Discover what’s on at Fed Square

Opera’s most famous music — live under the open sky!
BMW Opera for All is a global concert series that returns for its fourth year in 2026, exclusive to Melbourne.
Hear thrilling high notes and stunning harmonies, and experience the uplifting force of opera. This open air concert is performed by some of our brightest stars, backed by a fabulous live orchestra featuring musicians from Orchestra Victoria.
Opera Australia have put together a selection of the most popular arias in opera. There’ll be tunes familiar to everybody — both hardcore opera lovers and total newcomers — and perhaps a few new discoveries along the way. They will be joined by the Australian Girls Choir, who will perform a special prelude performance, highlighting BMW’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility by supporting arts and culture at a grassroots level. This performance will connect young, aspiring artists with award-winning operatic talent, embodying the spirit of creative collaboration.
There’s no better way to spend an evening in Melbourne.
Program
6.30pm &#8211; Welcome to Country sung by Shauntai Abdul-Rahman 
6.40pm &#8211; Australian Girls Choir 
7pm &#8211; Opera Australia singers + Orchestra Victoria
This is a free event, and there&#8217;s no need to register for tickets in advance.
Presented by Opera Australia and Fed Square.
For more information visit: <a href="https://opera.org.au/events/bmw-opera-for-all/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://opera.org.au/events/bmw-opera-for-all/</a>

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Music

Free

BMW Opera For All

All about flowers. Learn about designing colour and beauty into gardens or join in a paper flower-making workshop.
Our monthly Test Garden Open Days are designed for garden and plant lovers.
You can choose to register for one or both sessions, although numbers are limited and usually fill up fast. You will need to book for these sessions separately.
This event is held outdoors in the Test Garden at Fed Square. Please bring a hat and water bottle.
Presented by Fed Square in partnership with Bupa.

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Workshop

Test Garden Open Day – March

It&#8217;s baking, it&#8217;s caking, and it&#8217;s yours for the taking.
Rising from the ovens of the state’s most extraordinary bakeries, Baker’s Dozen, presented by McKenzie’s, returns for a fourth year. And like a sourdough loaf growing high in a Scotch oven, in 2026, Baker&#8217;s Dozen is expanding everyone’s favourite celebration of caking and baking – they’ve got way more bakers, plus some fantastic guests from interstate and overseas.
Who’s coming? Helen Goh is in the house! The sweets boss of the Ottolenghi empire and celebrated author is here from London to lead the charge, and she’s collaborating with the unstoppable Mietta by Rosemary to offer you a one-of-a-kind taste of her best bakes.
New York Filipina baking star Abi Balingit is also here rocking the collab, getting together with Bayswater baking legends Dröm to bust out some tasty Pinay pastry moves you’re going to want to get around.
You’ll also see great new treats from new and returning local heroes including Akimbo, Amann Patisserie, Antara 128, Baker of Things, Butter Days, Calle Bakery, The Flour Melbourne, Hector’s Bakery, Kudo, Iris, Lt Cardigan, Lulu and Me, Lumos, Lune, Madeleine De Proust, Masses Bagels, Monforte Viennoiserie, Morning Market, Raya, Sebby’s Scrolls. Tarts Anon and To Be Frank, plus some more amazing reinforcements from out of town – straight outta Gippsland, The Invy Baker, teaming up with Michael and Pippa James&#8217;s new Urbanstead, as well as (hang on to your bannetons) the hottest bread crew in Sydney, A.P Bakery, partnering with Oji House. But wait! There&#8217;s more! Local baking royalty Emelia Jackson is joining the party with a stand of her very own.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/events/bakers-dozen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/events/bakers-dozen/</a>

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Food + Wine

MFWF: Baker's Dozen 2026

Enjoy some of your favourite Studio Ghibli films on the Big Screen these school holidays, showcasing the iconic films of Hayao Miyazaki and his team.
Bring the kids to enjoy a free mini outdoor film festival of Studio Ghibli films.
Each day, we’ll be screening two films back-to-back, a free double-feature that celebrates the vibrant landscapes, unforgettable characters, and deeply imaginative stories that have made Studio Ghibli a global treasure.
The deckchairs will be out for you to relax and enjoy the films with your family, or feel free to BYO picnic rug or camping chairs if you prefer.
All films will be screened in their original Japanese language with English subtitles. Studio Ghibli Afternoons is recommended for big kids, aged 8 years and over.

