What's on in May

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Flinders Street Station lit up in blue lights at night for Rising festival.

Discover things to do in Melbourne in May, from free events to exhibitions, attractions and places to visit.

A black and white photograph of a family eating a meal at the family dining table circa 1950.
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You Have a New Memory

An exhibition that explores how and why we remember, through the lens of the Library's collections.

Barbie dolls from an exhibition, specifically featuring a light-skinned doll with a 1959-inspired look and a dark-skinned doll with braided hair, against a pink background.
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Barbie: The Exhibition at Melbourne Museum

Barbie: The Exhibition makes its Australian debut at the Melbourne Museum.

Egg yolk pouring out of a long sub sandwich with cheese and salad.
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Gourmet Sandwich Hunt

Elevate your sandwich style with celebrity chef Darren Purchese.

Kids on the grass outside the Shrine of Memorial, holding kit bags and smiling.
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Shrine Kids

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

Still from a film showing a man with a mustache and a brown jacket looking through a shop window.
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Matinees at ACMI Cinemas

Celebrate cinema at a sensible hour with ACMI's thoughtfully curated line-up of films.

Byzantine icons of Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist, their heads haloed in gold.
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Divine Thresholds: Icons and the Orthodox Christian World

Discover centuries of craftsmanship, devotion and momentous history in this new landmark exhibition.

Grilled cheese toastie on a plate.
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Vego Toastie Hunt

Elevate your vego sandwich with celebrity chef Darren Purchese.

Portrait of a woman with her face painted blue and embellished with gold stars, wearing a colourful, fan-like headdress.
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Passage: The Art of Atong Atem

NGV presents the first-ever major solo exhibition of contemporary artist Atong Atem.

Person playing minigolf in an indoor venue.
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Putt and Sip Melbourne

A day of mini golf and secret bars in the heart of the city.

Picnic table set for dining with cushions, umbrella and dining settings, in a garden location.
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Laneways Mystery Picnic with Luxury End Location Setup

Follow clues to secret foodie stops and end at a luxury picnic location.

A close up of a hand embroidered handkerchief showing a yellow star with blue outline and small floral motifs on a black fabric.
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Sparks in the Dark: 260 Weeks of Resilience

Celebrating the resilience of women living with the enduring impacts of the War in Afghanistan.

Dishes of food and drinks on a restaurant table.
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Putt, Wine and Taste Melbourne

A day of fun and flavour with mini golf and mystery dining in the center of the city.

Two pink cocktail glasses on a dark bench.
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Mystery Rooftop Bar Hop

Solve clues to unlock rooftop bars, cocktails, snacks and stunning Melbourne city views.

A red cocktail with a cloudy dome, on a black tray next to two strawberries.
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Mystery Basement Bar Hop

Solve clues to unveil three hidden basement venues and enjoy prepaid drinks and a snack.

Picnic spread of dishes, boxed food and drinks on a blue gingham tablecloth.
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Family Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways

Solve clues, taste and collect pre-paid gourmet food on this unique foodie adventure.

A smiling man holds a cheerful toddler in his arms as the child reaches toward a large, textured, teardrop-shaped gourd hanging from the ceiling; part of an interactive installation at ArtPlay.
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Exhibition: Obang 오방

Step into a Korean grandmother's home while she is away visiting her grandchildren overseas.

A black mannequin displaying the gold hot pants and halter top worn by Kylie Minogue in her famous music video, Spinning Around.
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Encore!

50 Objects. 50 Years. One Collection. Treasures from the Australian Museum of Performing Arts.

A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
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Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

Dishes of Asian food with cutlery and glass on a table.
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Mystery Sidedoor: 5 Plate South East Asia Tasting Menu

Enjoy off-menu bites and paired drinks at a hidden Melbourne venue on this guided tasting adventure.

Smiling woman seated at a table in a venue, pointing at a buzzer.
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Melbourne Adventure Date: Pizza, Cocktails, Games

A curated Melbourne day out, with food, drinks and games.

An orange Vespa parked on a sidewalk in a city laneway with cafe tables and chairs in the background.
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Mystery Picnic With Friends: Melbourne Laneways

Go on a unique foodie adventure, solving clues, tasting and collecting pre-paid gourmet food.

People lined up at a cheese stall at Queen Victoria Market.
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Mystery Picnic Date: Melbourne Laneways

Solve clues and riddles to collect your special gourmet picnic on a unique foodie adventure.

Person lying on a bed of blue plastic balls, holding two balls up to her eyes.
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Play and Sip Melbourne

A combination of a challenge room and a mystery bar hop experience in the city.

Two different hands holding two wine glasses, resting on a restaurant's dining table, a plate of food and napkins also on the table.
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Mystery Sidedoor City: Wine and Asian Fusion Bites

Enjoy off-menu bites and paired drinks at a hidden Melbourne venue on this guided tasting adventure.

A couple having a picnic on a green lawn, sitting on a blue patterned blanket with a charcuterie board with cheese, meats, and a baguette is laid out on the blanket.
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Laneways Mystery Picnic with Beginner Cocktail Masterclass

Follow digital clues to collect food from secret stops and end with a cocktail masterclass.

A small boat cruising along the Yarra River in the late afternoon sun, with a view of the Melbourne city skyline in the background.
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Mystery Picnic with Self Drive Boat: Melbourne Laneways

Solve clues, taste and collect pre-paid gourmet food on this unique foodie adventure.

See all events in May

Discover more

A colourful UV light display in the Royal Botanic Gardens at night.
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What's on in June

Things to do in Melbourne in June, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.

Young kid sitting on the shoulders of an adult in a large crowd of people watching a show.

Melbourne for free

Discover free things to do in Melbourne, including galleries, museums, events and festivals.

Young child, in front of an artsy background, looking up at something.

Family and kids

Find things to do with the kids, from family-friendly events to fun attractions and workshops.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.