25 Feb Feb 27-March 1: Relaxed Racing with Yellowglen, Tomato Battle and Cycle Collective
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: Festival Artisan Bakery & Bar
DATE: Fri 27 Feb – Sun 15 Mar
TIME: 7:30am-late
LOCATION: Queensbridge Square (1A Queensbridge Street, Southbank)
COST: Free
WEBSITE: http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/
What’s going on: Enjoy the staples of Melbourne life with this perfect pop-up place to meet friends for a coffee, wine and freshly baked treats.. Each morning a team of local and international bakers will prepare an ever changing selection of baked breads and delicious goodies. Dine in or take away.
Tip: Daily workshops will run for both experienced and novice cooks. Classes are limited so be sure to book online!
Old Melbourne Gaol: Vodka Pop-Up Bar
DATE: Fri 27 Feb
TIME: 6pm – 9pm
LOCATION: 377 Russell Street, Melbourne
COST: $40 (includes 2 drinks)
WEBSITE: www.nationaltrust.org.au/vic/events
What’s going on: After work drinks at Old Melbourne Gaol – that just sounds crazy. But no – the good folk at the National Trust Victoria are unlocking the prison doors to allow the public in for a pop-up vodka bar. Come along for vodka cocktails and access to all areas of this historic Gaol where some of Australia’s most infamous crims were locked up. I’ll drink to that!
Tip: There will also be intimate master classes on offer where you can learn from experts. These classes cost an additional $10 in advance (if bought with an admission ticket) or $15 on the day if space is still available.
Sexercise: The Musical
DATE: Fri 27 Feb (runs until 15 Mar)
TIME: 8pm
LOCATION: Alex Theatre, 135 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
COST: $50 – $80
WEBSITE: www.sexercisethemusical.com
What’s going on: Sexercise the Musical is the brand-spanking new theatre production brought to you by Aleksander Vass & Malcolm C. Cooke. It follows a group of 30-somethings and their personal problems in life, love and, of course, SEX. This is going to be a hoot and a half – plus you get to experience the newly opened Alex Theatre. Bonus.
Cycle Collective: Open Day
DATE: Sat 28 Feb
TIME: 10am – 2pm
LOCATION: 33 Waverly Street, Richmond
COST: Free
WEBSITE: www.cyclecollective.com.au
What’s going on: Cycle Collective is a state of the art cycling studio where punters can track and improve on their performance. Wheel yourself in to Cycle Collective’s official opening – its going to be a bunch of fun with free classes, DJs and BMX stunt riders.
Druncheon 3
DATE: Sat 28 Feb
TIME: 10am – 5pm
LOCATION: Trunk Town, 275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
COST: $75 (includes 6 canape brunch dishes and complimentary beverages until 12pm)
WEBSITE: www.trunktown.com.au
What’s going on: Let’s flip your “night out” on its head. Druncheon is partying without the 5am pricetag. Eating, drinking, dancing and general frivolity, all while the sun is up and shining. Get home well before your bedtime and your body will thank you on Sunday!
Mordialloc Food and Wine Festival
DATE: Sat 28 Feb – Sun 1 Mar
TIME: Sat 11am – 10:30pm, Sun 11am – 6pm
LOCATION: Peter Scullin Reserve, Beach Road, Mordialloc
COST: $2 per person, $5 per family
WEBSITE: www.kingston.vic.gov.au
What’s going on: A vibrant food and wine festival that showcases the best local and regional producers, suppliers, chefs, wineries and breweries alongside world class musicians. Come down to beautiful Mordy for the day to enjoy all this action!
Tomato Battle
DATE: Sat 28 Feb
TIME: 11:30am – 5:30pm
LOCATION: Flemington Racecourse, 448 Epsom Road, Flemington
COST: $58
WEBSITE: www.tomatobattle.com
What’s going on: The tomato battle takes no prisoners – Get ready for a sea of red, sweet, pulpy tomatoes everybody! This is going to be FUN – think the tomato throwing of Spain’s La Tomatina festival paired with the libation of Oktoberfest from Germany. Brilliant!