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Screen

Kids + Families

Studio Ghibli Afternoons

As the sun sets, Fed Square turns into a free, all-ages Pasifika block party with live beats and killer moves.
It’s a day-to-night event of powerhouse talent and unapologetic expression. Leading the charge are New Zealand/Aotearoa’s kings and queens of street dance, The Royal Family Dance Crew. They’ll be performing routines that’ve seen their Polyswagg style dominate the world stage, and their lead choreographer Parris Goebel, flex in the proverbial Rolodex with the likes of Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Rihanna. Then, it’s our turn to turn up, as the crew take us through a routine, step by step.
There’s a big line up of Pasifika artists to be announced too, with Polynesian techno, dancehall and more.
Be there. Or, it might be too late to say sorry.
Presented by Fed Square and RISING.

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Performance

RISING: God Save the Queens

Videogames. We love them, build them, live in them and play in them. These imagined worlds are real – and they’re coming to ACMI.
Game Worlds is the major new playable exhibition premiering this September.
Game Worlds transports you inside the levels of 30 unforgettable videogames, from global blockbusters like World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment) to pioneer of the life simulation genre The Sims (Electronic Arts) and Neopets (World of Neopia), and a highly anticipated Australian title for 2025.
Play some of the world’s favourite games in ways you’ve never been able to before, with exclusive custom builds. Explore original design materials, concept art and iconic objects from across genres, including indie gems and Triple-A masterpieces.
Told through the lens of iconic videogames, Game Worlds charts technical and design innovation to uncover what makes these virtual worlds feel alive. It celebrates the communities, and friendships that flourish within these digital landscapes. Game Worlds shows how games evolve through player interaction and the unique creative partnership between designers and players.
To find out more and be the first to score tickets visit: <a href="https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/game-worlds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/game-worlds/</a>
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Exhibitions

Game Worlds at ACMI

Showcasing the outstanding creativity and dedication of emerging artists across Victoria, the annual Top Arts exhibition returns for its 32nd year. Selected from over 1,100 applicants, this year’s exhibition celebrates the exceptional talent of 43 students who have excelled in the VCE subjects of Art Making and Exhibiting and Art Creative Practice in 2025.
The annual Top Arts exhibition provides a platform for emerging artists from across the state who are completing their VCE studies to showcase their skills, enthusiasm, and creativity. In 2026, the exhibition highlights the increasingly innovative use of materials and techniques employed by Victoria’s inventive and imaginative young artists.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/top-arts-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/top-arts-2026/</a>
Image credit: Verity Ladiges, Ribbons, 2025, inkjet print, 59.4 x 42.0 cm, Gladstone Park Secondary College, Gladstone Park. Wurundjeri Country © Verity Ladiges

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Top Arts 2026 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

Treading Lightly is the outcome of the KHT’s fifth iteration of the ground-breaking Blak Design Program, an initiative supporting talented, Victoria-based First Peoples artists and designers to strengthen their individual practice while fostering dynamic cross-disciplinary collaboration.
This exhibition showcases more than thirty-eight fashion and textile works, alongside accompanying accessories, designed and produced by:
<ul>
<li>Clinton Hayden (Wiradjuri)</li>
<li>Kylie Colemane (Darug, Wiradjuri)</li>
<li>Vicki Burgess (Moonbird People)</li>
<li>Megan Paine (Kuku Yalanji)</li>
<li>Jasmine-Skye Marinos (Arrernte, Luritja, Pitjantjatjara, Kaytej, Warumungu &amp; Pitta Pitta)</li>
<li>Luke Morgan (Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri, Baraba Baraba/Barapa Barapa)</li>
</ul>
Together, these designers bring powerful and distinct creative voices to the gallery, presenting works that reflect deep cultural knowledge, lived experience and contemporary innovation.
This exhibition affirms Blak Design as a vital platform for creative growth, professional development and the continued evolution of First Peoples fashion and textile design. The Blak Design Program is generously supported by the Ian Potter Foundation and RMIT University through its School of Fashion and Textile.
For more information visit: <a href="https://kht.org.au/whats-on/exhibitions/treading-lightly/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://kht.org.au/whats-on/exhibitions/treading-lightly/</a>

