The weekend is here, and Melbourne is filled with cool and interesting things to keep you occupied. There’s plenty of fun things to do, food to try and shows to see. Here are some of our top recommendations on where to go, what to eat and what to look forward to this weekend in Melbourne and beyond.
1. Celebrate 20 years of Abbotsford Convent
Abbotsford Convent is throwing a Community Open Day to celebrate an incredible milestone. It marks 20 years since the Abbotsford Convent Coalition won a campaign to save the area from commercial redevelopment. Check out this incredible venue and look forward to live music, pop-up markets, open studios, tours, exhibitions and food trucks. It’s all happening on Saturday April 27, from 10am to 6pm. Learn more here.
2. Find plant-based goods at The Vegan Market
Find plenty of gifts and stock up your pantries at The Vegan Market. This bustling event will feature heaps of stalls, food trucks and fun activities. Find it at The Edge and The Terrace in Fed Square on Sunday April 28, from 10am to 4pm.
3. Check out the Sri Lankan Festival at Queen Victoria Market
Celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year with the Sri Lankan Festival at Queen Vic Market. Have plenty of fun with delicious food, like kottu, hoppers and curries, as well as cultural performances. Check it out on Sunday April 28, from 9am to 4pm. More info here.
4. Make your mark at the Rites of Passage Tattoo Festival
Head to Royal Exhibition Building for this terrific tattoo festival. 450 of the best Australian and international tattoo artists will be there, as well as live art activations, retail offerings, food trucks and more. Check out the Rites of Passage Tattoo Festival from April 26 to 28.
5. Celebrate at the South Asian Festival
Head to Docklands this April and celebrate the New Year of South Asian countries. This free festival will feature stage performances, food trucks, community stalls, a laser light show and more! The South Asian Festival will take place on Sunday April 28, from 11am to 9pm. Stay up-to-date here.
6. Have a brilliant time at The Art of the Brick
The Art of the Brick is here in Melbourne! This immersive experience has over 100 sculptures made from over 1 million LEGO® bricks, as well as moving sculptures, cool projections and more. Check it out at Melbourne Showgrounds. Get your tickets here.
7. Feel razzle dazzled by Chicago
The longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history is coming to Melbourne this March. Chicago, the multi-award winning musical, will soon paint the town with murder, greed, corruption and all that jazz. Check it out at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
8. Have a spectacular time with Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil is back to Melbourne with another round of awe-inspiring acrobatic acts. This time, they’re whisking us away to an imaginary Mexico. In this surreal world between dreams and reality, you’ll see a tapestry of vibrant locations as a traveller meets a variety of mystifying characters. The show, LUZIA, is also the first touring production by Cirque du Soleil that artistically incorporates water into the acrobatic performance. See it in Melbourne from March 24 to May 19.
9. Marvel at the work of Leonardo da Vinci at The LUME
Take a journey back in time, and explore the genius of Leonardo da Vinci. Step into the 3,000m², and watch some of the worlds most famous artworks come to life, like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius is now open at The LUME.
10. Get your head in the game at DreamHack
Celebrate all things gaming at DreamHack. See the latest games, watch esports, see plenty of cosplay, relax with board games, find independent creations in Artist Alley and much more. This event will take place at Rod Laver Arena from April 26 to 28. Learn more here.
11. Bounce over to The NBA Exhibition
Get your head in the game at The NBA Exhibition. Explore over 20 themed sections, see cool memorabilia, play arcade basketball games, check out the VR zone and more. This fun experience is now open at The District Docklands. Get your tickets here.
12. Celebrate the weird and wonderful at Fantastic Film Festival
Head to Lido Cinemas or Thornbury Picture House and get your fix on cult and arthouse cinema. This year, there’s 24 movies and 14 short films for you to discover. Fantastic Film Festival Australia will run from April 18 to May 9 at Lido Cinemas, and April 25 to 30 at Thornbury Picture House. Learn more here.
13. Feel a sense of Joy at the Immigration Museum
Seven Victorian-based artists are sharing what joy means to them with a variety of delightful rooms at the Immigration Museum. Journey back in time to a 90s video store, cuddle up with a gigantic soft toy rabbit and more. The Joy exhibition is now open for you to explore, and will stay in town until August 29, 2025.
14. Feel spellbound by Wicked
The gravity-defying musical, Wicked, is dancing through life and playing at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne this weekend. Almost 20 years after its premiere on Broadway, this popular musical has won over 100 major awards, including the Grammy Award, the Olivier Award and three Tony Awards.
