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Gone a bit too hard on the wallet lately? These awesome activations, pop-ups and exhibitions won't cost a cent.

A woman standing in front of a glowing exhibition display with large screens and neon lights hanging from the ceiling.

Distraction

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Ponder the art of time wasting at this exhibition dedicated to distraction and doom-scrolling. Pledge back the time you’ve spent buried in your phone. Then explore weird and wonderful installations. See through the eyes of a cat in Japan. Play custom-built arcade games. Or join one of the workshops and lose yourself in creative flow. 

Two people are looking at a colourful striped painting on a wall in a gallery. There is a large pink, soft blobby sculpture behind them.

Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday

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Discover how clever design of everyday objects can inspire change at this new exhibition. It features everything from fashion and furniture to food and construction. Check out clothing that adjusts as you grow, see how coffee grounds can be turned into concrete and more. This showcase features work from 50 designers, studios and brands from Australia and around the world. 

A group of people are watching a talk in a large glass auditorium.

RESET: A Free Festival for Greener Living

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Learn all about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle and reconnect with nature at this year’s RESET festival. Head to the Planting Party where there'll be music, talks, a market and art installations. Learn how to give your clothing new life at the mending and embroidery workshop. Visit ³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s fascinating Test Garden at its open day. Plus there’ll be loads of kid-friendly activities, screenings, talks and more.

A Chinese traditional performance with a central character wearing a mask and two dragons either side, in front of a sign.

Chinese Traditional Cultural Festival

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Fed Square is transforming into a huge weekend-long Chinese festival. Head to the main stage and see epic lion and dragon dances, live music and more. Then browse for handmade crafts and collectables at over 20 stalls. Feeling peckish? Pick up authentic street food from the market featuring everything from dumplings to tanghulu. And there’ll also be a bunch of activities to take part in like calligraphy and lacquered fan decorating.

Two Chinese lion dancers performing at a festival.

Queen Victoria Market Moon Festival

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Celebrate the Moon Festival with this fun two-day event at Queen Victoria Market. See live performances like lion dancing. Work your way around the food stalls and sample tasty dishes from all over Asia. Enjoy hands-on workshops and kid’s activities. And don’t forget to grab a traditional moon cake while you’re at it!

An outdoor market at dusk. There are string lights hanging between the buildings.

Fringe Flavours Night Market

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³Ô¹ÏÍø Fringe Festival gets ready to take over Queen Victoria Market on Wednesday nights this spring. Get your stretchy pants on and make your way to this ³Ô¹ÏÍø landmark for a great big feast. Try everything from steamy dumplings and noodles to barbequed meats and sweet treats. Then enjoy circus acts, live music, cabaret performances and heaps more.

People exploring an old church-like building with red carpet.

Sea Shanties and Folk Songs

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Heave ho to the Mission to Seafarers and live like a pirate in a century-old building. Test your pipes at a free sea shanty sing-along session. These ever popular sessions are the ultimate way to blow off some steam, pirate-style. Raid your treasure chest for some coins to order a rum or two at the bar.

More free ³Ô¹ÏÍø events

Library Cinema at narrm ngarrgu
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Library Cinema at narrm ngarrgu

Each month, watch a movie on the big screen, including contemporary, classic and documentary films.

Our Way: Celebrating Indigenous Art
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Our Way: Celebrating Indigenous Art

Exploring how Indigenous artists reimagine storytelling today, expanding on artistic traditions.

Government House Garden Tour
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Government House Garden Tour

Take a morning or twilight tour of the Government House gardens.

Riverfest
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Riverfest

Riverfest is fast becoming ³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s most beloved eco festival.

Oktoberfest at Munich Brauhaus
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Oktoberfest at Munich Brauhaus

Dust off your dirndl, press your best lederhosen – it’s time to prost, party and platter.

Oktoberfest at Hofbräuhaus
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Oktoberfest at Hofbräuhaus

Get ready to embrace your Bavarian spirit – Oktoberfest returns to Hofbräuhaus for the 57th year.

Free family-friendly events

A Butterfly Story: A Garden Activity for Kids
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A Butterfly Story: A Garden Activity for Kids

Flap your wings to find your way to the Test Garden at Fed Square, to learn all about butterflies.

 The Big Screen Goes Green: Outdoor Cinema for Kids
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The Big Screen Goes Green: Outdoor Cinema for Kids

Kids can enjoy green-themed outdoor cinema for free at Fed Square these school holidays.

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure
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Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

A free fun outdoor seek and find adventure around the Fitzroy Gardens.

Shrine Kids
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Shrine Kids

Embark on a family adventure with this engaging program designed for discovery at every turn.

Plans For The Planet: Olaf Breuning For Kids
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Plans For The Planet: Olaf Breuning For Kids

Created by artist Olaf Breuning this exhibition invites kids to explore the natural environment.

Earth Children: Creative Play for Kids
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Earth Children: Creative Play for Kids

Build, play and connect with nature – through mud.

Mini Beast Disco
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Mini Beast Disco

Betty Grumble and Dandrogyny lead a workshop and performance experience for kids and their grown-ups

Free ³Ô¹ÏÍø markets

The Lygon Street Market
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The Lygon Street Market

A monthly makers market in the heart of Carlton.

Kensington Market
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Kensington Market

An eclectic mix of homewares, culinary treats, ceramics, sustainable goods and visual art.

Community Makers' Market
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Community Makers' Market

Find original art and prints, handmade crafts, bric-a-brac and dog items at this tiny local market.

The Sunday Market at Southgate
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The Sunday Market at Southgate

Explore the Sunday Market at Southgate and meet the makers.

Market Brunch
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Market Brunch

A monthly brunch market featuring some of ³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s most creative food makers.

Last updated on Mon 1 Sep 2025

Only In The City

³Ô¹ÏÍø's essential night-time events

³Ô¹ÏÍø's essential night-time events

From hidden laneway markets to epic pop-ups, ³Ô¹ÏÍø gets lit once the lights go out.

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There's only one place to find these rare ³Ô¹ÏÍø experiences and secret spots.

Discover more

RISING: Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf
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RISING: Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf

The art of mini-golf, for anyone who swings outside the lines.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Fringe Festival
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³Ô¹ÏÍø Fringe Festival

Experience ³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s biggest celebration of independent arts.

NGV Friday Nights: French Impressionism
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NGV Friday Nights: French Impressionism

Enjoy an after-hours exploration of French Impressionism at NGV International.

Stray Gods: The Exhibition
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Stray Gods: The Exhibition

An exclusive exhibition exploring Summerfall Studios' hit mythology video game, Stray Gods.