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Treading Lightly at KHT

What's On

Enjoy free outdoor cinema and comedy, explore free exhibitions, get creative and discover through play these school holidays at Fed Square.

This Easter long weekend program of free outdoor cinema celebrates nostalgic comedy favourites and modern classics – laughs to be shared across generations.
On Good Friday or Easter Saturday, come from 1.30pm to enjoy free comedy on the Main Stage as part of <a href="/events/the-very-big-laugh-out-2026/">The (Very) Big Laugh Out</a>, then stick around for more laughs on the Big Screen, as part of our Family Comedy Faves film showcase.
The deckchairs will be out, or feel free to bring a picnic rug to relax and enjoy the films.

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Outdoor Cinema: Family Comedy Faves

Free-flowing family fun across the school holidays!
World-class street performers and the best stand-up, physical and musical comedy in da biz, performing on the Main Stage.
Kick off the Easter long weekend with two jam-packed comedy showcases on Good Friday 3 April and (Great) Saturday 4 April.
Featuring Oliver Coleman, Claire Hooper, Dane Simpson, Otto &amp; Astrid, Piip &amp; Tuut (Estonia), Dandyman, Geraldine Quinn, The Burton Brothers and more. It’s the biggest, loudest and funniest way to spend your school holidays.
The (Very) Big Laugh Out is renowned for its exciting all-ages programming, packed with stellar artists and massive line-ups. The best bit? It’s totally free!
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/the-very-big-laugh-out/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/the-very-big-laugh-out/</a>

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The (Very) Big Laugh Out 2026

These school holidays in the Test Garden, we’re celebrating our tiniest of planet Earth’s super-heroes – insects!
From the super-strength of a dung beetle to the super-vision of dragonflies, kids and families are invited to come and learn what makes our tiny critter heroes so SUPER – and join in bug-focused creative activities on throughout the day.
Join in the Critter Hero talk with insect expert Dr Luis Mata, Critter Hero play with Polyglot Theatre, drop in at the Creative Critters activity station for some bug-spiration, or catch some Critter Heroes on film with a free film screening of The Ant Bully.
Kids can pick up a copy of <a href="https://fedsquare.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/insects-melbourne-guide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insects of Melbourne</a> – a pocket-sized guide to some of the Critter Heroes of Melbourne – then join in as many or as few activities as they like.
And (most importantly) – there will be ice cream!
The day of activity is free, and all activities are drop-in. Dressing up (as an insect, of course) is highly encouraged!
See you there, Critter Hero fans!

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Test Garden Open Day – Critter Heroes

Ants is a free, interactive performance on these school holidays, which brings children together to explore the landscape around them. 
Ants as big as humans work together intently, collecting and placing hundreds of giant breadcrumbs, and children are irresistibly drawn closer to find out how they can join in.
Gradually a world of meaning unfolds, with children’s movement making lines and patterns, transforming public space and disrupting the everyday. Children choose how they interact with the big insects, becoming Ant-like creatures themselves and taking part in their world.
This is an enchanting and unusual experience that everyone can enjoy at their own pace.
Ants is an original, interactive theatre work created by world-renowned, Melbourne-based contemporary theatre company Polyglot Theatre, who create exceptional arts experiences for children and families.
Ants by Polyglot Theatre is presented by Fed Square and supported by the City of Melbourne.

