9 things in Melbourne you can only do in winter

When the temperature drops, Melbourne comes alive with festivals, night markets and glowing projections.

A glowing archway of red lights in a garden at night.
Lightscape installation at night with purple images of trees.

Roam through a glowing garden at night

Until

Melbourne's most iconic gardens are being taken over by giant art installations, glowing trees and shimmering projections. The only time to see it? You guessed it – winter! Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens after dark and follow the trail of lights. Discover hidden foodie pop-ups along the way and refuel with a hot chocolate or mulled wine.

The Capitol theatre lit up pink across the seats and jewel-like ceiling.

Watch new films before they premiere

–

Is there any cosier spot to spend winter than inside a cinema? Melbourne's iconic film fest MIFF returns this August. Grab the popcorn and settle in at the city's most beautiful cinemas. Catch rare flicks, premiere screenings and filmmaker talks. Plus the hottest new releases straight from Venice, Cannes, Berlin, and Sundance.

More of the best winter events

An exquisite Cartier diamond tiara, suspended against a black background.
Until

Melbourne Winter Masterpieces: CARTIER

Featuring nearly 400 extraordinary jewellery objects, alongside rare archival materials.

A lighting display that shows a red design with a square and a light above and below.
–

Now or Never

Twelve days of art, ideas, music and technology await - a festival of new dimensions.

A crowd of people are walking through a garden at night with glowing purple and pink lights in the trees and small lanterns are scattered across a lawn

Melbourne's best blockbuster events

The best major events on in Melbourne this year.

People milling around Fed Square at night.

Melbourne's unmissable after dark events

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

Last updated on Tue 16 Jun 2026

Only In The City

Winter Only in the City - Checkout the cold list

Discover more

Two women walking under a neon sign at a corner cafe.

The Cold List

Melbourne comes alive in winter. Layer up and get out there with these events and happenings.

A swimming pool at night lit up in blue lights

The best hotels in Melbourne for families

Check out our list of family-friendly hotel stays

A family of four standing in a grand library with antique desks, large white walls and a dome ceiling.

Things you can only do in the city

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

A waterfall cascading down rocks surrounded by green trees

Melbourne’s secret gardens and green spaces

Take a break from indoors with a stroll through these city-side parks.