Things to do in Melbourne this weekend (Nov 1-3)

We're just as sad as you are that cherry blossom season is over, but the good news is that it heralds the start of the cherry-picking season. And if you can't get enough of those sweet and juicy red morsels, then make your way to CherryHill Orchards this summer to pick and eat as many cherries as your heart desires. This year's cherry-picking season kicked off early on November 2 at CherryHill's 40-hectare orchard in Coldstream. On November 25, CherryHill's original orchard in Wandin East will follow suit and open its gates to eager pickers.  Sessions last for two hours, and cherries are charged per kilogram – trust us when we say these are some of the largest, sweetest cherries going around. And the fun doesn't stop at picking cherries; the orchard will host on-site food trucks and stalls hawking food and cherry-flavoured products. On top of the famed cherry ice cream, you can also shop pantry goods like cherry vinaigrette, cherry syrup, cherry barbecue sauce and cherry glaze. You can also bring your own picnic, or pre-order a box of goodies to enjoy on the orchard grounds. The sweet specialists at Mary Eats Cake have created three different-sized packs featuring treats like shakshuka quiche, cherry delight doughnuts and a selection of cheeses. And if you visit on a weekend or public holidays, you'll be treated to the sweet sounds of live tunes performed by a rotating line-up of local musos. The cherry-picking festival will run until late December at the Coldstream orchard,

Whether you’re a certified green thumb or gardening novice (or just someone who likes flowers, food trucks and free-flowing prosecco), there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the State Rose and Garden Show. This free, two-day celebration of all things floral kicks off on November 9 at Werribee Park, with the manicured lawns playing host to gardening exhibits, plant stalls, free guided tours, workshops, live music and a sea of more than 5,000 roses.  An impressive line-up of horticulturists and garden experts has been confirmed, with the likes of Chloe Thomson, Vasili Kanidiadis, Charlotte Harrison, Ivan Blacket and Kat Lavers set to hit the stage to provide advice on topics such as fruit tree planting, worm farms and propagation. You'll learn all about how to make the most of your garden, no matter how big or small it may be. Other highlights include various workshops covering everything from making your own insect farm to crafting miniature garden ornaments, plus the incredible aerial artists Sway with a new gravity-defying show. And the Country Women's Association is back by popular demand, slinging their famous scones with jam and cream, alongside rose flavoured cupcakes, lamingtons and Persian love biscuits. There will also be a number of on-site food trucks to keep you fuelled for a big day of smelling the roses, while the Prosecco Van will be ensure no one goes thirsty. The show is taking place on November 9 and 10 at Werribee Park. Entry is free, but you’re encourag

Do you have golden retriever energy, or are you more of a black cat kind of person? Felines and canines form an important part of the everyday lives, pop culture and mythology of humans, and the latest exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria celebrates the role of these animals.  Cats and Dogs is now showing at the NGV’s Ian Potter Centre until July 2025. The exhibition will feature more than 250 works of art, design and fashion spanning diverse periods and media, all drawn from the NGV’s own collection.  One side of the exhibition is dedicated to all things dogs, with the other side to our feline friends. The cross-cultural and transhistorical collection of artworks spotlights the cultural symbolism of cats and dogs, from their significance in religion, spirituality and the occult, to their appearances in pop culture.  The multifaceted line-up of artists includes Pierre Bonnard, Rembrandt van Rijn, David Hockney and Jeff Koons, as well as local talents Atong Atem, Grace Cossington Smith and Trevor Turbo Brown. In terms of fashion, there are also impressive pieces from Romance Was Born and Alexander McQueen. Find out more about Cats and Dogs including ticket information over here. Feeling arty? Check out the best art and exhibitions happening in Melbourne this month.

