Max your summer in Melbourne

Calling all fromage freaks and pinot lovers: the team behind beloved cheese festival Mould and booze festival Pinot Palooza has revealed that an epic fusion of the two events will be returning to Melbourne in 2025. Following the success of last year’s hybrid celebration, events powerhouse Revel will be uniting wine and cheese lovers once more with an unmatched foodie tour that offers double the indulgence. For anyone who's ever paired a creamy camembert with quality pinot, this makes total sense! The program will offer world-class Australian artisan cheeses to sample – from the creamiest to the stinkiest (and always the tastiest, of course) – along with some of the finest pinot noir in the land.  New head of Revel Jessica Audas said, “More than just a tasting experience, this event is about discovering the magic of perfect pairings—where the right cheese and pinot can elevate each other in unexpected and unforgettable ways.” An excellent grape-stained handful of award-winning wineries will be in attendance, such as Innocent Bystander, Vinteloper and Yering Station, and more. Meanwhile, on the dairy front, the lauded Milawa Cheese and Bruny Island will be generously offering some of their best products for tastings.  Whether you prefer oozy camembert or nutty gruyères, we can guarantee there'll be something you'll want to add to your next cheese board.  Tickets cost $59 plus booking fees and include festival entry, all cheese and pinot tastings (no tokens needed!), a wine...

Winter is here but that doesn’t mean you and the family need to stay at home. Rug up and head west to Grazeland to find your fave foodie precinct utterly transformed into a winter wonderland that will impress both kids and the young at heart. Each weekend from July 4 to 20, the epic culinary playground will be decked out with dreamy white snow, neon lights and cosy vibes.  As the days get shorter and the temps drop to new lows, there’s never been a better excuse to venture out and have a cosy night by the river. Warm up with mulled wine by the fire pits and dig into a diverse array of international eats, including aromatic laksa, New Orleans-style chicken, chicken satay rice, Turkish gozleme, dumplings and epic mac and cheese plates. Craving dessert? Try a winter-friendly warm apple pie or street crepes to finish your meal on a sweet note. With roving performers, live bands and interactive DJs providing plenty of entertainment, have a dance by the magical snow machine or treat the kids to a face painting session and playtime in the fun zones.   When it’s time to sit back and relax, warm up those mitts with a spice-infused mulled wine. Don't miss the kick-off Block Party event on Friday night, July 4, where Frosty the Snowman will be making an appearance and live sets will set the street party mood (no bookings required). Christmas may be far away yet, but when there’s an opportunity to have a white Christmas in July – we’ll take it! Looking for more fun things to see and...

While Melbourne has plenty of illuminated events across the city this chilly season, regional Victoria is also lighting up with glowing sights and cosy winter festivals. Bendigo is one of the many regional cities with an illuminated offering this winter, with a huge, immersive sound and light event taking over the town centre during the school holidays. Located in Rosalind Park, Electric Wonderland will return this year due to popular demand, with a brand new program and glowing installations, as well as all of the best bits from last year's event.   It will feature thousands of fairy lights, flowers that seemingly fall from the sky, a dazzling mirrorball laser alley, a pixelated sound and light show, and much more, making for a magical winter evening. Plus, there'll be a 40-metre-tall replica of Bendigo’s Sacred Heart Cathedral, completely covered in lights. To find out more and buy tickets, head to the website.  Looking for more glowing experiences? Here is where you can find magical winter lights in regional Victoria

