The Best Things To Do In Melbourne This Weekend
Lizzie Scorer
Contributor | Urban List, Sydney, NSW
Eloise Luke
Contributor | Urban List
.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&h=48&fit=crop){kind=logo}
Searching for the best things to do in Melbourne/Naarm this weekend? You're in luck. The calendar is always full of top-tier happenings in Melbourne.
Whether it's a foodie find, a magical night market or a street festival, Melbourne is serving up another weekend of fun events and activities.
Here’s everything that’s on in Melbourne this weekend.
Hyphen Spaces Hosts Bushfire Relief Market And Raffle
Hyphen Spaces, Carlton North | Saturday 31 January, 12pm—6pm
Image credit: Sleepy's Cafe & Wine Bar | Instagram
Carlton North’s Hyphen Spaces is hosting a one-day bushfire relief market and raffle on Saturday 31 January, with all proceeds going to Sikh Volunteers Australia, who provide free meals and essential support to communities affected by the fires.
From 12pm to 6pm, the space will be selling artisan goods and baked treats donated by local artists and makers, while neighbouring Sleepy’s Cafe & Wine Bar will be selling raffle tickets in the lead-up to the event. Prizes include a $150 dinner for two at Sleepy’s, a kinesiology session with Shelby Lily Healing, hand-woven coasters and scarves, a tattoo voucher and original artwork by Ying Wang.
Raffle prizes will be drawn at 6pm on the day, and Hyphen Spaces is still accepting donations via hyphenspaces.bookings@gmail.com.
Midsumma Carnival Takes Over Alexandra Gardens
Alexandra Gardens, 3 Boathouse Drive, 18th January 2026
Image Credit: Midsumma Carnival | Website
Midsumma Festival enters 2026 in style as the iconic Midsumma Carnival takes over Alexandra Gardens by the Yarra this Sunday, 18th January, transforming the riverside into a vibrant, open-air celebration of local and international LGBTQIA+ talent that pulses for the full three-week fest ahead.
Free entry draws around 120,000 revellers annually to wander lush lawns and four buzzing stages—Main, Picnic, Sports and Family—serving a non-stop rolling program of singers, drag superstars, DJs and crowd karaoke at Lip Sync Limelight, all with space to sprawl out on a blanket under the sun.
Jump right into over 200 stalls packed with community goodies and biz wares, hit up two food zones for global bites, sip from pop-up bars, snag freebies or strut your pup in the dog parade for prize-worthy glam—plus safe zones, sports demos, a youth hub and family chill area keep it welcoming for every vibe.
Alice in Wonderland Lights Up Capitol Theatre for School Holidays
The Capitol, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD, Until 18th January 2026
Image Credit: Australian Shakespeare Company | Website
Tumble down the rabbit hole these school holidays as the Australian Shakespeare Company stages a lively take on Lewis Carroll’s absurd and wickedly clever classic, Alice in Wonderland at The Capitol—running right through until 18 January. In Glenn Elston’s highly acclaimed production, the much‑loved tale is lifted straight from the pages and brought to life with colourful characters, playful chaos and plenty of musical moments for the whole family.
Wonderland favourites keep rolling in, from the mischievous Cheshire Cat flashing that iconic grin to Humpty Dumpty on his way to meet Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Packed with song, dance and larger‑than‑life performances, this enchanting production is designed to have kids and grown‑ups alike giddy, giggling and quoting lines all the way home, making it a perfect school holiday outing for families looking to swap screen time for a bright, bonkers afternoon in Wonderland.
Brickvention 2026: Massive LEGO Builds Take Over Melbourne
Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson St, Carlton, 17th-18th January 2026
Image Credit: Brickvention | Website
Brickvention storms back for two massive days, pulling in thousands of LEGO diehards, families, master builders and wide-eyed newbies for a non-stop celebration of plastic brick wizardry that’ll have jaws dropping and fingers itching to build.
Marvel at an insane lineup of original creations—towering sculptures, intricate dioramas, pop culture icons, engineering stunners and wild, whimsical worlds crafted by top talent from Australia and beyond—each one a testament to what happens when grown-ups (and perhaps their kids) refuse to let go of their childhood kits.
With over 300 exhibitors showing off their masterpieces, hands-on play zones to test your own skills, roaming cosplayers, special guests and exclusive merch drops, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure for every age, from tiny tykes stacking Duplo to AFOLs geeking out over rare techniques.
