There’s a certain AFL-related long weekend coming up next weekend. The Grand Final long weekend gives Victorians three days off to do what they often love best: celebrate footy culture. But there’s plenty of people who don’t care for the footy (something that often baffles footy fans when you tell them),
If you think you’ll be at a loose end over the Grand Final long weekend, don’t despair. There are so many other things to do in and around Melbourne if you want to get out of the house! This is our round up of some of the best things going on next weekend.
1. Tiptoe through the tulips at Tesselaar
Make the trip up to Silvan to see more than a million flowering spring bulbs at the annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival. There’s also live entertainment, delicious food and more.
2. Catch the 2023 Archibald Prize finalists on the Mornington Peninsula
As the first stop on the Archibald Prize 2023 regional tour and the only Victorian location, the stunning Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery is hosting the renowned portrait prize until 5 November.
3. Recreate your favourite moments from Friends
The recently opened immersive Friends experience in Docklands is full of nostalgia-packed, interactive sets from the beloved sitcom where you can recreate your favourite scenes and iconic moments.
4. Meet the new lion cubs at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Have a roaring time at Werribee Open Range Zoo and engage in a wide range of lion-themed activities and try sneak a peek at the three new cubs, Mwezi, Kianga and Jango as they venture out amongst the growing lion pride. Kids enter for free every day of the holidays.
5. Catch the last days of Goddess at ACMI for just $10
If you haven’t caught ACMI’s winter blockbuster Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion yet, it’s not too late. It’s on until 1 October 2023. All tickets are now just $10 (while 16 and unders go for free). Through a rich tapestry of iconic narratives, characters, and moments spanning over 120 years of cinematic history, “Goddess” pays tribute to the remarkable women and gender-transcending luminaries who carved out their own destinies, seized creative authority, and challenged a system that sought to exploit them.
6. Meet life-sized walking dinosaurs
Step back in time 66 million years at DinoFest in Werribee Park to an age when dinosaurs roamed the earth! Discover how Tyrannosaursgrew from small dog-sized dinosaurs, to become the world’s most fearsome predator. Meet life-size walking Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus and Carnotaurus two legged meat eaters, plus lots of cute baby dinosaurs.
7. Join in Mid-Autumn Festival activities
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a vibrant celebration that reflects the city’s multicultural tapestry. Held annually, typically in September to early October, this festival pays homage to Chinese and other Asian traditions while embracing the diverse communities that call Melbourne home.
- Visit the Chinese Museum in Chinatown from 30 September – 1 October to take part in its Autumn Moon Festival Days. There’s a range of family friendly activities on offer including moon cake and lantern making.
- There’s also evening activities asThe Chinese Museum presents Dusk Till Dawn – 14 Nights at the Museum.
- On Saturday 30 September in the Box Hill Mall, the Melbourne Moon Festival will be a memorable day out for people of all ages. The event will feature around 45 stalls brimming with diverse cuisines, arts and crafts, alongside an engaging main stage program.
- Join the CMS Lion Dance team for a spectacular 2-hour display of traditional Chinese Lion Dancing, Dragon Dance and Kung Fu Martial Arts demonstrations at the Chinese Museum on Sunday 1 October. There will also be a firecracker display (pending weather). The CMS Lion Dance Team is the oldest in Melbourne and has been entertaining the city since the 1940s.
8. See illuminated lanterns light up Arthurs Seat
The Arthurs Seat Eagle Spring Festival will deliver range of different experiences. Don’t miss the Light Festival as part of the Spring Festival with stunning illuminations and lanterns. You can also take a twilight flight on the iconic chairlift, the Arthurs Seat Eagle.
9. Immerse yourself in Brazilian culture
Head to North Melbourne on Saturday 30 September for the Brazilian Food Festival. Celebrate Brazilian culture through food and performances.
10. Spend a day at the Melbourne Royal Show
Head to the 2023 Melbourne Royal Show (formerly the Royal Melbourne Show) for a day of rides, exhibits, food, showbags, games, animals and more, as well as an after dark lineup involving top musical acts and fireworks.
11. Get your game on at Melbourne International Games Week
Join Australian and international influencers, businesses and industry for Melbourne International Games Week 2023 – Asia Pacific’s largest digital games celebration – kicking off on 30 September. Get connected, play some of the best games on the planet, and surround yourself with games culture.
12. Take a digital journey underwater at SEA LIFE
Submerged is an interactive digital experience within SEA LIFE Melbourne, taking guests on a digital journey through living light inspired by the bioluminescent underwater world. Submerged tells the story of the dazzling firefly squid and other majestic ocean animals. Suitable to all ages, Submerged is a large-scale temporary exhibition open until December 2023 while SEA LIFE Melbourne’s 2.2 million litre Oceanarium gets a reno.
13. Escape from Pentridge Prison
Escape with the kids on Pentridge Prison Tours’ new family “escape tour” and discover the history of Australia’s most infamous prison.
14. Explore 85 acres of flowering cherry trees
The annual Blossom Festival at Cherryhill Orchards in Wandin East takes place over two weeks, There are a range of additional experiences for the cherry lovers, including high teas and wine and dine packages.
15. Celebrate Nigerian culture
30 September, Moorabbin. The Kingston City Hall in Moorabbin will be host to the Nigeria National Day Celebration – an exciting and vibrant event showcasing Nigeria’s rich culture and heritage.
16. Have a drink in a 1990s video store themed bar
Melbourne is bringing back the 90s with a pop-up video store speakeasy in Docklands! You’ll be transported you back to the days of VHS tapes, neon lights, and hidden cinematic gems. Inspired by the iconic Blockbuster Video stores, the 90s Video Store Speakeasy aims to capture the essence of a bygone era where renting movies was a mainstay of your Friday night.
17. See Lego minifigures living in the relics of humanity
Relics: A New World Rises at the Melbourne Museum is set in a future long after humanity’s reign, RELICS tells the story of a world where LEGO® minifigures have risen from the debris to craft intricate civilisations in discarded human artefacts, each one inspired by the object they now call home.
18. Visit artists’ studios at Montsalvat
Visit Montsalvat in Eltham on Sunday 1 October and gain a rare glimpse inside an artist’s creative process! Visit open artist studios, discover one-of-a-kind artworks and engage with practicing artists. Bring your family and friends for a picnic and enjoy the artist designed landscape of Montsalvat in the springtime.
21. Visit the recently renovated Studley Park Boathouse
Eat, drink, relax or catch up with mates at the newly refurbished and reopened historic Studley Park Boathouse in Kew. The Boathouse Kids school holiday program has a series of activities from nature-based crafts to pizza making workshops. Or hire a boat and see the Yarra.
23. Go behind the scenes at the Australian Ballet
Watch the Australian Ballet’s morning class and top dancers rehearsing for the Swan Lake season in this rare opportunity to see behind the scenes on 29 September at Southbank.
24. Enjoy a magic show in a pop-up Japanese bar
Straight from Japan. Part spectacle. Part lounge. Pure enchantment! Step into your very own private magic exhibition featuring the crème de la crème of Japanese close-up magic at the Maho Magic Bar – a little bit of glitzy Tokyo nightlife that’s popped up in Chinatown until the end of September.
25. Catch a movie at the Italian Film Festival
The 2023 Italian Film Festival is on at Palace Cinemas around Melbourne until 18 October.