Looking for things to do now that the cool weather has set in? Rug up and head to the City of Casey, located just a 40-minute drive from the CBD, for its Winter Arts Festival from June 20 to July 20.  This celebration of creativity, community and colour is back for another year, with a jam-packed program of performances, installations, film screenings and workshops spotlighting local talent. Taking over multiple venues including Narre Warren’s creative hub Bunjil Place, the historic Old Cheese Factory and the expansive Wilson Botanic Garden, the program features a mix of free and ticketed events. Highlights include a crowd-pleasing production of the Broadway hit Mamma Mia!, performed by Windmill Theatre Company; an electric drag cabaret showcase from Queers of Concert; and live music covering everything from soul to pop by the talented South East Music students. Film buffs can catch a special screening of the heartwarming flick Memoir of a Snail, followed by an exclusive Q&A with the Oscar-winning filmmaker Adam Elliot – who just so happens to be a nearby Berwick local. There’s also Lost in Bunjil Place Plaza, a free art installation by Amanda Parer featuring giant, illuminated sculptures of endangered botanical species.  Families are well catered for, with a line-up of kid-friendly events and interactive theatre shows. These include The Owl’s Apprentice, a magical mix of shadow puppetry and physical theatre, and Imagine Live, a live-action musical adaptation of a beloved...

Melbourne's favourite illuminated event is back again for a fourth year, with more than 20 dazzling new light installations to meander through in wonderment. From June 20 to August 10, take a nighttime stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens and experience luminous pathways, lit-up tree canopies, soothing soundscapes and more spectacular sights. For the upcoming season, you can expect a reimagined 2.2km trail accompanied by stunning lakeside reflections, large-scale illuminated sculptures and other wonders, with more than 100,000 tiny lights on display. Expect 2025 highlights to be huge illuminated canopy of flowers and the mesmerising 'lawn of light'. Most importantly, you'll also be able to grab a bite to eat and warming drinks, like hot chocolate and mulled wine, at the Welcome Zone or along the trail. They say that Melbourne is at its best in winter and events like Lightscape, where you can rug up and join friends for a magical experience, are a big reason why. Adult tickets start at $36 and are available through the website – be quick as they tend to go fast.  Want more? Check out the best things happening in Melbourne this week.

June 5 update: Surprise! Tickets to this event suddenly went on sale on the morning of June 5. Get in quick to nab yours via the website.  Choo choo! The Train of Lights is back on the tracks for 2025 and ready to captivate passengers with a magical winter journey through the Dandenong Ranges for a fourth year. Australia’s favourite steam train Puffing Billy will be your conductor for this trip that illuminates the natural beauty of the region with thousands of dazzling lights. When is Puffing Billy Train of Lights on for 2025? This enchanting winter journey is only on for just over two weeks from July 4 to July 20.  What to expect for Puffing Billy Train of Lights? The whole experience is a two-and-a-half hour round trip. Departing from Lakeside Station, you’ll be immersed in a spectacle of neon colours as acclaimed lighting specialists Resolution X (White Night, Melbourne Fashion Festival) brighten up the countryside with sparkles, rainbows and hypnotic patterns. The historic train will also be adorned with stunning visual effects, which will light up the trees, tracks and passing towns along the way.  Puffing Billy will chug along the historic narrow-gauge track to Gembrook Station where guests will disembark for a 55-minute stopover. Here, you can warm up by the crackling open firepits with hot chocolate and live acoustic music, and enjoy a sausage sizzle by the Rotary Club of Emerald and District. Make your night even more magical by pre-ordering a Puffing Billy...

While winter seems like the time to hide under the doona and get reacquainted with your Netflix must-watch list, that is absolutely the wrong approach. Cold weather brings with it a kind of magic in the form of frosty air and clear, still views that seem to go on forever, and this is especially the case in regional Victoria.  If you're keen to head on a cool-climate caper but aren't sure where to begin, you're in luck: the East Gippsland Winter Festival is returning for its fifth iteration. Rug up and hit the road for a month-long celebration packed with lavish winter feasts, fantastical art installations, live music, lantern parades, creative workshops, wellness experiences and much more. This year, the festivities kick off on June 20 and coincide with the Victorian school holidays. Returning highlights of the program include the Medieval Winter Fire Festival at Bruthen complete with swordfights, costumes and bonfires; a long lunch on the Nicholson River Trestle Bridge showcasing the region's best produce; live ice sculpting and a fire show at Meetung; and Lakes Lights – an incredible display of lantern sculptures, light projections and roaming performers on the foreshore of Lakes Entrance.   New events on the line-up include an après-ski party complete with mulled wine, hot toddies and DJs; the Op Shop Ball in Cann River, where attendees are encouraged to wear their finest oph shop garb; and the Great Alpine Scarecrow Competition. And don't miss the sunrise dip in the...

