Mother’s Day is almost here. And thankfully, there’s plenty of wonderful ways for you to treat your mum this year. There’s plenty of high tea events, as well as fun activities like candle-making and painting. Whether you want to spoil your mum, say thank you to the mother of your children, treat your grandmother or celebrate the mother figure in your life, here are some amazing things to do in Melbourne this Mother’s Day.
1. Take part in a candle-making workshop at the Hellenic Museum
The Hellenic Museum is teaming up with THEMATIKOS to present a special candle-making workshop for Mother’s Day. This workshop, known as Seasonal Scents, combines craft with history. Learn about the history, uses and traditions surrounding candles and fragrance through time. Then, make your own soy candle from scratch, and formulate a signature scent to use in your candle. Take it home, or gift it to a loved one.
This fascinating workshop costs $115 plus booking fee. It will take place at 10:30am or 2pm on Saturday May 13. Learn more here.
2. Enjoy high tea at the Royal Exhibition Building
Have you ever had high tea at the Royal Exhibition Building? Enjoy a sparkling wine on arrival, and enjoy a two hour high tea experience inside the picturesque building. While you dine, a harpist will play live music. Indulge in little sandwiches, savoury bites, and sweet treats like a chocolate dome tart. After that, stroll next door to Melbourne Museum and enjoy all-day general entry.
Tickets are $120 for adults and $50 for children. Learn more here.
3. Feel like a queen with high tea inside State Library Victoria
Journey to The Ian Potter Queen’s Hall at State Library Victoria for an exclusive high tea. Venture up the grand marble staircase, and eat sweet and savoury treats inside the heritage space. Enjoy a glass of complimentary champagne, and listen to soft classical music. This high tea package includes free-flowing tea and coffee, and can be upgraded to include unlimited bubbles.
Adult tickets start at $109 plus booking fee. High tea will take place on Sunday May 14, with session times from 11am to 2pm. More info here.
4. Go to Hamer Hall for a special Mother’s Day concert
In this family-friendly concert, you’ll listen to popular songs along John Foreman and the Aussie Pops Orchestra. Listen to familiar songs, starring Rhona Burchmore, Harrison Craig and Denis Walter. Two performances will take place on Sunday May 14 at Hamer Hall. The first show will start at 11am, and the second show at 3pm. Find more details here.
5. Enjoy the ultimate Mother’s Day out at Crown Aviary
Treat your mum to a wonderful lunch in this premium rooftop experience. Enjoy a cocktail on arrival and relax with a menu designed by Chef Kelly Jackson and his team. This event will be hosted by Farah Mak, and you’ll enjoy a performance from Jason Singh. While you’re there, be sure to browse around the Boutique Rooftop Market for gifts, and keep the kids entertained with some outdoor games. Your mum will feel celebrated with giveaways, personal messages, gift bags and more.
This event will run from 12pm to 3pm on Sunday May 14. Tickets cost $195 per adult plus booking fee. Find out more here.
6. Soar above the clouds at Eureka 89
Treat the mother figure in your life to lunch or dinner at the sky-high venue, Eureka 89. Choose between a three-course lunch or a four-course dinner, complete with an all-inclusive beverage offering. Start the meal with a signature cocktail, and end with a decadent chocolate dessert with pear, blackberry and honey textures. Lunch costs $180 per person and dinner is $205 per person.
This event includes complimentary Skydeck access, so you can appreciate the 360 degree views of Melbourne even longer. Learn more here.
7. Support those with breast cancer at Mother’s Day Classic
Walk or run along the Tan for Mother’s Day Classic. Each registration includes a race bib, a commemorative medallion, giveaways from sponsors and more. On the day, there will be food vendors, live music and entertainment. Find more details, including times and distances, here.
8. Embark on a Boozy Tales & Hidden Bars Tour
Looking for something a little different? Perhaps your mum would enjoy this special tour that uncovers Melbourne’s boozy history. Explore Melbourne’s laneways and discover three hidden bars. Drinks are complimentary, and you can enjoy shared platters of food at the first and second bar.
