Ditch the couch—Melbourne’s serving up another weekend full of things to do. Heathcote in the City turns Meat Market into a wine-lover’s paradise (95 drops + food trucks!), while the Korea Festival brings Squid Game challenges and K-Pop battles to Fed Square.
Film buffs, catch Taiwanese masterpieces at the Melbourne Taiwan Film Fest, or geek out to The Force Awakens with live orchestral backing (May the 24th be with you!). Reboot in the luscious greens of the forest or dive into Elissa Goodrich’s hypnotic Waves and Bubbles.
Kids (and kids-at-heart) will love Wonderbox’s trippy wonderland, while design addicts can bankrupt themselves at The Big Design Market. Finally, Mo Amer’s phone-free comedy guarantees proper belly laughs. Your move, Melbourne.
Here’s everything that’s on in Melbourne this weekend, Friday, 23 May, Saturday, 24 March and Sunday, 25 May.
Mo Amer Is Bringing His Hysterical, No-Phones-Allowed Comedy Show to Melbourne
Palais Theatre, Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, Saturday, May 24, Doors open at 4:15pm
Mo Amer is arriving to take you on a no-distractions, all-laughs ride. The Peabody Award-winning star of Netflix’s MO and Ramy brings his globally-enjoyed stand-up to Melbourne, blending sharp takes on family, fatherhood and the absurdity of modern life with his Palestinian-American perspective. Fresh off Black Adam and gearing up for MO Season 2, Amer’s comedy is raw, relatable and relentlessly funny (and 18+). Oh, and it’s a phone-free zone (thanks, Yondr pouches), so you’ll actually listen.
This 18+ Wine Fest Is the Only Excuse You Need to Ditch the Kids This Saturday
Meat Market, 3 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne, Saturday, 24 May, From 12pm-6pm
Skip your usual pub crawl for a serious wine upgrade—Heathcote in the City is taking over Meat Market this Saturday with 95 drops from 16 top producers. Sip your way through bold Shiraz and crisp whites (hello, take-home glass!), snack on Doughslingers’ pizza or Taco Truck’s goods and vibe to live tunes from Mariah McCarthy and Matt Katsis. Get the chance to chat with the winemakers themselves—these legends poured at the famed Heathcote Wine & Food Fest, so they know their stuff. 18+ only (sorry, kids and pups), so book fast or risk a grape-less weekend.
Red Light, Green Light: Squid Games Is Coming To Fed Square
Federation Square, Saturday and Sunday, 24 and 25 May
Image: Netflix | Supplied
Calling all Squid Game fans—Netflix is bringing the high-stakes drama of the hit series to life with a thrilling activation in Federation Square this 24 and 25 May as part of the Korean Families Festival. And with Season 3 dropping on 27 June, this is the perfect way to get hyped for the next instalment.
Dare to take on the infamous Red Light, Green Light game, complete with a fully operational, towering Young-Hee doll watching your every move. Snap selfies in front of iconic set pieces like The Labyrinth Stairs, the VIP room, and those eerie pink-bowed coffins—because if you don’t Instagram it, did it even happen?
Of course, no Squid Game experience would be complete without the menacing presence of the Pink Guards (eep), who’ll be keeping a close eye on all the action. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just love a viral-worthy moment, this free activation is one of the most unique things to do in Melbourne this weekend. Just remember—play fair, or face the consequences.
Join as Taiwan’s Best Films Hit Melbourne This Weekend
ACMI, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Thursday, 22 May- Saturday, 24 May, Check website for hours.
Cinephiles, free up your schedules—the Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival is bringing four unmissable flicks to the big screen, including two Australian premieres. Ugly-cry through A Journey in Spring (a tender portrait of love and loss), then dive into Hunter Brothers, a gripping tale of family and forgiveness. History buffs, don’t miss the 4K-restored classic A City of Sadness, while dark comedy fans should sprint to the Golden Horse Awards approved Dead Talents Society . Presented by Taiwan’s top cultural orgs, this is your window to world-class storytelling.