Tina Turner was the bread and butter of our household TV screen. She belted alongside Mick Jagger at Live Aid, leather-clad and big hair, raced her supercharged engine across Coober Pedy in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and assured the world that everything would be alright as David Bowie slipped out of the shadows during her Private Dancer Tour. She was one of music’s indomitable icons, a powerhouse; she was the Queen of Rock‘n’Roll. When Tina – The Tina Turner Musical finally rolled into Melbourne’s Princess Theatre after its West End debut and national run, it arrived with sky-high expectations. Having stacked up Tony and Olivier nominations as well as praise from Rolling Stone for its ability to simultaneously “entertain and enlighten”, I’m relieved to say that this Melbourne production did not disappoint. Leather, shoulder pads and sequins that would make Tina herself proud, danced across the red carpet on opening night with hundreds, including local Australian stars, paying homage. For someone like me, who never experienced Tina live beyond the glow of a television screen, the energy certainly made it feel like the real deal.  The musical, written by Katori Hall alongside Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, and directed by Phyllida Lloyd, stays true to Tina’s journey – thanks, in part, to Tina herself. From her early days in Nutbush, Tennessee, with gospel choirs and dusty churches, to the St. Louis blues scene where she met Ike Turner, across the globe to the soggy streets of

From the story’s origins hundreds of years ago, to its transformation into the classic 1991 Disney film, Beauty and the Beast really is a tale as old as time. In its musical form, the production hasn’t been seen in Melbourne since the ’90s, when Hugh Jackman famously performed as Gaston in his first professional role. Fast forward three decades and we’re once again seeing a Melbourne stage transformed into the provincial town and Baroque castle we know so well. Only this time round, the lavish set design is augmented with cleverly integrated digital screens. It’s just one of several updates that ensure this reimagined production of the beloved fairytale keeps up with the times. From the moment the curtain rises, it’s clear this is a large-scale musical with all the belles, whistles and big bucks. Visual splendour is the MO here – think kaleidoscopic costumes, gasp-inducing illusions and spectacular lighting – and it’s easy to see why this show broke box office records at Brisbane’s QPAC.  However, all that Disney investment would be useless without the gifted cast. Shubshri Kandiah exudes whimsy-with-a-backbone as bookworm Belle, charming us with her sweet songs and sassy moments – though the folks in her provincial town just don’t get it.  Brendan Xavier’s beast is alternately ferocious and boyish. His startled squeals and hair-twirling moments help make Belle’s dramatic change in feelings a touch more believable. Both leads shine in their solo numbers, with Xavier’s ‘If I C

As far as shopping sprees go, there’s nothing quite like rummaging through pre-loved goodies at a garage sale. Part of the joy is never knowing what bargain you’ll find (and not realising how badly you wanted a pair of neon pink parachute pants until you rescue them from a cardboard box). These days, a good garage sale is as rare as an original 1960s troll doll – which is where the Garage Sale Trail comes in. What started on the front lawns of Bondi in 2010 is now a nationwide campaign during which thousands of garage sales run across the country for two massive weekends. The aim is to reduce waste and encourage reusing among local communities, to stop tonnes of perfectly good stuff from ending up in landfill. To run your own garage sale, it's totally free to register. Garage Sale Trail will then send you promo materials to help put the word out, plus they’ll list your sale on the official website. Or if you're looking to score a pre-loved bargain, you can then use the website as a guide to all the sales in their area. So far, it looks like there's almost 300 garage sales registered in Melbourne alone, which is a whole lotta shopping. Plus, there are also group sales where multiple stallholders band together to make a one-stop-shop mega sale. Whether you're selling or buying, it's truly a win-win: finally declutter your wardrobe and make some extra moola, or get your hands on some new-to-you, sustainable treasures.  This year, there will be garage sales across Melbourne the w

The Makers and Shakers Market is back for a Christmas-themed extravaganza, showcasing a host of established and emerging designers at Williamstown's Seaworks Maritime Precinct on November 9 and 10. Bring your bags and nanna trolleys, because this is a great opportunity to stock up on one-of-a-kind presents while also supporting local artists and creatives.  The market is a curated event that will feature more than 120 stalls run by independent Melbourne makers selling homewares, food and drink, art, accessories, ethical fashion, beauty products and more. You won't go hungry, either – this year's tasty line-up of snack vendors includes Basil and Oregano, Gigi's Gelato, Taco Truck, Cobb Lane Bakery, Goldie Boy Burger Co, Subtle Tea and heaps more. There will also be all-vinyl DJ sets, plus kids activities, tastings and creative workshops. You can even get a daggy Christmas photo taken with Awkward Portraits – we just know your mum would love that. Adult tickets are $5 and kids under 12 enter for free. You can pre-purchase tickets via the website.  Want more? Discover the best markets in Melbourne.

