The weekend is here, and the city is waiting. We’ve picked out our top things to do in Melbourne this weekend, including everything you’ve got to see, eat, drink, and do to squeeze every last drop of fun out of Saturday and Sunday. We update our weekend guide to Melbourne every week, so bookmark this page and check back for a never-ending supply of inspiration of the best things to do in Melbourne this weekend. Let’s dive in…

Here’s what’s on in Melbourne this weekend

Feel the heat at Firelight Festival

Photo: Michael Woods

The popular Firelight Festival is back in Docklands this weekend. Warm up by fiery sculptures and fire pits, see fire artists, tuck into some toasty food and check out new inflatable sculptures. It’s free to attend, and on from July 4 to 6.

Find the perfect match at Mould x Pinot Palooza

Source: Supplied

The tasty cheese festival Mould is pairing up with the popular pinot party, Pinot Palooza. Sip and sample your way through this indulgent festival for foodies. Expect over 50 varieties of artisan cheese and over 50 types of pinot noir from Australia and beyond. Mould x Pinot Palooza will take place at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday July 4 and Saturday July 5.

Wander through twinkling light installations at Lightscape

Image: Lightscape

The gorgeous, after-dark experience, Lightscape, is back in the Royal Botanic Gardens for a fourth season. Wander through the green heart of Melbourne and feel enchanted by over 20 new installations. Lightscape will illuminate Melbourne from now until Sunday August 10.

Have a sip at the Australian Sake Festival

Source: Supplied

Head to Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and discover over 80 stalls and 400 kinds of sake to try at the Australian Sake Festival. When you’re not drinking, feast on delicious Japanese food and have fun with workshops and more. The festival will take place on Saturday July 5 and Sunday July 6. Learn more here.

Have a sublime time at the Malibu Barbie Cafe

Come on, Barbie, let’s go party! Live out all of your Barbie dreams at this themed cafe in Chadstone. Find themed-dishes, cocktails, photo moments and even a roller rink at the Malibu Barbie Cafe in the Social Quarter.

Gaze at the French Impressionism exhibition at NGV

Find over 100 paintings, including works never-before-seen in Australia, by notable artists like Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and more at NGV. Presented in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), this will be one of the largest and most significant collections of French Impressionism to visit Australia. See the Winter Masterpieces exhibition from now until October 5.

Learn all about the history and beauty of kimono at NGV

Explore the timeless kimono and see over 70 garments from the Edo period to today. Curated by NGV, the Kimono exhibition will feature rare and hand-crafted kimono, and over 30 never-before-seen garments that are new to the NGV Collection. This exhibition will run from now until October 5.

Treat yourself to a sweet day out at the Australian Chocolate Festival

Source: Supplied

The Australian Chocolate Festival by Bean-to-Bar Makers is back in Melbourne for its second year. Sample over 70 different chocolates from over 35 chocolate makers at this delectable festival. You’ll find it in the Seaworks Precinct in Williamstown on Saturday July 5 and Sunday July 6.

Check out the Winter Wonderland at Grazeland

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Frolic under falling snow, warm up with mulled wine by the fire, admire gorgeous neon lights and have fun with plenty of live entertainment at Grazeland. Of course, there will be plenty of delicious, seasonal food and drinks to try too. Grazeland will transform into a winter wonderland every weekend, from Friday July 4 until Sunday July 20.

Try to escape Prison Island

Challenge yourself and your teammates to escape Prison Island. Instead of breaking out from a single room, you’ll take on a series of tasks in multiple cells and race against the clock. Find it at The District Docklands. Grab your tickets here.

Have fun at Playbound Festival

Source: Museums Victoria/Image: Eugene Hyland

Playbound Festival is back in Melbourne for the winter school holidays. This festival for children aged 0-12 years old celebrates the power of play to spark a love of learning. Find bug habitats, live music, dinosaurs, story time and more at places around Melbourne, such as State Library Victoria, Melbourne Museum, The Wheeler Centre and more. The festival is on from July 5 to 20. Learn more here.

