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People walking through glowing lights at Lightscape.
Photograph: Mitch Lowe | Lightscape
Photograph: Mitch Lowe

Things to do in Melbourne in June

When the temperature drops, Melbourne heats up – these are the hottest things to do this month

Leah Glynn
Written by Leah Glynn
Melbourne Editor
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Winter is officially here, but that doesn't mean it's time to hibernate on your couch for the next three months – especially not when Melbourne's busy events calendar is looking this red-hot!

The city's beloved winter festival of music, dance and arts is back to warm our spirits. Rising is on now until June 8, and the jam-packed program includes group dance classes, large-scale light projections, live music and even the the world’s smallest ramen-ya. You can check out our top picks of the festival here.

Another winter favourite is also returning. Lightscape will take over the Royal Botanic Gardens from June 12, with a 2.1-kilometre trail illuminated by dazzling installations and sparkly sights. Rug up, grab a mulled wine and enjoy the show. Speaking of mulled wine, you can indulge in cups of the good stuff along with oozy, gooey raclette cheese at Fed Square's Fondue Chalet. It's you chance to have a cosy après-ski French village experience without having to leave the city. 

Still hungry? High Cheese at the Westin Melbourne is on now, if you're craving an un-brie-lievable feast. Or head to the Queen Vic Market for the annual Donut Festival – a free, two-day event celebrating all things ring-shaped, deep-fried and sugary. 

And don't miss Waitress the Musical, the St Kilda Film Festival or the Independent Music Exchange. Plus, if you're keen to hit the road in June, Winter Wonderlights has returned to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, while the East Gippsland Winter Festival has art installations, lantern parades, live music, workshops, food and more.

When in doubt, you can always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of things to do in Melbourne before you die. 

Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

After more fun things to do in our city? Check out the best events happening in Melbourne this week.

Melbourne in June 2026

Nightide

  • Things to do
  • Fairs and festivals
  • Queenscliff
Nightide
Nightide
Photograph: Supplied
Got the winter blues? Queenscliff's Nightide is here to bring you back out of hibernation mode. Returning to the Bellarine Peninsula from June 19-21, this three-day winter solstice festival transforms the seaside town into a playground of fire, folklore and after-dark fun. This year's theme, ‘Creatures of the Deep’, dives into the myth and mysteries lurking beneath the ocean's surface, via a program packed with immersive experiences and family-friendly fun. There will be fire performers, live music, roaming entertainers, food trucks, bars, plus a spectacular fireworks display over the bay. The festival kicks off with Nightide Fringe, an adults-only evening of glamour, mischief and mystery held at a secret Queenscliff location. Expect burlesque performances, live music, DJs, wearable art, mulled wine and plenty of late-night revelry as local artists transform the space into an immersive winter playground.  Food lovers won't want to miss the Solstice Feast at Tarra Queenscliff on Saturday, June 20, with a fire-driven menu showcasing everything from charred seafood to smoked chocolate cake, served from 2pm to 5pm. As night settles, the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal transforms into a glowing wonderland of fire twirlers, stilt walkers, aerial performers, live music, food trucks and bars, along with the festival's signature burning sculpture, before the night culminates in a dazzling fireworks display over the bay. For those wanting to dial things up a notch, the new Sirens' Grotto...
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Cartier

  • Art
  • Jewellery
  • Southbank
Cartier
Cartier
Photograph: Sean Fennessy
Actress Elizabeth Taylor’s stunning diamond and ruby necklace. Dazzling tiaras worn by singer Rihanna. Princess Margaret’s rose-shaped diamond brooch. Treasured pieces owned by Australia's first international opera singer (and beloved Melburnian) Dame Nellie Melba. Yes, we’re talking obviously Cartier. Founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, this French brand is synonymous with high-end luxury – and now, you can see it in all its glittering glory up close and personal.  The NGV’s blockbuster Winter Masterpieces exhibition, Cartier, will give you a chance to see some of the world’s most famous jewels on display. Exclusive to Melbourne and running from June 12 to October 4, the exhibition brings together nearly 400 jewels, gemstones, watches and decorative objects, many of which have never travelled to Australia before. Created by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum in partnership with the NGV and Cartier, the exhibition explores the evolution of the legendary French maison. Check out more than 20 spectacular tiaras, the iconic ‘Tutti Frutti’ collection with colourful rubies, emeralds and sapphires, as well as timeless timepieces and contemporary creations featuring Australian opals from Lightning Ridge. It promises to be a glittering journey through nearly two centuries of artistry, innovation and timeless style. Interested? Find out more here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your...
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Lightscape

