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What’s On in Melbourne – Friday 21 May to Thursday 27 May 2021

Here’s all the fun in Melbourne and surrounds for families this week!

The weather forecast for the weekend is looking cold but bright, so rug up (maybe in your Merry People gumboots!) and head outdoors – explore one of the best playgrounds in Melbourne, go on a family bike ride or explore one of the best short walks in Melbourne.

Also mark your diary for Thursday 27 May and support Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea to raise money for cancer research.

This week’s What’s On is sponsored by Brimbank City Council’s free Civic Green opening event happening this week! Hampshire Road Sunshine has had a facelift and now features a Civic Green ideal for public events that will be showcased at an official opening on Friday 21 May from 5pm-9pm.

The FREE family-friendly event includes live music, bright neon displays, roving acrobats, an ‘electric meadow’ lighting display and firefly illuminated puppets roaming the area. Other activities include kids crafting and some silent discos (spots going fast and bookings essential).

Civic Green is between Devonshire Road and Bennett Place and is an attractive and shaded area with new feature paving, trees, better seating and lighting and space for larger community events and footpath trading.

Experience the fun this Friday and support local businesses by enjoying a meal from the many great local restaurants dotted around the new Civic Green.

Carla OBrien Neon Angel Wings
Neon angel wings by Carla O’Brien at Civic Green opening event


 

WHAT’S ON in MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS

  • QV Cosmic/Nights (Fri 21 May) – Visit QV each Friday for uplifting affirmations, cosmic readings and the chance to win in a share of $10,000 worth of instant win prizes!
  • FOMO Fridays at The District (Fri 21 May) – Head to The District for night markets, live music and entertainment and HOYTS movie ticket giveaways each FOMO Friday.
  • Chinatown Melbourne Market (Fri 21 May – Sat 22 May) – ultimate hawker-style outdoor laneway dining experience in the heart of Melbourne CBD.
  • Turkish Pazar (Sat 22 May – Sun 23 May) – Taste a delicious array of Turkish street food, including gözleme and döner kebabs, as well as delicious vegan and vegetarian snacks, sweets and Turkish coffee.
  • Melbourne Book Market (Sat 22 May – Sun 23 May) – a curated collection of more than 5,000 new and pre-loved titles selected and presented by some of Melbourne’s most experienced booksellers as well as authors, illustrators and book creators.
  • Arts Centre Sunday Market (Sun 23 May) – find unique, quirky and handmade items at the stalls. There’s always some yummy treats too!
  • Flinders Quarter Augmented Art Walk (Fri 21 May – Fri 2 Jul) – Visit Melbourne’s Flinders Quarter and take a self-guided journey through the streets, laneways, heritage buildings and local businesses to unlock a collection of 12 artwork treasures that come to life through augmented reality (AR) and storytelling. Flinders Quarter Augmented Art Walk review
  • Winter Igloo Garden Wharf Hotel (Fri 21 – Sep 2021) – get back outside and cosy up beneath a sky of twinkling fairy lights on the banks of the Yarra Feast on a grazing board in your own private winter wonderland. 
  • RISING (Wed 26 May – Sun 6 Jun) – Over 12 nights, festivity and late-night culture will intersect with huge moments spanning the emerging and iconic, the epic and intimate.
  • Wandering Stars (Wed 26 May – Sun 6 Jun) – see an undulating, over 200-metre-long, glowing eel skeleton. As you wander along riverbanks with family and friends – feasting on fire-roasted snacks from Rising’s kitchens in Birrarung Marr – you’ll connect with First Peoples’ knowledge of the land, sea, sky and river on which we all live. Part of RISING.