Melburnians, we know it’s getting chilly. But we’re not the type of city to give up on going out just because the weather is less than ideal. Aside from the inconvenient truth that we’d never get anything done if we didn’t venture out into the cold, Melbourne is heating up with a reason to hit the streets this winter. Firelight Festival is returning to Docklands this winter from Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6. The surrounding streets of Victoria Harbour will be set alight, literally, with fiery installations from 5pm on each of the three nights. Expect flames in all forms, with blazing sculptures, jets and performances.  In an exciting first, internationally renowned Tasmanian artist Amanda Parer will debut her giant glowing inflatable sculptures Man and Fantastic Planet at this year’s festival, on show in Melbourne for the first time.  Plus, a new addition to the festival will illuminated the Yarra River while getting attendees involved, with the Light the Night Boat Display. Boat owners are invited to decorate their vessels with lights and compete for the People’s Choice Award for the crowd's favourite display.  The free festival is a celebration of winter with a focus on family, community, food, music, fire and light. There’ll be vibrant cultural displays, roving performers to delight the little ones, warming foods and plentiful fire installations.  There’ll be plenty of food to satisfy the appetite you’ll work up exploring the promenades. Hearty, warming treats...

May the 4th is a special date for any Star Wars fan, but this year it'll be one to remember. A brand-new Lego Star Wars exhibition is making its world premiere, and it won't be in a galaxy far, far away but right here in Melbourne.  Lego Star Wars: the Exhibition at Melbourne Museum comes from revered Lego genius Ryan 'Brickman' McNaught, who's back with his latest mind-boggling project of massive Star Wars brick creations – some standing at a whopping four metres tall.  There'll be Lego replicas of many of the iconic characters, fan favourite scenes, spacecraft and more, from both the classic films and newer releases. Plus, the exhibition will include interactive brick-based activities inclusive of all ages.  While there's still some time to wait for the exhibition opening, building has already begun, and it's expected it'll take more than 25,000 hours to finish and use a wild 8 million Lego bricks. One of the most monumental creations is a three-metre-tall red X-wing spacecraft, made of an astonishing 64,759 bricks, taking 382 hours to build.  "Fans will be blown away by the scale of the experience," Brickman says. "Building these iconic scenes and characters in Lego Star Wars form is an extremely complex task – taking the humble Lego brick and using it by the millions to translate into Star Wars builds and models at an epic scale the world has never seen before.  "My team and I are super excited to launch this mind-blowing experience right here in Melbourne. My inner...

Whack on something dazzling and dust off your dancing shoes as the much-loved NGV Friday Nights returns to warm Melburnians up this winter. The popular event returns for 18 weeks during the NGV International's latest winter masterpieces exhibition, French Impressionism.  The new exhibition showcases more than 100 works by some of the greatest impressionist artists of all time, such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas and more. French Impressionism will take visitors on a journey through the evolution of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism in late nineteenth-century France, experiencing firsthand the radical vision of avant-garde artists who challenged tradition to forge a new artistic path. From June 6 until October 3, you can take an after-dark journey through late nineteenth-century France, and exploring the evolution of this art form that was once considered radical and avant-garde. But in addition to the art, spend your Friday evening enjoying a night out at one of Melbourne's most beloved attractions. Grab a tipple from one of the multiple bars (including the Moët and Chandon Champagne Bar and the Yering Station Wine Bar), or enjoy a set winter menu at the NGV Garden Restaurant. The trendy tunes are another key drawcard of NGV Friday nights, with musicians performing in the Great Hall every night. There'll be live music performances spanning genres including jazz, contemporary classical, R&B, neo-soul and electronic,...