15. Check out the work of Steve McCurry in the ICONS exhibition
Steve McCurry is an established contemporary photographer whose work has been featured on the front cover of National Geographic and has won countless international awards. He is probably most famous for his iconic photograph “Afghan Girl” which has become one of the most recognisable images in history. Now, in this new exhibition you will be able to see over 100 of his photographs from all around the world, each one telling a unique and powerful story. Find the ICONS exhibition at Seaworks in Williamstown. Get your tickets here.
16. Feel enchanted by A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Bell Shakespeare are taking over the Arts Centre with their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Check it out in Fairfax Studio from April 25 to May 11. Learn more here.
17. Have plenty of fun at the Holland Festival
Check out the Holland Festival for delicious Dutch food, market stalls live entertainment, a carnival for kids and more. Check it out at the Event Centre in Caribbean Gardens in Scoresby on Saturday April 27, from 10am to 6pm. See more here.
18. Feel amazed by street art at Wall to Wall festival
An industrial section of Mordialloc will transform into Melbourne’s first official street art precinct. Find plenty of vibrant mural works in the laneways of this south-eastern suburb at Wall to Wall festival. Back for the first time since the pandemic, Australia’s original street art festival will feature seven Australian and three international artists. Check it out from April 26 to 28.
19. Watch the play, RBG: Of Many, One
After a sold-out encore season at the Sydney Opera House, RBG: Of Many, One is playing at Arts Centre Melbourne. This one-woman play honours the life of Ruth Bader-Ginsberg, an American trailblazer and Justice of the Supreme Court. Check it out from April 25 to May 12. Learn more here.
20. Treat yourself to free Maxibons
Pop over to Hugo’s Deli in Richmond and get your hands on a free Peanut Jams with Butter Maxibon. They’re giving away 10,000 Maxibons this weekend. Hugo’s Deli will also have a limited-edition sandwich to celebrate, a PBG Sanga for $18.50. This giveaway is available while stocks last, from 10am to 5pm on Saturday April 27 and Sunday April 28.
21. Swim over to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Visit SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium this weekend, and check out their renovated Oceanarium, and exhibit, Night on the Reef.
22. Travel around the world in the immersive BBC Earth Experience
Take a 360-degree audio-visual journey through the seven continents of the world, with narration from the iconic Sir David Attenborough. This technological marvel will use footage from the BBC Studios Natural History television series, Seven Worlds, One Planet. Melbourne is the second city in the world to host this incredible experience. Find the BBC Earth Experience at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre this weekend.
23. Pass go and discover Monopoly Dreams
Australia’s first Monopoly-themed attraction is now open at Melbourne Central. Immerse yourself and wander around Monopoly City and Mr. Monopoly’s Mansion. Complete challenges, check out a 4D cinema and more!
24. Have a poo-fect day out at Unko Museum
Japan’s surprise sensation, Unko Museum, has taken over 360 Bourke St, Melbourne. Unko Museum is the only international touring museum dedicated to poop, but don’t hold your nose – the focus here is all about kawaii exhibits and photo-friendly moments, making it a fun and family-friendly day out. Get your tickets to Unko Museum here.
25. Have a magical time at Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience
Embark on a spellbinding walk through the forest and come face-to-face with magical creatures and scenes from the Harry Potter universe. The Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience is now open at The Briars in Mount Martha. Get your tickets here.
26. Check out the Sorrento Writers Festival
Drive out to Mornington Peninsula for the Sorrento Writers Festival. Celebrate some of Australia’s finest writers with over 100 events around ten venues in Sorrento and Portsea. The festival will kick off on Anzac Day and run until Sunday April 28. Learn more here.
27. Wander over to the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival
Drive out of Melbourne this weekend and have fun at the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival. Nine colourful and historic villages are celebrating this vibrant season with foodie trails, bustling markets, live music and more. Check it out from Friday April 5 to Sunday April 28.
28. Race over to The Ballarat Marathon
Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to hit the streets in The Ballarat Marathon. There’s five different events to choose from, ranging from one mile to 42km. Each course will take you through some iconic landmarks around this regional city, including Lake Wendouree and the Arch of Victory. This event will take place on April 27 and 28. Learn more here.
29. Drive out and see the Bright Autumn Festival
Head out of Melbourne this weekend and visit the vibrant town of Bright for their annual autumn festival. Feel amazed by the rich colours of the autumn leaves. While you’re there, discover autumn produce from the valleys of the High Country, beautiful works of art and more. The Bright Autumn Festival will run from Friday April 26 to Sunday May 5.
30. Escape to the Wild Harvest Seafood Festival
Travel to Mallacoota in East Gippsland for the Wild Harvest Seafood Festival. Feast on plenty of seafood, go on an oyster and champagne cruise, browse through a seafood market, go on a bush food walk and more. The festival will take run from April 26 to 28. Learn more here.