What's on
6–12 June

If you want a proper night out

• RISING – Final Weekend (Day Tripper)Sat 6 Jun – Mon 8 Jun 2026 · Mix of free and paid — from $0Melbourne's boldest winter arts festival closes out with Day Tripper (Melbourne Town Hall + Max Watt's, Sat) and the free Fed Square takeover — 100+ events over 12 nights, this is the last of it.
• The Vinyl Factory: Reverb at ACMIOn now – Mon 31 Aug 2026 · $13–$25Immersive vinyl culture exhibition at ACMI (Fed Square) featuring works by Virgil Abloh, William Kentridge and Kahlil Joseph — spin Technics decks, explore a sculptural sound system, and roam an archive of 100 pressings from Massive Attack to Daft Punk.
• Fondue Chalet at Fed SquareOn now – Sun 28 Jun 2026 · From $79ppEighteen private wooden Alpine chalets at Fed Square serving fondue or raclette with imported French cheeses, mulled wine and fire pits — book a chalet for 6–8 people before the long weekend slots sell out.

Game on

• Essendon v CarltonSun 7 Jun, 7:20pm · From ~$35King's Birthday Eve blockbuster at the MCG — the Bombers desperately need a win against a dominant Blues side, but Carlton are 28.5-point favourites; expect a full house and a fiery atmosphere.
• Collingwood v Melbourne – Big Freeze 12Mon 8 Jun (King's Birthday), 3:15pm · From ~$35The biggest day on the AFL calendar at the MCG — 80,000+ fans in blue beanies, celebrities down the ice slide for FightMND, and a genuine finals-atmosphere clash between the 10th-placed Pies and 6th-placed Dees.

Only these on the fixture this week. Ask me where to watch one properly and I will find you a room with the sound on.

If you're eating out

• Fondue Chalet – Last Chance WeekendDealFed Square's Alpine village has under three weeks left — this is the King's Birthday long weekend, prime time to book a group chalet experience before the June 28 close.
• QVM Winter Night Market – Opening RunMarketThree Wednesdays in already, the market's hitting its stride — lobster chowder at Soup Factory, crispy fried pasta cups at Frasta, and Berlin döners at Oh My Doner, all free entry.
• Broadsheet Dine Out 2026 – Save the DateNew openingThe 40-event Melbourne food festival (full program dropping mid-June) features short-run dishes, surprise venue collabs, and walk-in menus — sign up to Broadsheet Today now to snag the best tickets when they drop.

If you're spending nothing

• RISING Free Projections & Street ActivationsFreePublic art, projections and the free Fed Square takeover are part of RISING's final weekend — no ticket needed, just show up after dark.
• Taste of Portugal Festival, Melbourne CBDFreeFree all-day festival at Melbourne CBD on Sunday celebrating Portuguese, Brazilian and Timorese culture with food, live Fado, dance classes and kids' activities.
• NGV Australia – Ongoing Free ExhibitionsFreeThe Ian Potter Centre at Fed Square has free rotating exhibitions on now including a new show exploring emerging First Nations artists working across weaving, photography and possum-skin-cloak making.