What's On 29 May–4 Jun 2026
RISING hits its stride this week — the city-wide festival of art, music and performance is in full swing across theatres, cathedrals and laneways through 8 June. Stack that against a classic Blues v Cats night match at the MCG on Friday, and the Good Food & Wine Show rolling through South Wharf all weekend, and you've got a genuinely stacked few days. It's proper Melbourne winter: cold enough to earn the fondue, warm enough to be out every night.
Plan this week with plansorted →Week at a glance
Good Food Show then MCG under lights
Eat your way through 300+ producers at MCEC, then cross the river for Carlton v Geelong.
RISING Festival 2026
Melbourne's flagship winter festival takes over theatres, town halls, the Flinders Street Ballroom and public squares with 100+ events across music, dance, art and performance — including Lil' Kim at Festival Hall and free public installations citywide.
St Kilda v Hawthorn
Round 12 opener under the roof at Marvel Stadium, Docklands — both sides chasing top-eight relevance.
Fondue Chalet at Fed Square
Private Alpine chalets on the Fed Square rooftop with bubbling cheese fondue or raclette, mulled wine and fire pits — new for 2026, you choose fondue or raclette. Book a group of 6–8; from $99pp.
RISING: Flower Power – Barkindji Artist Kent Morris, City Square
Free immersive public art installation by Barkindji artist Kent Morris in City Square — yam daisies and First Nations storytelling in the heart of the CBD, on now through 8 June.
Lead Pick
Good Food Show then MCG under lights
Eat your way through 300+ producers at MCEC, then cross the river for Carlton v Geelong.
The Good Food & Wine Show runs Fri–Sun at MCEC, South Wharf — 300-plus exhibitors, live cooking demos, Bakers Alley new for 2026, and the RIEDEL Drinks Lab. It's a 10-minute walk or one tram stop to Flinders Street, then a short stroll to the MCG for Carlton hosting Geelong at 7:40pm Friday night. Grab tickets to both via goodfoodshow.com.au and Ticketek — general entry to the show starts around $35, footy from ~$39. Book the food show session early; later slots sell out by Thursday.
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Sort my week →Worth Knowing Before You Plan
Public transport in Victoria is free for everyone until Sunday 31 May — no myki needed on trams, trains and buses. Use it to get to the MCG on Friday night or down to MCEC on Saturday. From Monday 1 June fares return to normal, so get your myki topped up over the weekend.
What's On
Melbourne's flagship winter festival takes over theatres, town halls, the Flinders Street Ballroom and public squares with 100+ events across music, dance, art and performance — including Lil' Kim at Festival Hall and free public installations citywide.
300+ food and wine producers under one roof at MCEC South Wharf — plus live cooking demos, masterclasses, and the new Bakers Alley feature for 2026.
Free Indonesian cultural festival at Fed Square with authentic satay street food, live music and the spectacular Reog Ponorogo folk dance — dramatic headdresses and all.
A full week of free First Nations events across Melbourne — including art, workshops and a Mabo Day concert at Fed Square on 3 June — under the 2026 theme 'All In for Reconciliation'.
Australian premiere of this multi-sensory immersive exhibition exploring how vinyl and music have shaped art, fashion, film and social movements — part of RISING and extended through August.
Last chance this weekend — a vivid, immersive light and sound reimagining of Vivaldi's Four Seasons inside the Immigration Museum, Docklands. Don't sleep on it.
Sport
Round 12 opener under the roof at Marvel Stadium, Docklands — both sides chasing top-eight relevance.
Friday night football at the MCG — the Blues host the Cats in what shapes as a top-four measuring stick; public transport is free until Sunday 31 May so no excuses.
Round 12's Saturday night blockbuster at Marvel Stadium, Docklands — Dogs v Pies is always a full house and a proper atmosphere.
Food & Deals
Private Alpine chalets on the Fed Square rooftop with bubbling cheese fondue or raclette, mulled wine and fire pits — new for 2026, you choose fondue or raclette. Book a group of 6–8; from $99pp.
New for 2026: 10 of Australia's most exciting independent bakeries are grouped together at MCEC this weekend — your excuse to graze all day and call it research.
Every Sunday in May, a Collingwood rooftop bar is serving a guest chef burger from venues including Kafeneion, Walrus and Akimbo — runs through Sunday 31 May.
The long-running Fitzroy Saturday market showcases a top selection of local food producers and makers every Saturday morning — grab breakfast and browse.
Free This Week
Free immersive public art installation by Barkindji artist Kent Morris in City Square — yam daisies and First Nations storytelling in the heart of the CBD, on now through 8 June.
Free family-friendly Indonesian cultural festival with satay street food stalls and the jaw-dropping Reog Ponorogo performance at Fed Square — no booking needed.
Free outdoor concert on Wednesday 3 June celebrating Mabo Day — part of National Reconciliation Week's 'All In' program at Fed Square, all welcome.
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