What's On This Week
The winter solstice lands on Sunday June 21 — the longest night of the year — and Melbourne is fully leaning in. Between Lightscape glowing at the Botanic Gardens, Cartier dazzling at the NGV, and Collingwood under lights at the MCG on Saturday night, there's no excuse to stay on the couch. Rug up and get out.
Plan this week with plansorted →Week at a glance
Cartier after dark at the NGV Friday night
The biggest cultural event in Melbourne right now is even better when you go at night.
NGV Friday Nights: CARTIER — Circadian Rhythms
Cartier's 400-piece jewel exhibition after dark at NGV International, with live hip-hop/house/jazz electronics, crêpes and Champagne on St Kilda Rd.
Collingwood v Port Adelaide
Round 15 night game under lights at the MCG — both sides are scrapping for form, making this one a genuine contest worth the trip to Richmond.
Smith & Deli, Degraves Street — Now Open
Shannon Martinez's cult vegan deli has landed in the CBD at 16 Degraves St: cafeteria-style rotating hot mains, salads, soups, vegan croissants and doughnuts for city lunch crowds.
QVM Winter Night Market
Every Wednesday 5–10pm at Queen Vic Market — free entry, fire pits, global street food and live entertainment all winter long.
Lead Pick
Cartier after dark at the NGV Friday night
The biggest cultural event in Melbourne right now is even better when you go at night.
NGV Friday Nights runs every Friday 6–10pm at NGV International, 180 St Kilda Rd, Southbank — easy tram ride down St Kilda Rd. This Friday June 20 features Circadian Rhythms, a hip-hop/house/jazz live electronics act, plus unlimited access to nearly 400 Cartier jewels, crêpes, and Moët. Tickets from $50 adult online — book ahead, door tickets go fast. Pair it with the Collingwood vs Port Adelaide MCG night game the same evening if you're up for a big one.
Want this turned into a plan for you?
Sort my week →Worth Knowing Before You Plan
AFL GA tickets are reduced to $20 adult through Round 15 — this is the last round before prices revert, so it's the best value footy of the year. Also: the Royal Botanic Gardens closes at 3pm Wed–Sun during Lightscape season, so don't rock up for a daytime walk after that.
What's On
Cartier's 400-piece jewel exhibition after dark at NGV International, with live hip-hop/house/jazz electronics, crêpes and Champagne on St Kilda Rd.
Australia's largest-ever Cartier exhibition — nearly 400 jewels, tiaras and timepieces worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Rihanna and Dame Nellie Melba, exclusively at NGV International.
Melbourne's award-winning 2.1km after-dark light trail returns with 15 new and returning installations through the Botanic Gardens, including the Australian premiere of Bifröst.
Free midweek winter ritual at Queen Victoria Market — global street food, fire pits, mulled wine, live duelling pianos and roving performers under the historic sheds.
Celebrate the longest night at CERES Environment Park in Brunswick with fire installations, live music and community solstice rituals.
Lakeside Pavilion at Albert Park transforms into a full-on dancefloor solstice gathering — music, movement and a sunset over the water.
Sport
Round 15 night game under lights at the MCG — both sides are scrapping for form, making this one a genuine contest worth the trip to Richmond.
Sunday arvo footy at the MCG on the winter solstice — Richmond looking to build some momentum against a struggling North side.
Round 15 afternoon clash at Marvel Stadium in Docklands — a solid midday-to-arvo double-header option if you're already in town for Richmond.
Food & Deals
Shannon Martinez's cult vegan deli has landed in the CBD at 16 Degraves St: cafeteria-style rotating hot mains, salads, soups, vegan croissants and doughnuts for city lunch crowds.
Every Thursday from 4:30pm this winter, The Elysian pairs a slice of Foo's 10-layer medovik honey cake with a 15ml whisky pour for $30–$35 — starts this week.
One Hotel Melbourne's restaurant kicks off nightly truffle dinners from June 19–30 for $160pp: truffled butter, truffle lasagne, truffle tiramisu.
North Melbourne pub doing porterhouse with handcut chips, salad and sauce for $27 every day this month — plus a changing $55 steak and wine special.
Free This Week
Every Wednesday 5–10pm at Queen Vic Market — free entry, fire pits, global street food and live entertainment all winter long.
Mark the year's longest night at CERES in Brunswick on the solstice weekend — fire, music and community in one of Melbourne's best community spaces.
Jump on a free guided NGV volunteer tour of the Cartier exhibition — from the panther brooch to the iconic Tank watch — no extra charge on top of your exhibition ticket.
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 →