Take part in NAIDOC Week Family Day at Melbourne Museum

Celebrate fifty years of NAIDOC Week with the Family Day event at Melbourne Museum on Sunday July 6. The day will kick off with a Welcome to Country, followed by market stalls, performance, an artist talk and family activities. Check it out from 10am to 3pm. Learn more here.

Have a stellar time at the Star Wars Galactic Café

Transport your taste buds to a galaxy far, far away at the Star Wars Galactic Café in Melbourne Museum. This stellar cafe is a first for Star Wars fans in Australia. Dine aboard a Corellian Star Cruiser, and find plenty of dishes and drinks inspired by the franchise.

Feel the Force at a LEGO Star Wars exhibition in Melbourne Museum

Fly to a galaxy far, far away and feel amazed by LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition. Marvel at towering structures, awesome starships and your favourite characters, then join in on the fun with your own builds. LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition is now open at Melbourne Museum.

Have a frightfully fun time at BEETLEJUICE the musical

It’s showtime! The eight-time Tony Award-nominated musical BEETLEJUICE is now haunting Melbourne in the Regent Theatre. This irreverent production is based on the iconic Tim Burton film.

Play mini-golf in the ballroom of Flinders Street Station

Supplied/Image: Eugene Hyland

Head up to the mysterious Flinders Street Station Ballroom and check out Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf. This playable art exhibition will feature nine imaginative mini-golf holes from female-identifying artists. This fun experience will run until Sunday August 31.

Find something cool at Australia’s first collectors festival

Celebrate all tings collectable, such as trading cards, shoes, comics and more, at CollectFest. Browse through over 500 stands, and look out for stage talks, live trading zones and more. Find it at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 5 and 6. Learn more here.

Journey to the underworld in the award-winning musical Hadestown

The Tony and Grammy-award winning musical, Hadestown, is here in Melbourne. Follow the intertwining love stories of Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and Persephone. Find it at Her Majesty’s Theatre. See more here.

Have a magical time at Harry Potter: The Exhibition

Feel like you’ve Apparated from Melbourne to Hogwarts at Harry Potter: The Exhibition. See authentic props and set pieces from the films, and go on your own magical journey. Conjure your own Patronus, test your Quidditch skills and more! Find it at the Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre. Get your tickets here.

See the reopened Potter Museum of Art

The Potter Museum of Art has reopened to the public with the exhibition, 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art. See over 400 works of art and 40 documents, photographs and other archival material, celebrating the brilliance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Learn more here.

Browse through the first Winterfest Market at St Paul’s Cathedral

Find handmade gifts, cards and more at the first Winterfest Market in St Paul’s Cathedral. Every donation will support Anglicare Victoria’s Homelessness Outreach. The market is on from 1pm to 8pm on Saturday July 5, and 1pm to 7pm on Sunday July 6.

Set sail on Titanic: A Voyage Through Time

Experience the tragedy of the Titanic like never before with this virtual reality experience. Dive to the wreck site, then journey back in time to explore iconic spaces around the ship, such as the Grand Staircase. Along the way, you’ll meet characters based on real passengers and crew members. Get your tickets here.

Feel the sparks at the Museum of Desire

At the Museum of Desire, you’ll find over 20 sensory-rich experiences that explore desire and pleasure. Feeling curious? Get your tickets here.

See over 100 ancient artefacts at the Hellenic Museum

Image © Hellenic Ministry of Culture via Hellenic Museum

The Hellenic Museum has teamed up with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Greece, to bring a global exclusive exhibition to Melbourne. See 119 ancient artefacts from over a dozen museums and ephorates of antiquities in Greece, including the Acropolis Museum, Hellenic National Archaeological Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Delphi and more. Rituals: Gifts for the Gods is open daily from 10am to 4pm.

