Things to do in Melbourne this week

Get ready to dive into the hottest season of the year at Le Splash – the swanky, Euro-inspired pool bar at Le Méridien Melbourne. Formerly only open to the five-star hotel's guests, for the second year running Le Splash will welcome the public onto its stunning rooftop for a swim this summer.  With a 28-degree heated pool, sun-soaked lounge deck and 360-degree views of the prettiest corner of the CBD, Le Méridien offers a perfectly elevated swimming experience that'll have you feeling like you've been transported to a swish hotel on the Côte d'Azur.  The Le Splash Pool Passes are available from Monday to Thursday all summer long, and you'll be able to choose between either a morning or sunset pass, with both options giving you hours of swimming, sunning and lounging time. They cost $85 per person.  The morning sesh is for early birds who like a slower start. Open from 8am to noon, you get full pool access, a free scoop of Le Méridien's famous gelato and a beverage of your choosing. The sunset pass is for those who like the idea of swimming above the city from 6pm to 9pm. The soundtrack will become more vibey, rosé and Champagne will be poured and golden hour pics will be a focal point. Also included is a complimentary gelato scoop and drink.  But that's not all! On Friday and Saturday nights, you can get involved in a bougie sunset dinner and drinks at the Le Splash rooftop bar. The service runs from 5-9pm, and includes the option to dine on a...

Written and directed by acclaimed Larrakia, Yanyuwa, Bardi and Wardaman artist Jada Alberts, ‘Black Light’ is a bold new work kicking off Malthouse’s 2026 Season.  Supported by a powerhouse First Nations cast including Trisha Morton‑Thomas and Tahlee Fereday, as well as real-life sisters Rachael and Lisa Maza reuniting on stage for the first time in 17 years to explore the complicated bond between two sisters, ‘Aunty’ and ‘Mum’ in the world premiere of Black Light. The production threads together the familiar tangled intimacies and everyday drama of family life – dementia, break‑ups, single parenthood, and the simmering resentments that form between siblings. Above all else, Black Light is a poignant love letter to mothers, aunties, grandmothers and great-grandmothers everywhere. The production offers a rich portrait of Black motherhood, exploring the passing down of wisdom. ‘Black Light’ is playing at Malthouse’s Merlyn Theatre in Southbank from February 13 until March 7. You can book your tickets here.

When it comes to ice cream, are you a classic chocolate-and-vanilla type of person, or are you game for more experimental flavours? (Hello, caramelised fig blue cheese mascarpone – yes, really!) Whatever you fancy, the annual Ice Cream Festival has something tasty for you.  The famous Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, along with its sister venues on the Great Ocean Road and the Mornington Peninsula, are hosting the annual scoop-a-thon from February 11-22. And in news that is sure to have you salivating, 10 new flavours will be dropping every four days – so you're gonna want to go back for seconds (and maybe even thirds). The line-up of flavours is set to include coconut limoncello margarita, pistachio tiramisu and  matcha blueberry. Yum! There will also be old-school choc tops, gluten-free, vegan and no added sugar serve options available, so no one misses out on the fun. And that's not all... true ice cream aficionados can partake in a 45-minute tasting session, during which you'll sample the one-off flavours and make very own ice cream chocolate sauce. Bookings for these workshops are essential, and cost $28. There will also be a DIY scoop lab and if you enter the Guess the Flavour competition, you'll be in the running to win 12 of your favourite flavours to enjoy in take home tubs – yes please! Entry to the festival is free, with mega scoops starting from $6.75. For more information, head to the website. Craving more icy treats? These are the best ice cream...

