The best things to do in Melbourne this weekend (November 14–15)

TOSCANO, the pizza base people, is bringing Makeaway to Melbourne’s CBD from Friday, 13th to Sunday, 15th November. This limited-time pop-up flips takeaway on its head, inviting you to choose your base, build your own pizza with friends, then have the team cook it for you to take home. No menus, no seats, just a fun, hands-on way to bring everyone together over pizza.

Fijian Flying Circus — presented by Fiji Airways and created by Fijian dance company VOU — makes its Australian premiere at Melbourne Showgrounds from 17 October to 22 November. The big-top production blends world-class circus artistry with Fijian stories, live singing and traditional music for a family-friendly spectacle.

If you feel like a night at the theatre this weekend, 70 years after it debuted on Broadway, the beloved My Fair Lady is coming to the newly refurbished Ian Potter State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne. Julie Andrews rose to superstardom when she originated the role of Eliza Dolittle, a Cockney flower girl who transforms into a lady of society. This show will be a recreation of the 2016 Australian production, which was directed by Julie Andrews. This production is on from November 14 to January 17.

A tasty Burrata Festival is taking over Prahran Market this weekend. The party starts with a ticketed event on Friday, complete with a drink on arrival, roaming cannoli, live music and more. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, visit the market for free tastings, a burrata trail, trader specials, cooking demonstrations and more. It’s on from November 13 to 15, and you can find out more here.

Asia Oasis returns to Alexandra Gardens with the Colours of Asia: Garden of Wonders street food festival featuring over 35 vendors and more than 200 dishes, plus cultural performances, lantern-making workshops and activities. Entry is free and the nearest weekend runs November 13–15, 11:00–22:00.

Head to Biblio — a new cafe by The Big Group in the north-west wing of State Library Victoria — serving brunch, coffee from Single O and aperitivos on a sun-soaked terrace. To celebrate the official opening, the first 100 customers from 9am on Saturday, November 14 will receive a free cold brew called The Librarian.

FlixBus is celebrating its first year in Australia with a seat sale offering fares from $10 across its East Coast network; the sale runs until 23 November 2026. Travel is available across an expanded network linking more than 40 destinations, bookable via the FlixBus website or app.

Enjoy a taste of Poland in the heart of Melbourne with traditional dancing, delicious pierogi, music and more. The Polish Festival will take place on Sunday November 15.

If you’re keen to get out of the city this weekend, head to the Macedon Ranges and visit local wineries at Budburst Wine Festival. Discover over 26 winemakers and enjoy tastings, curated food menus and more. The festival will take place on Saturday November 14 and Sunday November 15. See more here.

Think Melbourne does it better than Sydney? Take to the streets and find out! This fun, irreverent walking tour dives into Melbourne’s coffee culture, hidden laneways, street art, Indigenous history and colourful characters, finishing with a riverside drink and the story behind the iconic Melbourne-Sydney rivalry.

If you’re after something bookish this weekend, Readings is taking over venues around Carlton for over 24 hours for a literary day out. Expect talks, book signings, walking tours, storytime for kids and more. A Day in Carlton starts on Thursday, November 12, with the majority of events happening on Saturday, November 14. See the program here.

Make your way to The Arbour — a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and bar set among the gardens of Brown Brothers’ historic Milawa winery, serving wood-fired share plates, cocktails and the winery’s extensive wines. The venue is now open at 239 Milawa-Bobinawarrah Road, Milawa, Victoria.

Kick off your day with a tasty brunch before setting off on a gourmet sandwich treasure hunt! Follow the map, crack clues and explore one of Melbourne’s most iconic fresh food markets as you track down all the ingredients for the ultimate sandwich.

Two Victorian ghost tours share a perfect five‑star Google rating, putting Victoria top of the haunted‑attraction rankings.