The tour runs for three hours, and starts at 2:30pm on Mother’s Day. Tickets are $199 a person. More info here.
9. Sip on Gin High Tea at Brogan’s Way
Take your mum to this boutique distillery in Richmond for some Gin High Tea. This event includes a Mother’s Day Cocktail on arrival, gin and tonic highballs and free flowing bubbles. Nibble on savoury finger sandwiches, tartlets and cake slices served on elegant cake stands while you’re there. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
This event costs $62 per person plus booking fee, and runs from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday May 14. Bookings are essential.
10. Feel a little bubbly with a champagne high tea at Rendezvous Hotel
Relax in the heritage-listed Rendezvous Hotel with a glass of Piper Heidsieck Champagne for Mother’s Day. Enjoy a selection of sweet treats and finger sandwiches, and satisfy your chocolate cravings by heading over to the chocolate fountain. All mums will leave with a surprise treat.
Bookings are available from 2pm on Mother’s Day, and it costs $80 for adults.
11. Take part in a cocktail masterclass
Visit Newmarket Hotel in St Kilda and have fun together with a two hour masterclass. Learn how to make three classic cocktails. After that, as you enjoy sipping your creations, enjoy pizzas to share with your group. This class is $60 per person. More info here.
12. Get creative with a paint and sip class
Make fun memories together and take part in a paint and sip class at Paint For Fun in Port Melbourne. There’s a few sessions to choose from, including a watercolour class and an abstract session. See what’s happening for Mother’s Day here.
13. Have fun with pop-up experiences at Eastland
Celebrate mothers everywhere at The Pamper Lounge, a 1950s-inspired cocktail bar at Eastland. From May 12 to 14, enjoy a complimentary drink and relax with an express manicure or a massage. Listen to acoustic tunes from local musicians while you unwind.
There will also be a beauty workshop series by Mecca. Book a spot for $5 at The Beauty Parlour and learn how to apply makeup for different times in the day. Find the perfect scent at a fragrance bar and receive a Mecca gift bag. Workshops run for 25 minutes and bookings are essential.
Find more details here.14. Treat mum to a Parisian high tea at Crown
Treat mum to Parisian high tea in The Waiting Room at the Crown Towers lobby. Start with a glass of Piper Champagne, followed by a four-tiered high tea stand. Enjoy dainty sweet and savoury bites, including orange crème brûlée and crab vol-au-vent. This experience starts at $79, which includes coffee and tea, or $99 for a glass of champagne. High tea is available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons from Mother’s Day until June 25. See more here.
15. Take part in free yoga at Willow Urban Retreat
If the mother figure in your life likes yoga, why don’t you treat her to a free yoga session at Willow Urban Retreat in Armadale? On Mother’s Day, they have four available sessions to choose from. Just use the code, “MOTHERFIGURE”, at checkout. Before or after the session, enjoy a wholesome meal at the café downstairs. More info here.
16. Have fun with Plants, Pups and Prosecco at College Lawn Hotel
This venue in Prahran is celebrating Mother’s Day with market stalls from local makers. Pup mums and plant mums are welcome to come along. Browse through the stalls and find some plants to take home. All mums will receive a free glass of prosecco. This event will run from 12pm to 4pm. Bookings are essential.
17. Feast on a Mother’s Day high tea buffet at Pullman Albert Park
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Windows Restaurant in Pullman Albert Park. There will be a massive High Tea spread, with finger sandwiches, scones, savouries and pastries, as well as live stations for pasta and carving. All mums will receive a Mother’s Delight Bag with goodies to take home. This costs $135 per person. More info here.
18. Take mum to The Terrace in the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Terrace is throwing an enchanting Mother’s Day High Tea. Indulge in a selection of petit gateaux, pastries and canapes, as well as a complimentary glass of French champagne and your choice of tea or coffee. Pre-order a bouquet from Rose Studios, and try limited-edition tea inspired cocktails for an extra cost. High tea at The Terrace is $95 per person. Bookings are available now.
