The Best Outdoor Events to Head to in Melbourne This Summer
Fresh air, sunny skies and a jam-packed calendar of outside events await.
Melbourne's balmy season has arrived and, for those wanting to make the most of that sparkling, sun-drenched weather, that means a forecast of many al fresco events to come. The rest of this summer's calendar is packed with a hefty array of outdoor events and openair activities — from French-inspired day parties and beachside pop-up bars to free park concerts headlined by a lineup of local soul acts.
Stock up on sunscreen and get ready to soak up the best outdoor fun Melbourne has on offer for the sunny days ahead. Here's where to get your al fresco kicks this season.
Image: So Frenchy So Chic by Liz Sunshine.
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Event
Colour Openair Vol. 2
Sat, 26 Feb, 2022
Collingwood Yards, Collingwood
Three stages, 16 artists and one huge day of al fresco fun to wrap up your summer.
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Event
Peter Quince Presents: A Midsummer Mechanical's Dream
Fri, 25 Feb - Sat, 12 Mar 2022
Southern Cross Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
This outdoor production shines the spotlight on some of Shakespeare's most comical characters.
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Event
Urbnsurf's Acoustic Music Series
Sat, 26 Feb - Sun, 27 Feb 2022
Urbnsurf Melbourne, Tullamarine
This autumn, enjoy live local jams and cold brews overlooking the waves at Melbourne's surf park.
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Event
Summer Courtyard Cinema
Sun, 13 Feb - Tue, 15 Feb 2022
Immigration Museum, Melbourne
Melbourne's Immigration Museum is turning its Flinders Street courtyard into a cinema for three film-filled nights.
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Event
Melbourne Pride Street Party
Sun, 13 Feb, 2022
Various locations on Gertrude Street and Smith Street, Fitzroy and Collingwood
This inaugural one-day fiesta descends on the inner north with a huge program of live tunes, performance, art and food, celebrating the LGBTQI+ community.
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Event
We-Vibe Sex Toy Scavenger Hunt
Sat, 12 Feb, 2022
Various locations across Melbourne, Melbourne
We-Vibe is celebrating Valentine's Day with an international sex toy scavenger hunt — follow the clues, track down a toy and you'll win yourself a year's supply.
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Event
Lobster & Co
Thu, 12 Jan 2023 - Sun, 20 Feb 2022
Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt, Melbourne
This indulgent riverside pop-up only serves lobster rolls with truffle fries and glasses of champagne.
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Event
Return of the Untitled Day Party
Sat, 29 Jan, 2022
Burnley Circus Park, Burnley
It's been a long time between drinks, but Untitled is finally back with its next day party — this time, headlined by Willaris. K.
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Event
ANZ's Tennis Ball Mural
Fri, 21 Jan - Wed, 26 Jan 2022
Federation Square, Melbourne
Check out a huge pop-up artwork crafted from tennis balls, while enjoying free scoops of Piccolina's finest.
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Event
Yabun Festival 2022
Wed, 26 Jan, 2022
Victoria Park, Camperdown
This annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures returns for its 20th year.
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Event
Zoo Summer Cinema
Thu, 3 Feb - Sat, 12 Mar 2022
Melbourne Zoo, Parkville
Melbourne's latest openair cinema pairs cute critters, DJs, food trucks, keeper talks and a lineup of new and classic flicks.
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Event
Sunset Safari
Sat, 8 Jan - Sun, 13 Mar 2022
Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee South
Hit the zoo at sunset for an after-hours wildlife experience that'll transport you straight to the savannahs of Africa.
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Event
Capi Outdoor Cinema
Sat, 2 Dec, 2017
Palace Westgarth, Northcote
The iconic Westgarth Cinema is jumping on the outdoor trend.
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Event
St Kilda Festival 2022
Sat, 5 Feb - Sun, 13 Feb 2022
St Kilda Foreshore, St Kilda
Melbourne's most iconic bayside music festival returns for a huge nine-day party, filled with live tunes, performance, food and other fun.
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Event
Sunset Sounds 2022
Sun, 23 Jan, 2022
Victoria Gardens, Prahran
A free outdoor park gig filled with soulful tunes from homegrown acts.
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Event
Pasta Poetry Courtyard Sessions
Wed, 1 Dec 2021 - Fri, 25 Feb 2022
Pasta Poetry, Fairfield
With handmade pasta dishes, signature spritz and bocce, this summer courtyard pop-up will transport you straight to Bologna.
