What's on
26 May – 1 June

Worth leaving the house for.

RISING has just kicked off and Melbourne's CBD is fully alive after dark — projections on Hamer Hall, the Flinders Street Ballroom reopened as a dance academy, and more than 100 events running until 8 June. Add a massive weekend of footy at Marvel and the MCG, the Good Food & Wine Show wrapping at MCEC, and the Winter Night Market launching on Wednesday — this is one of the best weeks of Melbourne's year to be outside.

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Updated 27 May 2026 · Next update 3 June · Archived edition

If you only remember three things

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A stand-up comedy room under warm lights

Live

RISING Festival 2026

Over 100 events across 12 nights — Lil' Kim at Festival Hall, Cate Le Bon, free projections at Fed Square, and the Flinders Street Ballroom back as a participatory dance academy.

A crowd walking towards the MCG on game day

Sport

Carlton v Geelong Cats

Blues host the Cats at the MCG — a top-eight showdown under lights and public transport is free all weekend, so no excuses not to be there.

Exhibition

Good Food & Wine Show — last chance weekend

300+ producers, top chefs live on stage, new Baker's Alley and a Drinks Lab at MCEC, South Wharf — closes Sunday 31 May.

If Saturday were mine…

I'd do this.

RISING opening weekend, then footy Saturday night

Start Friday at Fed Square for the free Midéegaadi projection (no booking needed, runs 28–30 May) and wander down to the RISING Artist Bar beneath the Capitol Theatre arcades on Swanston Street. Saturday, grab dinner in Flinders Lane then head to Marvel Stadium in Docklands for Western Bulldogs v Collingwood at 7:35pm — one of the rivalry games of the year in a heated top-eight race. Tickets via Ticketek; Marvel is a 10-minute walk from Southern Cross or tram to Harbour Esplanade.

Do RISING in the city Friday and Saturday, then catch the Dogs v Pies under the roof at Marvel.

Before you leave home

The stuff you'll be annoyed nobody told you.

Public transport is free across Victoria until Sunday 31 May — catch it while it lasts, especially handy for the Friday night Carlton v Geelong and Saturday's Dogs v Pies.
From Wednesday 3 June, the QVM Winter Night Market kicks off and runs every Wednesday until late August, so pencil in your midweek plans now.

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

RISING Festival 202627 May – 8 June 2026 · Free–$150+Over 100 events across 12 nights — Lil' Kim at Festival Hall, Cate Le Bon, free projections at Fed Square, and the Flinders Street Ballroom back as a participatory dance academy.
Good Food & Wine ShowFri 29 – Sun 31 May, 10am–5pm · From ~$30300+ exhibitors, live chef demos, Baker's Alley new for 2026, and a Drinks Lab at MCEC in South Wharf — Melbourne's biggest food weekend.
Satay & Reog FestivalSat 30 – Sun 31 May, Melbourne CBD · FreeFree Indonesian cultural festival at Fed Square with authentic satay, spectacular Reog Ponorogo dance, traditional music and vibrant costumes — no booking required.

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Fondue Chalet at Fed SquareUntil 28 June 2026, nightly · From $79ppPrivate wooden chalets at Fed Square serving cheese fondue or raclette with mulled wine and fire pits — the French Alps without the airfare, book a group of 6–8.
Rome: Empire, Power, People — Melbourne MuseumUntil 25 October 2026 · From ~$30150+ original Roman objects — statues, mosaics, frescoes — on loan from Italian museums and on Australian soil for the first time, a proper blockbuster show.
National Reconciliation Week events27 May – 3 June 2026 · FreeDozens of free community events across Melbourne including markets, cultural performances and talks — check City of Melbourne and local councils for your nearest event.

Game on

Carlton v Geelong CatsFri 29 May, 7:40pm · From ~$35Blues host the Cats at the MCG — a top-eight showdown under lights and public transport is free all weekend, so no excuses not to be there.
Western Bulldogs v CollingwoodSat 30 May, 7:35pm · From ~$35Dogs v Pies under the Marvel roof in Docklands — a juicy rivalry clash in Round 12 with both sides hunting top-eight spots.
Hawthorn v Western BulldogsFri 5 June, 7:40pm · From ~$35Hawks host the Dogs at the MCG in Round 13 — a Friday night under lights on the hallowed turf, tickets via Ticketek.

If you're eating out

Good Food & Wine Show — last chance weekendDeal300+ producers, top chefs live on stage, new Baker's Alley and a Drinks Lab at MCEC, South Wharf — closes Sunday 31 May.
QVM Winter Night Market — opening nightNew openingThe Winter Night Market launches Wednesday 3 June at Queen Vic Market, 5–10pm, with fire pits, global street food, roving performers and free entry every Wednesday until late August.
Fondue Chalet at Fed SquareNew openingPrivate alpine chalets with cheese fondue or raclette, mulled wine and fire pits at Federation Square until 28 June — book a group of 6 or 8 from $79pp.

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Satay & Reog Festival food stallsMarketFree authentic Indonesian satay at Fed Square this Saturday and Sunday — the cheapest and most festive feed in the city this weekend.

A family strolling through the Royal Botanic Gardens

If you're spending nothing

RISING free projections & public eventsFreeMidéegaadi, a large-scale Indigenous futurisms projection at Fed Square (28–30 May), plus the free God Save the Queens Pasifika block party and Hamer Hall façade projections every night — no ticket needed.
Satay & Reog Festival at Fed SquareFreeFree Indonesian food and cultural festival, Sat 30–Sun 31 May at Federation Square, with Reog dance performances, satay stalls and live music — no booking needed.
Free public transport — last daysFreePublic transport in Victoria is free for everyone until Sunday 31 May — no myki needed, so ride to the footy, RISING, or anywhere else this weekend.

Where I'd eat this week

Book something good.

Good Food & Wine Show — last chance weekend. 300+ producers, top chefs live on stage, new Baker's Alley and a Drinks Lab at MCEC, South Wharf — closes Sunday 31 May.

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What's on26 May – 1 June