Whether you were clever enough to use an annual leave day on Friday to make for an extra long weekend or simply enjoyed the Thursday off, Melbourne is brimming with things to do this weekend. Sandwich collabs, funky film festivals, Harry Potter experiences and more—just take your pick.
Here are 10 awesome things to do in Melbourne this weekend:
Maxibon And Hugo’s Deli Collab
Image credit: Hugo's Deli | Supplied
Time to relive your childhood memories for the peanut jams and butter Maxibon is back on shelves. To celebrate this nostalgic return, two sandwich kings—albeit different kind of sandos—will be linking up for a limited time with Hugo’s Deli’s digs in Richmond as host. Hugo’s is bringing out a spesh PBJ Sanda for this weekend only, stuffed with southern fried chicken, peanut butter, and cherry pepper berry glaze ($18.5o). But if you love a freebie, from 10am on Saturday and Sunday, they’re handing out 10,000 PBJ Maxibons.
THE DETAILS
When: Saturday 27 April and Sunday 28 April
Where: Hugo’s Deli – 119 Swan Street, Richmond
Stay social over here.
Rites Of Passage Tattoo Festival
Time to add some exta ink to the sleeve? A huge three day tattoo festival is in Melbourne this weekend, and after thirteen years in the game, the team know what they’re doing. The Rites Of Passage Tattoo Festival is taking over Royal Exhibition Building, packing it out with hundreds of artists, exclusive art exhibitions, free artist seminars, a tattoo-take on paint and sip, world-famous tattoo competitions, and a bunch of food and bev.
THE DETAILS
When: 10am to 7pm, Friday 26 April to Sunday 28 April
Where: Royal Exhibition Building – 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Purchase your tickets this way.
Dinos At The Zoo
Image credit: Zoos Victoria | Supplied
It's essentially the next best thing to taking a stroll in Jurassic Park. Dinos at the Zoo, is the immersive experience at Melbourne Zoo. Visitors can take a walk along pathways rarely open to the public and encounter 16 impressive dinosaurs, complete with nests and even newly hatched young. Young and old can try their hand at a spot of palaeontology, digging up fossil in sandpits under the watchful eye of a towering T-Rex.
THE DETAILS
When: Various times, now until Sunday 14 July
Where: Melbourne Zoo – Elliott Avenue, Parkville
For more information and to book tickets, head over here.
Kubrik Frankston
Frankston waterfront is lighting up with a sprawling open-air disco made entirely out of illuminated water tanks. With top-tier international and local DJs taking the decks this weekend, the experience is made all the more unique as the glowing cubes are synchronised with the pulsating beats. D.O.C Pizza, Smokey Boiz BBQ and Frankston Brewhouse are all making a pop-up appearance to cover the food and bev front, and for some family-friendly fun, chuck on some headphones and get groovy at the silent disco sessions.
THE DETAILS
When: Now until to Saturday 20 April
Where: 510 Nepean Highway, Frankston
Find the full program here.
Bell Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Image credit: Bell Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream | Supplied
It’s been twenty-years since the fast-paced production has played out on Australian stages. Now, after a triumphant return in Sydney, Melbourne is up next on Bell Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream run. Bringing magic and mayhem to the stage, this season is set to sweep the city with its funny and friendly imagination. Pep pep before it wraps.
THE DETAILS
When: Various sessions, now until Saturday 11 May
Where: Arts Centre Melbourne – 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank
Purchase tickets over here.
Fantastic Film Festival Australia
Wild, wacky, captivating, and provocative—that’s Fantastic Film Festival. It’s a window into the world of alternative cinema, diving into arthouse flicks that bend, cross and snap genres, heroing both Australian-produced films and international pieces. The program is 24 features and 14 short films thick, including cast and crew Q&As, live scores, world-wide and Australian premiers, and the infamous nude screening. The bulk of the sessions take place at Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn, but Thornbury Picture House is also linking up for the festival to run several sessions out in the north. Tickets start at a modest $18.50.
THE DETAILS
When: Various sessions, now until Thursday 9 May
Where: Lido Cinemas – 675 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
Get the full program and tickets this way.
Hawker Night Market At QVM
Image credit: QVM | Supplied
Every Wednesday night this Autumn, Queen Victoria Market will lose its day-time look and transform into a bustling hawker-style street market. The options are endless, from Taiwanese dumplings, authentic okonomiyaki, and Japanese oysters to sugarcane and coconut juice. You’d be hard pressed to find someone that hasn’t experienced QVM at night, but if that happens to be you—be warned, it gets very busy, very quickly. Get yourself there early, and enjoy the wonderful chaos. From the smoke and sizzle, delightful drinks and all the entertainment, it’s certainly a Melbourne bucket list moment.
THE DETAILS
When: Every Wednesday from April 10 to May 8, 5pm to 10pm
Where: Queen Victoria Market – Corner of Queen and Therry Streets, Melbourne CBD
Find the full program here.
Gotcha! McEwans Celebrity Pavement
From the ‘70s ‘til the ‘90s, our very own Bourke Street had its own Hollywood Walk of Fame, albeit found in the entrance to a McEwans Hardware Store. Now, the pavement that once contained marks of iconic international and Aussie stars has been restored by historian Robyn Annear—and it’s finally open for the public. With Gotcha!, you’ll see a display of 40 enduring handprints, including the likes of Evonne Goolagong, Jamie Redfern, Merv Hughes, and more. Catch a glimpse of Melburnian history right at the City Gallery only until Friday 16 August.
THE DETAILS
When: From Wednesday 17 April to Friday 16 August
Where: City Gallery – 110 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD
For more information, click here.
Harry Potter: The Forbidden Forest Experience
Image credit: Fever Up | Supplied
Following a sell-out tour in the USA and UK, the official Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest Experience has arrived in Melbourne. The immersive trail brings to life plenty of your favourite Harry Potter creatures, including but not limited to Hippogriffs, Unicorns, and Nifflers. Potterheads will also have plenty of opportunities to practice casting their spells amidst the illuminated forest walk.
THE DETAILS
When: Various times, from now until late June
Where: The Briars – 450 Nepean Highway, Mount Martha
Book your tickets over here.
Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi Live In Orchestra
Catch a blockbuster screening of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and be immersed in the epic battle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance—all with a grand twist. Taking place at Hamer Hall, you’ll be accompanied with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as they bring John Williams’ iconic score alive. Tickets are guaranteed to sell out with the limited run, so gather your Star Wars crew and get booking over here.
THE DETAILS
When: Various times, now until Wednesday 24 April
Where: Hamer Hall – 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank
Find the full program here.
For more happening around Melbourne, check these out:
- What's Happening In Melbourne This Month
- The Best Things To Do With Kids In Melbourne
- The Best Date Ideas In Melbourne
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.