- Attention soccer fans! Melbourne City FC are set to take over Casey Fields, with two open training sessions in January. The sessions will be on Monday 20 and Thursday 23 January.
- Bring your babies, toddlers, and kids for a fabulous morning of colourful excitement at the Midsumma Rainbow Families Extravaganza in St Kilda on 22 January.
- Immerse yourself in a morning of relaxation and inspiration at the Wellness in the Garden Open Day on 22 January set against the stunning backdrop of the Geelong Botanic Gardens.
- There’s a series of outdoor pool parties in Rainbow, Jeparit, Nhill and Dimboola from 23-26 January.
- The Studley Park Boathouse is being transformed into a playful circus wonderland for kids and families on Thursday 23 January.
- Renowned Australian chef Curtis Stone is set to bring his celebrated culinary venture, The Pie Room, to Melbourne’s Federation Square for one day only on 23 January 2025. This exclusive pop-up event, hosted by Visit California, will offer Melburnians a unique opportunity to savour Stone’s artisanal pies for free.
- The Southside Vegan Vegout is on at Urbanground Mordialloc on 23 January.
- The Frankston Waterfront will come alive with Allure Frankston on 24 January – an enchanting night market with makers stalls offering everything form handmade crafts to delectable street food.
- Get ready to roll into the long weekend at the Whittlesea Public Gardens’ brand-new skate park and urban Tzone when it officially opens on 24 January.
- The Australian Open 2025 will host the inaugural AO Pickleball Slam from 24–26 January, transforming Court 3 into the centre of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
- The Queenscliff Harbour Twilight Market is on 24 January,
- Celebrate resilience, respect and connection at the Beaufort Summer Fest on 24 January! This vibrant festival nurtures the hidden gems of the Pyrenees, enlivening the summer season with Australian local produce, talent and spirit
- The Australian Open is set to serve up a spectacular celebration of diversity and inclusion with the 2025 Glam Slam, a three-day LGBTQIA+ tennis tournament and party from 24-26 January.
- Make a splash this summer with a series of exciting Dive-in Cinema sessions at the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre (MAC), offering a unique indoor movie experience for all ages until 24 January.
- Summer StoryFest is a literary festival for children and youth at Merri-Bek libraries running until 24 January featuring author talks, workshops, and activities galore.
- The Warrnambool Summer Night Markets is series of five fabulous events at Lake Pertobe commencing until 24 January.
- The Neerim Rodeo is on Saturday 25 January.
- View gardens, sample produce or take a workshop at Creative Harvest in West Gippsland on 25-26 January – a festival of food gardens and creativity.
- Dozens of artists will descend on Yarram to transform the footpaths into a temporary public art gallery at the Yarram Chalk Art Festival on 25-26 January
- Horsepower in the High Country on 25 January is a Show’n Shine extravaganza in the shade filled Mansfield Botanic Park, with food and beverages, live music and entertainment for the kids.
- Experience a three-day festival of world-class sailing, live music, food, and entertainment along the stunning Geelong Waterfront at the 2025 Festival of Sails on 25-27 January.
- Rock ‘n’ roll photography meets unforgettable storytelling in Ballarat on 25 January with legendary photographer Tony Mott whose work features in ‘Medieval to Metal: The Art & Evolution of the Guitar.’
- Enjoy local wines and craft beverages and support local growers and producer at the Flavours of Loddon event in Boort on 25 January.
- The Quambatook Heritage Working Machinery Association is holding a Harvest Working Machinery Display and Vintage Tractor Pull on 25-26 January.
- The Seaford Psychic and Holistic Market is on 25 January.
- Greater Dandenong’s annual Fun, Run, Walk and Roll returns on 25 January.
- The Briars Enchanted Market at Mount Martha is on Saturday 25 January.
- BOX MACHINE! is a fantastic new large-scale and interactive exhibition for children and their adults at Abbotsford Convent from until 25 January where giant heavy-duty cardboard machines, rollers, pipes, cogs and taps line the Magdalen Laundry ready for children to connect and deconstruct like giant building blocks.
- See the magic of Christmas and fairy tales brought to life in 3.3 million lights over 1000 dazzling light installations and displays, with theme park rides, Santa, and a spectacular drone lights show at Adventure Park Geelong’s Annual Christmas Festival of Lights until 25 January.