things to do in MELBOURNE – NORTH / NORTH-EAST

  • Astronomay Film Festival IMAX (Fri 20 May – Sun 30 May) – See some of the best of the big screen cosmic blockbusters and giant screen documentaries screening daily in May.
  • Great Barrier Reef IMAX (Fri 20 May – Sun 3 Jun) – Follow reef guardian Jemma Craig on an expedition to document efforts to protect the reef and swim with giant mantas, sea turtles, sharks and dwarf minke whales as you explore this awe-inspiring natural wonderland in stunning IMAX 3D.
  • Family Show Lucha Fantastica (Sat 22 May) – Mexican Wrestling show for kids and family! More than 10 masked luchadores in a show with acrobatics, comedy & action!
  • The Fitzroy Market (Sat 22 May) – one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.
  • Melbourne Museum Auslan tours (Sat 22 May) – An experienced guide will take you around select galleries and point out some of the highlights you might like to revisit.
  • The Rose Street Artists’ Market (Sat 22 May – Sun 23 May) – Shop directly from Melbourne’s best artists, designers, crafters and makers at Fitzroy’s iconic Rose Street Market.
  • Diamond Valley Railway (Sun 23 May) – miniature railway with playground next door. Diamond Valley Railway review
Electric Meadow
Electric Meadow at Civic Green opening event

WHAT’S ON MELBOURNE – SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE

  • Prahran Market Kids’ Activities (ongoing) – every market day Prahran Market offers face painting, an animal farm, workshops – most activities are free and no bookings necessary.
  • Storytime in the Gallery: Miffy (every Thurs until 10 Jun) – visit Bunjil Place Gallery for Miffy’s favourite adventure surrounded by original illustrations and artworks by Dick Bruna, then join in with Miffy-inspired art making. Free, but book ahead.
  • Gruffalo Trail 2 Rippon Lea (Fri 21 May – Sun 1 Jul) – Visitors can explore the expansive paths and gardens of Rippon Lea, while bringing their favourite characters to life in vivid 3D animation using the Gruffalo Spotter 2 app. Gruffalo Trail Review
  • Bumblebee Kids Baby Market Hampton (Sun 23 May) – pre loved, handmade, and new goods.
  • Gembrook Market (Sun 23 May) – a country market with a sustainable living focus located only 20 minutes from the south eastern suburbs.
  • Mirka at the Jewish Museum of Australia (until 19 December 2021) – in depth look into the rich and fascinating life of the late Mirka Mora.
Fireplaces Civic Green Sunshine px
Lissa Dawson at Civic Green opening event

WHAT’S ON in MELBOURNE – EAST

  • Forever Fest (Sat 22 May – 30 May) – sustainable living festival. Every activity across the nine days is free and accessible through various online platforms.
  • Rocky Road Festival (Fri 20 May – Mon 31 May) – 31 different flavours and, a host of Rocky Road infused temptations.
  • Heide Studio Kids (Sat 22 May) – Using assemblage materials, students will explore colour, composition and construction techniques and will create a personal sculpture to take home.
  • Melbourne Tram Museum (Sat 22 May) – Visit a Melbourne icon at this quirky museum. Melbourne Tram Museum review
  • The Basin Triangle Park (Sat 22 May – Sun 30 May) – Enjoy a unique, cosy, fully undercover picnic and dining area in The Basin Triangle. A series of free family events will also be presented in The Basin Triangle on Saturday 15, 22 and 29 May, featuring children’s stage entertainment and an outdoor cinema screening.
  • Auburn Kids Sunday Funday (Sun 23 May) – Petting zoo, Fairies, mermaids, superheroes, face painting and balloon animals galore!
  • Yarra Valley Railway (Sun 23 May) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Yarra Valley Railway review
  • Winter Igloo Garden Auburn Hotel (Fri 21 May – Sep 2021) – private igloo dining with winter-themed menu, including kids menu. Read the Winter Igloo Garden Auburn Hotel review
Carla OBrien Flower
Neon art by Carla O’Brien at Civic Green opening event

WHAT’S ON in MELBOURNE’S WESTern suburbs

  • Civic Green opening Sunshine (Fri 21 May) –  celebrate the opening of the new Civic Green public space with roving acrobats from NICA, illuminated firefly puppets from the indirect object and electric meadow – an interactive lighting display plus Lissa Dawson and her band and illuminated neon installations.
  • Werribee Zoo Cultural Weekends (Sat 22 May – Sun 30 May) – celebrate the rich history and practices of Indigenous Australian and African communities alternating Saturdays and Sundays through May.
  • FCAC Toddler Jam (Tue 25 May, Wed 26 May) – getting toddlers active and learning through play, with a mixture of percussion, singing, dancing, story-time and mindfulness. 
  • Mini Makers Highpoint (Wed 26 May ) – free kids activities every Wednesday.

About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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