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Melbourne / This week

What's on
23–29 July

Worth leaving the house for.

This week Melbourne delivers the full package: Friday night footy at the 'G, a free architecture festival throwing open 180+ buildings across the city, and the last gasps of Body Worlds before it leaves Docklands on Sunday. It's the kind of winter week where staying in feels like a waste.

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Updated 22 July 2026 · Next update 29 July · Archived edition

If you only remember three things

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Rain on a café window with the street beyond
Exhibition

NGV Friday Nights: Cartier

Late-night Champagne, live jazz and 400 glittering Cartier objects — the classiest way to kick off a Friday in Melbourne this winter.

A crowd walking towards the MCG on game day
Sport

Melbourne v Geelong — MCG

The Dees host the Cats in a Friday night blockbuster with genuine top-four implications — this is the one to be at this week.

A family strolling through the Royal Botanic Gardens
Free

Open House Melbourne Weekend

180+ buildings across the city open their doors for free — the best urban exploration event of the year.

If Friday were mine…

I'd do this.

Open House Melbourne: explore the city for free

Open House Melbourne runs Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July across the CBD, inner suburbs and beyond, all themed 'Generous City'. Highlights include the Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre (costume department and rehearsal studios), the ST. ALi Coffee Roastery in South Melbourne, and the Rock Posters printing factory in Thornbury. Most events are free but the popular ones book out — get on openhousemelbourne.org now and lock in two or three considered visits rather than trying to sprint through six. Tram it in; CBD parking will be a nightmare.

Over 180 buildings — private homes, hidden vaults, brand-new infrastructure — open their doors for one weekend only.

Before you leave home

The stuff you'll be annoyed nobody told you.

  • Body Worlds closes permanently at The District Docklands this Sunday 26 July — if you haven't been, this is your actual last chance.
  • Also, Open House Melbourne is free but the most popular tours (especially Australian Ballet Centre and private homes) book out quickly — get onto openhousemelbourne.org today and lock in your spots before they're gone.

The week, properly

The good stuff, with a reason.

Friends at a rooftop table with the city lights behind

If you want a proper night out

  • NGV Friday Nights: CartierSaturday 25 July · NGV International, 180 St Kilda Rd, Southbank · 6pm–10pm · From $50 adult / $41 memberUnlimited after-dark access to the Cartier Winter Masterpieces exhibition plus live jazz, Moët & Chandon, crêpes and rotating performances every Friday night.This Friday's lineup features Melbourne International Jazz Festival curates: Cannonball feat. Chantal Mitvalsky. Pre-book at ngv.vic.gov.au.
  • Open House Melbourne WeekendFri 24 – Sun 26 July · Citywide — CBD, inner suburbs and beyond · Various — check program · Free (some events require small booking fee)Over 180 architect-led tours, talks and first looks at usually off-limits buildings — private homes, heritage icons and brand-new infrastructure — all under the 'Generous City' theme.Download the map and plan a precinct — the Arts Precinct, City North and Yarra all have strong programs. Pick 2–3 stops max.
  • Body Worlds: The Anatomy of HappinessUntil Sunday 26 July · Level 1, 116 Studio Lane, The District Docklands · Daily — check Fever for session times · From $37 adult / $22 child (4–12)Real plastinated human bodies in motion, side-by-side organ displays and interactive features — confronting, clinical and strangely moving, and this is its final week in Melbourne.Factor in 60–90 minutes. Closes permanently Sunday 26 July.
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  • Off Broadway — Arts Centre MelbourneFrom Thursday 23 July · Arts Centre Melbourne, Southbank · Various — check Arts Centre schedule · From $94A new musical theatre spectacular that romps through Broadway's greatest moments — Rodgers & Hammerstein to Lin-Manuel Miranda — with a powerhouse Australian cast.Opening week — great excuse to grab dinner on Southbank before the show.
  • Uncle Vanya — Melbourne Theatre CompanyFrom Tue 21 July (runs until 22 Aug) · Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, Southbank · Various evening and matinee sessions · From ~$49Joanna Murray-Smith's sharp new adaptation of Chekhov's classic, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks and starring Daniel Henshall — sharp, funny and emotionally brutal in the best way.Running 21 July – 22 August; this week is a good time to lock it in before weekend sessions sell out.
A crowd walking towards the MCG on game day

Game on

  • Melbourne Demons v Geelong CatsFriday 24 July · MCG, Richmond · 7:40pm · General public via TicketekThe Dees host the Cats in a top-four battle — both clubs are locked in at 12 wins from 18, and with finals around the corner, neither side can afford to drop this one.General public tickets on sale via Ticketek — buy now
  • Carlton Blues v Gold Coast SunsSaturday 25 July · Marvel Stadium, Docklands · 1:05pm · General public via TicketmasterCarlton at home under the roof — a good daytime option if you want footy without the Friday night crowd.Tickets via Ticketmaster
  • Western Bulldogs v RichmondSaturday 25 July · Marvel Stadium, Docklands · 7:40pm · General public via TicketmasterNight footy under the roof — the Dogs are sitting 7th and Richmond is mid-table; expect a feisty clash from two teams with something to prove.Tickets via Ticketmaster
Candlelit pasta in a cosy bistro

If you're eating out

  • Broadsheet Dine Out — Final DaysDealThe city-wide food festival runs until Sunday 26 July with walk-in exclusive menus, chef collabs and pop-ups — including Farmer's Daughters x Yellow (plant-based, Sat 25 July) and Ho Jiak x Sun Ming & Sam Young (Sun 26 July).
  • Smith & Deli CBD — Now Open on Degraves StNew openingShannon Martinez's cult plant-based deli has finally landed in the CBD — pastries and market plates by day, tapas and espresso martinis by night at 16 Degraves Street.
  • Body Worlds 30th Anniversary — 30% Off TicketsDealFever is running a 30% discount on Body Worlds tickets this week to celebrate 30 years of the exhibition — but only until 30 July, so grab it before it closes Sunday.
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  • Frenchie CBD — Everything $14New openingThe new French bistro at 15 Collins Street has a menu where every single dish is $14 — a proper no-brainer for a midweek dinner in the city.
A family strolling through the Royal Botanic Gardens

If you're spending nothing

  • NGV Permanent Collection + First Nations ExhibitionFreeThe Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square has a free First Nations exhibition on throughout July — emerging artists paired with established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives across weaving, photography, sculpture and more.
  • parkrun — Saturday 8amFreeFree, timed 5km at dozens of Melbourne locations every Saturday morning — Albert Park, Princes Park, Maribyrnong River and more; register once at parkrun.com.au and you're set for life.

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.

Candlelit pasta in a cosy bistro

Where I'd eat this week

Book something good.

Broadsheet Dine Out — Final Days. The city-wide food festival runs until Sunday 26 July with walk-in exclusive menus, chef collabs and pop-ups — including Farmer's Daughters x Yellow (plant-based, Sat 25 July) and Ho Jiak x Sun Ming & Sam Young (Sun 26 July).

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Two glasses raised over vineyard rows at golden hour

Do future you a favour

Book this now.

NGV Friday Nights: Cartier · Saturday 25 July · NGV International, 180 St Kilda Rd, Southbank. Book ahead — limited tickets at the door

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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