- The world’s largest galaxy collection of Star Wars fan items awaits at The District Docklands! Immerse yourself in the saga’s universe at The Fans Strike Back with an amazing setup and hundreds of official items including photos, posters, costumes, figures, and models, until 25 January.
- Almost 25 years ago, around 12,000 children and 1,000 adults from Hobsons Bay municipality contributed messages about their lives to a massive time capsule buried at Truganina Park in Altona Meadows to mark the millennium. To celebrate the unearthing and opening of the millennium time capsules, a special event is being held 26 January at Central Square in Altona Meadows
- The Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council invite all members of the community to join We-Akon Dilinja at Alfred Square in St Kilda on 26 January – a dawn ceremony to reflect, respect, and celebrate together.
- Pack your picnic blanket and enjoy a day of family entertainment with live music, kids’ activities, roving performers and more at Wydham City’s free Australia Day event in Penrose Place, Tarneit, on 26 January 2025.
- The annual Whitehorse Australia Day Concert in Nunawading on 26 January – with fireworks are making a comeback for the first time in many years. Don’t miss the spectacular display at 9.50pm.
- Celebrate Australia Day at Tynong on 26 January with activities such as pony rides, carnival rides, old fashioned games, food vendors, face painting market stalls and live music. Enjoy a picnic while listenining to live music or wander down to the wetlands area and browse the Australian birdlife.
- The 2025 Rosebud Fun Run and Australia Day Festival is back on 26 January.
- Join in the Indian Australian Day Celebration in Epping on 26 January and celebrate the friendship between our two countries.
- Moonee Valley’s annual Healing Ceremony returns to Queens Park sound stage on Sunday, 26 January.
- There’s a Kite Flying Festival at Chelsea’s Bicentennial Park on 26 January.
- The City of Stonnington invites you to a Healing Ceremony at the Malvern Cricket Ground on 26 January with the Traditional Custodians, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, to pay respect and acknowledge their living connection to Country, relationship with the land and all living things extending back tens of thousands of years.
- Explore the State Apartments, historic grounds, and enjoy a diverse program of performances and activities for all ages at Government House’s Australia Day Open Day event on 26 January.
- Hume City Council will host Australia Day in the Park 2025 at the Village Green in Sunbury on 26 January – a free, family-friendly event celebrating community connection and diversity.
- The 20th Dromana Australia Day Event will be held at the magnificent Dromana Foreshore, right next to the Dromana Pier on 26 January with activities and entertainment for all ages.
- Enjoy a day of free family-friendly activities, food and music at Fed Square this Australia Day.
- The Nepalese Neighbourhood Community is holding an Australia Day BBQ Celebration in Thomastown on 26 January.
- There’s an Australia Day BBQ Party in Wollert on 26 January, hosted by the Epping-Wollert Nepalese Community, that will feature live performances, cultural displays, and delicious BBQ, creating a vibrant atmosphere for all attendee
- The Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival is a free multicultural community event taking place in the busy Sunshine shopping precinct on 26 January presented by the Sunshine Business Association.
- There’s a free Children’s Fun Day in Rippleside Park in Geelong on 26 January
- Portarlington will be celebrating Australia Day 26 January with a free community event.
- Join in from 10am on 26 January at the Lexton Recreation Reserve for Australia Day celebrations including a citizenship ceremony and the Australia Day Awards.
- Join in at the Golden City Paddle Steamer Museum Society in Ballarat for a free, family-friendly Australia Day celebration around scenic Lake Wendouree on 26 January.
- Join the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst in celebrating Australia Day at Lake Weeroona on 26 January. Enjoy a BBQ, live entertainment, family activities, community displays and the popular Rotary Market.
- Celebrate Australia Day in Nagambie on 26 January with a free sausage sizzle breakfast, water activities on Lake Nagambie and more.
- There will be a unique range of genuine Aussie food for brekkie including meat pies, sausages, bacon and egg burgers, lamingtons, koala biscuits, mini pavlovas, and Vegemite/cheese sandwiches cut into the shape of Australia at the Australia Day Celebration at the Garden of Hope in Mildura on 26 January.
- The Australia Day Car & Bike Show is on at the Ballarat Vintage and Collectables Market on 26 January.
- The Great Western Show and Shine is on 26 January.
- Summer Sizzle is a free family fun day on 26 January at the Wangaratta Splash Park.
- Saddle up your iconic Australian built vehicle for a special milestone event at the Trafalgar Holden Museum on 26 January – an Australia Day celebration of local automotive engineering.
