The weekend is here, and Melbourne is filled with cool and interesting things to keep you occupied. There’s plenty of fun things to do, food to try and shows to see. Here are some of our top recommendations on where to go, what to eat and what to look forward to this weekend in Melbourne and beyond.
1. Return to the Melbourne Royal Show
The iconic Melbourne Royal Show is coming back to town for another season of family fun. Look forward to over 100 experiences and activities, such as animal encounters, fireworks, rides and more. Find it at Melbourne Showgrounds from Thursday September 26 to Sunday October 6.
2. Feel amazed by Melbourne Fringe Festival
Fringe is back and there’s 470 incredible events to discover. You’re invited to ‘Eat Your Art Out’ across three incredible weeks, and enjoy a feast for the senses with plenty of events for art and food lovers. Expect a curated program that will push the boundaries with music, dance, cabaret and more. Melbourne Fringe Festival will run from now until Sunday October 20.
3. Check out the Melbourne Italia Festa
Head to Royal Exhibition Building and the Museum Plaza for the Melbourne Italian Festa. Indulge in plenty of delectable food and drink, explore stalls, go wine tasting, enjoy live performances and more at this massive cultural event. Check it out on Saturday October 5 and Sunday October 6. More info here.
4. Have fun at Festival Indonesia
Pop over to Argyle Square in Carlton for Festival Indonesia. Find treasures at a variety of stalls, feast on Indonesian cuisine and see cultural performances. This cultural event will take place on Sunday October 6 from 10am. More info here.
5. See the whimsical Accidentally Wes Anderson exhibition
An exhibition inspired by the colour and symmetry of Wes Anderson films is now open in Melbourne. See over 200 curated photos from around the world, explored themed areas and have fun with interactive sets. Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition is open from Wednesdays to Sundays. Get your tickets here.
6. Keep it kawaii at the Hello Kitty Cafe
Head to Chadstone and have fun at the Hello Kitty Cafe. This pop-up spot is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the beloved Sanrio character. On top of the delightful food and drink, there’s also a selection of limited-edition merchandise, an installation and a school holidays program. The cafe is open daily from 10am to 9pm.
7. Check out the Lygon St Market
Take a stroll through Argyle Square in Carlton and find all sorts of handmade goods and tasty treats at the Lygon Street Market. It’s all happening on Saturday October 5 from 10am to 3pm.
8. See all the action at Monster Jam
Monster Jam is taking over AAMI Park on Saturday October 5. See The Amazing Spider-Man, Thor and more face off against fan favourites like Grave Digger and Megalodon in a series of freestyle, skill and racing competitions. Find out more.
9. Walk among the dinosaurs at Jurassic World: The Exhibition
Journey through the iconic Jurassic World gates and come face-to-face with roaring dinosaurs from the legendary movie franchise. Encounter a brachiosaurus, velociraptors, a Tyrannosaurus Rex and more. Check it out at the Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre in Brunswick. Get your tickets here.
10. See a free science fiction exhibition at Science Gallery Melbourne
In SCI-FI: Mythologies Transformed, you’ll encounter futuristic visions, dream worlds and more through a range of cool installations at Science Gallery Melbourne. It’s free to visit and open from Wednesdays to Saturdays.
11. Get physical with Olivia’s Walk for Wellness
Walk along The Tan in Alexandra Gardens and help raise funds to support the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre. Dogs are welcome to come along too! Olivia’s Walk for Wellness is on from 8am on Sunday October 6. See more here.
12. Embark on an illuminated woodland trail in Magic by Moonlight
Look forward to over 400 light installations across four magical realms in Magic by Moonlight. This enchanting experience for the whole family will take over the George Pentland Botanical Gardens in Frankston. Check it out on select days from now until Sunday October 6, from 5:30pm to 10pm.
13. Unwind at the candlelit meditation experience, Mindful Glow
Feeling stressed? Calm your mind and release tension in the body at Mindful Glow. Lose yourself in the tranquil candlelit space, and take part in mindful meditation and a revitalising sound bath. This experience will take place at Collingwood Town Hall on Saturday October 5. Get your tickets here.
14. Have the best time at TINA: the Tina Turner Musical
Celebrate the life and music of Tina Turner at TINA: The Tina Turner Musical. This spectacular show features over 20 of her iconic songs, including Simply the Best and What’s Love Got to Do with It. See it at the Princess Theatre.
15. Celebrate Oktoberfest at Hofbräuhaus
Hofbräuhaus is celebrating Oktoberfest with plenty of bier, food, live entertainment and games. Join in on the fun from September 21 to October 26.