An analysis of Google Maps listings ranks Victoria as the state with the most highly rated ghost tours in Australia, led by Hide and Seek Paraquest (Drouin) and Mysteries Lost in History Paranormal Exploration, both holding perfect five‑star averages. The dataset covers 21 attractions nationwide, with Victoria claiming eight entries and an average rating of 4.65.

If you’re after a dark, high-energy night out, head into the money-obsessed Manhattan of the late 1980s with American Psycho – The Musical. You’ll dive into the mind of the infamous Patrick Bateman — an investment banker with a taste for designer suits by day, and something more sinister at night — in a blood-soaked show featuring music from Phil Collins, Tears for Fears, New Order and more. Find it at Chapel Off Chapel from October 31 to November 21.

Fresh off a sold-out season in London, the award-winning Fiddler on the Roof is coming to Melbourne this weekend. Hear your favourite tunes from the show, including If I Were A Rich Man, Tradition, Matchmaker and Sunrise, Sunset. The revival will play at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne from Saturday, October 31.

Australia’s longest mat-racing waterslide, Kraken Unleashed, is coming to Funfields this summer. The new attraction is a 235-metre, four-racer mat-racing waterslide, with the park reopening on Saturday, October 31 for the season running to April 25. Day passes start from $49, with season passes available from $99 to $199.

Game4Padel has opened a 5,636m² indoor padel club at 437 Plummer Street, Port Melbourne, featuring nine panoramic courts (including two accessible courts), a show court with spectator stands, coaching and leagues. The venue also includes a Bang Bang café and bar, lounge, coworking space and pro shop, with opening hours 7:00–23:00 daily.

Tackle this 7-kilometre clifftop trail linking San Remo and Kilcunda, with panoramic ocean views, secluded beaches, grasslands and abundant wildlife; it typically takes about two hours one-way (around four+ hours return).

Three Horses is a sherry‑led bar on Little Lonsdale Street in Melbourne CBD, and it debuted at No. 84 in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2026. The larger follow‑up to Caretaker’s Cottage focuses on sherry-forward cocktails (flat $27 in winter) and light snacks under $10.

Add ENCORE! to your list: it opens at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA) inside Hamer Hall at Arts Centre Melbourne from 16 September 2026 to 9 May 2027, showcasing 50 objects spanning roughly 170 years of Australian performing-arts history — from Kylie Minogue’s gold hot pants to costumes and rare archival pieces.

Every great night out should begin with as little stress as possible. No more worrying about where to park or coordinating public transport to make it to your Candlelight concert and home again. Thanks to Candlelight’s partnership with Uber, you can relax and make the most of your journey instead, with discounted Uber rides to and from the concert.

From the moment you leave your front door, your night can already be underway. Book your Candlelight concert today. You’ll receive an email with your Uber discount code 24 hours before the concert!

Funlab is opening Playback96 at Chadstone on Thursday, 27th August — an immersive 90s‑themed social games venue featuring nine interactive nostalgic challenges, retro set design, themed cocktails and party and corporate packages.

Swap the city for sea air, tackle the free, well-marked 8.3–8.5km coastal loop on Phillip Island. Expect pink granite cliffs, sweeping Bass Strait views, wildlife encounters and historic quarry ruins — and in spring, it’s at its best thanks to nesting shearwaters.

The Frog Club—a new brasserie from James McBride and Marc Gurman—has opened at 163 Chapel Street, Windsor, dishing up wood-grilled steaks, lavish seafood, old-school cocktails and late-night energy. It’s open seven days a week from 5pm, serving its full menu until midnight.

Itera — the all-day gluten-free bakery and café from Kudo Bakery founders Felix Goodwin and Elena Nguyen — opens on Saturday 12 September 2026 at 4A Ballarat Street, Brunswick. The 26-seat venue serves a seasonal menu, baked goods using two sourdough starters (including sakadane), signature canelés and Single O coffee.

Tucked into a Melbourne laneway, this tiny 32-seat theatre serves up close-up magic, mind-reading and cabaret from FISM world champion Sam Angelico and Raconteur Productions. Main performances run most Saturdays and Sundays, with an extra Saturday matinee.