- The Wandong Australia Day Ceremony is on 26 January.
- Celebrate all things Australia with a focus on ‘respect, reflect and celebrate — we are all part of the story’ at the Broadford Australia Day Festival on 26 January.
- The Campaspe Shire has Australia Day events on 26 January in Echuca, Girgarre, Gunbower, Koyuga, Kyabram, Kyvalley, Lockington, Rochester, Rushworth, Stanhope, Toolleen, Tongala and Wyuna.
- The Hindmarsh Shire has Australia Day events on 26 January in Rainbow, Jeparit, Dimboola and Nhill.
- The Mount Alexander Shire is hosting a free event to celebrate and acknowledge Australia Day-Survival Day in Castlemaine’s Victory Park on 26 January.
- There’s an Australia Day Breakfast at the Trafalgar Public Hall on 26 January.
- Celebrate the Citizen of the year award winners with a sausage sizzle and social bowls in Manangatang on 26 January,
- Join a day of cultural revival practices and strengthening of community bonds at Swan Hill’s Shared Connections Day on 26 January.
- Join the Ultima Progress Association for a BBQ lunch on 26 January.
- Join the Lions Club of Lake Boga for an Australia Day BBQ lunch along the Lake Boga Foreshore on 26 January.
- Join the Woorinen Progress Association for their Australia Day Breakfast on 26 January.
- There’s an Australia Day breakfast celebration in Nyah West on 26 January.
- Join in the annual Australia Day Breakfast in Beverford on 26 January.
- Join the Piangil Community for their Australia Day Breakfast on 26 January.
- Swan Hill’s Australia Day Gathering is on 26 January.
- There’s an Australia Day breakfast celebration at Boundary Bend on 26 January.
- The Murrindindi Shire has Australia Day events in Yea, Marysville, Alexandra, Eildon and Flowerdale on 26 January.
- Discover an epic fusion of music, entertainment, brand-new fan experiences plus blockbuster tennis at the 2025 edition of the Australian Open until 26 January.
- Watch the Australian Open grand slam on the Big Screen live and free at Fed Square until-26 January.
- Splash Island is the new inflatable obstacle course at the Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre in Frankston, made up of different modules for balancing, climbing, jumping and sliding. It truly is the ultimate water adventure with slides, slopes and balance beams. They’re running eight 30-minute sessions daily until Sunday 26 January.
- The Silvers Circus Spectacular will be at Mornington until 26 January.
- The Rye Summer Carnival returns to the Rye Foreshore until 26 January.
- Experience all the fun of the fair on Warrnambool’s Foreshore at the Warrnambool Summer Family Carnival untilto 26 January.
- The Apollo Bay Summer Carnival is on at the Apollo Bay Foreshore until 26 January.
- The Chants Summer Carnival is back in Lakes Entrance over four massive weekends until 26 January.
- Enjoy lavender season at Warratina Lavender Farm in the Yarra Valley until 26 January. Wander through rows upon rows of blooming lavender, relax in their manicured gardens, visit their drying shed for lavender talks or grab a snack at the tea rooms.
- The Summertime Fling Cellar Door Festival is a month-long celebration of wine, summer and good times in the scenic Macedon Ranges wine region running until 27 January
- Until 27 January, roll up for a celebration of all things round, bubbly and bouncy at Summersphere at Scienceworks.
- The Mordialloc Christmas Summer Carnival is on at Peter Scullin Reserve until 27 January presented by Smart Amusements.
- A new installation at Scienceworks called “Message in A Bottle” runs until 27 January 2025 featuring messages from Victorian primary students inside 320 recycled bottles that highlight the importance of recycling. and learn more about the process of recycling containers returned through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme.
- Enjoy camel rides in Port Fairy until 27 January
- Until 27 January, beat the heat with misty strolls, underground adventures, icy treats, and more at Sovereign Hill!
- Gather your team for a two-hour adventure of pitch-black challenges and vibrant sensory workshops that push the limits of your five senses at SENSAS in South Yarra until 30 January.
- The TMNT: Heroes in a Half Shell Exhibition is an immersive experience that boasts five individual galleries that take visitors on a journey through the rich history of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. It’s now extended at District Docklands until 30 January.
- Celebrate Lunar New Year on Clayton Road, Clayton until Friday 31 January 2025. It will be 14 day celebration with a parade and festivities, including music, performances, and other cultural activities..