16. Have a royally good time at SIX the Musical
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. If that’s all you know about Henry VIII and his six wives, then strap yourselves in. The fun and witty show, SIX the Musical, is back in Melbourne. See Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr take the mic and belt out their stories for all to hear. The ex-wives will seize the throne at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne.
17. Enjoy a meal from Le Petit Chef
At Le Petit Chef, your table is transformed into a screen, with entertaining performances from a virtual, tiny chef. As he tries to cook, he faces some amusing blunders, but thankfully, the kitchen staff in real life are there to assist before things get too out of hand. Check it out at The Langham Melbourne from Tuesday to Saturday at select times.
18. Experience a tale as old as time with Beauty and the Beast
Feel enchanted by the magical Beauty and the Beast musical. Watch in wonder as your favourite characters perform spectacular songs, like ‘Be Our Guest’, ‘Belle’, ‘Gaston’ and more. This production is now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
19. Bounce over to The NBA Exhibition
Get your head in the game at The NBA Exhibition. Explore over 20 themed sections, see cool memorabilia, play arcade basketball games, check out the VR zone and more. This fun experience is now open at The District Docklands. Get your tickets here.
20. Explore Melbourne International Games Week
Melbourne International Games Week is here and there’s some cool stuff for you to explore this weekend. Head to Cardigan Street on October 5 for City North Fest, visit the interactive family exhibition, RAIN, at ArtPlay, pop by ACMI for games and more. Melbourne International Games Week is on from now until October 13. Learn more here.
21. Fly over to Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition at ACMI
Have a gander at the development behind the beloved Untitled Goose Game at this free, world premiere exhibition at ACMI. Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition will run from September 17 to February 16, 2025.
22. See curious characters at the Beings exhibition in ACMI
Meet and play with an assortment of curious characters born from code at the world premiere ACMI exhibition, Beings. Created by the international art and design collective, Universal Everything, this exhibition features 13 artworks made with ever-evolving algorithms. Move, dance and play with these creatures on screen, and enjoy a different experience each time. The Beings exhibition open at ACMI from now until October 6.
23. Indulge in fine dining pastry at Lune Lab
Lune has launched their fine dining concept, Lune Lab. Head to their venue in Fitzroy and eat your way through a set menu, where Lune chefs challenge what’s possible with croissant pastry by creating experimental and seasonal dishes. This ticketed experience has a maximum of eight people per sitting. The season will take place on weekends from September 6 to November 24. More info here.
24. Check out this exciting Banksy exhibition
After successful runs in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Sydney, the Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” exhibition is now showing in Melbourne. This museum-quality exhibition features over 180 Banksy artworks as well as multiple installations. Find it at The District Docklands. Get your tickets here.
25. Journey through history with the Pharaoh exhibition at NGV
6 October 2024 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Sean Fennessy
Explore three thousand years of ancient Egyptian art and culture at the NGV Winter Masterpieces exhibition, Pharaoh. See over 500 treasures, including monumental sculpture, architecture, jewellery, coffins and more. Many of these works are on display in Australia for the first time. The exhibition is now on and will stay until October 6.
26. See the mighty T. Rex at Melbourne Museum
Victoria the T. Rex is one of the largest and most complete fossils in the world. She’s also the first real T. rex to ever be shown in Victoria. Check out the dinosaur at Melbourne Museum from now until October 20.
27. Lock in plans to check out Alcotraz
In this interactive experience, you’ll smuggle liquor into prison and receive up to four personalised cocktails. Alcotraz is now open in Melbourne. Get your tickets here.
28. Marvel at the work of Leonardo da Vinci at The LUME
Take a journey back in time, and explore the genius of Leonardo da Vinci. Step into the 3,000m², and watch some of the worlds most famous artworks come to life, like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius is now open at The LUME.
29. Wander through colourful fields at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival
Drive out to the Dandenong Ranges and feel delighted by the visual splendour of the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. There’s nearly one million bulbs spread across five acres to discover. On top of the tulips, there will be food, drinks and entertainment. The Tesselaar Tulip Festival will run from Saturday September 14 to Sunday October 13.
30. Grow over to the Bolobek Garden Fair
Take a drive over to Bolobek at the base of Mt Macedon for the Bolobek Garden Fair. Browse through over 50 stalls, selling rare plants, garden tools, botanical art and more. The Fair will take place on October 5 and 6.
31. Admire the Bendigo Annual Tulip Display
Head to Pall Mall and Conservatory Garden to see this year’s Bendigo Annual Tulip Display. There, you’ll find over 43, 000 tulips with a whole range of colours, sizes and blooming times. The tulips usually bloom until mid-October. Check here for more information.