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Ants by Polyglot Theatre

The Little Food Festival is Australia’s first and only food festival created especially for kids. A free community event, it promotes health, wellbeing and sustainability education, focused on our food system.
During the April 2026 school holidays, kids will roll up their sleeves to plant seedlings, dive into the world of bush food, unleash their creativity with craft and master the art of preparing nutritious meals.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.littlefoodfestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.littlefoodfestival.com/</a>

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Little Food Festival 2026

Join ACMI in celebrating Play School’s 60th anniversary. Discover what happens behind the scenes of Play School. Be a presenter, a camera operator, or even a director – there’s so much to explore. Climb aboard the Rocket Clock, sing along with favourite songs, and play your way through stories and games.
Designed for 2-5 year olds in mind, learning through play has never been this fun. Explore, create, and imagine – perfect for little hands and curious minds.
About the exhibition
Celebrating 60 years of songs, stories, and learning, Play School: Come and Play! lets little ones peek behind the scenes of Australia’s most beloved television show. Made by ACMI in collaboration with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, it’s a hands-on, playful experience where children and families can discover how Play School comes to life.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/play-school-come-and-play/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/play-school-come-and-play/</a>
Image: Eugene Hyland

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Play School: Come and Play! at ACMI

Learn more

April School Holidays

Discover restaurants, bars and cafes serving up Melbourne&#8217;s best breakfast, coffee, lunch, drinks or dinner for any occasion and budget.

Discover All

Eat + Drink

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Transport Public Bar

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Chocolate Buddha

NGV Cafe offers breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea

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NGV Cafe

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Time Out Dusk front view

Time Out Cafe, Bar + Restaurant

Bringing the world’s great beers together with exciting locals from Australian craft breweries.

Good Beer Week and Beer DeLuxe, Fed Square

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Beer Deluxe

An iconic Melbourne bar and cafe nestled in the historic Federation Wharf vaults

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Riverland Bar

Visit some of Australia's most significant cultural attractions, including ACMI, the Koorie Heritage Trust and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. 

Your museum of screen culture. Navigate the universe of film, TV, videogames and art.

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ACMI

Discover the history of Aboriginal Victoria and South-East Australia

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KHT In Conversation

Koorie Heritage Trust

The world’s first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art.

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The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

Museums + Galleries

The Knot

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April School Holidays 2026

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MicrosoftTeams-image (15)

RISING

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Tread Lightly at KHT

<h5>Presented by Fed Square and supported by City of Melbourne and ABC Radio Melbourne.</h5>
Be part of a record-breaking moment at Fed Square!
As the city starts to rock and roll with AC/DC mania – Fed Square is calling all pipers across Victoria to come together on Wednesday 12 November to help smash the world record for the largest ever bagpipe ensemble!
Pipers will be able to pay homage to AC/DC’s iconic “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” music video – in a truly one-of-a-kind performance. Filmed on Swanston Street in 1976 for the ABC’s Countdown, it featured the band with late singer Bon Scott playing alongside three members of Melbourne’s own Rats of Tobruk Pipe Band &#8211; and went on to be an internationally iconic song and music video, with the bagpipe at the heart of its success.
Now, to create another memorable music moment, Fed Square is seeking 350 keen pipers to gather together and play the bagpipes en masse in melodious (or comedic) harmony.
What’s the challenge? The current world record is 333 pipers (Sofia, Bulgaria 2012) – and we know Melbourne can do it better!
All pipers, young and old, eager to be part of this unforgettable moment should register to download the sheet music and get practicing, to claim their place in history. You don’t need to be in a band to join in. Be it school bands, individuals or piping groups – we want you! So warm up the pipes, wear a kilt, school uniform or skinny jeans and get ready to make some noise.
<a href="https://fedsquare.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/long-way-to-the-top-bagpipe-sheet-music.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Download the pipe sheet music here</a>. For anyone registered it will be emailed to you as well.
Schedule for the afternoon
4.30pm: Arrival 
4.35pm: Tune bagpipes to 480Hz 
4.50pm: Practice 1 
5pm: Practice 2 
5.05pm: Ready 
5.10pm: Performance (live on ABC radio) 
5.15pm: Finish

