is the capital of culture this winter
Experience art-filled days, electric evenings and neon-lit adventures after dark.
Friday Nights at the NGV, music under the moonlight at RISING, and levelled-up sips and snacks at subterranean bars—nowhere does winter quite like Melbourne. Culture seekers can find everything their hearts desire in this playground for creativity, experimental arts and great sport. Together with our mates at Melbourne. Every bit different., we’re bringing you loads of inspiration to rug up and turn up for adventurous days and rollicking nights across the city.
RISING
Set across hidden locations, town halls, outdoor arcades, and contemporary theatres, RISING’s arts program is a gateway to exploring more of Melbourne in winter. Take a trip back in time to
St Kilda Beach, Swanston Street and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl through the lens of photographer Rennie Ellis at the free photo exhibition Melbourne Out Loud. Head to RISING’s ground zero
Night Trade for a slew of parties, pop ups and bars. Amongst the electric lineup are psychic readings, sip and paint sessions, exhibitions for goths and ravers (and anyone who’s curious about the subcultures), and heaps of awesome food from local businesses.
Leonardo Da Vinci
Get up close to the visionary artist’s work in this fun, multisensorial experience at The LUME Melbourne. Leonardo Da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius immerses you in the creative’s iconic work—you’ll see an exact 360º replica of the Mona Lisa, fly through the streets of Florence via VR and get creative in the Artist’s Studio. Hit the gallery for Aperitivo Fridays and soak up the works as you tuck into an aperitivo platter with a spritz in hand.
Boogie under the NGV’s kaleidoscopic stained-glass ceiling to beats from ARIA-award-winning composers, jazz trios, South Sudanese funk musicians and more. Mosey on down to the d-floor after the Pharaoh exhibit for wines from the Yarra Valley’s Yering Station, mezze plates from the gallery kitchen, and killer vibes.
NGV Friday Nights
You’re never far from a great gig in Melbourne, and the city’s dive bars are where you’ll stumble upon your new favourite band. Grab a cheap pint and pull up a seat at The Old Bar to catch everything from jazz trios to punk. Head upstairs at Cherry Bar for a rowdy rock ‘n’ roll gig—this venue is a popular kick-on spot for big ticket musicians and bands often play ‘til late. Heading northside? Dance under disco balls at sprawling warehouse Howler.
Late-Night Gigs
And Live Music
Watch Queensland take on NSW in the heart of Melbourne's sporting precinct at game two of the State Of Origin. Die-hard fans will be able to lap up the energy and then head straight from the game to lively bars and pubs in Richmond.
State Of Origin
For the full Melbourne experience, rug up and turn up to the ‘G or Marvel Stadium for an AFL game. These games have a ripper vibe, and the whole city gets behind their team. Can’t secure tickets? Hit up a pub across the city and catch the action on the big screen with a pint in hand.
AFL
The entire ground floor of Melbourne’s ornate NGV has transformed into a huge exhibition featuring more than 500 objects that together tell the story of Egyptian pharaohs. Check out opulent jewellery, coffins, temple architecture and sculptures at Pharaoh. See the phenomenal exhibition after dark at NGV Friday Nights, a staple of Melbourne’s winter cultural calendar and an awesome excuse to check out the art, then grab a drink and dance to live tunes.
Pharaoh
Music
Headlined by Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), RISING’s music program spans genres and venues, truly offering up something for everyone. Head to St Paul’s Cathedral on Saturday 15 June for Shouse Communitas, a participatory workshop from the legends whose banger Love Tonight blew up online during COVID lockdowns. Horror fans are in for a treat at HEAR MY EYES : HELLRAISER, a live score to the ‘80s cult classic flick teamed with a laser show. The packed lineup also includes Mount Druitt drill rappers ONE FOUR, Sky Ferreira, Fever Ray and underground gigs at Melbourne’s home of film: the ACMI.
