Here in Melbourne we love the winter. Seasonal changes bring changes in activities and as they say, variety is the spice of life! Melbourne is a city rich in culture and has a list of fun activities so long you would have a hard time trying them all – even as a Melburnian citizen! For that reason, we’ve picked a few highlights for you to enjoy this winter, whether you are fortunate enough to live here or are simply passing through. Here are our favourite options for winter fun in Melbourne:
Fun with the family at Sovereign Hill Winter Wonderlights
29th June to 21st July
The program at Sovereign Hill Winter Wonderlights promises to coax you into a wonderful wintery mood. Choose from theatrical delights (at Victoria Theatre) like the epic Beauty and the Beast, The Gingerbread Man, St. Nicholas and Old Horse
, and The Redcoat Soldiers.
You can also see some pretty faux snow falling, with a chance of meeting Santa himself. Brass bands, craft activities and twinkling tunnels of lights make this event a very attractive prospect indeed. There is so much more going on than we have space to cover in one article, so find out more here… but take it from us, this should rank high on your Melbourne winter ‘to do’ list.
Visit the European Food market at Madame Brussels
Every Friday night in July
We are rubbing our hands together in anticipation of the European food market at Madame Brussels Lane. Gather your cronies and head down to the market for a fun filled atmosphere, novel festive foods from around Europe, all against a backdrop of neon lights and top quality entertainment.
You can sample cuisines from all corners of Europe, including Swiss cheese, mouthwatering pancakes, delicious Italian cannelloni, German Bavarian Bangers, and unforgettable desserts like Crème Brulee. We suggest you turn up with an empty stomach and an open mind!
If you want to up the fun, why not don some traditional German lederhosen for the event? These are a common sight at the markets in Europe – some might say iconic clobber, even. You’ll be the stars of the show… just be careful not to spill that mulled wine on them!
Embrace the ice throughout the city
Embrace the ice for an authentic winter wonderland experience here in Melbourne. There are several icy options to bring a glow to your cheeks. Here are the ones we deem most worthy:
Ice-skating, igloos and wintery villages at Federation Square
Federation Square is one not to be missed at any time of year, but it comes alive in the winter with ice sliding, ice-skating and actual igloos! We know you won’t want to miss out on those.
Open every day of the week until the end of August, you’ve got ample opportunity to head there. This European style Winter Village can be found at the top of the Skyline Terrace in Fed Square. In it you’ll find an ice-skating rink and a pretty little igloo village (including a huge mega igloo with hourly snow). You can even have a private igloo experience if you wish!
In case you get the munchies after a good skate session, head to the Graze kitchen or sup on something heart-warming at the Sip bar. If you stick around ‘til the evening, you’ll be privy to tunes spun by live local DJs, and get to take part in competitions too.
Ice sliding at Eureka Skydeck
Sliding along on the ice down by the banks of the Yarra is a very satisfying experience, but don’t take our word for it. This one is fun for the whole family… or anyone else for that matter! The Melbourne Ice Slide is open from from 10am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, 10am to 8pm Friday and Saturday, and 10am to 7pm on Sunday. That’s plenty of opportunity to invoke your slidey side!
Get involved in the riotous Après Ski activities
Do you need to have actually skied to appreciate the post-slope fun? Not in our book! Some Après Ski parties are more lively than others, but if there’s one thing you can expect from Melbourne, it’s liveliness.
We particularly like the Après Ski parties hosted by Mont Plonk, who will let you in free for the whole month, warming you by a toasty fire while you swig hot buttered rum, gingerbread eggnog, warm apple cider or mulled wine. Yes please!
There’s also Après Ski at Munich Brauhaus, who are all about traditional German bands, Bavarian beers and hearty German meals in a beautifully decorated space with a very lively atmosphere. Why not turn up in your most authentic attire? You can’t really go wrong with these Fluro retro ski suits…
One of a kind winter events
In case you’re looking for a little extra on the activity front, we also recommend checking out the Knights of Fire at Kryal Castle if you like the ideas of knights jousting with flaming lances, sword fights on fire, and other mesmerising feats with fire. There is also the Winter Fantasy at ACMI for some lazy Sunday fables to warm your heart.
As we said, you can’t really go wrong in Melbourne this winter, but you certainly can get it right – we hope our suggestions help you to do exactly that.
Meet Dale Pruser, our fabulous blogger who lives and breathes costumes! With boundless enthusiasm and a knack for turning heads, she’s the perfect guide to unleash your inner alter ego. Dale’s 30+ years experience in the costume and cosplay industry, make her the go-to source for finding the perfect costume. Her passion and knowledge shine through her blog posts, where she shares helpful tips on finding the perfect costume, DIY hacks to make your outfit stand out, and even delves into the fascinating history behind some of the most iconic characters. Her writing is as vibrant and colorful as the costumes she adores. With a twinkle in her eye and a wardrobe bursting with creativity, Dale dives headfirst into the realm of costumes. She lives for those magical moments when you put on a costume and become someone entirely different—whether it’s a mighty superhero, a swashbuckling pirate, or a glamorous 1920s flapper.