Fans of sneaky street art, rejoice! The acclaimed works of Banksy, the mysterious master of graffiti, are coming to Australia, and you won't even need to scour the city's laneways to see them for yourself. The Art of Banksy: Without Limits is a blockbuster exhibition that will feature murals, sculptures, photos, mapping shows (aka images or animations projected onto irregularly shaped surfaces), installations (including an “infinity room” filled with mirrors) and a simulation of ‘Dismaland Bemusement Park’ (for those who’ve never heard of it, it’s a gritty, dark theme park that was created by Banksy in 2015). It will also include a mix of replicas and originals of some of the artist's most famous works, like 'Rude Copper', 'Flower Thrower' and the instantly recognisable 'Girl with Balloon'. But wait, that's not all: Banky's recent Ukraine murals will be referenced, and there’s even a space that pays homage to the MV Louise Michel, the high-speed boat that Banksy financially keeps afloat in the Mediterranean Sea to rescue refugees. The exhibition will take place at The Disctrict Docklands, and has just been extended until December 21. You can snap up a ticket here.  Will Banksy be in attendance? Is this the moment Banksy's real identity will be revealed? The artist hasn't endorsed the exhibition, but knowing him, anything could happen!  Get pumped for the Banksy exhibition by checking out the best street art in Melbourne.

Praise be! Bonafide showgirl and one of Australia’s most-loved musical theatre stars, Rhonda Burchmore, has been confirmed to join Casey Donovan and Genevieve Lemon in this heavenly musical hit. Rhonda will star as Sister Mary Lazarus in the Melbourne premiere of Sister Act.  If you're not already familiar with national treasure Rhonda Burchmore, it's time for an education – the flame-haired beauty is essentially Australia's number one glamazon. The 63-year-old has popped up in various films, television shows, stage productions and national tours over the decades. Long before she arrived in the South African jungle for I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, she was seen on the West End stage with Mickey Rooney. Burchmore has appeared wearing a nun's habit in a video shared across social media, and in it she says: "I have been performing for 42 years, and this is the most comfy I have ever been." We're sure this showgirl is gonna be a delight to watch. Get it, Rhonda!  After collecting five Tony Award nominations on Broadway, Sister Act will open at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from November (all after a triumphant return to London’s West End earlier this year). In the biggest role of her career to date, Casey Donovan is confirmed to lead the cast of this divine musical comedy. The legendary casting doesn’t stop there, though – joining Donovan in donning the habit is the much-loved Genevieve Lemon in the role of Mother Superior.  Donovan will be stepping into the sparkly shoes of

This November, an acclaimed two-hander written by Oscar nominee and Obie Award-winning playwright José Rivera is showing at St Kilda’s Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, and it’s guaranteed to make you think harder about the role of artificial intelligence in our lives. Set in New York’s not-too-distant future, Your Name Means Dream is a meditation on the future of elder care in a society where the line between human and machine continues to blur. What does it mean to get older in our tech-heavy world? With direction from multiple Green Room Award and Matilda Award nominee Kat Henry, this 100-minute play dives right into the big questions as it introduces us to Aislin and Stacy. The former is an elderly woman who finds herself in an increasingly alien world, while the latter is perfect, ageless and also a robot. As Aislin faces the indignities of age, Stacy questions what she’s missing out on when it comes to truly living.  This Australian premiere stars long-time Red Stitch ensemble member Caroline Lee, alongside rising star Lucy Ansell (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). Performances continue until November 24 and tickets are available now via the company website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Want more? Discover the best of Melbourne theatre and musicals this month.