Sport
Arts
Back to Top
Melbourne
M
elbourne
ini
Various Locations
1 - 16 June
NGV
16 June - 6 October
THE LUME Melbourne
Until 15 September
RISING
Various Locations
1 - 16 June
NGV
14 June - 4 October
Various
Locations
Explore exhibitions, performances and immersive pop ups.
Dance into the night at raves, outdoor gigs and free mass-musiking events.
Watch the Blues and Maroons go head-to-head or catch an AFL game at the ‘G.
MCG, 26 June
MCG
June and July
Dining
Feast on fresh share plates at wine bars, or hearty pub feeds at beloved boozers.
QVM Night
Market
Melbourne City
Until 28 August
Be guided by the sounds of sizzling fry pans and the smell of aromatic spiced mulled wine into the QVM’s buzzing night market. Here, you can tuck into everything from Greek street food to Portuguese tarts and lasagna, as live tunes soundtrack your night.
A mainstay of a Melbourne winter, the QVM Night Market is a great way to explore the city’s culinary offering in one night—because who’s counting how many sliders you down.
Kirk's Wine Bar
CBD
Saunter down to Hardware Lane for a couple of stellar wines and share plates at Kirk’s Wine Bar. Led by Ian Curly of French Saloon, the quaint Euro-style bar sits on the corner of the busy city laneway and is typically brimming with crowds who favour the expertly curated drinks and wine list which the floor staff have dialled into a tee, ready to recommend anything from a glass of Chardonnay to Gamay.
Big Esso by
Mabu Mabu
CBD
Meaning ‘the biggest thank you’ in the Torres Strait, Big Esso By Mabu Mabu celebrates Indigenous food and culture in the heart of Melbourne city. We recommend diving into the Mabu Mabu Feed Me, which will set you back $75 per person. Dishes on the menu are made with native ingredients—think spear grass crumpets with wattleseed vegemite, moreton bay bug and emu steak with macadamia matcha.
Garden State Hotel
CBD
It’s all about the aesthetics across all four levels of bougie beer garden Garden State Hotel. The venue has the capacity to host 800 people at any one time, making it one of the biggest beer gardens in Melbourne, and its New York style grill cooks up some epic hearty eats.
Bar Hopping
Go underground and explore neon-lit dive bars and elegant late-night bistros.
Purple Pit
CBD
Arguably one of Melbourne’s coolest new bar openings, Purple Pit
is inspired by great European hotel bars promising a fun night for those who can find it. Fusing brutalist architecture with luxurious furnishings and contemporary art, the basement bar invites you to settle in for a truly romantic affair. Snack on hash browns with Yarra Valley caviar and smoked row, sip martinis, and keep an eye out for a star (it’s rumoured Alice Cooper was there just a few weeks ago).
Bar Margaux
CBD
Paris meets New York in this subterranean bar on Lonsdale Street. Think classic French cuisine, then add some art deco tiles and mirrors, leather couches, a timber bar and super sophisticated cocktails, and you get Bar Margaux. The bartenders are there to help you decide—they’ll even make you a custom off-menu drink to suit your cravings.
Whitehart
CBD
Breezy rooftops are a staple of Melbourne’s nightlife, and Whitehart is one of the city’s best open-air bars. This two-storey venue’s offering is impeccable in every regard—we’re talking cocktails, set-up and local DJs on deck. Make your way upstairs to get that coveted rooftop spot, just don’t forget your jacket.
Music
Sport
Dining
Bars
Wallabies vs Wales
AAMI Park
13 July
The energy is electric at a rugby game, and this July you’ll be able to catch the action as the Wallabies take on Wales. Grab a beer, get your gear, and cheer on your team in the heart of Melbourne
city—just don’t forget to book those tickets in advance.
BALLIN'24
Melbourne
John Cain Arena
2 - 5 July
Don your green and gold and catch Australia’s top basketball teams play at Ford BALLIN’24. Kicking off from 2 July, the International series will see The Boomers, Opals, Rollers and Gliders face off against China, and the Gangurrus 3X3 Men and Women teams play against Japan.
