The best things to do in Melbourne this weekend

Do you ever look around at the increasingly disastrous times we find ourselves in and wonder how we got here? Or who got us here?  When we think of folks who act like a god only to fall victim to hubristic overreach and despair, we leap to Mary Shelley’s fictional Frankenstein and his spurned, rightfully furious ‘monster’ in fiction, or to real life and J Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atom bomb, the man who infamously quoted the Bhagavad Gita, “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” There’s another: Dr Joseph Weizenbaum, the subject of Eliza, MTC’s riveting new work by celebrated Melbourne playwright Tom Holloway, directed by Paige Rattray. I know Frankenstein and Oppenheimer, but who are Weizenbaum (and Eliza)? Forget Claude and ChatGPT, Eliza is the original AI ‘chatbot’, created by Weizenbaum in 1966. He was a computer whizz at MIT whose family escaped Nazi Germany thirty years earlier, fleeing to the US when he was still a kid.  Far from birthing an intelligent new lifeform – AI isn’t that – Weizenbaum was being a bit of a smart arse, purposefully creating Eliza as a software program designed to mimic the question-reframing language of therapists. Not because he wanted to make therapy easier and cheaper to access, but because unlike sci-fi authors including Asimov, he wanted to prove there was nothing close to human about AI. Eliza was a mimic, faking its way through the Turing test, yet easily out-sentience-d by a parrot.  Intriguing! So who’s involved...

Theatregoers, ballet fans and lovers of all things gothic, there’s a union of all your interests out there, and it’s making a bloody return to Melbourne this September and October. Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest takes the centuries-old story of the world’s most famous vampire and turns it into a tragedy told through dance. The Australian-made BIG Live production has played sold-out seasons in London’s West End, Edinburgh, San Francisco and Singapore, breaking the all-time record for the largest attended single production of Australian-made ballet. But it’s back on familiar hunting grounds now, and will spread its tale of dark romance and bloodlust, thanks to acclaimed performances by an alumni cast. That starring cast includes returning performers Ervin Zagidullin as Dracula and Abbey Hansen as Mina Harker, supported by renowned guest artist Adamzhan Bakhtiyar as Dracula in select performances. They’re choreographed by BIG Live Co-Founder Joel Burke, who, with Dracula, wanted to create a ballet that could be enjoyed by veteran and newcomer audiences alike. And as for the music, core to any ballet show, Dracula is scored by the Emmy Award-winning composer Jason Fernandez, and features classical works from maestros like Bach, Rachmaninov, Mozart, Mendelssohn and Debussy. The performance will play at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne from September 10-19, and after a brief Sydney stint, again from October 1-25. Expect fiery passion, bared teeth, captivating physicality and the...

It stretches 242 kilometres from the Yarra Ranges to Port Phillip Bay, winds through the heart of Melbourne and is home to an abundance of wildlife. Originally referred to as Birrarung, it became known as the Yarra River in the 1830s after a surveyor reportedly misunderstood local Aboriginal people saying ‘Yarro Yarro’, meaning ‘it flows’. For generations, it has been central to the lives and culture of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong Boonwurrung peoples. Yes, we’re talking about the Yarra River/Birrarung, whose catchment is home to more than one-third of Victoria’s population. And to celebrate it, Birrarung Riverfest is returning for a fourth year. Running from September 27 to October 18, it features more than 70 free events along the river, from Warburton to Westgate Park. And who better to champion the cause than comedian, author and broadcaster Sammy J, this year’s Riverfest ambassador.  Highlights from the program include an Open Day at Wandersloe Sanctuary and riverside picnic with Yarra riverkeepers on September 27, learn-to-paddle sessions for schoolkids on September 29, an eight-kilometre walk along the Birrarung on September 30, and an evening walk at Finn’s Reserve on October 2 to spot the elusive platypus. There’s also an opportunity to plant indigenous groundcovers and shrubs on October 4. And that’s just week one. Sammy J will MC and perform at River Rhythms, a singer-songwriter competition in Warburton on September 27, before leading the Big Birrarung Paddle on...

Love a good pop-up that’s packed with cool stuff – but hate that it disappears before you’ve had a chance to go back? Melbourne streetwear label Tild has heard your collective groan and is making shopping a bit easier by having its longest pop-up yet. Running from October 4 to November 1, it gives you an entire month to browse and buy their merch. Founded in 2021 by Melbourne sisters Tilly and Lucy Comb, Tild is all about blending streetwear with vintage-inspired style. Think jackets, hoodies, trackpants and singlets splashed with bold prints and playful graphics, as well as everyday staples with a retro twist. Get to this pop-up at 240 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy that’s open daily from 10am to 4pm. So, take your time and find yourself something fun. Get all the updates via their Instagram. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  Here's more to see and do when you're in Fitzroy Crown Melbourne's $200-million redevelopment is picking up speed

Mary Shelley was onto something when she penned the sci-fi and horror-inspiring novel Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus – namely arrogant men messing with stuff they shouldn’t, stuffing things up for everyone else. That, and we can’t get enough of a poor, persecuted emo ‘monster’ who just wants to be loved. Her genius has sparked life into a bazillion adaptations since then. Universal Pictures produced eight films, beginning with James Whale’s Frankenstein, followed swiftly by Bride of Frankenstein. Hammer bashed out seven. Andy Warhol and Paul Morrisey made a horny one. There have been straight plays, operas, songs and side quests, like Penny Dreadful, Poor Things or The Bride!But of all the skewwhiff looks at the source material, re-stitching its decomposing fleshy parts into something else entirely, multi-hyphenate funny man and The Producers mastermind Mel Brooks’ hilarious Young Frankenstein is one of the most genuinely inventive.  An outrageous spoof, co-written with Willy Wonka’s Gene Wilder, Young Frankenstein was so good they made it twice. With the help of book co-writer Thomas Meehan, Brooks adapted his own adaptation into the Tony-nominated 2007 musical that’s currently playing at St Kilda’s Theatre Works. It’s aliiiiiiivvvvveeeee? Who’s involved? This riotous new staging, presented near-deliriously by StageBugs Productions, is directed with the madcap energy by Christian Cavallo (Footloose). He casts a game Josh Direen as the preening and puffed-up Dr...