Due to popular demand, Melbourne Theatre Company's rip-roaring musical adaptation of My Brilliant Career is returning for a limited five-week run in 2026.  This incredible production takes one of the best-known early Australian novels, the 1901 book of the same name by Miles Franklin, and twists it into a musical for a new generation. Six star Kala Gare is reprising her role as Sybylla Melvyn, with much of the original ensemble of actor-musicians also coming back and new cast member Melanie Bird taking on the roles of Gertie/Blanche/Ensemble. Set in 1890s drought-stricken rural Australia, the novel follows Sybylla Melvyn’s dreams of an illustrious life as a writer, as she’s stifled by Edwardian mores. At the time Franklin published the book (under a male pseudonym that was quickly seen through), she was just 21 years old. My Brilliant Career will kick off Melbourne Theatre Company's 2026 season. My Brilliant Career is showing at Southbank Theatre from January 23 to February 28, 2026. For more information and to book tickets, head to the website. *** Time Out Melbourne reviewed My Brilliant Career when it played at Southbank Theatre in November 2024. Read on for that five-star review:   Pardon a moment’s naval-gazing here, but beyond the sparkly Instagram pics from glittering opening nights, the freelance writing gig can be tough. Despite powering through with optimism and encouraging others to follow their passions, I almost gave it all up this week. Or at least I...

When a festival has been running for 45 years straight, you know something's being done right. In 2026, the legendary free and all-ages St Kilda Festival is returning with its classic community force, and a 100-strong line-up that features some pretty epic headliners. Running across February 14 and 15, this year's event is expected to draw in a wild 350,000 attendees, setting itself up to be bigger and better than ever before.  On Saturday, February 14, you can tune in for the 20th edition of First Peoples First, an amazing celebration of Indigenous art, music and culture that'll pop off across two stages. On the main stage, acts include R'n'B superstar and recent ARIA winner Barkaa and six piece rock band Selve from the Gold Coast, with Jabirr Jabirr frontman Loki Liddle.  Over at the Optus Stage, you can expect to get down with Bunhungura Alternative artist Drifting Clouds, the amazing and bilingual (Pitjantjatjara and English) Utju band from the Top End, James Range Band, Ruby Mae and Ngiyampaa folk artist Pirritu – plus many others.  Other than the tunes, come through on Saturday for community workshops, cool markets and the Kummargii Yulendji Gadabah Sunset Ceremony, led by N’Arwee’t Carolyn Briggs of the Boon Wurrung Land and Sea Council. On Sunday, February 15, the stage switches over to Big Festival Sunday. Australian sweetheart Jessica Mauboy is headlining, with the multiple ARIA winner and all-time legend set to belt out her classic R'n'B hits. You'll also get to...

Fresh from a record-breaking New York season that turned the Park Avenue Armory into a 30,000-square-foot fantasy universe, this joy-fuelled, art-meets-play exhibition has arrived in Melbourne.Popping up at the MCEC at Melbourne’s South Wharf, Balloon Story is a fully immersive journey through time and imagination, where every room is built at cinematic scale using hundreds of thousands of biodegradable balloons. You’ll wander from prehistoric jungles and dinosaur-filled landscapes to ancient civilisations, underwater worlds and cosmic cities, all sculpted entirely from air and colour. For the Australian season, expect all-new local content too, with balloon-built tributes to some of our most iconic buildings, places and stories. Hailed overseas as “the most joyful exhibition of the year”, Balloon Story is designed to delight. It’s hugely photogenic and clearly engineered by people who take balloons very, very seriously (we’re talking an international team of creative directors, balloon engineers and immersive design pros). Keen? The team suggests that visitors allow around 60 to 90 minutes to explore the whole experience – though don’t be surprised if the kids hang around for longer trying to get the perfect shot. With no age restrictions and free entry for kids under three, it’s an easy win for families and friends tasked with looking after the little ones for a day.The exhibition is open from 9am to 8pm, Monday through Sunday, with adult tickets from  $44.90, and kids...

It's officially that time of year again when the Moonlight Cinema returns to Melbourne for the summer. There's just something special about snuggling into a bean bag and catching a film under the stars in the Royal Botanic Gardens – with an ice cream or a wine in hand, of course.  Australia's favourite outdoor cinema has dropped its summer screening schedule, with tons of  blockbusters, nostalgic favourites and comedies on the program. January highlights include new releases like 'Wicked: For Good', 'The Housemaid' and 'Anaconda' alongside beloved classics as voted by the public in the People’s Program – think 'The Parent Trap' and 'Shrek'. Those looking to splurge can opt for Singapore Airlines' Gold Grass that comes with prime viewing, express entry and food and drinks delivered to your seat. Anothere cool option is the Connoisseur Lounge ticket that includes a bean bed plus a yum Connoisseur ice cream. And did you know the Moonlight Cinema is pooch friendly? For the first time ever you'll also be able to order a doggie bag meal from the food menu thanks to Lyka. Doggy date night, anyone? Screenings kick off at sundown, so bring your picnic rug, your snacks and your friends. Tickets are now available via the website. Want more fun in the sun? Here are the best things to do in Melbourne this December.

