The best things to do in Melbourne this weekend

One of the city's most beloved street parties is back for its 37th year, with another weekend of vibrant festivities. On February 22 and 23, the Greek Antipodes Festival will take over Lonsdale Street – aka Melbourne CBD's unofficial 'Little Greece' – for two days of Greek street food, traditional dancing, live music and the event's first-ever silent disco. You can expect a delicious array of Greek food vendors – like the iconic Stalactites, one of Melbourne’s longest-running Greek restaurants – serving up everything from sizzling gyros and souvlaki to loukoumades and other sweet treats. And you know the ouzo will be flowing, too. Rena Morfi and Xylourides will headline the main stage on Saturday and Sunday night, respectively, along with various other dance, music and cultural performances. Some of the city's biggest Greek chefs will turn it on for live cooking demonstrations, and don't forget to bring your dancing shoes for the Zorba 'Til You Drop dance competition. For more details, check out the website.  Looking for more things to do in Melbourne? Check out our guide to what's on 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, goat's cheese and basil pie – 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 12-23. And in news that is sure to have you salivating, 12 new flavours will be dropping every day – so you're gonna want to go back for seconds (and maybe even thirds). The line-up of flavours is set to include Limoncello Spritz, Nutella custard doughnut, salted caramel s'mores, chocoloate crackle, blueberry and an exclusive Wicked-inspired concoction. Yum! There will also be dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free and vegan 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 12 one-off flavours. Bookings for these workshops are essential, and cost $28. Plus, if you enter the Guess the Flavour competition, you'll be in the running to win a year's supply of ice cream – yes please! Entry to the festival is free, with ice creams starting from $6.20 for a single scoop in a cup or cone. For more information, head to the website. Craving more icy treats? These are the best ice cream and gelato shops in Melbourne.

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 wine in hand, of course.  Australia's favourite outdoor cinema has dropped its summer screening schedule, with blockbusters, nostalgic favourites and comedies on the program. Highlights include Gladiator II, The Substance, Better Man, A Complete Unknown and Wicked (and yes, there's even a sing-along session). Starting from February 11 to coincide with Valentine's Day, there will be a string of romcoms that are guaranteed to warm your heart. Grab your beloved or your bestie and catch everything from classics like Notting Hill and The Notebook to new releases We Live in Time and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.  Those looking to splurge can opt for either the Platinum Experience, which includes a deluxe double bean bed (including a blanket you can take home!) for two with waiter service or the Singapore Airlines Gold Grass, with a prime position in front of the screen and an exclusive menu of delicious treats. The Official Aperol Spritz Bar is also returning, so you can sip on that iconic orange cocktail all summer long. Screenings kick off at sundown and even your pooch is welcome. Tickets are now available via the website. Want more fun in the sun? Here are the best things to do in Melbourne this December.

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...

Would-be detectives, can you solve this simple mystery? Which of British crime writer extraordinaire Agatha Christie’s 66 novels is her best seller?  If you’ve plumped for one featuring St Mary Mead’s most famous resident, Miss Marple, or her crime-fighting colleague, Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot, then you’re as busted as the many, many murderers they’ve flushed out of hiding.  In fact, it’s And Then There Were None (trust us, do not look up the original title), one of Christie’s handful of books featuring no recurring characters. That’s because there aren’t many left standing after a group of ten perfect strangers are summoned to a mysterious, storm-lashed island and promptly accused of murder most horrid.  As gripping a whodunnit as it’s possible to be, the tightly-plotted head-scratcher has long captivated readers the world over. Unsurprisingly, it’s been adapted oodles of times, including multiple films, radio and TV shows, including being spoofed on Family Guy.  Well, hold on to your alibis, because stage and screen luminary Robyn Nevin kicks off a new national tour of Christie’s play at Melbourne’s hallowed Comedy Theatre. Nevin has form, having previously steered Christie’s The Mousetrap, also produced by John Frost for Crossroads Live, to great success. And she has a spectacular cast on hand to bring the accused to (quite probably temporary) life.  Deadloch actor Mia Morrissey, who also depicted Mimi Marquez in Rent, is Vera Claythorne, a PE teacher at an...

Arrive at the corner of Flinders Lane and Hosier Lane on pretty much any day of the week and you’ll run into a throng of tourists jostling to get ‘the shot’ of Melbourne’s ever-evolving street art hotspot. No two visits to this spray can alley are ever the same, but from December 12 there’ll be another more stable artistic delight to enjoy on the famous corner. To those in the know, Sandra Powell and Andrew King have become shining lights of the Aussie street art scene, known for supporting up-and-coming artists through acquisitions for their extensive private collection 15 years in the making.  Street art legend Rone says the pair, often known as ‘Sandrew’, have been “champions of Melbourne’s street art community for over a decade”. Now, they’re drawing on their personal collection to create a ripper of a free exhibition, running from December 12 until May 2025 at 167 Flinders Lane (right on the aforementioned iconic corner).  The Outsiders Melbourne will feature more than 100 works from Sandrew’s collection, including art never before displayed in public. Expect gems from local names like Rone, Adnate, Sofles, Vexta, Fintan Magee, Meggs, Kaff-eine and more.  On the international side, feast your eyes on art from Barry McGee, Vhils, Swoon, Invader, Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Elle and an entire room dedicated to Banksy himself. Fans of the mystery artist will be pleased to know that this exhibition will also see his new work ‘Firework’ on display in Australia for the...

