Things to Do in Melbourne

EnterViaLaundry at Home

Get regional Indian specialities – many virtually unseen in Melbourne – at home, for four weeks only.

Hummus le Beirut Fundraiser

A Bar Saracen chef is selling $15 tubs of hummus to raise funds for those affected by the devastating explosion in Beirut.

Melbourne Writers Festival has gone online for its 2020 instalment, and most events are “pay what you can”. Two ex-PMs, prominent Aussie novelists Helen Garner and Claire G Coleman, and the author of Crazy Rich Asians all feature on the line-up.

30th May – 16th Aug 2020

Rone in Geelong

The first comprehensive solo survey of the celebrated street artist’s career is being exhibited in his hometown.

Book Tickets

13th Aug – 20th Aug 2020

Lucy Folk Online Archive Sale

Get up to 70 per cent off.

20th May – 20th Aug 2020

Berghain Trainer

Practice getting into the world’s most famous (and infamous) nightclub, without leaving home.

7th Dec 2019 – 21st Aug 2020

Postponed: Mini Mega Model Museum at Melbourne Museum

A large-scale investigation of the small-scale universe.

6th Aug – 23rd Aug 2020

MIFF 68½: A Digital Film Festival

Australia’s longest-running festival has dropped its first-ever streamable program, with an impressive 113 films. Catch world-premieres, blockbuster headliners, festival darlings and thought-provoking docos – online.

15th Aug – 30th Aug 2020

Inside Sets

These two-way virtual gigs and gala-style comedy sets let audiences stream themselves as well, so performers and crowds can interact in real-time. The line-up includes Briggs, Ngaiire, Rove, Matt Okine and more.

Book Tickets

23rd Jul – 30th Aug 2020

Henry Sugar Lockdown 2.0 Cooking Show

Order an ingredients box in advance, then follow along as the team at this Carlton wine bar guides you through the finish-at-home dishes.

Book Tickets

31st Oct 2019 – 30th Aug 2020

Collecting Comme

NGV's free new exhibition will showcase more than 65 outfits by Rei Kawakubo, the creative force behind Comme des Garçons – one of the world's most groundbreaking labels.

NGV International, Southbank

7th Aug – 30th Aug 2020

ACCA: Kent Morris

As city streets empty out during lockdown 2.0, Barkindji man Kent Morris reminds us that we’re not alone in the world.

16th Mar 2019 – 30th Aug 2020

Gut Feelings

A new exhibition at Melbourne Museum explores the science behind our romance with gut health.

Book Tickets

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Every Night of the Week

This Instagram account is full of jargon-free, laid-back recipes for people who don’t like recipes.

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Crumpets by Merna x Pepe Saya Online Shop

Handmade crumpets, creamy butter, lemon curd, crème fraîche and more – delivered to your door.

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Gfree Donuts Pop-Up

Doughnut be deterred by dietary requirements – these rings are vegan and gluten-free.

15th Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Truffle Toasties at Maker & Monger

They’re made with comté, truffle-infused bechamel, and freshly shaved truffles that usually go for around $2000 a kilo.

Maker & Monger, Prahran

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

APY Gallery Online Shop

Support emerging Indigenous Australian artists (and pick up a new piece for your home) at this just-launched online art shop.

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

CCSS

This vintage furniture shop launched on Instagram in 2017. Now, it’s expanded to a full-blown online store stocking ’60s red-velvet modular couches and retro sea-green marble dining tables of our grown-up interior-decorating dreams.

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Tint

This Melbourne-based tech startup sells just 71 paint colours, rather than hundreds. And its free augmented-reality app lets you try various colours on your walls and calculate how much paint you’ll need, before you even start.

4th Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Dine in the Deep

Go underwater at Sea Life Aquarium (with up to nine mates) for the ultimate socially distanced dinner. An after-hours self-guided tour is included.

Book Tickets

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Hours Unopened

Sydney photographer Nikki To has documented the temporary closure of the city’s restaurants in a stunning photo series.