- The St Kilda Affordable Art Show runs until 1 February and not only provides a forum for new and emerging artists but it allows the public to invest in some diverse affordable art.
- Medieval to Metal: The Art and Evolution of the Guitar makes its way to the Art Gallery of Ballarat until 2 February 2025. In this Australian exclusive, experience 40 guitars on loan from the National Guitar Museum (USA), alongside more than 100 spectacular works of art.
- Melbourne’s premier LGBTQIA+ cultural celebration, the Midsumma Festival, is set to illuminate the city until Sunday, 9 February 2025.
- The Koorie Art Show at Koorie Heritage Trust runs til 23 February andi s dedicated to showcasing the work of Koorie and Victorian-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists through a statewide call for entries.
- The Museum Of Desire is Melbourne’s new must-visit experience! Discover 20+ attractions celebrating all things desire, love and pleasure. Daring, fun, and a little bit cheeky — it’s totally your type. Until 28 February in Collingwood.
- Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street (HMLQS)’s rooftop pickleball court returns to the heart of Melbourne this summer, popping-up for an extended season until Friday 28 February.
- Until 3 March 2025, Rooftop at QT is hosting the Red Bull Rally Rooftop Pickleball Court, set against the breathtaking Melbourne skyline.
- CLAW MONEY WORLD – a world-exclusive exhibition charting the career of trailblazing artist Claudia Gold is on at the Warrnambool Art Gallery until 6 March.
- Enter Antopia at Melbourne Museum where you shrink down to the size of ants to experience a day in the life of an ant colony. Discover a complex and fascinating superorganism in this immersive, interactive experience that digitally reinterprets a world of secrets we cannot see. It runs until 10 March 2025.
- Get ready for unforgettable summer evenings when the Summer Night Market returns to Queen Victoria Market until 12 March 2025 (excluding 25 December and 1 January).
- Enjoy a curated program of free outdoor cinema on the Big Screen at Federation Square until 25 March including major blockbusters, Kung Fu classics, silent cinema with live scores, and film festival screenings.
- On display for the first time outside of Europe, Underground: The Hidden Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum (MHM) until 30 March with rare artefacts from the hidden archive of the Warsaw Ghetto.
- Moonlight Cinema is back at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens with a stellar line-up of some of 2024’s best releases, plus two weeks of classic ‘Christmas Favourites’ until March 2025.
- The NGV’s blockbuster Yayoi Kusama exhibition runs until 21 April and includes many works never-before-seen by local audiences and is the largest ever exhibition of the artist’s work in Australia.
- The Blue Lotus Water Garden at Yarra Junction is one of Australia’s most spectacular seasonal gardens open to the public until 21 April 2025. The tropically themed water garden covers 14 acres featuring millions of beautiful lotus, waterlily and other flowers, stunning lakes, amazing vistas and wonderful facilities
- After leaving an indelible mark on Melbourne’s memory, Vincent van Gogh’s vibrant works will return to THE LUME Melbourne until 30 April 2025. Back by popular demand, Van Gogh is an enchanting experience that immerses you in a powerful multisensory symphony of light, colour, sound and aroma.
- Immerse yourself in the future worlds of screen culture. The Future & Other Fictions showcases the people and artworks imagining bright and bold futures through film, videogames, contemporary art and more at ACMI until 27 April.
- Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition is a new immersive exhibition that relives the spectacular history of the Notre-Dame de Paris in an augmented takeover of the Long Room at the Immigration Museum until 27 April.
- The ever-popular Skyline Ferris Wheel makes its return in St Kilda until 27 April. Take in the breath-taking views of the St Kilda foreshore and pier with unparalleled views!
- Hanging Rock Winery’s Art in the Vines Sculpture Exhibition is an opportunity wander a trail of discovery, glass-in-hand, through an extraordinary exhibition of contemporary outdoor sculpture, until 30 April 2025.
- The world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition on loan from the Natural History Museum London is now on display at the National Wool Museum in Geelong until 18 May.
- From cattle dogs to lap dogs, divine felines to the black cats of superstition a new exhibition coming to the National Gallery of Victoria called Cats & Dogs, will explore humanity’s deep connection to the beloved companion animals through more than 250 works of art and design. Its on display from until 20 July 2025 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square.
What’s on in Melbourne and regional Victoria this week: 20-26 January 2025
By Melbourning