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The Great Melbourne Bagpipe Bash

The Main Square

Main Square

Moodymann will bring the spirit and sound of Detroit to the Square, with his unmistakable blend of funk and soul-infused deep house.
Performing at Coachella in 2018, Moodymann is a legendary Detroit DJ and producer renowned for straddling the commercial and independent scenes. Moodymann emerged as a revolutionary sound in Black-centric house and techno in the 90s, starting his own labels and centring live samples and Black sounds, from hip-hop, jazz, soul and funk.
Sharing the stage is Melbourne’s own DJ Jnett, a selector, tastemaker and cultural icon whose sets have defined the sound of the city for more than two decades. Known for her impeccable ear and ability to move seamlessly through genres, Jnett will set the pace with a journey through deep grooves, hypnotic rhythms and pure dancefloor magic.
Get ready to experience the sounds of these two legends – one global, one local – for a celebration of the Detroit sound and the dancefloor.
It’s all-ages and completely free.
Official Media Partners
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Moodymann + DJ Jnett

Festival

The Square will come alive with colour, music and tradition for Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – one of Mexico’s most cherished celebrations.
This free, family-friendly event invites everyone to experience the beauty of Mexican culture and the deep meaning behind a tradition that honours loved ones who have passed, while celebrating the joy of life.
The Square will transform into a feast for the senses, featuring a stunning Ofrenda (altar) display adorned with marigolds, candles and photographs. Visitors can explore a vibrant market area with authentic crafts, traditional pan de muerto, and fun activities for children, including face painting.
From 12pm to 9pm, Bar Patrón will be serving up refreshing margaritas, while a selection of food trucks will be offering delicious Mexican flavours all day long – the perfect way to enjoy a true fiesta atmosphere.
The celebration continues with live performances on the main stage from Mexbourne, Los Románticos, and Trago Amargo, filling the afternoon with energy, rhythm, and the unmistakable spirit of Mexico.
A colourful highlight will be the third edition of the Caminata de Catrinas (Catrina Walk) – a lively parade of elegant skeletons making their way from the State Library of Victoria at 2pm to Fed Square. Everyone is encouraged to come dressed in their most creative Catrina outfits – there will be prizes for the best costumes!
All are welcome to join in this important and beautiful cultural celebration of life, love and remembrance.
The Día de Muertos celebration and Catrina Walk is presented by the Mexican Association of Victoria (MexVic), supported by Fed Square.

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Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration and Catrina Walk

Celebrate New Year&#8217;s Eve in the heart of the city, with a curated line-up of some of Melbourne&#8217;s most exciting DJs on the Main Stage, or book in an all-inclusive drinks and entertainment experience at one of our bars or restaurants. 
If you’re planning on celebrating New Year’s Eve at Fed Square, there are a range of options for you to help you celebrate your way, safely.
Out in the Main Square, you can enjoy free entertainment, curated by returning DJ favourite, Barry Sunset. Barry will kick off and close the night on the decks, with a line-up featuring other legendary Melbourne DJs, MzRizk and Gavin Campbell.
Many of our restaurants and bars offer all-inclusive drinks and dining packages for a stress-free option to celebrate, many with a front row ticket to the fireworks.
Expect disco, funk, house and dancefloor classic throughout the night, as the soundtrack to your 2026 countdown.
Be sure to check the City of Melbourne’s website on news and updates about crowd control measures that will be in place during New Year’s Eve. The night is always a busy one in the city, and there are a number of alternative Celebration Zones located in the CBD, where you can guarantee a good view of the fireworks. There will also be a number of road closures throughout the evening, <a href="https://fedsquare.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CoM-2058-NYE2025-Road-Closures-D6.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">please download this map to view them.</a>
Fireworks Displays 
Early evening: 9.28pm–9.35pm 
Midnight: 12am–12.08am
Stay safe and celebrate!