Get ready to ‘Turn Towards the Heat’ because that’s the theme for this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival. Returning from September 29 to October 18, it’s three weeks of audacious art, kooky performance and out-there experiences at venues across Melbourne and beyond.  Best of all, it gives independent artists a platform to experiment, take risks and tell stories from the margins.  Given this year’s theme, expect boundary-pushing performances and genre-defying works that challenge expectations and spark curiosity. And it all kicks off with the Opening Night Gala at the Capitol Theatre on September 29, hosted by Michelle Brasier.  Celebrating its 10th season, Deadly Fringe showcases bold new First Nations work. Don't miss Dhandha/Campfire by Joel Bray Dance, a free participatory installation at Fed Square combining light, sound, sculpture and daily performance rituals around a sculptural campfire. Also look out for Ocker by Na Djinang Circus, a free roving circus spectacular, and Estuary by Ngioka Bunda-Heath, a dance duet exploring identity and connection to Country. Accessibility takes centre stage with Radical Access, which challenges artists to rethink how art can be made and experienced. Among the highlights is Manifesto of Silences by Irene Holub, a deaf-led work that combines sign language, movement, projection and immersive sound to explore deaf histories. The Passport program allows you to travel the world without leaving Melbourne. Featuring international artists...

If you're a lover of plaid, you'll be pleased to hear that beloved Australian label Katharina Lou is taking over Brunswick Street in Fitzroy for a a week-long pop-up. It's here you'll be able to try on the brand's best-selling styles and shop pieces exclusive to the Melbourne event.  While the brand does a pop-up every year or so, it's going above-and-beyond with this year's Katharinaland. While the pop-up doesn't officially open until October 10, there will be a scavenger hunt on October 8 beginning at 5pm, and an exclusive bagel collab with cult-favourite Masses Bagels – although details for what they have in store for us have been kept tightly under wraps so far. Come opening day, the first two people in line will receive a $100 voucher to use at the pop-up, and the following 18 customers will be given $25 vouchers. The festivities don't stop at being able to shop the range in-person, however. You can get tickets to the Katharina Lou 'Girl Dinner' hosted at Hope St Radio, wherein you'll enjoy a four-course dinner, wine and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as be sent home with a $40 Katharina Lou voucher and a goodie bag. The pop-up will also be open for late night shopping on Thursday October 15 until 7pm. If you've been meaning to treat yourself, now's your chance! You'll find the Katharinaland pop-up at 318 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Want...

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...

Melbourne’s stages have seen a slew of jukebox musicals tread the boards over the past few years. They’ve ranged from the powerful (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical) to the cheesy-yet-crowd-pleasing (Mamma Mia! The Musical) and the glossed-over tributes (MJ the Musical). Thankfully, at a time when it feels more important than ever to encourage people to get out and support the local arts industry, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical arrives at the Princess Theatre full of razzle-dazzle, an abundance of infectious energy and a stacked setlist guaranteed to appeal to the masses. What is A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical about?  Written by Anthony McCarten, directed by Michael Mayer and created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise opens on a dour therapy session between an older Diamond (played with commanding gravitas by Terence Crawford) and his doctor (Monica Sayers). It’s an unflinchingly sharp first introduction to the musical legend – all the more surprising given the heavy involvement of Diamond and his wife Katie – who is being particularly stubborn about revealing anything about the “clouds” that darken his demeanour. Enter the doc whipping out a book of all his lyrics, and suddenly, in true musical theatre fashion, the songs are quite literally spilling onto the stage in the form of the ensemble singing a teasing medley of hits to come.   From there we’re transported back in time as a young Diamond (Will Swenson) gets his big...

Sax in the city? Yes, please. The Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) returns from October 16–25, bringing world-class jazz to venues across the city. Since 1998, MIJF has championed contemporary jazz – from cutting-edge improvisers to legendary names – with more than a third of performances free to attend. The 2026 program is filled with acclaimed jazz artists, including: The Teskey Brothers: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, October 17 Beloved Australian band The Teskey Brothers will headline the MIJF launch with a special tenth anniversary performance of their breakthrough album Half Mile Harvest, bringing their signature blend of soul, blues and vintage sounds to the stage. Returning to their Melbourne roots, the band will perform the album in full, plus favourites spanning the band’s acclaimed catalogue. Joining them will be trombonist legend Fred Wesley backed by The New JBs, plus ARIA Award-winning artist Emily Wurramara. Rebirth Brass Band: 170 Russell, October 18 Bringing the unmistakable spirit of New Orleans to Melbourne, Grammy Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band will make their Australian debut at MIJF. Hailed as a “New Orleans institution” by The New York Times, the band blends second-line rhythms with jazz, funk, soul and R&B for a high-energy sound that gets crowds moving. From the streets of the French Quarter to stages around the world, Rebirth Brass Band has become a defining force in New Orleans music, delivering joyful, brass-powered performances for...