A Comprehensive Guide: Things to do in Melbourne During Winter 2024
Ok let’s be honest. Melbourne gets cold in winter, but one thing that I love about our city is that there’s ALWAYS something happening and plenty of things to do - think vibrant festivals, cosy experiences and unique activities that mean a different side of the city comes alive.
From exploring cultural hotspots to indulging in delicious plenty of delicious cuisines, there are plenty of things to do in Melbourne. The good news is that i’ve done all the research so you don’t have to!
In this guide, I’ll take you through a curated list of the best things to do in Melbourne during winter. Let’s get into it!
For more events and experiences across Melbourne, feel free to check out my Ultimate Melbourne Bucket List.
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Trending: Melbourne Events in Winter
A festival of live music, food, art and culture, under moonlight in Melbourne.
Slice up the ice, have a dance, make a racket. RISING is a festival that you do, in a city that does it best.
📍 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
🗓 1 June - 16 June 2024
💰 Prices vary
Winter Night Market: The Winter Night Market takes place at Queen Victoria Market every Wednesday night during the winter months. It's a celebration of food, music, and culture and includes food stalls, live music, and entertainment.
📍 Queen Vic Market
🗓 5 June - 28 August 2024
💰 Prices vary
Lightscape is an extraordinary, after-dark experience at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Expect colour-changing installations, large-scale illuminated sculptures and lots of surprises.
📍 Royal Botanical Gardens
🗓 June 14 - 4 August 2023
💰 $44 General Admission, $32 per child.
Firelight Festival
The City of Melbourne’s winter festival featuring light shows, live music, pop-up foodie feasts and multimedia experiences.
📍 Docklands
🗓 28 June - 14 July 2024
💰 FREE
The Melbourne International Film Festival is Australia's largest film festival and takes place in August. It features a diverse range of films from around the world and includes special events, workshops, and talks.
📍 Collins Place
🗓 8 - 25 August 2024
💰 Prices vary
The City of Melbourne’s festival dedicated to art, ideas, sound and technology through a carefully curated program.
📍 Melbourne CBD
🗓 22 - 31 August 2024
💰 FREE
Top Picks: Best things to do in Melbourne in Winter
BattleKart: Augmented Reality GoKarting
Play real-life Mario Kart (augmented reality go-kart racing) at BattleKart in West Footscray. It’s an incredible experience full of special projectors, immersive sound and on-board electronics for an epic go-kart experience.
The Curium Experience: Escape Room
The most incredible escape room i’ve ever been to. It’s inspired by area 51/mission impossible and features high-tech puzzles, theatrics and completely immersive experiences.
LEGO: Art Of The Brick Exhibition
Melbourne’s newest art exhibition made from over 1 million LEGO bricks. You can find over 100 sculptures and works of art, as well as moving installations and projections.
Puffing Billy: Ride Australia’s Oldest Steam Train
Experience one of Australia’s most incredible bucket list experiences by riding the Puffing Billy in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges.
Get 10% off with “BIANCAINMELBOURNE” when booking via Klook.
Winter Igloos at Wharf Hotel
Cosy up with your friends for a Winter Wonderland igloo experience. You’ll have 2 hours in your own exclusive igloo to enjoy your own music, food and drinks.
Discover Melbourne Laneways: Mystery Picnics
Starting with a picnic basket, have fun solving curated clues and riddles that’ll take you on a journey to collect your special gourmet picnic food bit by bit. Each clue you solve will lead you closer to your next picnic food pickup and even closer to your final stunning picnic location.
🕹 Melbourne Arcades & Entertainment
Open all year round - Ice Skating @ O'Briens Ice House
Challenge rooms at Hijinx Hotel
Escape Rooms at The Curium Experience, Ukiyo & Rush Escape
Go Karts, Laser tag & arcade games at Le Mans Entertainment
VR at Zero Latency
Indoor skydiving at iFly in Essendon
Release anger at Smash Splash
Board games at Pause Menu
Arcade games and bowling at General Public
Mini golf at What The Putt
🎭 Melbourne Music, Art & Culture
See the ‘Beings’ by Universal Exibition at ACMI
Melbourne’s newest Indoor lights exhibition Met Art World
Sip and Paint at Champainting
Painting ceramics at Robert Gordon Pottery
Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop at Art Masterclass
Fluid Bear Art & DIY Phone Case Workshop at Yi’s DIY
Hungry? What to eat in Melbourne this Winter
Here are some of my favourite winter warmers (a.k.a. comfort food) to eat in Melbourne:
Meatball Sub at Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca
Lasagne & Garlic Bread at 1800 Lasagne
New York Inspired Italian at Pepe’s Italian & Liquor
Apple Crumble Pies at Luther’s Scoops
Toasties at Maker and Monger
Japanese Souffle Pancakes at Kumo
Ramen at Gogyo Fitzroy
Hot Chocolate at Mork Chocolate or Pidapipo
Indigenous eats at Big Esso by Mabu Mabu
For more events and experiences across Melbourne, feel free to check out my Ultimate Melbourne Bucket List.