Melbourne's throwing everything at you this weekend: Ed Sheeran taking over Marvel Stadium, Park Waves bringing the heaviest lineup of the summer, Antipodes Festival turning the CBD Greek, and Holi Festival painting Docklands every colour imaginable. Here's your curated guide to what's actually worth your time this weekend.
I've been living in Melbourne long enough to know that late February is when the city goes absolutely feral with events. Summer's winding down, everyone's panicking that the good weather might not last, and suddenly every venue, park, and laneway has something happening. This weekend is peak chaos in the best possible way.
We've got Ed Sheeran wrapping his three-night takeover of Marvel Stadium, a genuinely stacked Park Waves festival headlined by Parkway Drive and The Amity Affliction, the 38th Antipodes Greek Festival spilling across Lonsdale Street, Holi Festival lighting up Docklands, and Chris D'Elia doing his thing at the Palais. Plus, the Sydney Road Street Party kicks off Brunswick Music Festival, Stella Donnelly's doing a victory lap at the Corner, and Josh Groban's singing under the stars at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. It's a lot.
I spent the week cross-checking dates, digging through lineups, and sorting the genuinely great from the merely fine. Everything here has been verified, and I've flagged a few events from AllEvents that turned out to have wrong dates or were cancelled entirely. One big heads-up: the Jonathan Van Ness show listed for this weekend? Cancelled. The entire Australia tour is off. Save yourself the disappointment.
How this list works: Events are ordered by when they kick off across the weekend, mixing music, culture, food, outdoor, and everything in between. I've noted sold-out shows where relevant so you don't waste time hunting for tickets that don't exist.
What: The final two nights of Ed Sheeran's three-night residency at Marvel Stadium, with support from Vance Joy, Mia Wray, and Aaron Rowe. This is stadium-scale pop at its biggest, with Sheeran's trademark one-man-band-with-a-loop-pedal setup somehow filling a 55,000-capacity room.
Why go: Whether or not you're a massive Sheeran fan, the Loop Tour production is something else. The in-the-round stage design means there's basically no bad seat, and having Vance Joy as support gives the whole thing a distinctly Melbourne flavour. Night two and three crowds tend to be looser than openers, which always makes for a better atmosphere.
Who it's for: Pop fans, date night couples, anyone who's been humming "Shape of You" for the last decade and wants to hear it with 50,000 other people.
When: Friday February 27 and Saturday February 28. Gates open 4:00 PM, show starts 5:15 PM both nights.
Need to know: Marvel Stadium, Docklands. Tickets have been selling since July 2025, so availability is extremely limited. Southern Cross Station is right there, but give yourself extra time because the Docklands precinct will be heaving. No re-entry once you're in.
What: Melbourne's dance music festival returns with a properly global lineup headlined by Brazilian superstar Alok (currently #3 in DJ Mag's Top 100), alongside Nicole Moudaber, Space 92, Space Motion, and Liquid Soul across two stages. It's moved to the waterfront Riviera Beach Club at PICA Warehouse this year.
Why go: Alok rarely plays Melbourne, so this is a genuine get. Nicole Moudaber's dark, rolling techno is the perfect counterbalance, and the tribeadelic stage delivers psytrance for the heads. The beachside venue upgrade from previous years is a big deal. You're dancing outdoors in Port Melbourne as the sun goes down.
Who it's for: Dance music fans who want something more curated than a warehouse rave but with more energy than a bar DJ set. If you know what a Space 92 set sounds like, you're already buying tickets.
When: Friday February 27, gates from 5:00 PM.
Need to know: Riviera Beach Club / PICA Warehouse, Port Melbourne. Tickets from AUD $94.55. They've said less than 300 tickets remain, so don't sit on it. The AllEvents listing had "Alok in Port Melbourne" as a separate event, but it's the same festival.
What: The Americana legends bring their extraordinary acoustic chemistry to the gorgeous Palais Theatre in St Kilda. This is two people, two instruments, and harmonies that could make a rock weep. No frills, no backing band, just pure musicianship.
