What's On 26 May – 1 June 2026
RISING has just kicked off and Melbourne's CBD is fully alive after dark — projections on Hamer Hall, the Flinders Street Ballroom reopened as a dance academy, and more than 100 events running until 8 June. Add a massive weekend of footy at Marvel and the MCG, the Good Food & Wine Show wrapping at MCEC, and the Winter Night Market launching on Wednesday — this is one of the best weeks of Melbourne's year to be outside.
Plan this week with plansorted →Week at a glance
RISING opening weekend, then footy Saturday night
Do RISING in the city Friday and Saturday, then catch the Dogs v Pies under the roof at Marvel.
RISING Festival 2026
Over 100 events across 12 nights — Lil' Kim at Festival Hall, Cate Le Bon, free projections at Fed Square, and the Flinders Street Ballroom back as a participatory dance academy.
Carlton v Geelong Cats
Blues host the Cats at the MCG — a top-eight showdown under lights and public transport is free all weekend, so no excuses not to be there.
Good Food & Wine Show — last chance weekend
300+ producers, top chefs live on stage, new Baker's Alley and a Drinks Lab at MCEC, South Wharf — closes Sunday 31 May.
RISING free projections & public events
Midéegaadi, a large-scale Indigenous futurisms projection at Fed Square (28–30 May), plus the free God Save the Queens Pasifika block party and Hamer Hall façade projections every night — no ticket needed.
Lead Pick
RISING opening weekend, then footy Saturday night
Do RISING in the city Friday and Saturday, then catch the Dogs v Pies under the roof at Marvel.
Start Friday at Fed Square for the free Midéegaadi projection (no booking needed, runs 28–30 May) and wander down to the RISING Artist Bar beneath the Capitol Theatre arcades on Swanston Street. Saturday, grab dinner in Flinders Lane then head to Marvel Stadium in Docklands for Western Bulldogs v Collingwood at 7:35pm — one of the rivalry games of the year in a heated top-eight race. Tickets via Ticketek; Marvel is a 10-minute walk from Southern Cross or tram to Harbour Esplanade.
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Public transport is free across Victoria until Sunday 31 May — catch it while it lasts, especially handy for the Friday night Carlton v Geelong and Saturday's Dogs v Pies. From Wednesday 3 June, the QVM Winter Night Market kicks off and runs every Wednesday until late August, so pencil in your midweek plans now.
What's On
Over 100 events across 12 nights — Lil' Kim at Festival Hall, Cate Le Bon, free projections at Fed Square, and the Flinders Street Ballroom back as a participatory dance academy.
300+ exhibitors, live chef demos, Baker's Alley new for 2026, and a Drinks Lab at MCEC in South Wharf — Melbourne's biggest food weekend.
Free Indonesian cultural festival at Fed Square with authentic satay, spectacular Reog Ponorogo dance, traditional music and vibrant costumes — no booking required.
Private wooden chalets at Fed Square serving cheese fondue or raclette with mulled wine and fire pits — the French Alps without the airfare, book a group of 6–8.
150+ original Roman objects — statues, mosaics, frescoes — on loan from Italian museums and on Australian soil for the first time, a proper blockbuster show.
Dozens of free community events across Melbourne including markets, cultural performances and talks — check City of Melbourne and local councils for your nearest event.
Sport
Blues host the Cats at the MCG — a top-eight showdown under lights and public transport is free all weekend, so no excuses not to be there.
Dogs v Pies under the Marvel roof in Docklands — a juicy rivalry clash in Round 12 with both sides hunting top-eight spots.
Hawks host the Dogs at the MCG in Round 13 — a Friday night under lights on the hallowed turf, tickets via Ticketek.
Food & Deals
300+ producers, top chefs live on stage, new Baker's Alley and a Drinks Lab at MCEC, South Wharf — closes Sunday 31 May.
The Winter Night Market launches Wednesday 3 June at Queen Vic Market, 5–10pm, with fire pits, global street food, roving performers and free entry every Wednesday until late August.
Private alpine chalets with cheese fondue or raclette, mulled wine and fire pits at Federation Square until 28 June — book a group of 6 or 8 from $79pp.
Free authentic Indonesian satay at Fed Square this Saturday and Sunday — the cheapest and most festive feed in the city this weekend.
Free This Week
Midéegaadi, a large-scale Indigenous futurisms projection at Fed Square (28–30 May), plus the free God Save the Queens Pasifika block party and Hamer Hall façade projections every night — no ticket needed.
Free Indonesian food and cultural festival, Sat 30–Sun 31 May at Federation Square, with Reog dance performances, satay stalls and live music — no booking needed.
Public transport in Victoria is free for everyone until Sunday 31 May — no myki needed, so ride to the footy, RISING, or anywhere else this weekend.
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