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New Year's Eve

Community

Thrive: Multicultural Women’s Festival is a vibrant, free community celebration honouring the strength, creativity, and diversity of women from all cultural backgrounds.
The festival brings together music, dance, fashion, workshops, and storytelling in an inspiring full-day program. Now in its inaugural year, Thrive offers something for everyone.
On the main stage, audiences will enjoy an exciting line-up of performances, including traditional and contemporary music and dance from across the globe, live bands, spoken word poetry, and a spectacular fashion showcase featuring multicultural designers and models. The day begins with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, paying respect to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.
In the Boardroom, festivalgoers can take part in a series of practical and empowering workshops covering key topics such as financial literacy, youth leadership, legal rights, and health, with sessions on menopause, breast screening, and mental wellbeing facilitated by respected community organisations and experts.
Thrive is more than a festival – it’s a platform for connection. The event highlights the voices and contributions of women who too often go unheard, while creating opportunities for learning, cultural exchange, and solidarity. With an expected attendance of thousands, the festival aims to break down barriers, spark dialogue, and foster an inclusive environment where women from all walks of life can come together.
For more details visit: <a href="https://thrivewomensfestival.com/">https://thrivewomensfestival.com/</a>
Hosted by Back Cover Media Pty Ltd, Thrive is proudly supported by the Victorian Government and a range of community partners.
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Thrive: Multicultural Women's Festival

Talk

Our monthly open day held in the Test Garden, designed for garden and plant lovers.
Each month, we hold a small in-conversation event focused on gardening and garden design, followed by a hands-on workshop.
You can hear from gardeners, designers and horticulturalists about the garden’s naturalistic planting style and learn about the new flowers in bloom. We also invite writers and creatives to share their experience of plants and gardens with us.
The talk is followed by a hands-on workshop demonstrating artist-led practice with plants, such as cyanotype and botanical printing, and practical workshops, including propagation techniques and planting for your own garden.
You can choose to register for one or both sessions, although numbers are limited.
Event details 
These events will be held outdoors in the Test Garden at Fed Square. Please bring a hat and water bottle; all other materials will be provided.

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Test Garden Open Day - November

Test Garden

Edge Terrace

Experience the vibrant heartbeat of Africa at the African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF), a three-day celebration of culture, music, food, fashion, art and community.
The three-day showcase will include:
DAY ONE: Friday 21 November 
Kick off the weekend with an outdoor cinema vibe featuring African-Australian short films, live jazz, spoken word and great food. A perfect after-work experience.
DAY TWO: Saturday 22 November 
Dive into 12 hours of non-stop live entertainment, showcasing cultural band performances, music, dance, fashion and arts. Shop at a variety of market stalls selling African wares. Join the drop-in free drumming lessons, for adults and children alike, and enjoy authentic mouth-watering African street food.
DAY THREE: Sunday 23 November 
A continuation of day two featuring 10 hours of non-stop entertainment plus a forum on a topical African-Australian issue.
AMCF is Victoria’s biggest celebration of African culture, and it’s free! Join in celebrating unity, diversity and joy through African music, art, food and community.
For more information visit: <a href="http://africanmusicfestival.com.au/">http://africanmusicfestival.com.au/</a>

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African Music and Cultural Festival 2025

Birrarung Marr Walk (formerly River Terrace)

Acclaimed Theremin musician Miles Brown in conversation with artistic director of MESS (Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio), Robin Fox.
Of all electronic musical instruments, the theremin still captures the imagination like no other. MESS houses perhaps one of the last theremins built by Theremin himself in New York circa 1933-4. The origins of the instrument date further back to the late 19th century and have a peculiar connection to the race to develop television. Early versions were almost adopted by Lenin as intruder detection systems for the Kremlin.
Few have become truly brilliant players of the instrument, which, despite Theremin’s dreams of an instrument anyone can play, is fiendishly difficult to master. In Melbourne/Naarm we are lucky to have in our midst one of those very few. Miles Brown – a legendary figure in this city – studied with Russian theremin virtuoso Lydia Kavina, a direct relative of Theremin himself, and joins MESS in conversation to discuss everything from science fiction sounds, horror scores to the history of the theremin and, of course, his own musical journey with the instrument.
Presented by MESS and Fed Square.