Why go: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are the kind of act where you walk out understanding why people travel across countries to see them. The Palais is one of Melbourne's most beautiful rooms, and it's perfectly suited to their intimate sound. You can hear a pin drop between songs, and it's thrilling.
Who it's for: Folk and roots music devotees, but honestly anyone who appreciates live music at its most stripped-back and emotionally devastating.
When: Friday February 27, 8:00 PM.
Need to know: Palais Theatre, St Kilda. Reserved seating. The venue's art deco interior is worth arriving early to soak in. Grab dinner on Acland Street beforehand.
What: Round 19 of the A-League Men's sees Melbourne Victory host Adelaide United at AAMI Park under Friday night lights. Victory are fighting for finals position and the atmosphere at AAMI when the stakes are real is genuinely electric.
Why go: Friday night football at AAMI Park is one of Melbourne's best sporting experiences. The active support section brings flares of noise (the legal kind), the beer is cold, and the ground is compact enough that every seat feels close to the action. Adelaide always brings travelling fans too, which adds edge.
Who it's for: Football fans, anyone looking for a lively Friday night out with atmosphere that's hard to match for the ticket price.
When: Friday February 27, 6:35 PM kickoff.
Need to know: AAMI Park, Olympic Boulevard, Richmond. Tickets available through the club. Tram routes 70 and 70a drop you basically at the gate. Post-match options are solid: Richmond's Swan Street is a five-minute walk.
What: Melbourne metalcore favourites Thornhill bring their 'Bodies' Australian headline tour to Forum Melbourne, fresh off a sold-out US arena run supporting Sleep Token. Support from Amira Elfeky. This is 18+ and it's going to be heavy.
Why go: Thornhill have become one of Australia's most exciting heavy bands, and 'Bodies' is their most ambitious album yet. The Forum is a gorgeous room for heavy music, with the Moorish Revival architecture creating a surreal backdrop for circle pits. Coming straight off arena supports, they'll be sharp.
Who it's for: Metalcore fans, anyone who saw Thornhill open for Sleep Token and needs more, people who appreciate heavy music in architecturally significant venues.
When: Friday February 27, doors 6:30 PM.
Need to know: Forum Melbourne, Flinders Street. This is sold out, so your only option is the waitlist or resale platforms. 18+ event.
What: Parkway Drive's own travelling heavy music festival lands at Caribbean Gardens in Scoresby, co-headlined by The Amity Affliction with Northlane, Alpha Wolf, and Story of the Year rounding out a lineup that reads like an Australian heavy music hall of fame.
Why go: Look, Parkway Drive and The Amity Affliction co-headlining on home soil for the first time is enough of a reason. But Northlane and Alpha Wolf on the same bill pushes this into essential territory. Caribbean Gardens is a surprisingly great festival site, with enough space to breathe between sets and the kind of laid-back outer-suburban energy that suits an all-day heavy music event.
Who it's for: Anyone who's ever moshed, wanted to mosh, or is mosh-curious. Also Story of the Year completists who've been waiting since 2003.
When: Saturday February 28, gates 2:00 PM. 16+ event.
Need to know: Caribbean Gardens, Scoresby. This is about 30km from the CBD, so plan transport. Driving is easiest, but shuttle options may be available. Bring sunscreen, it's an outdoor event in late summer and the Caribbean Gardens shade situation is... limited.
What: One day of craft beer, cider, cocktails, and street food on the stunning St Kilda foreshore at Catani Gardens. Over 100 craft beers plus The Presets doing a DJ set as the sun goes down. It's basically a beach party with better drinks.
Why go: The setting alone sells it. Catani Gardens is heritage-listed parkland right on the St Kilda Esplanade, so you're drinking craft beer with bay views and palm trees. The Presets doing a sunset DJ set elevates this above your average beer fest, and the curated beer selection focuses on stuff you can't normally get in Victoria.