Melbourne’s Oh My Gelato! just won the inaugural Australian Gelato Cup at Fine Food Australia with ‘The Melbourne Marvel’ — a pistachio, espresso variegato and dark chocolate-coated honeycomb creation. Winners May Quah and Apple Robles will represent Australia at the Sherbeth International Artisan Gelato Festival in Italy this November.

Afloat — Melbourne’s beloved floating bar and restaurant on the Yarra River — reopens to the public from Thursday 27 August as ‘Yamas Greece’, featuring Greek‑inspired décor, seasonal cocktails, a selection of native Greek wines and a new menu of Mediterranean dishes.

Sachi is a contemporary Japanese seafood restaurant on Queen Street, Melbourne, opened in late 2025 and led by Executive Chef Jin and team. The menu focuses on dry-aged fish, an accessible nigiri counter (11-course $78.50, 15-course $128.50), sake and Japanese-inspired cocktails.

Head to Flair, a crimson-lit cabaret cocktail bar open at 125 Smith Street, Fitzroy, on Friday 21 August 2026. Expect live burlesque, circus and cabaret alongside a $15 menu of drinks and shareable dishes. The venue features a custom-built stage, upstairs balcony, hidden beer garden and late-night DJs from 9pm.

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. 

Spend your Saturday enjoying an unforgettable night of live Candlelight at The Athenaeum Theatre! Take a look to see which Candlelight show you should attend over the weekend.

If you’re keen to add a new sweet stop to your weekend itinerary, a MasterChef pastry prodigy is bringing everyday, story-driven pastries to Melbourne’s east. MasterChef alum Jess “Lemon” Liemantara has opened her first solo bakery, Jess Lemon, in Nunawading, offering Asian-inspired pastries, macarons, crookies and chiffon cakes in a small, home-like venue.

Read more about Jess Lemon.

Need a spot to melt the week away? A new Scandinavian-inspired Navia Bathhouse opens in Prahran on August 15, offering Finnish saunas, mineral hot pools, steam rooms, multiple cold plunges, infrared sauna sessions and red light therapy. The venue also houses Fika Café and will be open daily from 06:00 to 22:00.

Wanna try out something new this weekend dining? Try Côte Basque—the new Basque-inspired restaurant from Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann—opens at 25 Crossley St on Friday, August 7. The venue offers wood-fired grill cooking, European wines and classic cocktails, running daily from noon till late.

Step back in time at the newly reopened Clover Cottage Estate, now serving fine dining and casual meals amid restored period gardens.

A historic three-hectare garden estate in Berwick has reopened after nearly ten years, offering a restored restaurant and brasserie with daily service and bookings available. The homestead is being restored for accommodation, with plans to open in 2027.

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.

The William Ricketts Sanctuary has reopened—explore 92 ceramic sculptures tucked into a peaceful Dandenong glade. If you’re after an easy nature-and-culture outing this weekend, William Ricketts Sanctuary on Mount Dandenong is back open after storm repairs, offering visitors a ferny outdoor gallery of 92 ceramic sculptures. Entry is free and the site is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry 15:30).

Pop inside State Library Victoria and see Australia’s largest rare book exhibition, World of the Book. Back for its 21st year, this exhibition at State Library Victoria features over 400 rare and historically significant items. This exhibition is also the Library’s largest ever tribute to women writers, with works from Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, the Brontë sisters and more. It’s free to attend.

This virtual reality adventure was created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Stand on the edge of black holes, see a supernova, explore an exoplanet and much more. Smithsonian Starstruck is now showing at 206 Bourke Street in Melbourne.

In this immersive, space-filled game, you and your Crew must complete tasks around a Moon base while the Impostors blend in, pretending to work while secretly eliminating the Crew. This is your chance to take part in real-life immersive gameplay that offers a thrilling experience of deception, strategy and teamwork. Get your tickets 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.