Palomas And Pickle Ball At QT's Rooftop Racquet Club
QT Melbourne Rooftop, 133 Russell Street, Melbourne CBD | Fridays to Sundays
Image credit: QT Hotels | Supplied
QT’s Rooftop Racquet Club is swinging into Melbourne for Grand Slam season, serving up one helluva sunset session from Friday 2 January. Expect Altos Tequila cocktails like icy elderflower and coconut margs and pink grapefruit palomas, open-play pickleball, limited-edition merch and golden-hour DJ sets from Friday to Sunday.
On the food front, snack on popcorn prawns, al pastor pork tostadas and oysters dressed with Altos Tequila, coriander and lime mignonette. Plus, there’s a doubles deal: purchase two palomas and any dish to score an exclusive Rooftop Racquet Club cap.
Putt Through Pixar In Melbourne: Toy Story to Hoppers Holes Await
Gate 2/3, Marvel Stadium, 740 Bourke St, Docklands, Until 18th January
Image credit: Pixar Putt | Website
Prep your putter and walk into Pixar’s whimsical world at the pop-up mini-golf sensation, Pixar Putt, where interactive holes bring the magic of Toy Story, Cars, Monsters, Inc., The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, Wall-E, Inside Out—and even a fresh one from the upcoming Hoppers—straight to life with clever obstacles and pure nostalgic fun.
Perfect for players of all ages, this school holiday must-do transforms every putt into an adventure at Marvel Stadium, from dodging Buzz Lightyear’s laser beam to navigating Nemo’s underwater maze or outsmarting Wall-E’s junkyard chaos, making it an instant hit for families craving something interactive and screen-free.
And when the sun dips, grown-ups can linger for Pixar Putt After-Dark sessions Thursday to Saturday from 7pm to 10pm, complete with a pop-up bar serving cheeky cocktails amid the glowing sunset putts under the stars with a drink in hand.
Salsa At Vida Melbourne Latin Festival
Tom’s Block, Kings Domain Gardens, Alexandra Avenue, Melbourne CBD | Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 January
Shimmy down to Tom’s Block for the two-day Vida Melbourne Latin Festival. There’ll be sizzling food from Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela, a margarita garden, over 20 DJs, a bazaar of local Latin American art, salsa dancing, live performances, and a kids area with face painting, magic shows, puppeteers and maraca-making workshops using recycled materials. It’s a free, all-ages event that you won’t want to miss.
Bounce Into 2026 At The World’s Biggest Inflatable Party
Flemington Racecourse, 448 Epsom Road, Flemington | Until Sunday 11 January
Image Credit: Big Bounce Australia | Website
If your New Year’s resolution involves having more fun (and less adulting), consider it sorted: The Big Bounce Australia is back, taking over Flemington Racecourse from December 26 to January 11 with the world’s BIGGEST jumping castle. Yep—25,000 square feet of slides, obstacles, music, and mayhem are waiting for you.
They've laid out massive inflatable playgrounds stacked with giant slides, mega obstacle courses, an intergalactic alien zone with moon crater ball pits, a custom sports arena packed with goals and hoops, plus a DJ spinning tunes while you bounce, laugh and quite possibly question your core strength. It’s three hours of pure, unfiltered joy—aka summer done right.
There’s a session for everyone—from tiny tots and junior jumpers through to a rowdy adults-only bounce. Tickets start at $40, and spots sell out faster than you can say “pass the socks.”
So round up your crew, leave your phone in the lockers, and get ready to jump into 2026—literally.
Sofitel X Anastasia Musical Sips and Snacks
Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, 25 Collins Street, Melbourne | Until Friday 20 February
Image credit: Sofitel Melbourne | Instagram
Sofitel Melbourne On Collins is getting theatrical, serving up ANASTASIA-inspired sips and snacks to match the Broadway magic.
Inspired by Anastasia’s journey from St Petersburg to Paris, the tableside dessert layers French lavender mousse, raspberry, pistachio and chocolate, finished with lavender snow. Pair it with the Champagne Pommery cocktail, crowned with whipped cream, and you’ll tap straight into the musical’s elegance and old-world romance.
Available for a limited time, you’ll find these goodies at The Atrium on 35 Bar and No35 Restaurant—perfect for pre-show bubbles or a post-theatre sweet fix.
Feel like staying longer? The Anastasia Package treats you to a luxe overnight stay in a Superior King Room, A-Reserve tickets to the show and a breakfast buffet for two.
