Melbourne Musts: Your Winter City Guide

The Cultural Capital of Australia is well and truly coming into its own this winter, with a plethora of art, music, culture, dining and beverage experiences landing in and around the city throughout the cooler months.

From cutting-edge film festivals to immersive wine experiences in the city and a little beyond, read on for our curated selection of Melbourne must-sees and dos.

Art, music and performance coalesce at RISING

Curated by Gideon Obarzanek and Hannah Fox, this year’s RISING program, running until 15th June is packed with awe-inspiring experiences at every turn. There’s currently a playable mini-golf art exhibition at Flinders Street Station – which will remain in situ until 31st August, and local artist Sara Retallick is bringing an underwater sound experience to The City Baths next weekend. Elsewhere, Shohei Fujimoto has transformed The Capitol Theatre into an immersive light and laser show with #intangible form, and there’s art, music and theatre performances galore.

Local markets undergo a sinful spin

The team over at Prahran Markets will be wrapping up their Sin Series, a seven-week activation themed around the “Seven Deadly Sins” with the Sinner’s Roast Festival. Taking over the market throughout the winter solstice, from 20th – 22nd June, there’ll be food and drink activations, bluesy music, and NICA performers. Our top pick? Sweet & Chilli’s Talker Hot Toddy, a warming, equal parts smoky – thanks to the Talisker 10-Year-Old Single Malt – and zesty tipple featuring native Australian botanicals and Christmas spices.

Captivating options for the cinephiles

St Kilda Film Festival, a celebration of emerging and established Australian filmmakers will be taking over the vibrant bayside cultural hub from 5th – 15th June. The program features short films ranging from documentaries and VR screenings, to filmmaker Q&As and live jazz. Meanwhile, Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) returns between 7th – 24th August.

The 2025 program is yet to drop, however the organisers and curators are passionate about catering for diverse tastes, so we can expect a varied line up of films and genres produced by forward-thinking filmmakers from throughout the globe.

Warm up with these winter wine delights

Our local wineries have got you covered, with a number of events happening within and outside of the city. First up is Mornington Peninsula's Winter Wine Weekend, where 38 local wineries will come together to showcase the region's terroir on Saturday, 7th June. A little closer to home is the inaugural North by North East Wine Festival on 9th August, and for an immersive hands-on experience, head to Rutherglen's Dark Side of Wine from 8th – 17th August, where you'll blend, taste, and meet the region's pioneering winemakers.

Rooftop rituals return to Level 24

A new season means we're bringing you a number of all-new reasons to elevate your everyday, and it's also our birthday! Join us for Late Night Tales, a luxurious winter-worthy experience featuring a seductive mix of warming cocktails, decadent hand crafted desserts and mood-setting sounds from 13th June: the perfect nightcap or evening starter indulgence. Curated DJ sets, sips, seasonal snacks and city skyline sunset views are back weekly from 6th June as Beverly Soundscapes returns, and we’ll be bringing you an elevated, yet easy midweek lunch experience from 17th June. Secure your spot.