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Event
The Exchange Beach Club 2021–22
Sat, 6 Nov 2021 - Sun, 30 Jan 2022
Port Melbourne Dog Beach, Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne's pop-up beach bar is back for another summer — complete with $2 oyster specials and bottomless boozy brunches.
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Event
Good Fest — A Westside Block Party
Sat, 22 Jan, 2022
Mr West Bar & Bottleshop, Footscray
Mr West is throwing a rollicking block party packed with live tunes, great food and top-notch booze.
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Event
So Frenchy So Chic 2022
Sun, 13 Feb, 2022
Werribee Mansion, Werribee South
Spend an afternoon at Werribee Mansion drinking champagne, eating cheese, listening to French music and frolicking on the lawn.
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Event
Arbory Afloat 2021–22
Tue, 26 Oct 2021 - Sat, 30 Apr 2022
Arbory Afloat, Melbourne
This year, Melbourne's summer floating bar is inspired by Turkey's Turquoise Coast, serving up Mediterranean bites and a hefty lineup of cocktails.
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Event
Pétanque Social 2021–22
Fri, 5 Nov 2021 - Sun, 29 May 2022
Crown Riverwalk, Southbank
The riverside pop-up is making a return this summer, with an open-air bar inspired by the Tuscan countryside.
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Event
Lido on the Roof 2021–22
Fri, 22 Oct 2021 - Mon, 28 Feb 2022
Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn
Hawthorn's rooftop cinema returns after lockdown with a jam-packed lineup of recent and classic flicks.
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Event
The MSO's 2022 Sidney Myer Free Concerts
Wed, 9 Feb 2022, Sat, 12 Feb 2022 and Sat, 19 Feb 2022
Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
One of Melbourne's summertime traditions returns, this time with famous film themes and the music of Archie Roach.
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Event
Classic Rooftop Cinema 2021–22
Thu, 11 Nov 2021 - Mon, 28 Feb 2022
Classic Cinemas Elsternwick, Elsternwick
Watch movies and sip drinks under the stars in Elsternwick.
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Event
Boiler Room x Sugar Mountain Festival
Sat, 26 Feb, 2022
Seaworks Maritime Precinct, Williamstown
The summer festival is bringing its 360-degree stage to Williamtown’s Seaworks Maritime Precinct in January.
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Event
QT's Secret Garden with Dal Zotto
Fri, 22 Oct 2021 - Sun, 27 Feb 2022
QT Melbourne, Melbourne
Wander into this hidden rooftop bar for an Italian-inspired soiree, featuring local prosecco, vintage tunes and bocce.
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Event
Cameo Outdoor Cinema 2021–22
Fri, 22 Oct 2021 - Mon, 28 Feb 2022
Cameo Cinemas, Belgrave
Big releases, retro flicks, choc tops and popcorn — all under the stars in Belgrave.
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Event
MPavilion 2021
Thu, 2 Dec 2021 - Sun, 24 Apr 2022
MPavilion, Melbourne
Hosting over 400 free talks, workshops, performances and installations over a five-month stay, this year's MPavilion architecture commission is sure to inspire many a return visit.
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Event
Barefoot Cinema 2022
Wed, 5 Jan - Sat, 19 Mar 2022
Various Melbourne locations, Melbourne
After a two-year pandemic-enforced break, this openair cinema is back for another summer season — including a stint at the St Kilda Botanical Gardens for the first time ever.
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Event
Synthony Australia 2022
Fri, 18 Feb, 2022
Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
A 60-plus piece orchestra performs 30 years of dance floor bangers.
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Event
Moonlight Cinema Melbourne 2021–22
Thu, 2 Dec 2021 - Sun, 27 Mar 2022
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, South Yarra
Watch everything from 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings', 'A Quiet Place Part II' and 'Dear Evan Hansen' to 'Dirty Dancing', 'Love Actually' and 'Home Alone' under the stars.
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Event
Summer Nights Drone Show
Sat, 15 Jan - Sun, 30 Jan 2022
Docklands Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
Don't forget to look up after the sun goes down in January.
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Event
Bloomville
Sat, 15 Jan - Sat, 29 Jan 2022
Woodlea Town, Aintree
Sugar Republic's latest pop-up features flowers, cherry blossoms, a sunshine room, a scratch ’n’ sniff floral wall and a confetti shower.
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Event
Disney+ Drive-In 2022
Fri, 14 Jan - Thu, 24 Feb 2022
Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale
Catch classic Disney and Pixar flicks at this returning pop-up outdoor cinema.