1st Jul – 31st Aug 2020

Open House Melbourne

Tour more than 50 remarkable Melbourne buildings (virtually), including the historic Parliament House, a recently restored mid-1880s gem, and a privately-owned house that doubles as a contemporary art museum. Plus, live music in a striking former explosives store.

1st May – 31st Aug 2020

Clear Jigsaw Puzzles

Melbourne animation studio Yelldesign has created a range of diabolical puzzles with transparent pieces. Say goodbye to your sanity trying to assemble one that resembles shattered glass.

1st Apr – 31st Aug 2020

MTC Now

Peer behind the curtain with Melbourne Theatre Company’s new online platform. You can walk the halls of the 67-year-old theatre company’s Melbourne headquarters, hunt for hidden props, and revisit past productions from Australia and overseas.

1st Apr – 31st Aug 2020

Nat’s What I Reckon Cooking Show

This brilliant new iso cooking show is by an Aussie comedian with a vendetta against “jar sauces”. Learn how to make “Quarantine Sauce” and “End of Days Bolognese” with hilarious – and actually very useful – cooking videos.

28th May – 31st Aug 2020

Truffle Melbourne Pop-Up

With a huge festival off the cards because of coronavirus, Truffle Melbourne is selling fresh truffles and truffle-spiked products at a Queen Victoria Market stall.

22nd Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Concierto Para El Bioceno

In an opulent Spanish opera house, a string quartet performs for an audience of 2292 plants.

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Bitchcraft DIY Craft Kits

Embroider or cross-stich some good old-fashioned profanities with these crafty kits from a Melbourne maker.

Book Tickets

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Wellread

With this Aussie book subscription service, you never need to wonder what to read next – it mails the best new literature to your door.

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Clothing Recycling Collection

Got old clothes lying around? A new service will pick them up and take them to be recycled. Just book online, choose a time that works for you and help reduce waste and carbon emissions.

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Tis The Beauty Subscription Boxes

Each one comes with seven to 10 full-sized products. All you have to do is make a few decisions – will it be a Frank Green reusable coffee cup or a portable blender? A cleanser-and-moisturising duo or pack of soothing face masks?

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Asian Staples

At this online grocer, stock up on XO sauce, good quality jasmine rice and Korean instant noodle soup, or buy a chef’s bundle with recipes from Mitch Orr, Victor Liong and Lillia McCabe. Plus, tips and tricks on how to use it all.

23rd Feb 2019 – 13th Sep 2020

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Melbourne is only the third city in the world to host the spectacularly supernatural Harry Potter stage play, which picks up 19 years after the last book ends.

Book Tickets

9th Jul – 13th Sep 2020

The Parking Lot Social

This event series has been put on hold indefinitely, according to the event organiser.

13th Jul – 13th Sep 2020

5 & Dime Pop-Up

One of Melbourne’s best bagelries is heading to the south-east.

28th Jul – 15th Sep 2020

Raph’s Mean Cuisine

When did chicken kiev go out of style? What does the man behind 1800 Lasagne cook when he’s not cooking lasagne? Raph Rashid's home cooking show – filmed in the Beatbox Kitchen founder’s West Brunswick kitchen – sets out to answer these big questions and more.

1st Apr – 23rd Sep 2020

Shit Pub Trivia’s Lame AF Lockdown Edition

A free pub trivia night (at home) where the questions are as ungooglable as possible.

10th Jul – 25th Sep 2020

Decameron 2.0

Fortune, fate, love… and Zoom? This new collaboration from the State Theatre Company and ActNow Theatre will see local writers, actors and directors give Boccaccio’s 14th-century masterpiece a very modern update.

1st Jul – 30th Sep 2020

Dream With Me – Harry Styles

Having trouble sleeping? With the dulcet tones of this English pop star, sweet dreams are guaranteed.

