Hi friends 👋
Welcome to Summer in Melbourne - where you’re wearing a jacket one day and it’s boiling hot the next 😂Regardless of whatever’s happening with the weather, there’s lots happening in our city right now (from budget friendly to bougie activities).
Whether you’re a local wanting to uncover something new, or a visitor ready to dive into the best our city has to offer, I’ve put together a list of the best things to do as we ring in 2026.
Think Melbourne summer staples: rooftop hangs, outdoor events, sunset adventures and experiences you won’t want to miss. Enjoy! x
For more events and experiences across Melbourne, feel free to check out my Ultimate Melbourne Bucket List.
I only recommend products or services that I genuinely enjoy. This blog contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you book using one of the links (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting me and my content!
Trending: Melbourne Events this Summer
🏁 Visit the F1® exhibition
Step into the world of Formula 1® and discover the past, present and future of F1 through seven immersive rooms with racing sims, iconic cars and helmets.
📍 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
🗓 3 December 2025 - 19 April 2026
💰 Prices start at $59.90 pp
🎨 Visit the DIVA Exhibition
A brand new performing arts museum has just opened up with their first ever exhibition: DIVA - celebrate the world’s most iconic pop culture moments: from the Met Gala to stadium tours.
📍Australian Museum of Performing Arts, Arts Centre Melbourne
🗓 11 December – 26 April 2026
💰 $30 per adult
Discover Christmas in the city with stunning light displays, festive events and activities.
📍Across the City of Melbourne
🗓 Until 31st December 2025
💰 FREE
Australia’s biggest Christmas tradition including a night full of Christmas carols by well-loved performers.
📍 Sidney Myer Music Bowl
🗓 23 (Rehearsal) - 24 December 2025
💰Prices start at $26 pp
🎥 Catch a movie at Moonlight Cinema
Relax and enjoy a movie on the big screen with picnic-style seating, delicious food and drinks (bring insect repellent!). It’s dog-friendly too!
📍 Royal Botanic Gardens
🗓 Daily sessions until 5 April 2026
💰 Prices start at $31.75 pp
🍒 Pick your own cherries
Pick fresh cherries straight from the trees and taste as many cherries as you like with the help of an orchard guide.
📍 Coldstream and Wandin East
🗓 9am-5pm, until 24 Dec
💰 Prices start at $13 pp
🍔 Eat your way through the Summer Night Market
Every Wednesday night, expect global street food trucks, festival bars, local artisan shops, along with a rotating weekly line-up of live music.
📍 Queen Victoria Market
🗓 until 11 March 2026 (excluding 24 & 31 December)
💰 FREE entry
Australia’s largest tennis tournament, first of the four Grand Slam tennis events held throughout the year.
📍 Melbourne Park
🗓 12 January - 1 February 2026
💰 Ground passes start at $35 pp
🐅 Ride the Sunset Safari at Werribee Zoo
One of Melbourne’s most underrated experiences in summer - the sunset safari will take you across the savannah. You can also watch African performances with the option to share a traditional Afrian braai BBQ while supporting Zoos Victoria.
📍Werribee Zoo
🗓 Saturday evenings from 10 January to 21 February 2026
💰 Starts from $62 per adult (*without inclusion of food or drinks)
🪷 Blue Lotus Water Garden
Explore this seasonal display of stunning landscapes across 14 acres. You’ll find millions of exotic blooms, serene lakes, vibrant lotus and waterlily displays.
📍Yarra Junction
🗓 26 December - 19th April 2026
💰 $28 per adult
💐 Try a Flower Picking Experience
Pick your own bouquet of flowers to create the perfect arrangement while supporting a local community garden.
📍 Ceres Joes Garden, Coburg
📅 Saturdays until end of April
💰 $30 per adult
💜 Lavender Season
Wander through rows of blooming lavender and manicured gardens, grab a snack at the tea room & watch live demonstrations.
📍 Warrantina Lavender Farm
🗓 until 26 January 2026
💰 Ground passes start at $15 pp
Best things to do in Melbourne this Summer
🏄🏼♀️ Learn to surf at URBNSURF
Take a surf lesson at Australia's only surf park. With six different wave settings, URBNSURF offers perfect ocean-like waves for all abilities, all year round.
📍 Tullamarine
📅 Open all year round
💰 Starts at $104-$124 per adult
🖼️ Point Ormond Lookout
Grab some snacks and head to Point Ormond Lookout at sunset for a laid-back picnic with amazing views (watch out for the crowds though!)
📍 Elwood
💰 Free
🚣♀️ Kayaking at Sunset
Experience Melbourne's iconic landmarks from a different perspective on a sunset kayak tour along the Yarra River.
📍 CBD
💰 Starts at $120 per adult
🛶 Stand up paddleboarding
Stand Up Paddle HQ in St Kilda offers SUP lessons, rentals, and tours for all skill levels.
📍 St Kilda
💰 Prices start at $30 per hour
📽️ Lido on the Roof
Experience summer nights at The Lido on the Rooftop Cinema, where you can enjoy classic films under the stars.
📍 Hawthorn
💰 Tickets start at $28pp
🍶 Pizza in the Park with Small Print Pizza
Order some Small Print Pizza and have it delivered to Victoria Gardens across the road. Chill out with great pizza in a relaxed outdoor park setting!
📍 Windsor
💰 Prices vary by pizza
🎢 Gumbuya World
Gumbuya World is a family-friendly theme park that offers water slides, roller coasters, and wildlife exhibits.
📍 Tynong North
💰 Prices start from $67 per adult
🏞️ Melbourne Cable Park
Melbourne Cable Park, is a year-round adventure hub with activities for all ages, including accessible wakeboarding.
📍 Bangholme
📅 Open all year round
💰 Prices vary based on activity
🚗 Road Trip to Mornington Peninsula
Just over an hour from Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula offers stunning beaches, relaxing hot springs, and charming wineries.
📍 Mornington Peninsula
Get the vibes high up at rooftop bars around Melbourne this Summer
Here are some of my favourite spots for some bites and a view in Summer!
Saba Rooftop Bar
Perched on the 16th floor in Port Melbourne, this is the perfect spot for 360° skyline & bay views, sunset-to-night ambience, poolside chill vibes and creative cocktails.
📍 Port Melbourne
Waterside Hotel Rooftop Bar
Atop a seven-storey heritage-reborn pub in the heart of Melbourne, this new rooftop bar offers sweeping city skyline views, breezy terrace vibes and elevated cocktails.
📍 Melbourne’s CBD
Beverley Rooftop Bar
Sitting 24 floors above Charpel Street, Beverly Rooftop serves sweeping Melbourne views with a Southern-California-inspired menu and a retractable glass roof.
📍 South Yarra
For more events and experiences across Melbourne, feel free to check out my Ultimate Melbourne Bucket List.