Aren't we Melburnians just a lucky bunch? After its delicious debut, Australia's very own chocolate festival is back in town for its second year. The event, which features chocolate makers from ten countries (including Ecuador and Samoa), will be hosted at the Seaworks Maritime Precinct in Williamstown from July 5 to 6. Ticketholders will be treated to free choccy samples and insightful chats with the creators of the world's favourite sweet treat. There'll also be demonstrations on how the beans are made into chocolate – so if you've ever been curious about that amazing, alchemical process, here's your chance to learn about it firsthand! There's even an option to add a wine pairing experience to your day. Expect to enjoy 70 different tastings from 42 exhibitors on the day, many of which are offering no-sugar-added, all-natural, organic, vegan, gluten-free and kosher products. Note that sample sizes will be bite-sized and if you enjoy what you taste, you're welcome to purchase products directly from the makers to take home with you or give as gifts. Chocolate in its purest state is an experience not to be missed, so bring along your most passionate foodie friends and family for what's sure to be one of Melbourne's sweetest days out this winter. You can nab a ticket to the event here. For more info about the festival and the different ticket types available, visit the official website. Need to warm up? Here's where you can find Melbourne's tastiest hot chocolates. For...

Calling all fromage freaks and pinot lovers: the team behind beloved cheese festival Mould and booze festival Pinot Palooza has revealed that an epic fusion of the two events will be returning to Melbourne in 2025. Following the success of last year’s hybrid celebration, events powerhouse Revel will be uniting wine and cheese lovers once more with an unmatched foodie tour that offers double the indulgence. For anyone who's ever paired a creamy camembert with quality pinot, this makes total sense! The program will offer world-class Australian artisan cheeses to sample – from the creamiest to the stinkiest (and always the tastiest, of course) – along with some of the finest pinot noir in the land.  New head of Revel Jessica Audas said, “More than just a tasting experience, this event is about discovering the magic of perfect pairings—where the right cheese and pinot can elevate each other in unexpected and unforgettable ways.” An excellent grape-stained handful of award-winning wineries will be in attendance, such as Innocent Bystander, Vinteloper and Yering Station, and more. Meanwhile, on the dairy front, the lauded Milawa Cheese and Bruny Island will be generously offering some of their best products for tastings.  Whether you prefer oozy camembert or nutty gruyères, we can guarantee there'll be something you'll want to add to your next cheese board.  Tickets cost $59 plus booking fees and include festival entry, all cheese and pinot tastings (no tokens needed!), a wine...

Winter is here but that doesn’t mean you and the family need to stay at home. Rug up and head west to Grazeland to find your fave foodie precinct utterly transformed into a winter wonderland that will impress both kids and the young at heart. Each weekend from July 4 to 20, the epic culinary playground will be decked out with dreamy white snow, neon lights and cosy vibes.  As the days get shorter and the temps drop to new lows, there’s never been a better excuse to venture out and have a cosy night by the river. Warm up with mulled wine by the fire pits and dig into a diverse array of international eats, including aromatic laksa, New Orleans-style chicken, chicken satay rice, Turkish gozleme, dumplings and epic mac and cheese plates. Craving dessert? Try a winter-friendly warm apple pie or street crepes to finish your meal on a sweet note. With roving performers, live bands and interactive DJs providing plenty of entertainment, have a dance by the magical snow machine or treat the kids to a face painting session and playtime in the fun zones.   When it’s time to sit back and relax, warm up those mitts with a spice-infused mulled wine. Don't miss the kick-off Block Party event on Friday night, July 4, where Frosty the Snowman will be making an appearance and live sets will set the street party mood (no bookings required). Christmas may be far away yet, but when there’s an opportunity to have a white Christmas in July – we’ll take it! Looking for more fun things to see and...

