Things to do in Melbourne in December
All the best things to do in Melbourne in December in one place – it's your social emergency saviour for fun things to do this month
Wondering what to do in Melbourne in December? We can help. Check out our guide to all the fun things to do in Melbourne, including mega NGV art exhibitions, summer festivals, rooftop cinemas and more.
Too hot to trot? Here are the best ways to beat the heat in Melbourne. Plus for those celebrating Christmas, here's where to see Christmas lights across the city and where to buy a real Christmas tree.
Best things to do in Melbourne in December
1. NGV Triennial
The hotly anticipated NGV Triennial returns this summer, with 86 thought-provoking, eye-widening works.
2. A Midsummer Night's Dream
Shakespeare Under the Stars is returning to Melbourne and bringing all the magic and utter nonsense of A Midsummer Night's Dream with it.
3. Destiny Deacon: Destiny
Destiny Deacon returns with her first major solo show in 15 years.
4. Imaginaria
Melbourne, you're getting a giant, glowing, otherworldy all-ages playground to explore this summer.
5. Dinosaurs at the zoo
Large-scale model dinosaurs have taken up residence across Melbourne's zoos.
6. Juniperlooza
Head down to the Yarra for Juniperlooza: a summer gin festival celebrating the herbaceous spirit.
7. Isolation
Challenge yourself to this local online escape room that is more like interactive live theatre than a videogame.
8. The Koorie Art Show
The Koorie Heritage Trust will host its eighth annual Koorie Art Show this summer, with a digital twist.
9. GoBoat
Head out on the Yarra for a cruise on one of these electric boats.
10. Loaded
See (or rather, hear) Christos Tsiolkas's 1995 debut novel Loaded transformed into an audio experience.
11. Tiwi
The NGV is bringing the largest ever exhibition of Tiwi art to Melbourne this November.
12. The Otolith Group: Xenogenesis
Explore this sci-fi inspired exhibition from London's Otolith Group.
13. Lakeside at Carousel
The teams behind Half Acre and Food and Desire have taken over the Carousel building at Albert Park Lake.
14. Adventure Park
Hit up the Bellarine's own waterpark to cool off this summer.
15. Joy Hester: Remember Me
Heide Museum of Modern Art is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Joy Hester’s birth with a huge survey of the artist’s work.
16. Summer Exp
Modern Southeast Asian diner Sunda’s spin-off venue is set to make its debut on December 5.
17. Arts Centre Melbourne Weekend Markets
Every weekend the grounds of the arts precinct's hub come alive with market stalls.
18. Arbory Afloat
Brought to us by the team at Arbory Bar and Eatery, the buoyant bar has made a triumphant return.
19. Melbourne Street Tours
These street art walking tours are run by actual practising street artists.
20. Rain Room
Discover this magical artwork where you can walk underneath litres of rain – and not get wet.
21. Live Wire Park
Make like Tarzan and take on this high ropes adventure course just outside of Lorne.
22. Linden Postcard Show
Enjoy a tiny art exhibition where every work is no bigger than 8 by 10 inches.
23. Wanderlust Melbourne
Wanderlust lets you visit some of the world’s best cities without leaving Melbourne.
Or hit the road and explore the state
The best scenic drives in Victoria
Victoria is home to snowy mountains, centuries-old forests and pristine coastline – all of which are connected by a network of roads and highways just waiting for you to drive. Hey, your rego partly pays for these tarmac trails so you might as well enjoy them. Here’s our top pick of the best scenic drives in Victoria.