What's free in Melbourne this month

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. 

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. 

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 Melbourne’s fascinating Test Garden at its open day. Plus there’ll be loads of kid-friendly activities, screenings, talks and more.

Head to the Zero Waste Festival and hear from experts in climate change, sustainability and more at the panel discussions. Explore the stalls and stock up your pantry at the refill stations. Then learn a new skill at a bunch of hands-on activities. We’re talking clothes, fabric and book swaps, mending circles, produce bags workshops and heaps more. Or take the little ones to the kid-friendly show where they can learn all about how to take care of the earth.

Get your hands on the best street food at this bustling festival. Enjoy authentic hawker-style food, score $10 tasting plates and sample rare fruits like durian. Plus there'll be a bunch of family-friendly entertainment like cultural dances and music. Or check out the market stalls and pick up gifts, homewares and more.

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.

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!

Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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.

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.