Prosecco: refreshing, versatile, bubbly. It's a winning combo. Melburnians will once again be able to indulge their love of the sparkling wine when the Prosecco Festival takes over the Abbotsford Convent on Saturday, February 22. Returning for its eighth year, the event will feature more than 50 international and homegrown bubbles from coveted brands like Rigoni, Calneggia Family Vineyards, Cipriani, Bandini, Bellusi, Divici and Rebuli. If you're a fan of the local stuff, check out Austins Wines, Billy Button Wines, Box Grove Vineyard, Love 2 Glasses, Sam Miranda Wines, Santolin, Santa and D’Sas and Vino Intrepido. If you're sober curious or the allocated deso driver, Edenvale is one of the official partners and will have you sorted with a range of alcohol-free vinos and cocktails. Plus, all the growers, makers and importers will be on-site to chat about their wine. But it's not all about the bubbles. To line your stomach there will be sweet and savoury treats from local vendors like Milawa Cheese, Abruzzo Lab (one of our fave street food eats around Melbourne), Yes Porketta and Arancini Art. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will also be available. You can even book in for a VIP masterclass with Melissa Brauer (aka the Prosecco Queen and founder of the event), which will teach you everything there is to know about the effervescent tipple. You'll get to taste four different styles of prosecco paired with antipasto snacks and cheese. VIP spots will be limited, so make a...

They say you should never speak 'Macbeth' while in a theatre, lest you invite tragedy. The cast of the Australian Shakespeare Company's latest foray into the Scottish Play need not worry about that particular superstition, however, as they will be performing William Shakespeare's Macbeth outside in the Royal Botanic Gardens this summer. From January 31 until February 28, Melburnians are invited into the gardens to see the Shakespearean tragedy unfold among the trees. Steeped in witchcraft, murder and the lust for power, Macbeth has become something of a timeless, cautionary tale for those who would blindly and ruthlessly chase ambition.   The Australian Shakespeare Company's production stars Hugh Sexton as Macbeth and Nicole Nabout as the real power behind the throne, Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is being held at night on the Royal Botanic Gardens' Southern Cross Lawn, to take advantage of the balmy summer evenings.  In the words of Australian Shakespeare Company artistic director Glenn Elston, Macbeth’s “themes of power, politics, and corruption remain as prevalent today as they did 400 years ago”. The play runs for an hour and 50 minutes, including an intermission. You’re encouraged to make yourself comfortable by bringing blankets, cushions, beanbags or camping chairs. Limited chair hire is also available for $5, while A reserve tickets come with pre-allocated low-rise chairs. Find out more and get tickets over at the Australian Shakespeare Company website. After more...

Werribee Open Range Zoo is bringing back its Sunset Safari for a seventh season, inviting visitors to embark on an immersive safari adventure at dusk when the animals tend to be at their most active.  Every Saturday until February 22, visitors can hop on a bus at the zoo and watch as the summer sun sets and illuminates the open range. You'll get to witness majestic animals like zebras, ostriches, giraffes and lions as they roam the savannah, and learn from zoo guides about efforts to protect them from endangerment and extinction. And for the first time ever you'll be able to spot a precious southern white rhino calf, with baby Jabulani joining the herd of adult rhinos. “Sunset Safari comes around just once a year and it’s getting better and better,” says Dr Mark Pilgrim, the Werribee Open Range Zoo director. “It’s a truly unforgettable experience and such a wonderful opportunity to see these iconic animals up close during Melbourne’sdazzling summer evenings.” In addition to the after-hours safari tour, you can also explore the walking trails (among meerkats, monkeys and wild dogs) at dusk and catch live performances of drums, song and dance. Food and beverage options include an African-inspired barbecue, à la carte dining and cocktails at Hippo Beach (these are all sold separately). The Sunset Safari experience runs from 5.30pm to 9pm on Saturday nights, and costs $62 for adults and $32 for children. Head to the Zoos Victoria website to purchase your tickets.  Looking for...

Flowers can brighten up any day, but what can make it even brighter is the simple pleasure of getting to pick them yourself. Beloved community garden CERES is spreading this blooming joy throughout the warmer months, welcoming visitors every weekend to come and harvest a fresh bunch.  On Friday and Saturday mornings from 9.30am, head to the Coburg site for the Festival of Flowers, where you can pick your own blooms at Joe's Market Garden. There are blossoming sunflowers, zinnias and cosmos to choose from, and you'll be able to build a beautiful bouquet with up to ten individual stems. Sessions are $30 and while walk-ins are welcome, bookings are recommended. You can book a spot here.  Plus, there'll also be special floral events held on some Saturdays, including workshops on how to put together the perfect bouquet, flower vase arranging with floral experts and even eco-dyeing tote bag classes for kids. Book your place in an upcoming workshop here.  And because nothing says romance quite like a beautiful bouquet, CERES is also hosting some romantic floral-themed events. Weed Dating is back, with a session running on February 1. On Valentine's Day, there'll be a special evening flower picking session, as well as drinks, wood-fired pizzas and DJs creating a swoon-worthy vibe.  The Festival of Flowers will run until the end of April, with U-pick flower sessions happening every weekend. Find out more on the CERES website.  Are you a floral fanatic? Here's a guide on where to...