13th Jul – 30th Sep 2020

Double

This mind-bending, immersive audio experience – from the team behind terrifying shipping-container shows Séance and Flight – places an imposter in your home. And it will have you looking over your shoulder.

Book Tickets

1st Jul – 30th Sep 2020

Maker & Monger High Cheese At Home

The cheesy take on high tea is back with gooey baked camembert, brie layered with Victorian black truffles, and a champagne-soaked French cheese, all in the cheesy comfort of your home.

Book Tickets

1st Jul – 30th Sep 2020

DIY Cannoli Kits

Fill crunchy shells with sweet ricotta, Nutella, pistachio, vanilla or chocolate custard, then decorate them yourself – courtesy of Melbourne’s Cannoli Bar.

Cannoli Bar, Avondale Heights

17th Jun – 30th Sep 2020

Aussie Cinema Classics on ABC iView

Stream a curated selection of Australian cinema gold – for free – this winter. No streaming-service subscription required.

3rd Jul – 30th Sep 2020

Hamilton on Disney+

The smash-hit Broadway musical is coming to Australia next year, but a live recording of the original production is being released in July – 15 months early.

1st Apr – 30th Sep 2020

Audible Free Audiobooks

There are more than 100 full-length titles and other stories to stream. No account or credit card required.

5th Jul – 30th Sep 2020

Bottomless Vegan Curry Nights at Horn Please

On Sundays, get all-you-can-eat vegan curries and rice for just 30 bucks at this Fitzroy North spot.

Horn Please, Fitzroy North

28th Feb – 4th Oct 2020

Postponed: Japanese Modernism

The NGV’s new free show is a window into everyday life in 1920s and ’30s Japan.

filters

20th Jul – 15th Aug 2020

EnterViaLaundry at Home

13th Aug – 16th Aug 2020

Hummus le Beirut Fundraiser

7th Aug – 16th Aug 2020

MWF Digital

30th May – 16th Aug 2020

Rone in Geelong

13th Aug – 20th Aug 2020

Lucy Folk Online Archive Sale

20th May – 20th Aug 2020

Berghain Trainer

7th Dec 2019 – 21st Aug 2020

Postponed: Mini Mega Model Museum at Melbourne Museum

6th Aug – 23rd Aug 2020

MIFF 68½: A Digital Film Festival

15th Aug – 30th Aug 2020

Inside Sets

23rd Jul – 30th Aug 2020

Henry Sugar Lockdown 2.0 Cooking Show

31st Oct 2019 – 30th Aug 2020

Collecting Comme

NGV International, Southbank

7th Aug – 30th Aug 2020

ACCA: Kent Morris

16th Mar 2019 – 30th Aug 2020

Gut Feelings

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Every Night of the Week

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Crumpets by Merna x Pepe Saya Online Shop

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Gfree Donuts Pop-Up

15th Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Truffle Toasties at Maker & Monger

Maker & Monger, Prahran

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

APY Gallery Online Shop

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

CCSS

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Tint

4th Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Dine in the Deep

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Hours Unopened

1st Jul – 31st Aug 2020

Open House Melbourne

1st May – 31st Aug 2020

Clear Jigsaw Puzzles

1st Apr – 31st Aug 2020

MTC Now

1st Apr – 31st Aug 2020

Nat’s What I Reckon Cooking Show

28th May – 31st Aug 2020

Truffle Melbourne Pop-Up

22nd Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Concierto Para El Bioceno

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Bitchcraft DIY Craft Kits

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Wellread

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Clothing Recycling Collection

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Tis The Beauty Subscription Boxes

1st Jun – 31st Aug 2020

Asian Staples

23rd Feb 2019 – 13th Sep 2020

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

9th Jul – 13th Sep 2020

The Parking Lot Social

13th Jul – 13th Sep 2020

5 & Dime Pop-Up

28th Jul – 15th Sep 2020

Raph’s Mean Cuisine

1st Apr – 23rd Sep 2020

Shit Pub Trivia’s Lame AF Lockdown Edition

10th Jul – 25th Sep 2020