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THEREMIN: MESS in Conversation with Miles Brown

The Edge

Installation

I ragazzi dei millefiori: the flow’rs of song and story is a new artwork exploring ideas of migration and the storied history of plants and colour.
In partnership with the Australian Tapestry Workshop, this spring we are unveiling a new textile installation by artist Sangeeta Sandrasegar working with natural dye expert Heather Thomas.
Suspended from the ceiling in the open space of the Atrium, the work comprises panels of silk organza and cotton coloured with plant dyes derived from Indian madder root, eucalyptus leaves, and weld and marigold flowers, among others.
Within the fabric, details will appear, including botanical illustrations referencing a 16th century Italian tapestry, the Millefiori Tapestry of Pistoia, and archival imagery of flower sellers at this site, on Princes Bridge in the early 1900s.
The artwork explores themes of migration and cultural identity through a myriad of ideas – the histories of the production of colour through plant material, the representation of gardens and plants in classical tapestries, the craftsmanship behind textiles, and the story of young immigrants newly arrived from Italy selling flowers in market stalls.
Bringing together these threads, Sangeeta’s work explores the ways in which we have related to flowers and plants throughout history, and how cultural connection is embedded in stories of plants within narratives of migration, hybridity and identity.

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Sangeeta Sandrasegar Atrium Commission

The Atrium

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What's On ACMI

The latest and greatest of what to do at ACMI. 
Browse our listings to see what’s on at ACMI – and if you’ve got any questions, ask away through our Chatbot!

Jump outta the lounge room and into FAM JAM – an intergenerational dress-up dance jam for kids and older people, where you can create your own awesome videoclip. 
FAM JAM is a moving joy ride for children and older people.
Book time in the FAM JAM Studio to create your own special videoclip and come and celebrate at the all-in FAM JAM Dance Party in the Main Square, where you can see your videoclip on the Big Screen!
Inspired by ABC’s Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds, You Can’t Ask That and the playful imagination of French filmmaker Michel Gondry, FAM JAM celebrates movement, connection and creativity across generations.
No dance experience needed – just curiosity and a dancing buddy!

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FAM JAM by All The Queens Men

Experience Hitchcock’s 1960 masterpiece Psycho this Halloween on the Big Screen, as we present a special outdoor cinema screening to celebrate the film’s 65th anniversary.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho – a film that shattered cinematic conventions and remains one of the most unsettling thrillers ever made.
Janet Leigh, in her Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated role as Marion Crane, gave a performance etched into film history, her fate at the Bates Motel redefining audience and critics’ expectations of what was possible on screen.
Bernard Herrmann’s shrieking strings transformed a simple shower into one of the most terrifying scenes in film history, while stark black-and-white imagery amplifies the sense of dread.
Psycho has been preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry and ranked by the AFI as the most thrilling American film of all time.
On Halloween night, the Square will become the setting for this landmark in screen history – the cool night air and shifting shadows the perfect backdrop for a spine-tingling foray into Noir-inspired horror.
Rug up, BYO picnic blanket and invite other classic cinema and horror-loving friends to celebrate this filmic milestone.
Dir: Alfred Hitcock | 1960 | M: mature themes and violence

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Halloween Cinema: Psycho

The Rigg Design Prize is Australia’s most prestigious accolade for contemporary design. Since its inception in 1994, this triennial prize exhibition has featured over one hundred designers across a range of disciplines, celebrating their creative achievements and providing a valuable platform for visibility, recognition and impact. For its landmark tenth edition in 2025, the $40,000 prize will be awarded to an early-career Australian design practice, drawing attention to the new generation of talent. Bringing together emerging designers, the exhibition spans ceramics, glass, furniture, woodwork, metalwork, textiles, lighting and contemporary jewellery, presenting ambitious works that reflect bold approaches to materiality, form and function.
Early-career practitioners play a crucial role in shaping Australia’s design ecosystem and culture. They bring bold ideas and fresh perspectives that challenge conventions and expand the possibilities of design and making. The Rigg Design Prize 2025 – Next in Design – recognises the energy, ingenuity and vision of emerging designers who are making important contributions to their fields.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/rigg-design-prize/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/rigg-design-prize/</a>
Image credit: Installation view o fRigg Design Prize 2025, on display 19 September 2025 to 1 February 2026 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGVAustralia. Photo: Madeleine Burke

