What's On 11–17 June 2026
This is the week Melbourne's two biggest winter openings land at once — Lightscape lights up the Botanic Gardens from Friday and the NGV's blockbuster CARTIER exhibition opens Saturday, the largest Cartier show ever staged in Australia. Throw in a Thursday night AFL blockbuster at Marvel, a free Donut Festival at QVM on the weekend, and the Fondue Chalet ticking down its final fortnight — there's no excuse to stay on the couch.
Plan this week with plansorted →Week at a glance
Donut Festival then Lightscape opening weekend
Two back-to-back winter classics for the price of a tram ride.
CARTIER: Melbourne Winter Masterpieces — Opening Weekend
Australia's largest-ever Cartier exhibition — 300+ tiaras, jewels and timepieces direct from London's V&A, opening exclusively at NGV International.
Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Crows
Round 14 Thursday night opener at Marvel Stadium, Docklands — kick the week off with footy under the roof.
QVM Donut Festival — Free Entry
Zero dollars to walk in and sample Melbourne's best dough slingers across two full days at Queen Vic Market.
QVM Donut Festival
Free entry to the Queen Vic Market's two-day doughnut blowout, Sat–Sun 13–14 June, 9am to 4pm in the C-D Sheds.
Lead Pick
Donut Festival then Lightscape opening weekend
Two back-to-back winter classics for the price of a tram ride.
Start Saturday morning at the free Donut Festival in the C-D Sheds at Queen Vic Market (9am–4pm, Peel Street end) — load up on mochi bites, loukoumades and Pasta Face's hot honey chicken parma donut. Then Saturday night, head to Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra for the opening weekend of Lightscape 2026 — timed entry from 5:15pm, entrance at Observatory Gate off Birdwood Avenue, opposite the Shrine. It's 2.1km of glowing installations including the Australian premiere of Bifröst by Pitaya and a reimagined 30-metre Winter Cathedral. Book Lightscape tickets well in advance via Ticketek; Donut Festival is walk-up, no booking needed.
Want this turned into a plan for you?
Sort my week →Worth Knowing Before You Plan
The Royal Botanic Gardens closes to general visitors at 3pm Wed–Sun from 11 June to make way for Lightscape setup — plan daytime visits accordingly. Lightscape sessions run every 15 minutes from 5:15pm; Friday and Sunday tickets cost more than Wednesday/Thursday, so if you're flexible, book mid-week for the best rate.
What's On
Australia's largest-ever Cartier exhibition — 300+ tiaras, jewels and timepieces direct from London's V&A, opening exclusively at NGV International.
Fifteen new and returning light installations including the Bifröst tunnel and Firefly Field transform the Royal Botanic Gardens after dark — mulled wine and hot choc on trail.
Aerial stunts, circus acrobatics and live vocals reinvent The Wizard of Oz — Melbourne's only dates before the show heads to Perth.
Last two weeks to book your private Alpine chalet — choose fondue or raclette, both served by a French team with mulled wine and fire pits in the heart of the city.
Access a part of Melbourne's World Heritage-listed Exhibition Building that's been closed to the public for 100 years — guided tour up to the dome with city skyline views.
Free two-day sugar hit in the C-D Sheds — mochi, loukoumades, Italian zeppole, West African puff puffs and a hot honey chicken parma donut that needs to be believed.
Sport
Round 14 Thursday night opener at Marvel Stadium, Docklands — kick the week off with footy under the roof.
MCG blockbuster in Round 14 — the Dees riding high off their King's Birthday win over Collingwood, Essendon looking to respond.
Marvel Stadium Sunday afternoon fixture — Saints need a response after a tough week, Giants with three players returning from injury.
Food & Deals
Zero dollars to walk in and sample Melbourne's best dough slingers across two full days at Queen Vic Market.
Free Wednesday evening market (this week: Wed 17 June, 5–10pm) with fire pits, global street food, Keys to Winter piano sets through June, and the American Doughnut Kitchen on rotation.
Only two weeks left to snag a private chalet at Fed Square — fondue savoyarde with four French cheeses or raclette scraped tableside, tickets from $79pp.
From Friday 12 June, NGV International runs curated after-dark CARTIER experiences with live music residencies, pop-up performances and unlimited exhibition entry.
Free This Week
Free entry to the Queen Vic Market's two-day doughnut blowout, Sat–Sun 13–14 June, 9am to 4pm in the C-D Sheds.
Free entry Wednesday 17 June, 5–10pm — fire pits, street food from every corner of the world, live piano through June, and open-air shopping.
Free daytime wander around the World Heritage-listed gardens in Carlton — the Dome Promenade tour (paid) departs from here if you want to go inside.
Want a plan built around you?
Tell plansorted what you're after — a hike, a date night, a day trip — and get a real plan with weather, transport, and booking info.
Plan my weekend →