Who it's for: Craft beer enthusiasts, people who want a daytime drinking event that isn't just standing in a convention centre, Presets fans who prefer them in DJ mode.
When: Saturday February 28, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Need to know: Catani Gardens, St Kilda West. Tram 96 drops you nearby. Tickets required. The two-session structure means it won't get as chaotically packed as some beer fests, which is a genuine plus.
What: American comedian Chris D'Elia brings his stand-up show to the Palais Theatre. Known for his physical comedy, crowd work, and rapid-fire delivery, D'Elia has been touring internationally on the strength of his Netflix specials and massive podcast following.
Why go: D'Elia's live shows are genuinely unpredictable. He goes off-script constantly, riffs on the crowd, and the Palais is intimate enough that the energy stays tight. If you've only seen him through clips, the live experience is significantly different and better.
Who it's for: Comedy fans, podcast listeners who know him from Congratulations, anyone who appreciates physical comedy that's actually funny rather than just loud.
When: Saturday February 28, doors 7:00 PM, show 8:00 PM.
Need to know: Palais Theatre, St Kilda. No video recording. Show finishes around 10 PM, leaving plenty of time for late-night St Kilda adventures. Tickets still available but limited.
What: Melbourne's massive annual Greek street festival takes over the Lonsdale Street precinct in the CBD for two full days of food, music, dance, and culture. This is the 38th edition, making it one of the largest Greek cultural celebrations outside of Greece itself.
Why go: Honestly? The food alone is worth the trip. We're talking souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, and baklava from vendors who've been doing this for decades. But beyond the eating, the live music stages, traditional dance performances, and sheer scale of the thing make it feel like you've been transported to a Greek island piazza. Also, it's free.
Who it's for: Everyone. Families, foodies, couples, groups of mates who want to eat their body weight in lamb. Melbourne's Greek community is one of the largest in the diaspora, and the pride and quality on display reflects that.
When: Saturday February 28 and Sunday March 1. Starts 10:00 AM, runs until late both days.
Need to know: Lonsdale Street, CBD. Free entry. Melbourne Central and Flagstaff stations are both close. It gets packed, especially Saturday evening when the live music ramps up, so go early if you want breathing room. Come hungry.
What: The 9th annual Prosecco Festival takes over the gorgeous Abbotsford Convent with over 50 Italian and Australian Proseccos to taste across two sessions. It's sparkling wine in a heritage convent surrounded by gardens, which is exactly as delightful as it sounds.
Why go: The Abbotsford Convent is one of Melbourne's most beautiful event spaces, full stop. Combining that with 50+ Proseccos, local food vendors, and the general energy of a Saturday afternoon wine event creates something genuinely lovely. The two-session format keeps crowds manageable and means you're not sharing your glass-holding space with a thousand people.
Who it's for: Wine lovers, anyone who thinks "Prosecco in a convent" sounds like a perfect Saturday, people who appreciate that sparkling wine is its own art form.
When: Saturday February 28. Session 1: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Session 2: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Need to know: Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford. Ticketed event. Tram 109 from the city gets you close. The convent's own cafes and bakeries are also excellent if you want to extend the visit.
What: A two-day celebration of the Hindu festival of colours at Ron Barassi Senior Park West in Docklands. Live music, DJs, dance performances, food, and of course, the joyful chaos of throwing plant-based colours at complete strangers.
Why go: There's something genuinely liberating about a festival where the main activity is covering yourself and everyone around you in bright powder. The Melbourne edition has grown significantly and now includes a proper stage program with DJs and performers, plus Indian street food that goes well beyond the standard festival offerings. It's chaotic, colourful, and fun in a way that very few events manage.
Who it's for: Families, friend groups, couples, anyone who owns a white t-shirt they're willing to sacrifice. Seriously, wear something you don't mind never being white again.
When: Saturday February 28 and Sunday March 1, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM both days.
Need to know: Ron Barassi Senior Park West, Docklands. Limited free entry tickets available, otherwise ticketed. Close to Southern Cross Station. There's also a separate Holi celebration at Fed Square if you want the CBD version.