Wonderbox Is a Whimsical, Mind-Bending Adventure for Kids (And Honestly, Adults Too)
ArtPlay, Birrarrung Marr Russell Street Exit, Saturday, 24 May, 11am-3pm
Got magic-obsessed tiny humans at home? Wonderbox is here to blow their minds (and yours). This interactive wonderland is like stepping into a giant puzzle-box— kooky carnival characters, trippy projections and live music that’ll have everyone dancing. Kids can peek into miniature matchbox worlds, then gaze up at a starry Milky Way with their own face in the cosmos. It’s a multi-sensory explosion where curiosity is the currency for unfiltered joy. Boxes unfold into more boxes, surprises lurk everywhere and every kid leaves feeling like the main character of their own fairy tale.
May the 24th Be With You: Star Wars in Concert Is the Ultimate Force Awakens Experience
Hamer Hall, 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank, Thursday, 22 May- Saturday, 24 May, Check website for hours.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is bringing The Force Awakens to life, blasting John Williams’ legendary score live as Rey, Finn and Kylo Ren battle it out on the big screen. Feel the chills as the First Order rises, cheer when Han and Chewie swoop in and absolutely lose it when that lightsaber flies into Rey’s hand—all with a symphonic punch that’ll shake your inner Jedi. The force is strong with this one.
Attend Forest Therapy–the Free, Science-Backed Antidote to City Life
Meet at the Visitor Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria– Melbourne Gardens Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, Sunday, 25 May, 10am-12pm
Forest therapy—Japan’s Shinrin-yoku ("forest bathing")—now taking root at Royal Botanic Gardens. This is the antithesis to your desk job— It’s a slow, sensory reboot where you’ll breathe deeper, touch bark and let dappled light work its magic. Proven to slash stress, boost immunity and even regulate blood pressure, it’s like a green Xanax (but with better scenery). Guided by INFTA-certified experts, you’ll learn to switch off autopilot and actually hear leaves rustle. BYO comfy shoes, leave with a zen that’ll make your Apple Watch happy.
Hear the Ocean’s Secret Symphony in This Unmissable Sci-Art Experience
Gallery, Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands, Thursday, 22 May- Sunday, 25 May, Check website for hours.
Composer Elissa Goodrich turned Swinburne’s fluid-dynamics research into a mesmerizing sci-art crossover, blending live music, 3D visuals and bubble acoustics into an immersive “ocean-world”. The oceanic turbulence is composed of hypnotic strings mirroring wave crashes, projections transforming the gallery into a surreal seascape and climate science decoded through pure auditory magic. This is your chance to experience the deep blue like never before—no wetsuit required. All ages welcome, but note: you’ll leave physically on land but mentally at sea.
Melbourne’s Sickest Creatives Are Taking Over the Big Design Market
Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson St, Carlton, Friday, 23 May- Sunday, 25 May, Check website for hours.
Does your home desperately need a hand-thrown ceramic mug? Luckily, The Big Design Market has returned with 250+ indie designers selling everything from ethical jewellery to pet wares (yes, your dog needs a bespoke bandana). Stroll under Irina Nazarova’s starry botanical installations, snack on next-level eats and sip cocktails while live runway shows prove Melbourne’s fashion game is unmatched. With exclusive launches, showbags and even a kids’ zone, this is your one-stop-shop to ditch mass-produced junk and score pieces with actual soul.
Celebrate Korean Culture at Fed Square’s Korea Festival
Fed Square, Saturday and Sunday, 24 and 25 May
And while you're at Fed Square, why not take in the rest of the Korea Festival? The weekend is going to be packed with live performances, mouth-watering food (we're hoping for more tteok-bokki thank you can poke a stick at), hands on cultural experiences and more.
Whether you're K-pop and K-culture obsessed, you're just after a solid feed or a day out, this is a must this weekend. So what's on? There's going to be both K-pop and traditional performances, from high energy dance covers to mesmerising traditional music and dance, the main stage is going to be buzzing. Food-wise there's going to be stacks of market stalls with K-fried chicken, sizzling BBQ, the afforementioned tteok-bokki, bingsu and more from Melbourne's top vendors.
You can also try your hand at Korean caligraphy, craft your own paper art or try out your best K-pop dance moves.
The Best Restaurants In Melbourne In 2025
Our editor reckons these 20 spots from casual to fine dining are the best restaurants in Melbourne as of May, 2025. How many have you been to?
The Best Pubs In Melbourne For 2025
A good pub does exactly what it promises on the tin: a spot to catch up with mates, knock back a few pints and naturally, tuck into a parma.
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.