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Melbourne / This week

What's on
16–22 July

Worth leaving the house for.

Mid-July and Melbourne's winter calendar is firing on all cylinders — the MCG hosts a blockbuster Collingwood v Carlton under lights on Saturday, Lightscape is in full swing at the Botanic Gardens, and the Queen Victoria Market Night Market lands on both Wednesday nights this week. Layer up, get out of the house.

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Updated 15 July 2026 · Next update 22 July · Archived edition

If you only remember three things

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Sport

Collingwood v Carlton, MCG

Saturday night footy under the lights — Pies and Blues fighting for finals positioning, arguably the biggest crowd of Round 19.

Winter classic

Lightscape, Royal Botanic Gardens

Brand-new installations from world-class artists this year, and the 2.1km trail is best mid-week when it's less crowded — book Thursday or Wednesday for off-peak pricing.

Big night out

Six Nations – Last Chance

The pop-concert musical closes at Arts Centre Melbourne on Sunday 19 July — if you haven't booked, this weekend is your final shot.

If Saturday were mine…

I'd do this.

Pies v Blues under the MCG lights

Collingwood v Carlton hits the MCG on Saturday 18 July at 7:35pm — gates open from 5:30pm so arrive early, grab a pie and soak up the atmosphere before the bounce. Tickets via Ticketek; note that the Yarra Park car park is closed, so take the tram or train to Jolimont or Richmond. If you want a full day of it, North Melbourne v Melbourne at Marvel Stadium kicks off at 4:15pm earlier in the afternoon — two games, one Saturday.

The two most passionate fanbases in the competition go head-to-head in a finals dress rehearsal — this is the one to be at.

Before you leave home

The stuff you'll be annoyed nobody told you.

  • The Yarra Park car park at the MCG is closed for both Saturday and Sunday Round 19 matches — take the train to Jolimont or Richmond, or tram route 48/75.
  • Also: Lightscape sessions run Wednesday to Sunday only (not Monday or Tuesday), so don't show up on a Monday expecting entry.

The week, properly

The good stuff, with a reason.

Friends at a rooftop table with the city lights behind

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If you want a proper night out

  • Six Nations – Last WeekendFri 17 – Sun 19 July · Arts Centre Melbourne, Southbank · Various sessions · From $69The pop-concert musical retelling of Henry VIII's wives is in its final stretch — Catherine of Aragon to Catherine Parr, 80 minutes of electrifying pop history.Grab dinner at Southbank before the show; the precinct is easy from the CBD.
  • LightscapeWed 16 – Mon 20 July (and ongoing Wed–Sun to 2 Aug) · Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne (enter via Observatory Gate, Birdwood Ave) · Sessions from 5:15pm · Adult from $36 (off-peak Wed/Thu); from $40 Fri–SunTwo kilometres of world-class light installations through the Botanic Gardens — this year includes the Australian premiere of Bifröst's 20-arch tunnel and a Firefly Field of 200 glowing points.Grab a mulled wine or hot chocolate on the trail. Just moments from the new ANZAC Station.
  • QVM Winter Night MarketThu 16 July & Wed 22 July · Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne CBD · 5pm–10pm · Free entryThe classic mid-week ritual — global street food, open fire pits, mulled wine and roving performers under the iconic market sheds.Lobster chowder in a cob loaf from the Soup Factory, hot jam doughnuts from American Doughnut Kitchen — go hungry.
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  • Pub Choir – Just Think About It TourThu 16 July · Palais Theatre, St Kilda · 7:00pm · Ticketed via TicketmasterAustralia's most gloriously chaotic singalong experience turns St Kilda's grandest venue into one massive choir — no experience, no shame required.Pre-drinks on Fitzroy Street before the show; easy tram access on the 96.
  • Broadsheet Dine Out 2026Mon 20 – Wed 22 July (this week's window) · City-wide, Melbourne · Various · Mix of free walk-in specials and ticketed eventsBroadsheet's annual food festival kicks off Monday with 50 events — chef collabs, exclusive menus and one-off dinners across the city's best restaurants and bars.Check the full program for walk-in specials you can enjoy without pre-booking.
  • ACMI: The Vinyl Factory – ReverbOngoing to 31 August · ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne CBD · Open during ACMI hours · Free (ACMI entry)A multi-sensory exhibition celebrating music's cultural impact through vinyl — large-scale video works, immersive sound installations and hands-on Technics turntables.Combine with a walk through Fed Square and lunch in the CBD.
A crowd walking towards the MCG on game day

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Game on

  • Collingwood v CarltonSat 18 July · MCG, Richmond · 7:35pm · From $35 via TicketekThe MCG's biggest rivalry of Round 19 — both clubs chasing finals spots, and Craig McRae's Pies potentially missing key players, making this one genuinely unpredictable.Tickets on sale via Ticketek; Yarra Park car park closed — take public transport
  • North Melbourne v MelbourneSat 18 July · Marvel Stadium, Docklands · 4:15pm · From $30 via TicketekThe Demons, on a nine-game MCG winning streak, head to Marvel to face a Roos side that's won three straight — form clash of the round.Kids 14 and under free (Kids Footy Month — final round of the offer)
  • Richmond v HawthornSun 19 July · MCG, Richmond · 1:10pm · From $30 via TicketekA Sunday afternoon MCG game to ease into the weekend — Richmond's rebuilding year meets a Hawthorn side fighting for top-four.Good availability for this one
Candlelit pasta in a cosy bistro

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If you're eating out

  • Remo's opens in RichmondNew openingThe cult Little Collins Street spot has expanded to Richmond with sub-$20 Roman pasta bowls and the famous $8 tiramisu — no bookings, just show up.
  • Daybaker — the year's most anticipated bakeryNew openingAlready selling out before 10am daily, Daybaker has arrived and is living up to the hype — get there early or miss out.
  • Tombo Den Vinyl Nights (last Fridays)DealJohnnie Walker cocktails from $15, vinyl DJ sets from 8pm till late at Chris Lucas's izakaya-inspired Windsor venue — the collab runs until 24 July so this is one of the last.
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A family strolling through the Royal Botanic Gardens

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If you're spending nothing

A short free list this week. Ask me and I will dig up the parks, walks and rooms near you that never make a list.

Where I'd eat this week

Book something good.

Remo's opens in Richmond. The cult Little Collins Street spot has expanded to Richmond with sub-$20 Roman pasta bowls and the famous $8 tiramisu — no bookings, just show up.

See picks

Do future you a favour

Book this now.

Six Nations – Last Weekend · Fri 17 – Sun 19 July · Arts Centre Melbourne, Southbank. Final shows this week — book immediately via Ticketek

See what to book

None of that your thing?

Tell me what you're in the mood for and I'll give you something better.

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