What: Perth-raised, Melbourne-based indie darling Stella Donnelly plays two nights at the Corner Hotel in Richmond, touring her critically acclaimed album 'Love and Fortune.' The first night sold out so fast they added a second.
Why go: Stella Donnelly is one of the sharpest songwriters in Australian music right now. Her songs are funny, cutting, vulnerable, and deceptively catchy. The Corner Hotel is the perfect room for her, small enough to feel personal, loud enough to rock when the crowd sings along. If you missed her on the festival circuit, this is where you want to see her.
Who it's for: Indie music fans, people who like their songwriting with wit and teeth, anyone who appreciates a Corner Hotel show where the artist actually belongs on that stage.
When: Saturday February 28 and Sunday March 1, 8:30 PM both nights.
Need to know: Corner Hotel, Richmond. Saturday is sold out but Sunday was added due to demand. Richmond Station is a short walk. The rooftop bar upstairs is a great pre-show hang.
What: The National Gallery of Victoria's world-premiere blockbuster exhibition pairing two of fashion's most radical icons: Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garçons). Over 200 garments and accessories tracing how both designers weaponised fashion as protest, art, and cultural disruption.
Why go: This exhibition is genuinely world-class. Seeing Westwood's punk provocations alongside Kawakubo's avant-garde deconstructions reveals connections you'd never expect. The curation is exceptional, and several pieces have never been shown publicly before. Time Out's global editors named it one of the best exhibitions of 2026, and they're right.
Who it's for: Fashion devotees, art lovers, anyone who thinks clothes can be more than just fabric, people looking for a rainy-day backup plan that's actually extraordinary.
When: Open daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, running through April 19, 2026.
Need to know: NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road. Tickets from $40 (adults). Tram routes along St Kilda Road stop right outside. General NGV collection entry is always free, so combine this with a wander through the permanent galleries.
What: A free three-day blues festival spread across multiple venues in St Kilda's Acland Village, featuring dozens of local and national blues acts. We're talking pubs, clubs, and the Acland Street outdoor stage all pumping blues from Friday through Sunday.
Why go: This is what a blues festival should be: wandering between intimate venues, discovering bands you've never heard of, nursing a beer while someone wails on a slide guitar in a room that smells like history. The fact that it's free makes it even better. You can dip in and out across the whole weekend, catching whatever grabs you.
Who it's for: Blues fans obviously, but also anyone who likes the idea of a free, sprawling music festival where you can pub-crawl with live music at every stop.
When: Friday February 27 through Sunday March 1. Various times across venues.
Need to know: Multiple venues across Acland Village, St Kilda. Free entry. Check the festival website for set times and venue-specific lineups. Tram 96 to St Kilda. The Prince Hotel, George Lane, and Jekyll & Hyde are among the key venues.
What: ACMI's massive playable exhibition featuring 30+ video games across 50 years of gaming history, from Hollow Knight: Silksong and World of Warcraft to The Sims and Neopets. This isn't a museum where you stare at screens behind glass. You actually play everything.
Why go: It's been extended to March 29 due to demand, which tells you something. The exhibition does a brilliant job of treating video games as legitimate cultural artefacts while still being genuinely fun to play. The Hollow Knight: Silksong section alone has been drawing massive crowds. Perfect for when Melbourne does its inevitable late-summer weather switch.
Who it's for: Gamers of all ages, parents looking for something the kids will actually enjoy, nostalgic millennials who want to play Neopets in a museum and feel validated about it.
When: Open daily. Check ACMI for session times.
Need to know: ACMI, Federation Square. Ticketed exhibition. The rest of ACMI is free and always excellent. Fed Square itself often has free outdoor programming happening simultaneously.
What: The nine-time Tony Award-winning musical from Trey Parker and Matt Stone (South Park) is back in Melbourne at the Princess Theatre. If you somehow don't know, it's a wildly irreverent comedy about two mismatched Mormon missionaries sent to Uganda. The songs are catchy. The jokes are ruthless.
