The best things to do in Melbourne this weekend

Love a bargain? Snap up something fabulous and do your bit for the planet at the Garage Sale Trail. This year, bargain hunters across Melbourne – and right across Australia – can hit the streets on November 7-8 and 14-15. With more than 1,000 registered sales across Victoria and almost 500 in Melbourne alone, there’s a whole lot of pre-loved treasure waiting to be discovered. What started in Sydney’s Bondi in 2010 has grown into a nationwide campaign. From vintage teacups and pre-loved toys to great fashion finds (hello, acid-wash denim jacket from the ‘80s), you never know what you’ll find. The Garage Sale Trail keeps good stuff out of landfill by giving pre-loved treasures a second life. Whether you're decluttering for cash or hunting for a bargain, it's a win for your wallet and the planet. Want to get in on the action? It's completely free to register your own garage sale. You'll receive promotional materials to help spread the word, and your sale will be listed on the official website. You can also team up with other sellers for a group sale, creating a mega market of pre-loved goodies. Ready to rummage? Plan your bargain-hunting route using the Garage Sale Trail map, or register your own garage sale and turn your clutter into cash. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Keen to shop for pre-loved finds? Check out this list of the best op shops in Melbourne.

When Michael Douglas’ Wall Street wanker Gordon Gekko said, “Greed… is good,” in filmmaker Oliver Stone’s 1987 triumph, Wall Street, he nail-gunned the decade’s selfish excess to the wall so hard it basically birthed Patrick Bateman.  Set two years later and released in 1991, American author Bret Easton Ellis’ gruesome third novel, American Psycho, is hung on the self-centred Bateman, a 27-year-old preening predator in a pinstripe suit.  An ambitious investment banker obsessed with horror movies, Huey Lewis, his skincare regime, business cards, restaurant reservations and one-upping the competition, Bateman is an empty shell of a man. Lurking in the darkening void where his heart should be is a far more odious truth. Worshipping “The Donald,” he shares the now-President’s malignant narcissism.  That, and he’s also a cold-blooded serial killer. Christian Bale breathed baleful life into this slick-haired monster in Mary Harron’s menacingly marvellous 1998 film. If you pay close attention to See You Sunday’s return season production of the musical – with a book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik – you’ll spot a cameo by Bale.  Wait, what? Is Christian Bale in American Psycho: A Musical Thriller? Sort of. Directed by Mark Taylor in conjunction with musical director Aaron Robuck, See You Sunday’s spectacular production at Chapel Off Chapel stars chillingly precise Heathers bad boy Conor Beaumont as the Valentino tuxedo buttoned-up psychopath. But in...

Passage: The Art of Atong Atem is a world-premiere exhibition celebrating the thought-provoking work of South Sudanese-born Melbourne-based contemporary artist Atong Atem. Opening at NGV on October 30, this major solo exhibition brings together more than 65 works spanning the past decade, including a new commission created exclusively for the gallery. Born in Ethiopia to South Sudanese parents, Atem moved to Australia with her family in 1997. Known for her striking photographic self-portraits, Atem transforms herself through colourful textiles, paint, costume and symbolic objects to explore identity, race, gender and colonialism. Her images weave together history, memory and imagination, celebrating the resilience of her Dinka Bor culture and Melbourne’s African diaspora while challenging how identity is represented and performed. Her work honours cultural traditions and ancestral stories that have endured displacement and war. A highlight of the exhibition is As Above, a large-scale wall installation exploring the stories held in the skies and constellations. Blending Dinka dance, traditional beading and Catholic iconography, the world-premiere commission brings together different cultural traditions in a striking visual narrative. The exhibition also presents Banksia (2021), a photographic series made at Melbourne’s Immigration Museum that turns the spotlight on African, African American and Caribbean convicts and free settlers who arrived with the First Fleet. ...

