The Best Outdoor Events to Head to in Melbourne This Summer
Fresh air, sunny skies and a jam-packed calendar of outside events await.
The Best Outdoor Events to Head to in Melbourne This Summer
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 sun-drenched pop-up bars to free gigs and themed mini golf.
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: Laneway Festival, by Rcstills.
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Arts & EntertainmentSorbaes: Sundae
Catch an artist lineup curated by Soju Gang and a hip hop battle led by Cypher Culture at this daytime dance party.
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Arts & EntertainmentAntipodes Greek Festival 2023
This long-running celebration of all things Greek returns to Lonsdale Street for another huge weekend.
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Arts & EntertainmentBallet Under the Stars
A free night of contemporary and classical dance from The Australian Ballet, backed by a full orchestra.
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Arts & EntertainmentGood Fest 2023 — A Westside Block Party
Mr West is throwing another rollicking block party packed with live tunes, great food and top-notch booze.
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Food & DrinkMirboo North Italian Festa
South Gippsland's long-running Italian festival is back for a huge day of authentic eats, cooking demos, entertainment and grape-stomping.
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Arts & EntertainmentSunset Cinema St Kilda 2023
Catch Oscar-nominees, classic rom-coms and an upcoming Paul Mescal flick in the St Kilda Botanical Gardens.
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Arts & EntertainmentFlow Music x The Third Day
Spend the day dancing to an impressive lineup of Euro DJs — and raise funds to help rebuild ATET while you do it.
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Arts & EntertainmentDaydreams Turns Ten
This day party is back for a bumper tenth birthday edition, featuring five Sunday sessions filled with tunes, snacks and vino.
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Travel & LeisureMatch in the Mall
Catch Ash Barty and other tennis greats going head-to-head in a doubles match — in Bourke Street Mall.
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Arts & EntertainmentWe-Akon Dilinja Ceremony 2023
Acknowledge the journey and experience of the Boonwurrung people at this inclusive dawn event featuring music, readings and a smoking ceremony.
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Arts & EntertainmentNinchFest 2023
The Grogans, Birdz, William Crighton and a host of other talent will hit the Mornington Peninsula for this much-loved summer music fest.
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Arts & EntertainmentYabun Festival 2023
This annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures returns in full to Victoria Park, with Tia Gostelow and Aodhan.
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Arts & EntertainmentElton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour
Elton John's 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour will see him play his last-ever shows in Australia.
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Travel & LeisureSunset Safari 2023
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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Arts & EntertainmentMidsumma Festival 2023
The 34th edition of Victoria's major LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural fest is here to heat up your summer.
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Food & DrinkCasa Aperol x Petanque Social
Aperol’s Rivieran Summer has arrived. Make the most of Melbourne’s warmer weather with an Aperol Spritz at Petanque Social, tickets to a live music festival or a self-skippered boat session on the Yarra.
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Arts & EntertainmentDistrict Live 2023
Hit The District Docklands this January to fill your Saturdays with free gigs, pub trivia, makers markets and more.
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Arts & EntertainmentSunset Cinema Mt Martha 2022–23
Settle in for an al fresco screening of 'Top Gun: Maverick' or 'The Princess Bride'.
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Arts & EntertainmentMuch Ado About Nothing — The Australian Shakespeare Company
The Bard's classic rom-com is the latest production to get the Shakespeare Under the Stars treatment.
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Food & DrinkLobster & Co at Arts Centre Melbourne
This indulgent riverside pop-up is back for a luxe summer appearance, only serving lobster rolls with truffle fries and glasses of champagne.
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Arts & EntertainmentPentridge Openair Cinema 2022–23
Pentridge's outdoor cinema is back for another season of new and classic flicks under the stars.
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Food & DrinkSip & Savour Albury
Head to the border for a weekend of regional eats and drinks — paired with live tunes from Kate Miller-Heidke, Josh Pyke and Lisa Mitchell.
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Design & StyleMPavilion 2022
This year's vibrant MPavilion architecture commission will feature 250-plus free talks, workshops, performances and installations over four months.
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Food & DrinkSummer Paradiso
Moon Dog is descending on the Arts Centre forecourt for a summer of bevs, beats and barbecue eats.
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Travel & LeisurePixar Putt Frankston 2022–23
A Pixar-themed mini golf course is popping up on the coast this summer.
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Arts & EntertainmentMoonlight Cinema Melbourne 2022–23
Moonlight Cinema is back for another huge summer of cinema under the stars.
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Food & DrinkBar Botanique
A little slice of New Orleans has landed in the Southbank Theatre Forecourt for summer.
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Food & DrinkLe Diner en Blanc Melbourne 2023
The world's poshest picnic is back in Melbourne for another round — and it'll only let you in if you're wearing white.
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Arts & EntertainmentCameo Outdoor Cinema 2022–23
Big releases, retro flicks, choc tops and popcorn — they're all back under the stars in Belgrave this spring and summer.
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Arts & EntertainmentSynthony No 3
A live orchestra will perform dance floor bangers by Disclosure, Eric Prydz, Flume, Calvin Harris, Wilkinson and more at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
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Arts & EntertainmentLido on the Roof 2022–23
Hawthorn's rooftop cinema returns for a fresh season with an impressive lineup of recent and classic flicks.
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Arts & EntertainmentThe MSO's 2023 Sidney Myer Free Concerts
One of Melbourne's summertime traditions returns, this time with a celebration of Tchaikovsky and an ode to Melbourne's diversity.
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Arts & EntertainmentInterstellar Groove
Set amongst the rolling hills of East Gippsland, this camping arts and music fest serves up a long weekend of electronic tunes, performances and food pop-ups.
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Arts & EntertainmentClassic Rooftop Cinema 2022–23
Watch movies and sip drinks under the stars in Elsternwick over another spring and summer.
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Arts & EntertainmentLaneway Festival 2023
HAIM, Joji and Phoebe Bridgers headline Laneway's huge comeback lineup for 2023.
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Arts & EntertainmentSo Frenchy So Chic 2023
This champagne-fuelled French day party returns to the lawns of Werribee Park, complete with a lineup of trés chic tunes.
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Arts & EntertainmentHello Sunshine
This new one-day music festival will serve up sounds from Amy Shark, The Cat Empire and 360 — plus a DJ set from the OG Red Wiggle.