On the hunt for interesting things to in Melbourne? Whether you’re a visitor coming from interstate or overseas, consider Fed Square your jumping-off point for a range of exciting – and mostly free! – activities in Australia’s cultural capital.
As one of Melbourne&#8217;s top attractions, Fed Square is a cultural icon and meeting place situated conveniently in the heart of the city, opposite Flinders Street Station. At Fed Square, you can find a wide variety of activities, dining options and cultural experiences on offer – anytime you visit. Fed Square is also the gateway to the Melbourne Arts Precinct, and hosts spectacular events and festivals throughout the year, while our famous ‘Big Screen’ is the place to catch all the major sporting events and free outdoor cinema in Summer.
Fed Square is proudly home to three of Australia’s premier arts and culture organisations, including <a href="/events/the-ian-potter-centre-ngv-australia/">The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia</a>, <a href="/events/acmi/">ACMI</a> and the <a href="/events/koorie-heritage-trust/">Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT)</a>.
NGV Australia houses the world&#8217;s largest collection of Australian art, with works from both established and emerging artists. Free to visit, you can explore works from the permanent Australian Art and Joseph Brown Collections as well as current temporary exhibitions, which draw from the Gallery’s extensive permanent collection of paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, photography, prints, drawings, fashion and Indigenous Art. NGV Australia also run daily tours, in both English and Mandarin, which are free to participate in and don’t require booking.
ACMI is a museum dedicated to the moving image and digital culture, featuring exhibitions and interactive experiences. The permanent exhibition <a href="/events/the-story-of-the-moving-image/">The Story of the Moving Image</a> is open daily and free to visit, and a great place to while away a few hours in the city. You can discover how the first optical illusions paved the way for the world of film and television and gaming, as you animate shadows, assemble film scenes, play games and see original cameras, iconic costumes and movie sets.
The Koorie Heritage Trust is a museum and cultural centre that honours the rich history and culture of Victoria&#8217;s First Peoples. Over three levels of the Yarra Building at Fed Square, you can explore the fascinating collection of First Peoples art and artifacts and shop for authentic First Nations jewellery and art at <a href="/venues/shopkoorie/">shopKOORIE</a>, located on the ground floor.
A visit to Naarm (Melbourne’s name in the local Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung language) isn’t complete without a <a href="/events/birrarung-wilam-river-camp-walk-with-koorie-heritage-trust/">Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) walking tour</a>. The tour begins at KHT with an experienced First Nations guide, before heading out into Fed Square and then down to the Birrarung (River of Mists). You can book online for this tour, which takes place each weekday at 1pm.
Melbourne is known for its love of food and dining culture – and Fed Square is no exception. For out-of-state or international visitors, a visit to <a href="/venues/victoria-by-farmers-daughters/">Victoria by Farmer&#8217;s Daughters</a> is a must. Travel the state with your tastebuds, as the seasonal menu and local wine list takes you on a culinary journey, celebrating Victoria’s great regions and producers.
If you’re looking to explore the authentic Indigenous Australian flavours in a relaxed and friendly environment, <a href="/venues/big-esso-by-mabu-mabu/">Big Esso by Mabu Mabu</a> is your go-to destination. From the famous Green Ant-tini (with real green ants!) to the fried crocodile on the menu – it’s delicious, exciting and a true taste of Australia.
<a href="/venues/hero-acmi/">Hero</a>, helmed by famous Australian chef Karen Martini, offers uncomplicated Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in contemporary, artistic surrounds – stop in for lunch, dinner or bar snacks and a drink.
<a href="/venues/transport-public-bar/">Transport Hotel</a> and <a href="/venues/beer-deluxe/">Beer Deluxe</a> serve up classic pub fare and local beers while award-winning <a href="/venues/taxi-kitchen/">Taxi Kitchen</a> showcases modern Australian cuisine with stunning views of the Yarra River. <a href="/venues/transit-rooftop-bar/">Transit Rooftop Bar</a> is a popular spot for cocktails, tapas and regular live music, with panoramic city skyline views. <a href="/venues/riverland-bar/">Riverland Bar</a> is located on the banks of the Yarra River and offers casual dining and drinks with a relaxed atmosphere, and <a href="/venues/pilgrim-bar/">Pilgrim Bar</a> next door offers cocktails, wine and craft beer – along with share plates and cheese boards.
Fed Square is a vibrant and ever-evolving destination that should be at the top of your list of things to do in Melbourne. It offers a unique and exciting blend of culture, entertainment and dining – and is always an experience to remember.
Check out our ‘<a href="/whats-on/">What’s On</a>’ section of our website for up-to-date information about what’s on this month at Fed Square.