Why go: It's The Book of Mormon. The jokes land harder in a theatre than they do on a cast recording, the ensemble performances are consistently excellent, and the Princess Theatre is one of Melbourne's most stunning venues. If you saw it last time around and thought "maybe I should see it again," yes, you should.
Who it's for: Musical theatre fans, comedy lovers, anyone who appreciates satire that swings hard, people who enjoyed Avenue Q or anything by Trey Parker.
When: Multiple performances across the weekend. Check showtimes for specific session options.
Need to know: Princess Theatre, Spring Street, CBD. Tickets from $89. The theatre itself is heritage-listed and gorgeous, worth arriving early to appreciate the foyer. Shows run about 2.5 hours including interval.
What: The legendary Sydney Road Street Party returns, closing off Brunswick's main drag for six hours of free live music across four stages, plus food, performances, market stalls, and the kind of gloriously chaotic community energy that makes Brunswick, Brunswick.
Why go: This is the unofficial kickoff to Brunswick Music Festival and one of Melbourne's best free events, period. Four stages spanning surf-punk, South African jazz, Turkish classical, and youth Pasifika means you're guaranteed to hear something unexpected. The food is incredible (Brunswick's multicultural dining scene sets up stalls along the road), and the people-watching is elite.
Who it's for: Everyone. Seriously. Families during the day, musos looking for their next obsession, anyone who wants to understand why people move to Brunswick and never leave.
When: Sunday March 1, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Need to know: Sydney Road, Brunswick. Free. Public transport is strongly encouraged: Jewell or Brunswick stations, or tram 19. The road is closed to traffic. Come hungry and wear comfortable shoes because you'll walk more than you expect. This also marks day one of Brunswick Music Festival (running through March 8).
What: Josh Groban brings his GEMS World Tour to the iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl for a night of orchestral pop under the Melbourne sky. It's his first Melbourne show in over seven years.
Why go: The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is one of those venues that elevates any show, and Groban's voice is tailor-made for outdoor amphitheatre performances. Seven years is a long gap, so expect him to pull out something special. The setting, in Kings Domain parkland surrounded by trees, with the city skyline behind the stage, makes even average shows feel magical. This won't be average.
Who it's for: Groban fans who've been waiting since 2019, classical crossover enthusiasts, anyone who wants a Sunday evening event that feels genuinely special rather than just loud.
When: Sunday March 1. Gates 7:00 PM.
Need to know: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Kings Domain. Tickets from $149.90. You can BYO picnic for the lawn section, which is a major selling point. Trams along St Kilda Road, or walk from Flinders Street Station through the gardens.
What: A 17-piece Japanese orchestra performs beloved soundtracks from Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle and more, featuring original singers from the films. This is the Melbourne debut of a show that's been selling out across Asia.
Why go: Hearing Studio Ghibli music performed live by the actual singers with a full orchestra is a genuinely emotional experience. The Palais Theatre's ornate interior creates an atmosphere that feels almost Ghibli-esque itself, all gilded detail and faded grandeur. If Joe Hisaishi's scores have ever made you cry (and they have, don't lie), this will wreck you in the best way.
Who it's for: Ghibli fans, anime enthusiasts, classical music lovers, parents who want to introduce kids to orchestral music via something they'll actually care about.
When: Sunday March 1, 8:00 PM.
Need to know: Palais Theatre, St Kilda. Tickets from $128. Fully reserved seating. This is already generating serious buzz, so book sooner rather than later.
What: Melbourne's outdoor cinema in the Royal Botanic Gardens screens The Rocky Horror Picture Show (50th Anniversary) on Saturday night and Zootopia 2 on Sunday. Bring a blanket, bring wine, bring your best "Time Warp" moves.
Why go: Moonlight Cinema in the Botanic Gardens is one of Melbourne's most romantic summer traditions, and Rocky Horror's 50th anniversary screening is the kind of event that demands audience participation. Saturday night in the gardens with a couple hundred people doing the Time Warp? That's a core memory. Sunday's Zootopia 2 is the family-friendly option if you've got kids to entertain.
