Things to do
A guide to Melbourne events, attractions, outdoor adventures and more
The best things to do in September
Critics' picks, free stuff and everything else worth seeing and doing in Melbourne in September
Meet Melbourne's matchmakers
These modern-day cupids are doing things the old-fashioned way – face-to-face!
Five food truck precincts will open in Melbourne next year
Five street eating precincts will open next year, complete with food trucks rotating monthly
Inside Melbourne's new boutique rooftop hotel
How does six luxury Airstream caravans on top of a car park on Flinders Lane sound?
Things to do in Melbourne
The best of Melbourne
50 things to do in Melbourne before you die
The definitive Melbourne bucket list: knock off these 50 activities and you'll really, properly know our great city
Cheap things to do in Melbourne
If you know where to look, you can get by in this city for a lot less than you'd think
The best markets in Melbourne
From organic produce to arts and crafts, there's a Melbourne market happening near you this week
The best escape rooms in Melbourne
The door is locked. The room is dark. The clock is ticking. Can you get out in time?
13 rainy day activities in Melbourne
When the weather's terrible, there's plenty of indoor fun to be had in Melbourne
Events this week in Melbourne
The Royal Melbourne Show
It's baaaaack! Book your tickets now so you don't miss out on the Show action
Louis Theroux Live on Stage
Everybody's favourite documentary maker will share stories about his fascinating body of work in an Australia-wide speaking tour
Kylie on Stage
Stage costumes by the likes of Dolce & Gabbana and Jean Paul Gaultier shine as Arts Centre Melbourne pays tribute to one of Australia’s brightest stars
Hey Girl
The Wheeler Centre celebrates girlhood with a series of talks to explore the world through a feminist lens
Say Cheese Festival
The brie-lience of this cheese festival should not be understated
Dating in Melbourne
The best date-night restaurants in Melbourne
Our favourite places for frocking up and impressing the pants off someone
The best bars for first dates in Melbourne
Sit close, sip a cocktail and get to know one another at these cosy Melbourne drinking spots
The most adventurous dates in Melbourne
From cycling tours to rooftop glamping, here are our suggestions for dates with a difference in Melbourne
The 13 best make-out spots in Melbourne
This city's full of nooks and crannies, so lock lips and make the most of them
The best bars with board games in Melbourne
Long, tipsy games of Connect 4, Scrabble and Balderdash: now that's a foolproof date idea
The best places for Tinder dates
Swipe right, eat right with our guide to setting up the perfect Tinder date in Melbourne
Outdoor activities in Melbourne
The best beaches in Melbourne
Don't scoff: Melbourne has some beautiful beaches and splendid spots to cool down on a hot day
The best sunset and sunrise spots in Melbourne
Check out our ten best spots to enjoy the view of the rising and setting sun around the city
Five great Melbourne walks
Lace up your sneakers: our favourite places to promenade are all a stone's throw from the city
The best places to swim in Melbourne
Don't restrict yourself to the pool: dip into Melbourne's most beautiful rivers, lakes and beaches
Where to get your nature fix in the city
Get close to Mother Nature without leaving the inner-city at these five urban oases
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Blue Ribbon Day
Across Victoria, since 1837, 159 police officers have died in the course of fulfilling their duties. On Thursday September 29, all Victorians can help memorialise them by taking part in Blue Ribbon Day, which raises funds for emergency facilities to be built in the name of those police who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Run by the Victorian Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, the campaign has high profile sponsors this year in Woolworths, Crown Resorts, BankVic, Westfield and more. To show your support, you can donate at Woolworths Supermarkets before and on Blue Ribbon Day. Donations can also be made at the website and at police stations.
Pizza & Hip Hop
Fratelli Fresh is keeping your knock-off session fresh with their weekly pizza and hip hop night every Friday and Saturday. From 10pm, fresh pizzas will be coming out of the oven for $15 (perfect for those late-night munchies). The bar will be pumping out drink specials for the late-night revellers, so look out for the $7.50 special on select beer and wine, and sip on $10 Aperol Spritzes. top DJs will be spinning the best hip hop tunes at Alfred Place Melbourne's top DJs will be spinning the best hip hop tunes at Alfred Place and Fratelli Fresh has lined-up these headliners over the next few weeks, who will all be accompanied by local DJ talent. Friday September 9: Helena EllisSaturday September 10: DJ Moto (from Kiss FM)Friday September 16: Duchess KaySaturday September 17: DJ AK
The best places to watch the AFL grand final
Wear your colours and get into the spirit of the grand final day at five of Melbourne's best venues to watch one of the biggest games of the year. The Botanical, Portsea Hotel, Skinny Dog Hotel, Half Moon or the Penny Black will be ready for your grand final day celebrations with barbecues, after parties and tipping competitions. The BotanicalThe Botanical is probably the lushest place you'll watch the game from. Live coverage at this high-end South Yarra pub kicks off on plasma screens from 10am. Start your day with a grand final big breakfast special or head in a little later for the barbecue, but don't miss the tipping competition at the Main Bar. Predict who will win and by how many points to win a two litre growler of craft beer, and a gift voucher for a dining experience at the Botanical. Stick around for the live entertainment and after party. Skinny Dog HotelDoors at Kew's favourite footy venue open at 11am where the game will be live on all screens. If you book for four or more guests you'll receive a main meal and two schooners of tap beer/cider for $29 per person. There will also be $4 beer and cider and $5 glasses of wine and sparkling all day. Half MoonHalf Moon will kick off game day festivities at 11am. The game will be on live and loud on all screens. Saddle yourself up with a craft beer and watch the game among Brighton locals. Penny BlackPenny Black will be getting into the final fever with a long weekend party. Kicking off on Friday night, My Echo will
The Royal Melbourne Show
Some come to the Show for the rides; others come to marvel at award-winning edible sculptures (otherwise known as cakes). Crowds flock to pavilions filled with baby animals and champion dogs. All are united in a mutual love of showbags. This year, around 450,000 visitors are expected at Melbourne Showgrounds over 11 days, September 17-27. Due to its popularity, the outdoor animal display has doubled in size this year, offering families more chances to watch and take part in interactive milking and shearing shows and horse demonstrations. Pat-a-Pig and Pat-a-Chook pens will give kids a real down-on-the-farm experience and they can also plant and take home their own seedling. The Winning Tastes Pavilion celebrates Melbourne’s food scene with pop-up restaurants and eateries including Bomba, Mr Claws, Pho Nom, Mr Miyagi, Royale Brothers Burgers and Burn City Smokers serving up their delicious signature dishes – the days of dagwood dogs as your primary food option at the Show are long gone. There's also a Winning Tastes Dessert Bar and Winning Tastes Cocktail Bar. Look out for the free craft workshops for adults and kids, while the Horses in Action program will have horses and riders competing across over 250 different classes. Find out which woodchoppers can hack it at 50 events over at the Woodchop Pavilion. If you're on the ball and buy your Show tickets online on or before September 16 then you can get them at a 20 per cent discount. That's money that can be spent on a fe