  • Things to do
  • Pop-up locations
  • Melbourne
  • Recommended
Lightscape
Lightscape
Photograph: Kat Gollock
Melbourne's favourite illuminated event is back again in 2026, with 15 new and returning dazzling light installations to meander through in wonderment. From June 12 to August 2, take a nighttime stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens and experience luminous pathways, lit-up tree canopies, soothing soundscapes and more sparkly sights. This year, highlights of the 2.1-kilometre trail are set to be the Australian premier of Bifröst by French studio Pitaya, which boasts a 20-arch tunnel of flowing light that you can walk through; and Firefly Field by Dutch studio TOER, where 200 glowing points of light will dart like fairies above the grass. Returning faves include a reimagined 30-metre Winter Cathedral, plus the epic Fire Garden installation, which will include a circular spiral of 150 candles. Plus, there's plenty more to discover by more local and international artists alike.  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 dotted along the trail. If you ask us, Melbourne is at its best in winter and events like Lightscape (which now holds two consecutive Gold wins at the Victorian Tourism Awards), 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 Ticketek – be quick as they tend to go fast.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city,...
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The Vinyl Factory: Reverb

  • Things to do
  • Exhibitions
  • Melbourne
The Vinyl Factory: Reverb
The Vinyl Factory: Reverb
Photograph: Supplied | ACMI
Even though temperatures are dropping, Melbourne’s culture calendar is just heating up. This winter, two of the city’s biggest cultural institutions, ACMI and Rising, are teaming up for a multi-sensory exhibition, celebrating music’s cultural impact and paying tribute to vinyl. From May 22 to August 31, The Vinyl Factory: Reverb will bring together some of the leading figures working in video and sound to deep dive into different eras of music, through large-scale moving image works, immersive sound installations and interactive vinyl experiences.  Spanning the early days of techno to contemporary digital art, you’ll see work from celebrated artists including Canadian media artist Stan Douglas; British-Nigerian filmmaker and visual artist Jenn Nkiru; American fashion visionary Virgil Abloh; US filmmaker and music video director Kahlil Joseph; London-based photographer and video artist Gabriel Moses; South African artist William Kentridge; Turner Prize-winning British artist Jeremy Deller; British poet and sound artist Julianknxx; Argentinian performance artist Cecilia Bengolea and German electronic music and sound art innovator Carsten Nicolai.  Highlights include hands-on access to Technics turntables with remixable loops; a fantasy rap battle; and access to The Vinyl Factory’s archive, which features 100 vinyl pressings with works by Marina Abramović and Thom York.  There’s also the chance to pick a record and take it into the Listening Room, which by day functions as a...
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Queen Victoria Winter Night Market

  • Things to do
  • Markets
  • Melbourne
  • Recommended
Queen Victoria Winter Night Market
Queen Victoria Winter Night Market
Photograph: Supplied | Queen Victoria Night Market
Mark your calendars and grab your warmest winter woolies, Melburnians: Queen Victoria Market's beloved Winter Night Market is back. From June 3 to August 26 you can spend cosy Wednesday evenings enjoying live entertainment, huddling around open fires and feasting on goodies from a selection of global street food stalls, carts, trucks and festival bars. In 2026, expect to see beloved traders from previous years, as well as a number of new and exciting additions across the market's roaring 13-week season. Highlights include piping hot soup served in a bread roll by the Soup Factory (lobster chowder, anyone?), crispy fried pasta cups at Frasta Fried Pasta, Berlin-style doner kebabs loaded with meat from Oh My Doner and hot jam doughnuts courtesy of everyone's favourite American Doughnut Kitchen.  As always, you can expect plenty of roving performers and pop-up activities. This year also sees the introduction of Keys to Winter, a brand new series of piano performances throughout June. After sipping and snacking, be sure to explore the dozens of stalls selling locally sourced and handmade products including jewellery, art, skincare, books and homewares.  Find out more at the Queen Victoria Winter Night Market website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Looking for more things to do? Check out our round-up of the best things happening in Melbourne this week.

Puffing Billy's Train of Lights

  • Things to do
  • Belgrave
Puffing Billy's Train of Lights
Puffing Billy's Train of Lights
Photograph: Tracy Dasler
Choo choo! The Train of Lights is back on the tracks for 2026 and ready to captivate passengers with a magical winter journey through the Dandenong Ranges for a fifith 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. But if you want to join this glowing journey, you'll have to be quick – tickets sell out quickly every year. Here's everything you need to know to secure your spot. When is Puffing Billy Train of Lights on for 2026? This enchanting winter journey is on from June 26 to July 19, 2026.  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 that 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 Emerald and Gembrook CFA (with all money going towards their respective brigades).  How to get tickets for Pufffing Billy Train of Lights 2026? Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday, May...
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Winter Glow