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Rigg Design Prize 2025 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

What's On NGV Australia

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Atrium Precinct

First Peoples

Connie Hart: One Stitch at a Time, is the first major solo retrospective exhibition to be held by the KHT, dedicated to the fibre-works of the late esteemed Gunditjmara Elder and master weaver, Aunty Connie Hart (1917–1993).
This landmark exhibition showcases over fifty works created by Aunty Connie during the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s, many of which are held in the KHT’s unique collection of Victorian and South East Australian art and cultural belongings. It also includes significant works on loan from the National Gallery of Australia and Museums Victoria.
One Stitch at a Time honours the powerful cultural and artistic legacy of Aunty Connie’s weaving practice. Her fibre-art speak to the survival and continuity of weaving as a vital First Peoples cultural practice in South East Australia, one that resonates nationally and bridges cultural and language groups throughout Australia.
Connie Hart: One Stitch at a Time is presented as part of the KHT’s 40th birthday celebrations. A full colour catalogue will be available for purchase.
For more information visit: <a href="https://kht.org.au/whats-on/exhibitions/connie-hart/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://kht.org.au/whats-on/exhibitions/connie-hart/</a>
Image credit: Connie Hart (Gunditjmara), Eel Trap, c 1988. Natural fibre. Collection of KHT.

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Connie Hart: One Stitch at a Time at KHT

What's On KHT

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Upper Square

Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT)

<h2>ACMI&#8217;s centrepiece exhibition</h2>
Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, digital innovation and captivating stories.
From the first projections and optical illusions to the birth of film and beyond, moving images have the power to spark imagination, share stories and shape history. Discover how inventors, innovators and artists at the turn of the 20th century wielded light, split time and captured motion, heralding a technological revolution that continues today.
Featuring ancient shadow puppets, Victorian-era magic lanterns, original cameras, iconic costumes, movie sets, sketches, clips and contemporary art, The Story of the Moving Image traverses time, countries and cultures in a mesmerising exploration of an art form that changed the world and illuminated our collective humanity.
Five distinct sections frame the major moments in moving image history, including the origins and future of cinema, production design and the creative process, Australian culture and stories, the rise of videogames, and how screens inform, influence and empower us.
These stages come to life through <a href="https://www.acmi.net.au/interactive-experiences-at-acmi/">interactive experiences</a> that let you animate shadows, craft optical toys, experiment with time, assemble film scenes and create soundscapes in a custom Foley studio.
These moments can be collected with the <a href="https://www.acmi.net.au/lens/">Lens</a>, a free tool that collects your favourite objects, artworks and creations in the exhibition. It also animates the Constellation, connecting what you collected to the cosmos of screen content outside ACMI.

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Visit_our_centrepiece_exhibition_The_Story_of_t.original

The Story of the Moving Image

Celebrating the work of the Australian-born Paris-based fashion designer, this major new exhibition is the largest of Martin Grant’s career. Drawn from the NGV collection, including many works donated by the designer from his own personal archive as well as loans from his family and friends, Martin Grant encompasses more than four decades of the designer’s career. Beginning in the mid-1980s in Melbourne, the exhibition continues through the early 1990s when Grant re-established his eponymous label in Paris, and extends to his most recent collections.
Throughout his illustrious career, Martin Grant’s clients have included his muses Cate Blanchett and Lee Radziwill, as well as Naomi Campbell, Juliette Binoche, Rebel Wilson, and Lady Gaga. Conceived in close collaboration with the designer, the exhibition reflects Grant’s design sensibility and aesthetic through fashion, photography, sketches, press clippings and runway footage.
For more information visit: <a href="https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/martin-grant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/martin-grant/</a>