Melbourne comes alive in winter with a packed calendar of events and experiences. From dazzling light shows to cultural festivals and world class sport, here are ten must do Melbourne activities for winter 2025. Bundle up and make the most of the chilly season in Australia’s cultural capital.
Lightscape at Royal Botanic Gardens
Melbourne’s favourite illuminated night time event is back, with more than 20 dazzling new light installations along a reimagined 2.2 km trail through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Wander under glowing tree canopies and giant light sculptures (including an illuminated “lawn of light”), and enjoy the soothing soundscapes around Ornamental Lake. You can warm up with hot chocolate or mulled wine from stalls along the trail as you marvel at over 100,000 sparkling lights. Lightscape runs from 20 June to 10 August 2025 a magical open air experience to brighten Melbourne’s winter nights.
Queen Victoria Winter Night Market
Every Wednesday evening from 4 June to 27 August, the historic Queen Victoria Market transforms into a bustling Winter Night Market. Embrace the winter chill with a mid week feastover 50 street food vendors are serving up global comfort foods (think melting raclette, hot chowder in bread bowls, freshly made pasta, and decadent desserts). Grab a cup of spiced mulled wine or a hot buttered rum to stay toasty. Between bites, browse more than 60 specialty stalls for crafts and gifts, enjoy live music and roving performers under the twinkling festoon lights, and even join a silent disco tour. With crackling fire pits and a vibrant community atmosphere, the Winter Night Market is an iconic Melbourne winter experience.
Bastille Day French Festival
Celebrate all things Français in the heart of Melbourne at this year’s Bastille Day French Festival. For its 10th anniversary, the festival takes over Queen Victoria Market’s Shed C and D on 13–14 July 2025. Swap your beanie for a beret and indulge in French cheeses, crêpes, pastries and Champagne from bustling market stalls. The atmosphere is très magnifique with live entertainment on stage expect can can dancers, acrobats, jazz bands and even French cabaret performances. There will also be ticketed masterclasses, French cooking demonstrations, walking tours, and free French storytime for kids. Entry is free, so join Melbourne’s French expat community and Francophiles in celebrating Bastille Day with joie de vivre.
Open House Melbourne Weekend
Mark your calendar for the weekend of 26–27 July 2025, when Melbourne throws open the doors of its most intriguing buildings many not usually accessible to the public. Open House Melbourne is an annual architecture festival inviting you to explore almost 200 of Melbourne’s best kept secrets. Step inside historic landmarks, cutting edge modern designs, places of worship, creative studios, and even engineering marvels. Ever wanted to peek inside grand Victorian era institutions or contemporary sustainable skyscrapers? This is your chance. All Open House tours are free (though some popular sites may require booking). From hidden tunnels to rooftop gardens, the event satisfies the curious city explorer in everyone. Don’t miss this once a year opportunity to discover the stories behind Melbourne’s built environment.
“French Impressionism“ at NGV (Winter Masterpieces)
Escape a dreary day by immersing yourself in masterpieces at the National Gallery of Victoria. The NGV’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces 2025 exhibition, French Impressionism, runs through winter until 5 October 2025. Developed in partnership with Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, this blockbuster exhibit showcases more than 100 paintings by legendary 19th century artists including Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas. Follow the evolution of Impressionism and Post Impressionism in France, from luminous landscapes to iconic Parisian scenes. It’s a rare chance to see so many Impressionist treasures in Melbourne truly an unmissable cultural highlight for art lovers this winter. (Tip: Weekdays or early mornings can be quieter times to visit.)
Melbourne Magic Festival
Add a dose of wonder to your winter at the Melbourne Magic Festival, running 30 June – 19 July 2025. Now in its 16th year, this family friendly festival brings together magicians and illusionists for over two weeks of spellbinding shows across multiple venues. There are stage spectaculars, intimate close up magic shows, mentalism acts and magic workshops for kids more than 150 performances in total. From card tricks to grand illusions, the festival’s motto is “Casting its spell with performances and workshops for all ages this winter”. Whether you’re 5 or 105, you’ll find something to amaze and entertain. Many shows are affordable (some even free), making it a perfect school holiday outing. Don’t blink you might miss something….
Rugby Blockbuster Lions vs Wallabies at the MCG
Sports fans, this is huge. The British & Irish Lions rugby team is touring Australia, and on 26 July 2025 they face the Wallabies at Melbourne Cricket Ground in a massive Test match. The Lions tour happens only once every 12 years, so expect an electric atmosphere with fans from around the world converging on the MCG. It’s billed as a “highly anticipated festival of rugby” essentially the Super Bowl of rugby union. Even if you’re new to the sport, the spectacle of 80,000+ people cheering under the lights of the ’G is unforgettable. Grab a meat pie and join the chorus of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!” or the Lions’ songs this will be one of the biggest sporting events in Melbourne this year.
Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF):
August brings cinephiles out of hibernation for the MIFF, one of the world’s longest running film festivals. MIFF 2025 runs from 7 to 24 August 2025, showcasing hundreds of the best new films from Australia and across the globe. The program spans gala premieres, international award winners, documentaries, short films and emerging talent. Venues across the city from the iconic Forum Theatre to ACMI and multiplex cinemas will be buzzing with screenings and filmmaker Q&As. Past MIFF editions have debuted future Oscar winners and cult classics, so you never know what gem you might see first here in Melbourne. Whether you’re into thought provoking arthouse or late night horror marathons, MIFF’s winter program has something for every film lover. Don’t forget the popcorn (and your proof of age for those midnight sessions)…
Beetlejuice The Musical
“It’s showtime!” at the Regent Theatre where Beetlejuice The Musical is making its Australian premiere and playing through winter (until 11 September 2025). This Broadway smash hit based on Tim Burton’s cult classic film has been delighting Melbourne audiences and earning rave reviews. The comedy musical follows the misadventures of the mischievous ghost Beetlejuice, brought to life with zany sets, special effects and a catchy score. Critics are “screaming for more” of this hilarious, high energy show. If you love musicals (or just love the movie), don’t miss your chance to see the strange and unusual specter himself on stage. Grab tickets for a wickedly fun night out and remember, don’t say his name three times…
Catch an AFL Footy Match:
Nothing says Melbourne winter like an Aussie Rules footy game. The Australian Football League (AFL) season runs all winter, and Melbourne is home to multiple teams meaning there are games almost every week at the famous MCG or the indoor Marvel Stadium. Join over 50,000 passionate fans for an evening or weekend afternoon of spectacular marks, goals and rivalries. Even if you’ve never experienced Aussie Rules, the crowd energy is contagious and the meat pies are hot. As the official tourism site says watching an AFL game at Melbourne’s iconic venues is “the ultimate local sporting experience”. Whether it’s the historic rivalry of Collingwood vs Carlton or a blockbuster Friday night match, you’ll quickly see why Melburnians love their footy. Pack a scarf in your team’s colors and barrack (cheer) like a local….
Winter in Melbourne offers an unbeatable mix of culture, food and fun. With these ten experiences and plenty more free events, pop ups and cozy bars to discover you’re sure to fill your calendar. Get out there and enjoy everything Melbourne has on this winter.
