The Best Things to Do in Melbourne This Weekend
This weekend in Melbourne, you can shop at a heap of Christmas markets, check out the huge new Yayoi Kusama exhibition, or fill up on some bottomless food and drink deals.
Weekends are precious — that's why we've curated a special selection of the best things to do in Melbourne from Friday through to Sunday. We want to make sure no one spends their days off doing something dull or unnecessarily expensive.
Luckily, Melbourne's got plenty happening for those looking to have a damn good time. Those seeking to fill their weekend with food can hit up Pinchy's terrace for Spanish barbecue party, tackle the all-you-can-eat charcoal chicken challenge at Henrietta or score unlimited wine and snacks while swimming at W Melbourne's WET on Sunday afternoons.
Culture vultures are also spoilt for choice. Catch some blockbuster films at the Moonlight Cinema and Mov'In Bed Beach Cineam, or visit exhibitions like Yayoi Kusama and Cats & Dogs at the NGV, Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition at ACMI, and SCI-FI: Mythologies Transformed at Science Gallery Melbourne.
And if you'd prefer something a bit more low-key, you can always sift through our guides to the city's best bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes, bottomless brunches, late-night diners and cheap eats. The list of things to do in Melbourne this weekend is almost endless, so read on to figure out how you'll be spending the next few days.
Recommended Reads:
The Best Things to Do in Melbourne This Week
The Best Films and TV Shows to Stream This Month
What's On in Melbourne This Month
The Best New Restaurant Openings for 2024
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Event
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern
Sun, 15 Dec 2024 - Sat, 8 Mar 2025
Sydney Opera House, Sydney
This live 'Dungeons & Dragons' show has finally rolled into Australia for its Down Under premiere at the Sydney Opera House.
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Baby's Summer of Spritz
Thu, 28 Nov 2024 - Fri, 28 Feb 2025
Baby Pizza, Richmond
Baby's summertime happy hour deal includes a bunch of $9.50 spritzes, $6.5 Peroni Rossas and a $7.50 house wine.
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Event
Squid Game: The Experience
Sat, 14 Dec 2024 - Sun, 2 Feb 2025
Luna Park, Milsons Point
This immersive 'Squid Game' experience at Sydney's Luna Park will get you playing 'Red Light, Green Light' IRL.
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Section 8 x Welcome Merchant's Pop-Up Market
Sat, 14 Dec, 2024
Section 8, Melbourne
Section 8 is hosting a one-off pop-up Christmas market supporting businesses run by refugees and asylum seekers.
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Underground: The Hidden Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto
Sun, 17 Nov 2024 - Sun, 30 Mar 2025
Melbourne Holocaust Museum, Elsternwick
This is the first time the archive has been exhibited outside of Europe.
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Double Shot Maggie: Irish Live Music
Sat, 7 Dec 2024 - Sat, 4 Jan 2025
The Quiet Man Irish Pub, Kensington
A night full of singing, dancing, and laughing is in store at The Quiet Man Irish Pub
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Handmade Design Market
Sun, 15 Sep and Sun, 15 Dec 2024
Coburg Town Hall, Coburg
Support local artists and designers at this neighbourhood makers market at Coburg Town Hall.
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Yayoi Kusama
Sun, 15 Dec 2024 - Mon, 21 Apr 2025
NGV International, Melbourne
Australia's biggest-ever Yayoi Kusama retrospective is coming to the NGV in Melbourne with a brand-new infinity mirror room.
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Koorie Krismas
Sat, 14 Dec, 2024
Federation Square, Melbourne
Celebrate Christmas early at Fed Square with market stalls, stellar First Nation performances and a special appearance from Koorie Klaus.
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Mov'In Bed Beach Cinema at The District Docklands
Fri, 6 Dec 2024 - Sun, 30 Mar 2025
The District Docklands, Docklands
Watch movies on mattresses on the sand at Docklands — 'Gladiator II', 'Wicked', 'Joker: Folie à Deux' and 'Home Alone' are on the lineup.
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Spanish BBQ Fiesta on Pinchy's Balcony
Sun, 1 Dec - Sun, 22 Dec 2024
Pinchy's, Melbourne
Hit up this CBD restaurant on Sunday arvos in December for unlimited food and drinks on its sun-soaked terrace.
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Cats & Dogs
Fri, 1 Nov 2024 - Sun, 20 Jul 2025
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne
Featuring 250-plus works, NGV Australia's adorable exhibition agrees that there's no such thing as too many pet pictures.
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Etta's Summer Seafood Towers
Fri, 22 Nov - Sat, 21 Dec 2024
Etta, Brunswick East
This incredible wine bar and restaurant is serving decadent seafood towers for just $75 per person every Friday and Saturday afternoon.
