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 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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Event
Sorbaes: Sundae
Sun, 26 Feb, 2023
Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
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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Event
Antipodes Greek Festival 2023
Sat, 25 Feb - Sun, 26 Feb 2023
Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
This long-running celebration of all things Greek returns to Lonsdale Street for another huge weekend.
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Event
Ballet Under the Stars
Sat, 25 Feb, 2023
Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
A free night of contemporary and classical dance from The Australian Ballet, backed by a full orchestra.
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Event
Good Fest 2023 — A Westside Block Party
Sat, 25 Feb, 2023
Mr West Bar & Bottleshop, Footscray
Mr West is throwing another rollicking block party packed with live tunes, great food and top-notch booze.
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Event
Mirboo North Italian Festa
Sun, 12 Feb, 2023
Baromi Park, Mirboo North
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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Event
Sunset Cinema St Kilda 2023
Wed, 1 Feb - Sat, 4 Mar 2023
St Kilda Botanical Gardens, St Kilda
Catch Oscar-nominees, classic rom-coms and an upcoming Paul Mescal flick in the St Kilda Botanical Gardens.
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Event
Flow Music x The Third Day
Sun, 5 Feb, 2023
The Third Day, North Melbourne
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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Event
Daydreams Turns Ten
Multiple single dates
Everyday Coffee, Collingwood
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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Event
Match in the Mall
Sun, 29 Jan, 2023
Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne
Catch Ash Barty and other tennis greats going head-to-head in a doubles match — in Bourke Street Mall.
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Event
We-Akon Dilinja Ceremony 2023
Thu, 26 Jan, 2023
Alfred Square, St Kilda, St Kilda
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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Event
NinchFest 2023
Fri, 10 Feb - Sat, 11 Feb 2023
St Andrews Beach Recreation Club, Saint Andrews Beach
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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Event
Yabun Festival 2023
Thu, 26 Jan, 2023
Victoria Park, Camperdown
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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Event
Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour
Fri, 13 Jan - Sat, 14 Jan 2023
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Elton John's 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour will see him play his last-ever shows in Australia.
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Event
Sunset Safari 2023
Multiple single dates
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
Midsumma Festival 2023
Sat, 21 Jan - Sun, 12 Feb 2023
Various locations across Melbourne, Melbourne
The 34th edition of Victoria's major LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural fest is here to heat up your summer.
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Event
Casa Aperol x Petanque Social
Wed, 1 Feb - Sun, 2 Apr 2023
Petanque Social, Southbank
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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Event
District Live 2023
Multiple single dates
The District Docklands, Docklands
Hit The District Docklands this January to fill your Saturdays with free gigs, pub trivia, makers markets and more.
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Event
Sunset Cinema Mt Martha 2022–23
Wed, 21 Dec 2022 - Fri, 20 Jan 2023
The Briars, Mount Martha
Settle in for an al fresco screening of 'Top Gun: Maverick' or 'The Princess Bride'.
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Event
Much Ado About Nothing — The Australian Shakespeare Company
Sat, 17 Dec 2022 - Sat, 4 Feb 2023
Southern Cross Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
The Bard's classic rom-com is the latest production to get the Shakespeare Under the Stars treatment.
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Event
Lobster & Co at Arts Centre Melbourne
Tue, 22 Nov 2022 - Sun, 15 Jan 2023
Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt, 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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Event
Pentridge Openair Cinema 2022–23
Thu, 15 Dec 2022 - Sun, 26 Mar 2023
Pentridge Coburg, Melbourne
Pentridge's outdoor cinema is back for another season of new and classic flicks under the stars.
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Event
Sip & Savour Albury
Sat, 4 Feb - Sun, 5 Feb 2023
QEII Square Albury, 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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Event
MPavilion 2022
Thu, 8 Dec 2022 - Thu, 6 Apr 2023
MPavilion, Melbourne
This year's vibrant MPavilion architecture commission will feature 250-plus free talks, workshops, performances and installations over four months.
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Event
Summer Paradiso
Fri, 2 Dec 2022 - Tue, 28 Feb 2023
Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt, Melbourne
Moon Dog is descending on the Arts Centre forecourt for a summer of bevs, beats and barbecue eats.
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Event
Pixar Putt Frankston 2022–23
Fri, 16 Dec 2022 - Sun, 29 Jan 2023
Frankston Foreshore, Frankston
A Pixar-themed mini golf course is popping up on the coast this summer.
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Event
Moonlight Cinema Melbourne 2022–23
Thu, 1 Dec 2022 - Sun, 26 Mar 2023
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, South Yarra
Moonlight Cinema is back for another huge summer of cinema under the stars.
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Event
Bar Botanique
Mon, 21 Nov 2022 - Sun, 26 Mar 2023
Southbank Theatre Forecourt, Southbank
A little slice of New Orleans has landed in the Southbank Theatre Forecourt for summer.
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Event
Le Diner en Blanc Melbourne 2023
Sat, 18 Feb, 2023
Secret Melbourne location, Melbourne
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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Event
Cameo Outdoor Cinema 2022–23
Fri, 28 Oct 2022 - Tue, 28 Feb 2023
Cameo Cinemas, Belgrave
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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Event
Synthony No 3
Fri, 17 Feb, 2023
Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
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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Event
Lido on the Roof 2022–23
Thu, 27 Oct 2022 - Tue, 28 Feb 2023
Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn
Hawthorn's rooftop cinema returns for a fresh season with an impressive lineup of recent and classic flicks.
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Event
The MSO's 2023 Sidney Myer Free Concerts
Wed, 15 Feb 2023 and Sat, 18 Feb 2023
Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
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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Event
Interstellar Groove
Fri, 27 Jan - Mon, 30 Jan 2023
Coonawarra Farm Resort, Glenaladale
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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Event
Classic Rooftop Cinema 2022–23
Thu, 27 Oct 2022 - Tue, 28 Feb 2023
Classic Cinemas Elsternwick, Elsternwick
Watch movies and sip drinks under the stars in Elsternwick over another spring and summer.
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Event
Laneway Festival 2023
Sat, 11 Feb, 2023
The Park, Flemington, Flemington
HAIM, Joji and Phoebe Bridgers headline Laneway's huge comeback lineup for 2023.
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Event
So Frenchy So Chic 2023
Sun, 15 Jan, 2023
Werribee Park, Werribee
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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Event
Hello Sunshine
Sat, 11 Feb, 2023
Caribbean Gardens, Scoresby
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.