Tavern with their winter chalet experience
Gather your friends and warm up in a delightful winter chalet at Anglers Tavern. There’s plenty of heating, blankets and cushions to keep you warm, as well as comforting winter food and a Canadian Club bar stacked with drink specials. The Winter Chalet experience will stay at Anglers Tavern until Friday September 2.
26. Warm up with the Hot Chocolate Festival
Escape to chocolateries in the Yarra Valley, Great Ocean Road or Mornington Peninsula to try 31 different flavours of hot chocolate this August. There will also be workshops where you can make your own personalised flavour to take home.
Discover more about the festival here.
27. See new exhibitions at TarraWarra Museum of Art
Drive out to Healesville this weekend and get your dose of art and culture at TarraWarra Museum of Art. More info here.
28. Feel mesmerised by Borealis on the Lake
Head out of Melbourne this weekend and drive out to Daylesford. See the wonder of the Northern Lights dance above the lake. Technology and art will combine to replicate the beauty of this natural phenomenon. The experience starts on Friday July 15, and will continue until Sunday September 4.
See more here.29. Embrace the darkness at WinterWild Festival
Escape to the Southern Otways, and enjoy a festival of live music, theatre, gourmet food, bonfires, performances, cemetery tours and much, much more. Surrounded by rainforest and ocean, this festival is all about embracing and celebrating the winter elements. It will take place across two weekends, from August 12 to 14 and August 26 to 28.
Learn more here.30. Explore the beauty of Moama Lights
Art, technology and nature will combine into an immersive light and sound trail at Moama Lights. Journey along the boardwalk, past towering trees and towards the Murray River, and discover fleeting images, colourful effects, theatrical fog and more.
Moama Lights will run from July 31 to August 21. More info here.