Who it's for: Saturday's Rocky Horror is for cult film devotees, couples, and anyone who owns fishnet stockings. Sunday's Zootopia 2 is perfect for families.
When: Saturday February 28 (Rocky Horror) and Sunday March 1 (Zootopia 2). Gates open at sunset, films start around dusk.
Need to know: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Tickets $30 general admission, with Gold Grass premium options. BYO picnic and drinks are encouraged. Tram along St Kilda Road or walk from Flinders Street.
What: The 15th annual Showcars Melbourne takes over Caulfield Racecourse with hundreds of show cars, custom builds, hot rods, muscle cars, and motorcycles. Plus live music and entertainment, with proceeds going to the Good Friday Appeal.
Why go: Even if you're not a car person (I'm barely one myself), the level of craftsmanship and obsession on display is genuinely impressive. The range spans everything from pristine vintage restorations to completely unhinged custom builds. The fact that it supports the Good Friday Appeal gives the whole thing a warmth that pure car shows sometimes lack.
Who it's for: Car enthusiasts obviously, but also families looking for a Sunday outing with broad appeal. Kids love it.
When: Sunday March 1, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Need to know: Caulfield Racecourse, Station Street, Caulfield East. Tickets $30 (includes show guide). Caulfield Station is right there on the Cranbourne/Pakenham line. Free parking also available.
NTS Naarm 2026 (Sat & Sun): NTS Radio's annual Melbourne event at Northcote Theatre and High Note, featuring two days of experimental, electronic, and left-field music including Smerz, james K, Yu Su, Lyra Pramuk, and more. This is for the music nerds who think mainstream festivals are too obvious. Weekend tickets available.
Do Not Pass Go at MTC (All Weekend): Melbourne Theatre Company's new dark comedy by Jean Tong at The Lawler. An oddly tender piece about corporate soul-crushing, starring Belinda McClory. Running until March 28.
Wyndham Multicultural Lunar Festival (Sunday):
A free community celebration at Point Cook Town Centre with dragon dances, lion dances, martial arts, music, and food from multiple cultures. Great family option if you're in the western suburbs. 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM.
A4 Art Australia at Herring Island Gallery (Opening Saturday): The 13th annual national exhibition opens Saturday afternoon on Herring Island. You have to take a punt boat to get there, which is half the fun. Free.
Candlelight: Lord of the Rings (Friday): A string quartet performs Howard Shore's iconic score by candlelight. Multiple sessions at Collingwood Town Hall. Atmospheric and unexpectedly moving.
What's the weather like in Melbourne this weekend?
Late February in Melbourne means anything from 35°C to an unexpected 18°C rainstorm. Layer up, bring sunscreen AND a light jacket, and check the forecast morning-of. The locals call it "four seasons in one day" and they're not exaggerating.
How do I get around Melbourne?
Myki card on trams, trains, and buses. The CBD has a free tram zone that covers most central attractions including Fed Square, Flinders Street, and Lonsdale Street. For outer events like Park Waves in Scoresby, you'll want a car or rideshare.
Where can I find more events in Melbourne this weekend?
AllEvents has a solid listing of what's happening across the city. Bookmark it for future weekends.
Is anything happening the following weekend?
Oh, just the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park (March 5-8), Moomba Festival (March 5-9), and the rest of Brunswick Music Festival. Melbourne doesn't do quiet weekends in March.
Are there free things to do in Melbourne this weekend?
Plenty. Antipodes Festival, Sydney Road Street Party, St Kilda Blues Festival, Holi Festival (limited free tickets), NGV permanent collection, and ACMI's free galleries are all no-cost options.
Melbourne's got 21 reasons to leave the house this weekend, and that's before you count the laneway bars, rooftop sessions, and late-night kebab runs that'll inevitably happen in between. Check AllEvents to bookmark your picks, and I'll see you somewhere between Ed Sheeran and the souvlaki.