Immerse yourself in a sensory experience at SENSAS

Round up some friends and tackle some fun challenges at SENSAS. Test all five of your senses in some wacky experiences. This playful space is now open. Get your tickets here.

Lock in plans to check out Alcotraz

In this interactive experience, you’ll smuggle liquor into prison and receive up to four personalised cocktails. Alcotraz is open in Melbourne, and it’s ideal for parties, team buildings, or just a grand night out with friends. Get your tickets here.

Feel the magic at this sultry stage show

Fire up the group chat and book your spot for an unforgettable night out with Australia’s top-rated male revue, Magic Men. This electrifying two-hour show features some of Melbourne’s hottest hunks, known for their incredible moves and equally impressive physiques. If you’re in the mood for a heart-pounding night out that promises pure entertainment, this is the weekend event for you. Find out more — and book your tickets — here.

Step into a world of secrets, sabotage and strategy at Saboteurs

Gather your friends and assume the roles of Crew and Impostors in this real-life AmongUs-style game. Accusations will fly and alliances will be formed during emergency meetings, while the Crew must use their deductive skills to figure out who the Impostors are. Are you ready to test your skills of deception, teamwork, and strategy?

Hop aboard the Train of Lights by Puffing Billy

Source: Puffing Billy Railway

Rug up this winter for an unforgettable moving light show. Journey through the Dandenong Ranges at night in an illuminated steam train, and see bright projections, hypnotic patterns and more. This experience starts on Friday July 4 and ends on Sunday July 20.

Find the finest wines and winter produce at Fireside Festival in the Yarra Valley

Source: Supplied

Celebrate the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the Yarra Valley at Fireside Festival. Look forward to roaring fires, long-table feasts, exclusive tastings and more. The festival is on until Sunday July 13.

Feel enchanted by Winter Wonderlights in Sovereign Hill

Source: Supplied

Stroll through this gold rush attraction in Ballarat, and gaze in wonder as the streetscapes and goldfields transform into a winter wonderland. Look forward to dazzling light projections, roaring fires, fun activities, live music and more. Winter Wonderlights will return from Friday July 4 to Sunday July 27.

Check out the Ballarat Winter Festival

Source: Supplied

Get into the winter spirit in Ballarat, with heaps of fun experiences. Go ice skating, head to Kryal Castle and more! The Ballarat Winter Festival is on from Saturday July 5 to Sunday July 27.

Head to Bendigo for Electric Wonderland

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Bendigo will light up with projections, light shows and interactive moments in Rosalind Park. Electric Wonderland will return for the winter school holidays from Friday July 4 to Sunday July 20.

See an exclusive Frida Kahlo exhibition in Bendigo

See artworks and objects by Frida Kahlo that have never been seen before in Australia. These works will come straight from Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico. Frida Kahlo: In her own image will be on display at Bendigo Art Gallery from now until Sunday July 13.

Bundle up and explore the East Gippsland Winter Festival

Supplied/Credit: Naomi Rahim

The annual East Gippsland Winter Festival is returning for the fifth time, celebrating art, food, culture and nature over one glorious month. With over 100 events to look forward to, there’s a lot of reasons for you to drive out of Melbourne and explore the region this winter. Expect a series of free events, family-friendly activities, picturesque locations and more. The festival will start on Friday June 20 and end on Sunday July 20.

Travel to the Grampians and check out the Wama Foundation

Source: Supplied

Take a drive to Halls Gap and check out the new art and environment precinct. This area will include the National Centre for Environmental Art, Australia’s first gallery that’s exclusively dedicated to showcasing art about the natural world, and the social and political issues that come with that. It will also feature an array of gardens, filled with native plants and wildlife. The Wama Foundation will open at 12pm on Saturday July 5.

Escape to the snow

Source: Visit Victoria

Snow season is here! Discover the amazing alpine regions of Victoria, hit the slopes, build a snowman and more. Find out where to see snow in Victoria here.