Banksy is renowned for his thought-provoking, boundary-pushing and disruptive works. And now, the elusive, world-famous street artist is bringing his artwork to Melbourne in a new exhibition: Banksy Limitless at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in November 2026. This new showcase features more than 250 works, large-scale installations, sculptures, digital displays – plus an impressive state-of-the-art hologram experience. Visitors can uncover untold stories behind iconic works including Cinderella at Dismaland, London Zoo and Ice Cream Van, while immersive rooms and bold visual storytelling invite audiences to step inside Banksy’s provocative universe. Renowned for his sharp wit and unflinching social commentary, Banksy continues to challenge perspectives on politics, culture and human rights. In keeping with his humanitarian ethos, a portion of proceeds from Banksy Limitless will support the M.V. Louise Michel, an independent high-speed lifeboat rescuing migrants in distress. So much more than a traditional exhibition, Banksy Limitless is a powerful, multi-sensory experience that will pull you in. Don't miss it.  The exhibition will run from November 25 to April 25, 2027, and tickets are on sale now. Adult tickets start at $39, and children at $28. You can get yours here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: A Chapel Street icon is getting a ‘lucky’ makeover after...

There’s more than a good drop on offer at Hanging Rock Winery – this vineyard has morphed into an outdoor gallery. Art in the Vines – Art in Motion 2 is a free outdoor exhibition at Hanging Rock Winery, running daily from 17 October 2026 until the end of April 2027 with Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon providing a spectacular backdrop.  Spanning three acres of the winery’s grounds, the exhibition features more than 20 kinetic sculptures by local, Victorian and interstate artists. With the wind and weather constantly changing, the sculptures will move and interact with their surroundings, meaning no two visits will be quite the same. The standout attraction is a special showcase of five works by acclaimed Australian kinetic sculptor Rudi Jass, whose creations combine precision engineering with an artist’s eye for movement, balance and natural forces. Drawing on skills developed during his years working for Porsche, Jass creates carefully balanced sculptures that respond to the slightest breeze with seemingly effortless grace. The exhibition has already recognised some standout talent, with Mark Reyment winning the Hanging Rock Winery Sculpture Prize for At least you know it’s trying, a quirky work inspired by the Hanging Rock Races. Local chainsaw artist Paul Hurley took home the Arcare Prize for best up-and-coming artist for Black Cockatoo. Curator Malcolm Thomson says the kinetic theme challenged artists to make movement an integral part of their work, producing a...

If you love everything from the Shinkansen to the sakura, you're in for a treat. The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) is celebrating its 30th anniversary in Australia with a bumper program of films. Melburnians can catch films ranging from samurai adventures and spine-tingling horror to award-winning dramas and spectacular animation at ACMI and The Kino from October 29 to November 17. Opening night features Look Back, the latest film from acclaimed director Hirokazu Kore-eda. Adapted from the manga by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto, it follows two young manga artists whose childhood rivalry develops into friendship, with unexpected consequences. Other highlights include Tokyo Taxi, from 94-year-old director Yōji Yamada, starring Takuya Kimura as a driver taking an elderly passenger on a journey through memories and loss. There's also Bring Him Down to a Portable Size, a moving story about family and reconciliation, and Purehearted,which follows a young Okinawan entrepreneur determined to launch an authentic sugarcane rum. For a dose of nostalgia, don't miss a newly remastered edition of Hula Girls. Based on a true story, this much-loved 2006 drama follows women in a struggling Fukushima coal-mining town who learn traditional hula dancing in an attempt to save their community. Fans of action and suspense can look forward to The Samurai and the Prisoner, the first period drama from horror director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, and Samurai Vengeance, a gripping tale of murder, revenge...