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Moonlight Cinema Melbourne
Fri, 29 Nov 2024 - Sun, 30 Mar 2025
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, South Yarra
Catch 'The Fall Guy', 'Gladiator II', 'The Substance' and a heap of Christmas movies under the stars in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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CherryHill Orchards Cherry Picking Festival
Sun, 10 Nov 2024 - Sun, 5 Jan 2025
Cherryhill Orchards, Wandin East
Hit this Yarra Valley orchard for cherry picking, picnicking, live tunes and cherry ice cream.
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Sun Chasers Sunday Sessions
Sun, 10 Nov 2024 - Sun, 2 Feb 2025
W Melbourne, Melbourne
Pair your sky-high swim sesh with bottomless wine and snacks at W Melbourne.
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The Future & Other Fictions
Thu, 28 Nov 2024 - Sun, 27 Apr 2025
ACMI, Melbourne
From 'Blade Runner 2049' to Björk, this world-premiere exhibition at ACMI explores and celebrates futuristic storytelling.
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Event
Mary Eats Cake's Christmas Festival
Sun, 1 Dec - Sun, 22 Dec 2024
Mary Eats Cake Brunswick, Brunswick
The high tea team is serving up mulled wine spritzes, gingerbread french toast, mini pavlovas, turkey toasties and pumpkin spiced lattes throughout December.
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Event
VAN GOGH, MONET & DEGAS 3D: LASTING IMPRESSIONS at IMAX Melbourne
Thu, 28 Nov 2024 - Fri, 31 Jan 2025
IMAX Melbourne, Carlton
See some of history's most iconic artworks come alive like never before.
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Event
Long Live Longnecks at BANG
Wed, 20 Nov 2024 - Fri, 28 Feb 2025
BANG at The StandardX, Fitzroy
You can get two-for-one Melbourne Bitter Longnecks and $1 homemade dumplings during this happy hour deal.
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Home Truth
Wed, 13 Nov 2024 - Sun, 27 Apr 2025
NGV International, Melbourne
A house-within-a-house labyrinth has popped up outside the NGV International to get everyone thinking about small-scale architecture.
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Event
Upstairs @ The Rochey
Multiple single dates
The Rochester Hotel, Fitzroy
The Rochey is hosting intimate electronic gigs every Saturday night in its upstairs bandroom.
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Bottomless Brunch at Ming Dining
Fri, 4 Oct 2024 - Sun, 23 Feb 2025
Ming Dining, Melbourne
This CBD fine-diner is pairing a seven-course Asian-fusion feed with bottomless cocktails, beer and wine for only $69 per person.
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Event
Apéritif v Aperitivo Arvos at Molly Rose Brewery
Wed, 16 Oct 2024 - Fri, 31 Jan 2025
Molly Rose Brewery, Collingwood
Sample Molly Rose's new small-batch gins, pastis, vodkas and vermouths at its aperitivo sessions and masterclasses.
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The Fans Strike Back: A Fan Exhibition
Sat, 23 Nov 2024 - Mon, 31 Mar 2025
The District Docklands, Docklands
This 'Star Wars'-worshipping showcase is bringing one of the planet's largest private collections of replica memorabilia from the franchise to Melbourne.
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Event
Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy
Sun, 3 Nov - Sun, 15 Dec 2024
Regent Theatre, Melbourne
Your prayers have been answered: this smash-hit Broadway musical is finally bringing its screen-to-stage show to Melbourne.
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Event
Non-Stop Noods at New Quarter
Sat, 20 Jan - Sun, 29 Dec 2024
New Quarter, Richmond
Sip and slurp your way through bottomless margaritas and never-ending bowls of Vietnamese noodles.
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SCI-FI: Mythologies Transformed — Science Gallery Melbourne
Sat, 3 Aug - Sat, 14 Dec 2024
Science Gallery Melbourne, Parkville
It's time to learn about the ancient history and diverse future of science fiction.
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Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition
Tue, 17 Sep 2024 - Sun, 16 Feb 2025
ACMI, Melbourne
Start honking: this free world-premiere 'Untitled Goose Game' celebration at ACMI showcases everyone's favourite horrible goose.
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Event
All-You-Can-Eat Charcoal Chicken
Sat, 13 Apr - Sun, 29 Dec 2024
Henrietta Windsor, Windsor
Featuring hot chicks, crispy chips, creamy toum, fattoush salad, Henrietta’s signature hummus, and pickles.
The best things to do in Melbourne this weekend — spend each day discovering bars, absorbing art and feasting your way through food markets.
Top image: Section 8.