  • Things to do
  • Fairs and festivals
Winter Glow
Winter Glow
Photograph: Supplied
There’s only one reason you’d venture into a water park in winter. Adventure Park Geelong's Winter Glow Festival is back, and taking place from June 20 to August 29 this year. So, are you ready for 300 tonnes of real snow, plus glowing lights, live entertainment and two brand new rides?  Perfect for families looking for a budget-friendly taste of the snow, tickets start from just $42 per person – with little ones under 90cm scoring free entry. At the heart of the festival is Victoria’s largest indoor snow play zone, where you can build a snowman, make snow angels and launch snowballs at the dedicated Snowball Throw Zone. Outside, a dazzling light trail shines bright with more than three million twinkling lights and more than 1,000 installations, creating a glowing winter landscape. New for 2026 are two adrenaline-pumping rides: the Ice Toboggan, a 45-metre frozen slide, and the Drop Zone, a 20-metre tower offering a true alpine-style thrill. These join a full line-up of thrilling rides, including the Wave Swinger, Crazy Coaster and the much-loved Ferris Wheel. Beyond the rides and snow, kids will love watching the ice sculpting performances, meeting the Ice Princess and roasting marshmallows by the fire. You can also upgrade by hiring a VIP Winter Igloo to keep cosy while younger guests can indulge in a makeover at the Enchanted Snow Salon. The Winter Glow Festival runs from 4-9pm, Monday to Thursday and from 3–9pm Friday to Sunday (including daily during the July school...
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High Cheese

  • Things to do
  • Food and drink
  • Melbourne
  • Recommended
High Cheese
High Cheese
Photograph: Supplied
What do you get when you cross cheese with high tea? You get High Cheese – an indulgent cheese-centric experience returning to the Westin Melbourne for its third year. Taking over the hotel’s Allegro Restaurant from May 26 to October 17, this ever-popular event sees executive chef Apoorva Kunte joining forces with Richmond specialty cheese shop Supercheese, plus Punt Road Wines for a celebration of cheese and wine. High Cheese gives your traditional high tea a delicious spin with a three-tiered menu that shines the spotlight on cheese. Think sweet and savoury bites with expertly paired wines – all designed to showcase the versatility of great (or should we say, ‘grate’?) fromage. It’s a brie-lliant excuse to spend an afternoon grazing. Supercheese owner Jeremy Spradbery has selected cheeses for their quality, provenance and personality, drawing from niche local and international producers. Guests will move through a  progression of creations by chef Kunte, including a shared centrepiece and a final sweet offering, paired with a glass of Punt Road wine. “Supercheese has an incredible eye for producers with real character,” says Kunte. “For us, it’s about showcasing cheese in a way that feels elevated, unexpected and true to the ingredient.” To keep things fresh, the experience will evolve mid-season with a refreshed menu launching in August – which gives you a gouda reason to return. High Cheese at Allegro Restaurant is available every Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm onwards...
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Fondue Chalet

  • Things to do
  • Food and drink
  • Melbourne
Fondue Chalet
Fondue Chalet
Photograph: Supplied | Fondue Chalet
Who needs the French Alps when a charming alpine village has popped up at Fed Square this wintertime, complete with wooden chalets, fire pits and, most importantly, bubbling cauldrons of cheese and chocolate – need we say more?  From now until July 25, the Fondue Chalet pop-up invites you to gather your mates, get rounds of mulled wine to keep warm and indulge in an après-ski French village experience without ever having to leave the city.  Brought to you by the team behind the wildly popular Raclette Igloo pop-up, this foodie extravaganza is all about indulgence – there's no such thing as 'too much'.  Step inside your own cute chalet, designed for groups of six to eight, and dive into a traditional Savoie-style cheese fondue with imported French cheeses like Beaufort, Emmental, and Vacherin. Tear apart crusty bread, swirl it through the velvety, wine-infused pot, and enjoy the charcuterie boards and curated selection of French wines that come with it. Yum. And just when you think it couldn't get any better or that you can't eat another bite, dessert arrives – a decadent chocolate fondue, ready for dunking with seasonal fruits and sweet treats.  To keep the merriment going after dinner, take the party to the après-ski bar with drinks by Casa Spirits. Exclusively for fondue diners, the spot serves up French winter cocktails, mulled wine and warming digestifs. With fire pits, music and flowing drinks, Fondue Chalet is an escape that will transport you straight to the Alps –...
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Play School: Come and Play!

  • Things to do
  • Exhibitions
  • Melbourne
Play School: Come and Play!
Play School: Come and Play!
Photograph: Supplied | Eugene Hyland
There’s something special about sitting your kids down to watch the same show that you and and your parents did, decades ago. Believe it or not, Play School has been captivating little eyes since 1966 and ACMI is giving you the chance to come and explore the set brought to life, for free.  You can explore the Play School: Come and Play! exhibition at ACMI in Federation Square now until July 12. The perfect outing for two- to five-year-olds, little ones have the chance to check out the Rocket Clock, meet Big Ted, Jemima and Humpty Dumpty, sing songs and learn.  Kids can play presenter, camera operator or director – whatever tickles their fancy. The exhibition also includes Auslan translations throughout, with sensory-friendly, Auslan and audio-described sessions available. Plus, a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes and even hear from hosts like Leah Vandenberg and childhood experts in the Play School Talks series throughout April, June and September. Ready to come inside? Tickets to Play School: Come and Play! are free but make sure you book your spot here. Catch the exhibition at ACMI from 10am to 5pm until July 12.
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