While Melbourne has plenty of illuminated events across the city this chilly season, regional Victoria is also lighting up with glowing sights and cosy winter festivals. Bendigo is one of the many regional cities with an illuminated offering this winter, with a huge, immersive sound and light event taking over the town centre during the school holidays. Located in Rosalind Park, Electric Wonderland will return this year due to popular demand, with a brand new program and glowing installations, as well as all of the best bits from last year's event.   It will feature thousands of fairy lights, flowers that seemingly fall from the sky, a dazzling mirrorball laser alley, a pixelated sound and light show, and much more, making for a magical winter evening. Plus, there'll be a 40-metre-tall replica of Bendigo’s Sacred Heart Cathedral, completely covered in lights. To find out more and buy tickets, head to the website.  Looking for more glowing experiences? Here is where you can find magical winter lights in regional Victoria

Looking for things to do now that the cool weather has set in? Rug up and head to the City of Casey, located just a 40-minute drive from the CBD, for its Winter Arts Festival from June 20 to July 20.  This celebration of creativity, community and colour is back for another year, with a jam-packed program of performances, installations, film screenings and workshops spotlighting local talent. Taking over multiple venues including Narre Warren’s creative hub Bunjil Place, the historic Old Cheese Factory and the expansive Wilson Botanic Garden, the program features a mix of free and ticketed events. Highlights include a crowd-pleasing production of the Broadway hit Mamma Mia!, performed by Windmill Theatre Company; an electric drag cabaret showcase from Queers of Concert; and live music covering everything from soul to pop by the talented South East Music students. Film buffs can catch a special screening of the heartwarming flick Memoir of a Snail, followed by an exclusive Q&A with the Oscar-winning filmmaker Adam Elliot – who just so happens to be a nearby Berwick local. There’s also Lost in Bunjil Place Plaza, a free art installation by Amanda Parer featuring giant, illuminated sculptures of endangered botanical species.  Families are well catered for, with a line-up of kid-friendly events and interactive theatre shows. These include The Owl’s Apprentice, a magical mix of shadow puppetry and physical theatre, and Imagine Live, a live-action musical adaptation of a beloved...

Melbourne's favourite illuminated event is back again for a fourth year, with more than 20 dazzling new light installations to meander through in wonderment. From June 20 to August 10, take a nighttime stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens and experience luminous pathways, lit-up tree canopies, soothing soundscapes and more spectacular sights. For the upcoming season, you can expect a reimagined 2.2km trail accompanied by stunning lakeside reflections, large-scale illuminated sculptures and other wonders, with more than 100,000 tiny lights on display. Expect 2025 highlights to be huge illuminated canopy of flowers and the mesmerising 'lawn of light'. Most importantly, you'll also be able to grab a bite to eat and warming drinks, like hot chocolate and mulled wine, at the Welcome Zone or along the trail. They say that Melbourne is at its best in winter and events like Lightscape, where you can rug up and join friends for a magical experience, are a big reason why. Adult tickets start at $36 and are available through the website – be quick as they tend to go fast.  Want more? Check out the best things happening in Melbourne this week.

June 5 update: Surprise! Tickets to this event suddenly went on sale on the morning of June 5. Get in quick to nab yours via the website.  Choo choo! The Train of Lights is back on the tracks for 2025 and ready to captivate passengers with a magical winter journey through the Dandenong Ranges for a fourth year. Australia’s favourite steam train Puffing Billy will be your conductor for this trip that illuminates the natural beauty of the region with thousands of dazzling lights. When is Puffing Billy Train of Lights on for 2025? This enchanting winter journey is only on for just over two weeks from July 4 to July 20.  What to expect for Puffing Billy Train of Lights? The whole experience is a two-and-a-half hour round trip. Departing from Lakeside Station, you’ll be immersed in a spectacle of neon colours as acclaimed lighting specialists Resolution X (White Night, Melbourne Fashion Festival) brighten up the countryside with sparkles, rainbows and hypnotic patterns. The historic train will also be adorned with stunning visual effects, which will light up the trees, tracks and passing towns along the way.  Puffing Billy will chug along the historic narrow-gauge track to Gembrook Station where guests will disembark for a 55-minute stopover. Here, you can warm up by the crackling open firepits with hot chocolate and live acoustic music, and enjoy a sausage sizzle by the Rotary Club of Emerald and District. Make your night even more magical by pre-ordering a Puffing Billy...