Popcorn With The Pooches At Moonlight Cinema
Royal Botanic Gardens | Until Sunday 5 April
Image: Moonlight Cinema X Lyka | Supplied
Moonlight Cinemas across the country are opening up the gates for furry friends to come, sit and watch the big screen. Running ‘til 5 April 2026, the cinema will be set up in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Picture dogs running around with paired snacks provided by Lyka—the gourmet dog food meals on wheels service.
You could be eating popcorn while your best friend chews down a Turkey Dental Jerky treat from a specialised goodie bag. Plus, watching a film with your dog always increases the magic of the moment—especially when you're under the stars.
You might also like
- What's On In Melbourne This Week, Month And Beyond
- The Best Restaurants In Melbourne In 2026
- The Best Hotels In Melbourne To Check Into In 2026
Melbourne Vibes: Free Live Gigs With Big Aussie Names
Various Locations | Ongoing
Image Credit: Melbourne Vibes | Supplied
Melbourne Vibes is in full swing, with ALWAYS LIVE continuing to drop free pop-up gigs across the CBD every weekend through summer. The series has already turned city streets into impromptu stages for names like Cut Copy, Briggs, Miss Kaninna, Bliss n Eso, Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano and Mallrat, with the most recent weekend seeing Alice Ivy and Playlunch step up for back-to-back sets in the heart of the city.
There are still more unannounced gigs to come, with Melbourne’s laneways, precincts and public spaces all up for grabs as potential stages. ALWAYS LIVE will keep rolling out a fresh slate of surprise shows each weekend via their socials and mailing list, so switch on notifications and let the city’s soundtrack dictate your summer plans.
Most recent pop-up: WILSN and Didirri
NGV Kids Summer Festival: Disco & Dreamy Dress-Ups
180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne CBD | Saturday 10–Friday 16 January
Image Credit: NGV Kids Summer Festival | Supplied
Grab the glitter and get ready to boogie—NGV’s Kids Summer Festival is unleashing a kaleidoscope of free family magic across NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Picture this: the Great Hall pulsing with Kids Disco Parties, where little legends lose it to pop bangers under that trippy coloured canopy, all sparked by Danielle Brustman’s Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids—a Children’s Gallery wonderland of twirling dress-ups, wild garments and pure creative chaos running all summer.
Comedy king Rich Higgins (The Listies) drops joke-bombs in workshops, while drop-in sketching and collage stations morph kids into pint-sized fashion rebels. Bushra Hasan’s tours spin surprising yarns from the NGV collection, teens snoop in the Conservation lab and a Mercedes-Benz photobooth freezes the frenzy. Over at The Ian Potter, Ngarrindjeri artist Emma Stenhouse weaves the epic Pondi river cod tale—craft fish puppets and etch river bends—beside Hermannsburg Potters’ terracotta footy anthems (draw your own match-winner). Yorta Yorta/Wiradjuri star Tania Rossi ties First Nations masterpieces to storybook favourites in cosy sessions.
Relaxed Sessions (Jan 14–15) dial down the dazzle for a gentler groove into Let’s Party! and Great Hall fun. NGV’s Tony Ellwood promises a “vibrant world of fashion and self-expression,” backed by Minister Colin Brooks—this is Melbourne summer at its sparkliest, no tickets required. Who needs a ramp when the whole city’s your runway?
The Den of Nargun: A Tranquil Walk In Gippsland
Mitchell River National Park, East Gippsland, Accessible year-round
Trade the city chaos for ancient forests, misty creeks, and a little mythological magic. The Den of Nargun Circuit Walk is an underrated escape steeped in Gunaikurnai lore. It’s peaceful, lush, and the perfect excuse to throw on your boots and go bush for the day. The path is super shady, making it ideal for a hot girl walk.
Unwind At This Dreamy Collingwood Bathhouse
Sense of Self, Cambridge Street, Collingwood | Open Daily
Image credit: Sense Of Self | Instagram
Escape the hustle and bustle of Melbourne at this luxe bathhouse in Collingwood. Sense of Self is all about slow wellness—with a dreamy mineral bath, hot and cold therapy, and plush lounges that practically beg you to stay all day. You’ll leave lighter, warmer, and stoked with the knowledge that on this Sunday, you are better than everyone else.
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.
17 Of The Best Luxury Hotels In Melbourne To Book For The Australian Open (January Edition)
The 10 Best Restaurants In Melbourne For 2026
