Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens

Creative cookies, rejoice! The Finders Keepers Melbourne Design Market is back at the Royal Exhibition Building from July 10-12, bringing together more than 200 independent designers and makers for a three-day celebration of thoughtfully made, beautifully designed goods.  For 18 years, this market has been where emerging talent breaks through, limited-edition pieces disappear in a flash and design lovers get first dibs on what will surely be trending on Insta. As always, you’re in for a treat. Stallholders have everything from handcrafted ceramics, small-batch nibbles and eclectic fashion to homewares, unique jewellery and art, plus drinks and snacks you won’t find anywhere else. It's your one-stop shop for all things crafty and tasty, so bring your friends, bring your family.  New this year, the Dining Room presents Taqueria, a Mexican-inspired feast by Dingo Ate My Taco, paired with resident pours from Fin Wines, Sailors Grave Brewing and Meet Gertrude. There’s also The Finders Bottle-Oh! – a playful twist on the classic bottle-o featuring locally made drinks to take home. Got a sweet tooth? Make a beeline to the Sweet Spot for some decadent desserts (plus coffee). For a change of pace, head to the Change Room to try on fashion and hear the stories and inspiration behind the pieces. Add in the chance to win a Peachi chair by Grumpi (valued at $469), and you’ve got a winter weekend that blends design, food and ideas in one very good-looking package. Kids under 13 enjoy...

Art collectors and aesthetes of Melbourne, assemble. The time is almost upon us to gather up that loose change – because the Affordable Art Fair (AAF) is back for another year.  Set to be bigger, bolder and brighter than ever, the world’s largest art fair will take over the Royal Exhibition Building with thousands of original works and installations from some of Australia's best boutique galleries (as well as an impressive line-up of works from around the world). Running from August 27-30, the Affordable Art Fair has become a cornerstone event in the city’s eclectic arts and culture scene since its debut five years ago. It will allow collectors and art lovers to engage directly with featured artists and gallery owners, as well as browse a selection of landscapes, sculptures and abstract paintings – all priced from $100-$10,000 (and some even available to take home that day!).  Along with works from more than 70 Australian and international galleries, we can also expect interactive installations and programming that will appeal to everyone from creative kids to fashion designers in-the-making. Tickets are available via the Affordable Art Fair website here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Can't make the fair? Here's where to buy art around Melbourne.