Tip: Spare change of clothes is a good idea.
Yellowglen Terrace at Blue Diamond Stakes Day
DATE: Sat 28 Feb
TIME: Gates open at 12pm
LOCATION: Caulfield Race Course, Station Street, Caulfield East
COST: $20 Adult, $10 Concession, Under 13’s are free
WEBSITE: www.mrc.racing.com
What’s going on: A day at the races! This prestigious event is best enjoyed from the Yellowglen Terrace, a two-storey designer structure with the best views of the track. Hosted by ambassador and lifestyle blogger, Emma Clapham, featuring a sparkling bar and a social media hub, so you can take selfies to your hearts content. Best part about this VIP experience is that it’s available to all race-goers!! Thank you Yellowglen!
Tip: Don’t miss the Flavours of Asia Market
VH Summerfest
DATE: Sat 28 Feb
TIME: 12pm – 7pm
LOCATION: Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands
COST: Free
WEBSITE: www.victoriaharbour.com.au
What’s going on: Boom boom boom! Fun arvo alert – we have live performances from Sneaky Sound System, Ruby Rose and Chunky Jam. Also watch out for pop-up bars from Rekorderlig and VodkaO and a food truck trailer park.
North Cider Festival
DATE: Sat 28 Feb
TIME: 12pm – 10pm
LOCATION: CERES Village Greeen, Corner Roberts and Stewart Streets, Brunswick East
COST: $45
WEBSITE: www.ceres.org.au/coming-events/northcider-festival
What’s going on: The guys from Strawberry Fields and Pink Lady Cider Co bring us the first ever North Cider Festival, which is all about celebrating our locally produced and locally consumed cider….as well as good food and live music. A pretty perfect summer festival for Melbourne. Quick, jump online and snaffle a ticket…if there’s any left.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: Acqua Panna Perfect Match – Beats and Burgers
DATE: Sat 28 Feb
TIME: 1:30pm-2:30pm
LOCATION: Melbourne Town Hall (90/120 Swanston Street)
COST: $85
WEBSITE: http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/
What’s going on: Food and wine matching gets funky as wine writer Mike Bennie and Beat Box and Taco Truck creator Raph Rashid show the best wines to pair with your favourite take away. Be prepared to embrace exceptional and adventurous food and wine matches you may have never imagined!
Craft Beer Rising
DATE: Sat 28 Feb
TIME: All day
LOCATION: Various
COST: The cost of a pint of craft beer
WEBSITE: www.craftbeerrising.com.au
What’s going on: Celebrate our local craft beer movement by raising a glass at your local bar, brewery or bottlo. Check the website for registered venues and cheers to craft beer!
Brunswick Music Festival: Sydney Road Street Party
DATE: Sun 1 Mar
TIME: 12pm – 7pm
LOCATION: Sydney Road (between Union and Victoria Streets), Brunswick
COST: Free
WEBSITE: www.brunswickmusicfestival.com.au
What’s going on: How much fun can a mere 800m stretch of road hold? Well, this event proves time and time again – that A LOT of fun can be had. For over 20 years, the Sydney Road Street Party has been injecting the best local, music, dance, food and market crafts into the area..and this year is no different. With 9 different stages and a plethora of performers…this is one street party that’s sure to go off!
Windsor & Co Block Party
DATE: Sun 1 Mar
TIME: 1pm – 8pm
LOCATION: Artists Lane (between Union and Green Streets), Windsor
COST: Free
WEBSITE: www.chapelstreet.com.au/windsor-co-block-party
What’s going on: Gather your crew for the Windsor & Co Block Party – this is going to be an uber cool sunday sesh with Melbourne’s best local urban street food with party vibe tunes, street art, circus arts, and pop culture pop-ups. Just watch as this illicit laneway comes alive with the impressive lineup of music, food and culture!
Tip: After the show it’s the after party – 8pm until late at Hoo Haa (entry from Artists Lane).