Calling all insomniacs with a penchant for round-the-clock revelry: Sleepless Footscray Festival is returning for a third edition this May. This festival of public art, music and unexpected activations will bring dormant laneways and forgotten indoor spaces to life, transforming them into inviting nightscapes. The heart of vibrant Footscray will play host to a series of adventurous events celebrating the world-class diversity and creativity coming out of Melbourne’s Inner West. Running from May 4-19, the festival will consist of an eclectic line-up including music, film screenings, art installations, theatre and more. For lovers of offbeat cinema, the Melbourne Nocturnal Film Festival will bring the weirdest and most wonderful local shorts to Footscray’s Bluestone Church Arts Space for three days. For those aiming for auditory delights, the Melbourne Trap Orchestra will play a high-energy greatest hits set at Kindred Studios. Over at Footscray Records, Cowpunk band Goatlaw and post-punk disco groovers Carpal Tunnel will play for one night only. If it’s a musical journey you’re after, Astra Choir will literally transport you from the chambers of commerce to the halls of higher powers. Festival artistic director Troy Rainbow says Sleepless will give Melburnians an opportunity to support the arts during a difficult time for the live entertainment industry. “By making Sleepless as accessible as possible, we’re giving music and arts lovers the opportunity to support the incr
May 13, 2024: Beer lovers, it's your time to shine, with the first event of Good Beer Week happening this weekend. Or if you prefer to pound the pavement rather than heading to tbe pub, the Great Ocean Road Running Festival is on too. Plus, a sculptural Lego exhibition featuring 100 innovative artworks and an official NBA Exhibition are both currently running for a limited time, as well as a magical immersive experience that has transported the infamous Forbidden Forest from Harry Potter to Melbourne. Or if you've got a hankering for a good feed, the Pasta Bambino pop-up and this raclette cheese supper pop-up are affordable winter warmer options.
There's always something happening in this fair city of ours, so don't let the week pass you by without popping a few fun events into your social calendar. To help you plan, we've rounded up all the best activities happening this week, so all you have to do is scroll, pick and embark on your adventure.
When in doubt, you can always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die.