While winter seems like the time to hide under the doona and get reacquainted with your Netflix must-watch list, that is absolutely the wrong approach. Cold weather brings with it a kind of magic in the form of frosty air and clear, still views that seem to go on forever, and this is especially the case in regional Victoria.  If you're keen to head on a cool-climate caper but aren't sure where to begin, you're in luck: the East Gippsland Winter Festival is returning for its fifth iteration. Rug up and hit the road for a month-long celebration packed with lavish winter feasts, fantastical art installations, live music, lantern parades, creative workshops, wellness experiences and much more. This year, the festivities kick off on June 20 and coincide with the Victorian school holidays. Returning highlights of the program include the Medieval Winter Fire Festival at Bruthen complete with swordfights, costumes and bonfires; a long lunch on the Nicholson River Trestle Bridge showcasing the region's best produce; live ice sculpting and a fire show at Meetung; and Lakes Lights – an incredible display of lantern sculptures, light projections and roaming performers on the foreshore of Lakes Entrance.   New events on the line-up include an après-ski party complete with mulled wine, hot toddies and DJs; the Op Shop Ball in Cann River, where attendees are encouraged to wear their finest oph shop garb; and the Great Alpine Scarecrow Competition. And don't miss the sunrise dip in the...

Melburnians, we know it’s getting chilly. But we’re not the type of city to give up on going out just because the weather is less than ideal. Aside from the inconvenient truth that we’d never get anything done if we didn’t venture out into the cold, Melbourne is heating up with a reason to hit the streets this winter. Firelight Festival is returning to Docklands this winter from Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6. The surrounding streets of Victoria Harbour will be set alight, literally, with fiery installations from 5pm on each of the three nights. Expect flames in all forms, with blazing sculptures, jets and performances.  In an exciting first, internationally renowned Tasmanian artist Amanda Parer will debut her giant glowing inflatable sculptures Man and Fantastic Planet at this year’s festival, on show in Melbourne for the first time.  Plus, a new addition to the festival will illuminated the Yarra River while getting attendees involved, with the Light the Night Boat Display. Boat owners are invited to decorate their vessels with lights and compete for the People’s Choice Award for the crowd's favourite display.  The free festival is a celebration of winter with a focus on family, community, food, music, fire and light. There’ll be vibrant cultural displays, roving performers to delight the little ones, warming foods and plentiful fire installations.  There’ll be plenty of food to satisfy the appetite you’ll work up exploring the promenades. Hearty, warming treats...

May the 4th is a special date for any Star Wars fan, but this year it'll be one to remember. A brand-new Lego Star Wars exhibition is making its world premiere, and it won't be in a galaxy far, far away but right here in Melbourne.  Lego Star Wars: the Exhibition at Melbourne Museum comes from revered Lego genius Ryan 'Brickman' McNaught, who's back with his latest mind-boggling project of massive Star Wars brick creations – some standing at a whopping four metres tall.  There'll be Lego replicas of many of the iconic characters, fan favourite scenes, spacecraft and more, from both the classic films and newer releases. Plus, the exhibition will include interactive brick-based activities inclusive of all ages.  While there's still some time to wait for the exhibition opening, building has already begun, and it's expected it'll take more than 25,000 hours to finish and use a wild 8 million Lego bricks. One of the most monumental creations is a three-metre-tall red X-wing spacecraft, made of an astonishing 64,759 bricks, taking 382 hours to build.  "Fans will be blown away by the scale of the experience," Brickman says. "Building these iconic scenes and characters in Lego Star Wars form is an extremely complex task – taking the humble Lego brick and using it by the millions to translate into Star Wars builds and models at an epic scale the world has never seen before.  "My team and I are super excited to launch this mind-blowing experience right here in Melbourne. My inner...