From Cleopatra and Mark Antony's empire-toppling romance to Romeo and Juliet's family-defying affair, love has often been an act of rebellion. Rebel Heart: Love Letters and Other Declarations takes matters of the heart seriously in this sweeping, immersive new exhibition at the State Library, drawing on its extraordinary archives to trace how people have dared to love across centuries of Australian history. The exhibition runs for almost a year and brings together handwritten letters, private diaries, rare manuscripts and deeply personal objects to weave a tapestry of passion, heartbreak and devotion. You’ll encounter Victorian-era same-sex couples living together against the odds, a mid-century interracial marriage that challenged the White Australia policy, and the prison romance between bushrangers Captain Moonlight and James Nesbitt. Fragile keepsakes are also featured in the show, including a haunting 1853 mourning brooch woven from lovers’ hair, alongside letters that read like a late-night confessional. What makes Rebel Heart especially distinctive is how it bridges the past with the present. Historical stories are amplified by newly commissioned music from Australian artists Angie McMahon, Mindy Meng Wang, Mo’Ju and Amos Roach, each responding to real love stories held in the library’s collection.  The exhibition also explores how rebellion and romance play out today – from DMs and fandoms to fan fiction and even AI relationships. It’s set to be a smart,...

Ever wanted to soar above a rainforest canopy or wander beneath the frozen surface of the polar seas? Melbourne Museum invites you to do just that with Our Wondrous Planet, a breathtaking, immersive exhibition celebrating the interconnected magic of life on Earth. Spanning reef, rainforest, ice and soil, this multisensory experience drops visitors into the planet’s most vital ecosystems. Room-sized projections, interactive moments and storytelling bring the natural world to life. More than 800 remarkable animals from across the globe take centre stage, appearing in environments that pulse, swirl and shimmer. Witness the beginnings of a coral reef, come face-to-face with rainforest icons, glide through icy waters and explore hidden root networks and organisms working quietly beneath our feet. The exhibition is anchored by distinct spaces: Our Family, showcasing animals from the much-loved Wild gallery and exploring the human place in the tree of life; Our Roots, a reflective First Peoples-led space centred on care, reciprocity and connection to Country; and Our Moment, an interactive zone encouraging visitors to work together on the planet’s biggest challenges. What sets Our Wondrous Planet apart is its blend of First Peoples and scientific knowledge, showing how everything on Earth is connected and how small human actions can make a difference. Family-friendly, visually spectacular and thought-provoking, this exhibition entertains while leaving plenty to reflect on. Our...

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 will kick off at CherryHill's two Yarra Valley orchards: Coldstream in early November, followed by the OG orchard in Wandin East.  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 as you pick, feel free to eat as many as you like! 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. And if you visit on a weekend or public holiday, you'll be treated to the sweet sounds of live tunes performed by a rotating line-up of local musos. For more information head to the CherryHill website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Looking for more things to do? Check out our round-up of the best things happening in Melbourne...

From the bush to our own backyards, the eucalypt has long shaped the Australian landscape and imagination. A new exhibition at the Potter Museum of Art delves into the significance of this iconic tree with more than 163 works and five significant new artist commissions. Opening on July 10, Ngarn Wa’ngal: Art of the gum tree draws on Australian art history and contemporary works from the University of Melbourne's collection, alongside major loans from across the country to explore the tree as a source of creative inspiration. Colonial paintings by John Glover, Eugene von Guérard and Frederick McCubbin will sit alongside 20th century works by Arthur Boyd, Hans Heysen, Albert Namatjira, Grace Cossington Smith and Jessie Traill, as well as contemporary artists like Nici Cumpston, Vincent Namatjira, Joan Ross and Christian Thompson. Translating to “breathing for us” in the Woi Wurrung language, Ngarn Wa’ngal considers the gum tree as both subject and symbol, prompting conversations around Indigenous sovereignty, Australian identity, ecology, climate and the global legacy of the eucalyptus.  A major feature of the exhibition is five new commissions created specifically for the showcase, including a photographic work by Jane E. Brown using early carbon-printing techniques; an installation of seed-filled papier-mâché forms by artist Dean Cross of Worimi descent; a large-scale piece by interdisciplinary artist Megan Evans featuring eucalyptus leaves collected over decades; a...