19. Have a blast at this drag, paint and sip event at Fargo and Co
Celebrate the matriarch in your life with a three-hour paint and sip session hosted by a drag queen. As you paint, indulge in an additional build-your-own charcuterie board and grab drinks from the bar. Tickets cost $59 per person, and will run from 3pm to 6pm at Fargo & Co in Richmond on Mother’s Day. Bookings are essential.
20. Enjoy yum cha at Moonhouse
Indulge in a Cantonese-inspired set menu at Moonhouse. Feast on roast duck pancake, pork and wombok dumplings, char siu pork buns, grilled scallops and more for $60 a person. Pre-purchase a bouquet of flowers to receive on arrival, or let mum pick out her own flowers. Artisan florist xFlos will be there as a pop-up store. Bookings are available now.
21. Wander through the Garden at Broughton Hall
Is your mum a fan of gardening? Why don’t you take a drive and see the Garden at Broughton Hall? This stunning location is beginning to display some gorgeous autumnal hues, and the nursery shop is full of potential gifts for that green thumb in your life.
This garden is about an hour and a half away from Melbourne, and opens from 10am to 4pm. Learn more here.
22. Visit various Westfield centres for fun activities
Westfield is celebrating Mother’s Day with fun workshops and activities. Take part in a Sip and Paint event at Airport West on Saturday May 13. Try out guided pottery classes in Doncaster. Take part in workshops about making grazing boards at Southland. And paint ceramic plates at Knox on Saturday May 13 and Sunday May 14. Explore their website to learn more.
23. Feast on the dreamy Starry Night Cake by Black Star Pastry
This limited-edition cake will take you on a journey to the stars. Enjoy layers of blueberry and lavender mousse, baked cheesecake, fruit compote and a pistachio dacquoise biscuit-like base. The cake is garnished with hand-painted detail and topped with fresh violet flower, blueberry and lavender-flavoured stars. It costs $55, and pre-orders are open now with collection available on Saturday May 13 and Sunday May 14. See their website for more.
24. Get your hair done at QT Melbourne
QT Melbourne is hosting a pop-up hair salon on Sunday May 14. Feel pampered and enjoy blow dry styles in the lobby. After that, head to their signature restaurant, Pascale Bar & Grill, for a three-course lunch. At $120 per person, this lunch includes a glass of bubbly and a European-inspired menu. Restaurant bookings are available between 12pm and 3pm. The blow dry experience is free for those with restaurant bookings and hotel guests, and is available on a first come, first served basis. Bookings are available now.
25. Embrace La Dolce Vita at Mary Eats Cake
High tea specialists, Mary Eats Cake, are transforming their Brunswick and Montrose venues into a Mediterranean paradise. Inspired by the Amalfi Coast, this Mother’s Day event includes a Limoncello spritz cocktail or mocktail on arrival, as well as bottomless scones, unlimited tea, a selection of high tea treats and gelati to finish. This event is on from Wednesday May 10 to Sunday May 14. More info here.
26. Feast on pizza at 400 Gradi
Going to 400 Gradi on Mother’s Day? All mums will receive a complimentary glass of Mumm champagne. Pair it with pizza, pasta, mains, sides and dessert. On top of that, for every bottle of Mumm purchased, you’ll receive two 400 Gradi glasses to take home. Find your nearest store here.
27. Celebrate with a Mother’s Day Feast at NOMAD
Enjoy a one-off menu by the NOMAD team on Mother’s Day. This menu highlights the best in Middle Eastern flavours, with items like wood-roasted king prawns and burrata with fennal and jam. Brunch and lunch service runs from 11:30am to 2:30pm. Meanwhile, dinner is available from 5pm. More info here.
28. Grab dessert from Brunetti Classico
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a special range of cake, cookies, cupcakes and more from Brunetti Classico. Pre-order your treat or give them a call to pick it up, or get it delivered within 50km of their store in Carlton. See the full range here.