Pack a picnic rug and head to Narre Warren where the south east’s creative hub Bunjil Place is throwing its biggest outdoor event of all time.  Open Space is a free, evening festival running across seven Saturdays from February 7, packed with live music, an open-air cinema, food trucks (or BYO dinner), and family-friendly fun that’ll keep you going and coming back for more. Opening night sets the bar high with a stellar line-up of musical acts including the soulful Canisha, smooth reggae from Paulo Almeida and his band and then an ace team-up of two Aussie powerhouses as Kutcha Edwards takes the stage with Cash Savage and the Last Drinks. Highlights don’t stop there: cozy up for a Valentine’s Day screening of the sci-fi horror classic Tarantula!; catch a performance from the Hung Hing Lion Dance in action; relive the ‘80s with synth-pop legends Pseudo Echo; swoon to country ballads from Golden Guitar winner Andrew Swift; or get funky with Cookin’ On 3 Burners, Stella Angelico, and the GRID Series Launch Party featuring Kiid KODA, ACP Martha and Jordz. The finale? A full-on spectacle with Kerfew Collective, Hari Sivanesan, Studio J Dance, and Wild Gloriosa. Plus catch an exclusive first look at the new gallery exhibition The Offbeat Sari. Open Space Bunjil Place will run every Saturday from 6pm to 9.30pm from February 7 to March 21. Find the full program here. 

The grand finale of this year’s Midsumma Festival is a bustling day-to-night street party that stretches along Melbourne’s buzzy Gertrude and Smith Streets.  The free all-ages block party will run from 12pm until 9pm on Sunday, February 8, across multiple music stages, as well as pop-up mini parties and laneway activations. A host of roaming performers will delight the young and young-at-heart and there’ll also be a visual feast of artwork to explore.  The entertainment program will include beloved local musos, drag queens, DJs, cabaret artists and heaps more. Headlining the event will be neo-soul artist Mo’Ju, who will be joined by Thandi Phoenix, Umbra Moon, Kevin Silvester and Armana Khan. Plus, there'll be a stack of market stalls as well as local eateries dishing up food to fuel the party.   For more information and the full line-up, visit the Midsumma website. Want to keep the party going? Check out the best gay bars in Melbourne.

Midsumma Festival, one of Melbourne’s most loved LGBTQIA+ celebrations, returns in 2026 with an electric three-week-long party from January 18 to February 8. Expect more than 250 events spanning art, theatre, music, comedy, film and fun, showcasing dazzling local and international queer talent. With vibrant festival hubs across Melbourne and greater Victoria, it’s an inclusive celebration of creativity and community. Some of the highlights of the 2026 program include the international hit play Afterglow at Chapel Off Chapel; Australian Open at Theatre Works; the smash-hit cabaret He's Every Woman; Drag Storytime for Adults with Narelda Jacobs and Karina Natt at the State Library Victoria; and plenty heaps more. But it all kicks off when the free Midsumma Carnival opens the festival on Sunday, January 18, at Alexandra Gardens. This free celebration showcases LGBTQIA+ talent across multiple stages, alongside community and business stalls, pop-up bars and food zones. Expect a packed day of performances, plus the much-loved Dog Show and Lip Sync Limelight. As the sun sets, the carnival transforms into a high-energy dance party with DJs and drag queens. The signature Midsumma Pride March will take place on Sunday, February 1, and will see thousands of marchers and onlookers gather in St Kilda in support of LGBTIQA+ communities. The parade will kick off at 10.30am and run through Fitzroy Street and Catani Gardens, with some cool after-parties, of course.  For the last night of...