What's on
22–28 May

Worth leaving the house for.

Reconciliation Week kicks off mid-week — Melbourne got an early start Friday with thousands walking from Federation Square to the MCG with Michael Long. The Big Design Market wraps up Sunday at the Royal Exhibition Building, ACMI just opened its best show in years, and free public transport runs until May 31. Go.

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Updated 23 May 2026 · Next update 27 May · Archived edition

If you only remember three things

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A stand-up comedy room under warm lights

Exhibition

The Vinyl Factory: Reverb — ACMI

A large-scale ACMI exhibition tracing how vinyl and music shaped global art, fashion and social movements — immersive and free.

Shoppers at the Queen Victoria Market sheds with the city behind

Food & culture

Death & Co Melbourne — CBD

NYC's legendary cocktail bar opened its first Melbourne outpost — intimate speakeasy feel, expert drinks, proper food menu.

A crowd walking towards the MCG on game day

Sport

Free public transport — all of Victoria until 31 May

Trains, trams, buses — free across Victoria until May 31. Tap on with Myki or just board. Use it this weekend.

If Sunday were mine…

I'd do this.

Big Design Market, Royal Exhibition Building

The Big Design Market runs until Sunday 24 May at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton. Ceramics, jewellery, fashion, homewares, food and wine — all from Australian independent designers selling direct. Carlton is 10 minutes from the CBD by tram (Route 96 or City Circle, both free until May 31). Doors close Sunday afternoon; check the website for exact times. No booking needed.

250 independent Australian makers under one heritage roof — the best reason to leave the house this Sunday.

Before you leave home

The stuff you'll be annoyed nobody told you.

Free public transport across Victoria runs until Sunday 31 May — trains, trams and regional coaches included.
Reconciliation Week begins Wednesday 27 May through 3 June; expect extra foot traffic around Federation Square and the MCG precinct.

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

The Vinyl Factory: Reverb — ACMIFrom Fri 22 May, ongoing · FreeA large-scale ACMI exhibition tracing how vinyl and music shaped global art, fashion and social movements — immersive and free.
Big Design Market — Royal Exhibition Building, CarltonFri 22 – Sun 24 May · Entry from $5250+ independent Australian designers selling direct: ceramics, jewellery, fashion, homewares, food and wine.
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne (Narrm) — Marvel StadiumSun 24 May, 3:15pm · From $28Reconciliation Round footy at Marvel: the Bulldogs host Melbourne in a game with extra meaning this week.

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St Kilda v Hawthorn — Marvel StadiumThu 28 May, 7:30pm · From $28Thursday night footy under the roof — a good excuse to wrap up the work week at Docklands.
Next Wave Festival — Various venues, inner MelbourneFrom Wed 27 May · VariousMelbourne's festival of new art, music and performance kicks off across the inner city — check the program for what's on your doorstep.

If you're eating out

Death & Co Melbourne — CBDNew openingNYC's legendary cocktail bar opened its first Melbourne outpost — intimate speakeasy feel, expert drinks, proper food menu.
Harriot — CBDNew openingFrom the team behind Tipo 00 and Osteria Ilaria: a polished French-ish bistro already impossible to get into without a booking.
Mott 32 — SouthbankNew openingOne of Hong Kong's most acclaimed Chinese restaurants lands in Southbank — upscale Cantonese with serious pedigree.

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Saadi — Punch Lane, CBDNew openingHeritage Indian flavours from chef couple Saavni Krishnan and Sriram Aditya Suresh, with prime seasonal produce front and centre.

A family strolling through the Royal Botanic Gardens

If you're spending nothing

Free public transport — all of Victoria until 31 MayFreeTrains, trams, buses — free across Victoria until May 31. Tap on with Myki or just board. Use it this weekend.
The Vinyl Factory: Reverb — ACMI, Federation SquareFreeACMI's major new exhibition on vinyl, music and cultural movements is free entry — a proper afternoon right in the CBD.
Reconciliation Week events — citywide from Wed 27 MayFreeFree talks, cultural performances and community events across Melbourne — check the City of Melbourne events calendar.

Where I'd eat this week

Book something good.

Death & Co Melbourne — CBD. NYC's legendary cocktail bar opened its first Melbourne outpost — intimate speakeasy feel, expert drinks, proper food menu.

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What's on22–28 May