Around Melbourne
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Let's be honest, we'd be lying if we said we didn't have to fight the urge to peer obnoxiously through the windows when we find ourselves strolling past Melbourne's most architecturally impressive homes. Thankfully, for one weekend every year, we don't have to. Open House Melbourne Weekend is back from July 24-26, and it's once again throwing open the doors to some of Victoria's most fascinating spaces.
Returning for its annual city-wide celebration of architecture, design and urban life, the beloved festival will feature more than 180 tours, talks, workshops and special experiences across Melbourne and beyond. As the largest architecture and built environment festival in the Asia-Pacific region, Open House Melbourne attracts tens of thousands of curious visitors each year – and the 2026 program is looking solid.
This year's theme, 'Generous City', explores how thoughtful design, creativity and architecture can create spaces that are more welcoming, inclusive and connected. But if you're simply here for the stickybeak opportunities, there's plenty to get excited about.
Among the headline attractions is a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre, where visitors can explore rehearsal studios and the costume department that helps bring performances to life. Coffee lovers can step inside the iconic St Ali Coffee Roastery to see how some of Melbourne's favourite brews are made, and music nerds can tour Thornbury's Rock Posters printing factory and delve into four decades of gig poster history.
There are also a heap of first-look opportunities on offer. You'll be able to explore Melbourne Airport's brand-new drop-off and pick-up precinct – the largest development project in the airport's history – as well as the new Transurban Freeway Control Centre in Footscray, which oversees both CityLink and the West Gate Tunnel. Other fresh additions include tours of Foodbank Victoria's purpose-built headquarters, South Yarra Prahran Social Housing and the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio, home to one of the world's most significant collections of electronic musical instruments.
As always, some crowd-fave experiences are returning. You can go behind the scenes at Melbourne Park (including areas usually reserved for tennis stars), wander through the historic Parliament of Victoria, explore the vaults of the Victorian Archives Centre or unleash your inner performer at the National Institute of Circus Arts.
Architecture enthusiasts can also visit ten significant private homes, including a Passivhaus in St Kilda, tour leading design studios such as ARM, Wardle and Snøhetta, and admire celebrated residential landmarks like Stanhill Apartments and Cairo Flats.
With more than 70,000 visitors expected across the weekend, popular tours are likely to book out quickly. Tickets will be released on July 1.
Stay tuned over here.
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