Arts
Arts
Friday Nights at the NGV, music under the moonlight at RISING, and levelled-up sips and snacks at subterranean bars
—nowhere does winter like Melbourne. Culture seekers can find everything their hearts desire in this playground for creativity, experimental arts and great sport. Together with our mates at Melbourne. Every bit different., we’re bringing you loads of inspiration to rug up and turn up for adventurous days and rollicking nights across the city.
RISING
Set across hidden locations, town halls, outdoor arcades, and contemporary theatres, RISING’s arts program is a gateway to exploring more of Melbourne in winter. Take a trip back in time to St Kilda Beach, Swanston Street and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl through the lens of photographer Rennie Ellis at the free photo exhibition Melbourne Out Loud. Head to RISING’s ground zero Night Trade for a slew of parties, pop ups and bars. Amongst the electric lineup are psychic readings, sip and paint sessions, exhibitions for goths and ravers (and anyone who’s curious about the subcultures), and heaps of awesome food from local businesses.
Pharaoh
The entire ground floor of Melbourne’s ornate NGV has transformed into a huge exhibition featuring more than 500 objects that together tell the story of Egyptian pharaohs. Check out opulent jewellery, coffins, temple architecture and sculptures at Pharaoh. See the phenomenal exhibition after dark at NGV Friday Nights, a staple of Melbourne’s winter cultural calendar and an awesome excuse to check out the art, then grab a drink and dance to live tunes.
Leonardo
Da Vinci
Get up close to the visionary artist’s work in this fun, multisensorial experience at The LUME Melbourne. Leonardo Da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius immerses you in the creative’s iconic work—you’ll see an exact 360º replica of the Mona Lisa, fly through the streets of Florence via VR and get creative in the Artist’s Studio. Hit the gallery for Aperitivo Fridays and soak up the works as you tuck into an aperitivo platter with a spritz in hand.
Music
Headlined by Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), RISING’s music program spans genres and venues, truly offering up something for everyone. Head to St Paul’s Cathedral on Saturday 15 June for Shouse Communitas, a participatory workshop from the legends whose banger Love Tonight blew up online during COVID lockdowns. Horror fans are in for a treat at HEAR MY EYES : HELLRAISER, a live score to the ‘80s cult classic flick teamed with a laser show. The packed lineup also includes Mount Druitt drill rappers ONE FOUR, Sky Ferreira, Fever Ray and underground gigs at Melbourne’s home of film: the ACMI.
NGV
Friday Nights
Boogie under the NGV’s kaleidoscopic stained-glass ceiling to beats from ARIA-award-winning composers, jazz trios, South Sudanese funk musicians and more. Mosey on down to the d-floor after the Pharaoh exhibit for wines from the Yarra Valley’s Yering Station, mezze plates from the gallery kitchen, and killer vibes.
Late-Night Gigs
And Live Music
You’re never far from a great gig in Melbourne, and the city’s dive bars are where you’ll stumble upon your new favourite band. Grab a cheap pint and pull up a seat at The Old Bar to catch everything from jazz trios to punk. Head upstairs at Cherry Bar for a rowdy rock ‘n’ roll gig—this venue is a popular kick-on spot for big ticket musicians and bands often play ‘til late. Heading northside? Dance under disco balls at sprawling warehouse Howler.
Sport
State
Of Origin
Watch Queensland take on NSW in the heart of Melbourne's sporting precinct at game two of the State Of Origin. Die-hard fans will be able to lap up the energy and then head straight from the game to lively bars and pubs in Richmond.
AFL
For the full Melbourne experience, rug up and turn up to the ‘G or Marvel Stadium for an AFL game. These games have a ripper vibe, and the whole city gets behind their team. Can’t secure tickets? Hit up a pub across the city and catch the action on the big screen with a pint in hand.
Back to Top