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Arts

Events

Free

Fed Square – the heart of what’s on in Melbourne

Oh, what a wonderful time of year the festive season in Melbourne is! Whether or not you celebrate Christmas or Chunukah, the slide towards summer brings us warmer weather, a decent smattering of public holidays, schools and universities break-up – and many offices wind up operations for the year.
In short – it’s a great time to find opportunities to spend quality time with those we love.
In Naarm (Melbourne), the city lights up with gorgeous decorations and projections – and of course the city’s famous <a href="/events/christmas-square/">Christmas Tree</a> is back, once again, at Fed Square.
As the heart of the city, Fed Square is the perfect jumping-off point for your festive adventures – a gathering place to meet, sit on the steps at Swanston Street Forecourt, in the Christmas garden that pops up each year, as the sun goes down and the tree lights up.
This year, each evening from 9pm until 11pm, the giant 16metre-high Christmas Tree will also dazzle with a sound and light display – so be sure to plan your evening visit to Fed Square to coincide with this on-the-hour spectacle.
And once you’ve been wowed by the tree and soaked up some festive spirit at <a href="/events/christmas-square/">Christmas Square</a>, we recommend meandering through the Atrium, towards Flinders Street, where you’ll encounter the <a href="/events/flinders-street-christmas-projections/">Flinders Street Projections</a>. Put on by the City of Melbourne as part of their Christmas Festival, the projections will light up five buildings, including the striking façade of the Forum, with a Christmas-themed story.
Looking for Melbourne Christmas activities with the kids? During the day, <a href="/events/santas-workshop/">Santa’s Workshop</a> will be open, where you can stop by for a pic with dear old St Nick. Open daily 10am until 5.30pm, with extended hours on Thursdays and Fridays until 7.30pm, we highly recommend coming early to avoid queues. Santa is a popular guy this time of year!
On top of the free Christmas activities on daily at Fed Square – this year, there are some extra-special events planned that you’ll definitely want to mark in your calendar.
The inimitable sparkle-tastic duo, The Huxleys, will be presenting an evening celebrating all that is decorative and OTT about Christmas – <a href="/events/as-camp-as-christmas/">As Camp as Christmas</a>. Featuring live performances from a host of drag, diva, glam, cabaret and comedic artists – As Camp as Christmas will be fun, frivolous and fantastic, and finish up with a free screening of camp-classic film, The Wizard of Oz. Be sure to wear your ruby slippers for this one!
Harry Potter fans are in for a treat too, as <a href="/events/christmas-in-the-wizarding-world/">Christmas in the Wizarding World</a> is back again for a second year – bigger and better than ever. Hosted by Aussie digital creator Dave Lee Down Under, kids and families can expect heaps of photo opps (Head to Platform 9 ¾, jump on board the Hogwarts Express or join in a game of Quidditch) awesome official Harry Potter and Wizarding World merch and treat giveaways, a wand combat workshop, Harry Potter trivia and of course incredible prizes to be won for best-dressed, thanks to event partner Warner Bros. Discovery. The magical day will conclude with a free (of course!) screening of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Other special events include: <a href="/events/koorie-krismas/">Koorie Kristmas</a>; a curated program of festive-themed small-group workshops where you can make your own Christmas wreath, jewellery or Christmas decorations; a free screening of classic Christmas film <a href="/events/its-a-wonderful-life/">It’s a Wonderful Life</a>; and – for those celebrating Chanukah rather than Christmas – the annual <a href="/events/pillars-of-light/">Pillars of Light Festival</a>, with six evenings of bespoke live entertainment and the nightly lighting of the Menorah.
With so many free activities, <a href="/events/festive-hq/">Festive HQ at Fed Square</a> is a great place for you and your family and friends to enjoy all the joy, wonder and magic of this time of year – without putting pressure on your purse-strings. Whether you’re looking for daytime playtime or evening adventures – we’ve got you covered.See you at Festive HQ to experience the best in fun, free Melbourne Christmas activities!

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Fed Square is an iconic destination and Melbourne’s gathering place, where visitors are immersed in unique cultural experiences and architecture that celebrate Victoria’s rich heritage and identity.

Fed Square

Kids

Melbourne Christmas activities

VENUE HIRE MELBOURNE HIGHLIGHTS
For conferences, concerts and events requiring seating up to 450, you can’t go past <a href="/venues/deakin-edge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Edge</a>. With its striking prism-like architecture comprised of walls of intersecting fractal panes of glass, maximising the beauty of its outlook over the Birrarung (Yarra), what could be more perfectly Melbourne than that? Featuring bespoke timber furnishing and fully equipped lighting and AV capabilities, The Edge is a space that guarantees the wow-factor at any event.

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If you’re looking to create an experience that requires a space that’s a little more unusual, we have the soaring <a href="/venue-hire/atrium/">Atrium</a>: recently the location for the installation of the <a href="/events/museum-of-the-moon/">Museum of the Moon</a> – a brand activation with Marvel Studios and Disney +. The Atrium is a stunning, cavernous space, featuring Fed Square’s distinctive glass fractal panes reaching up to the sky, located directly opposite Melbourne’s iconic Hosier Lane, and is permanently open to the public. The Fracture Gallery in the Atrium can house exhibitions, and the entrance to the Atrium has been utilised to striking effect for the recent <a href="/events/photo-2022/">PHOTO 2022</a> exhibition – with a full-entrance decal artwork of Cindy Sherman’s Untitled Film Still – adorning the exterior.

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<a href="/venues/flinders-st-amphitheatre-2/">River Terrace</a>, a highly trafficked outdoor space connecting Swanston Street to Birrarung Marr and Melbourne’s sporting precinct, is the perfect location for warm-weather summertime outdoor activities and tent and marquee installations. The space has been the location for the hugely popular <a href="/events/firefly-zipline/">Firefly Zipline</a> across the Yarra, the mock-archaeological dig site for <a href="/events/melbourne-museum-triceratops-dino-dig/">Melbourne Museum’s Triceratops Dino Dig</a>, Disney’s <a href="/events/pixar-putt/">Pixar Putt</a>, and heaps more.

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Then, of course Fed Square has the <a href="/venues/main-square/">Main Square</a> – covered in its distinctive undulating red and terracotta-hued cobblestones, facing our Main Stage and Big Screen, directly opposite Flinders Street Station. This location hosts the maximum number of people at Fed Square (up to 8,000), and is perfect for festivals, concerts and major activations and events. The space has been transformed into a Fashion village and district for <a href="/events/melbourne-fashion-festival/">PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival</a>, complete with Champagne bars and <a href="/events/melbourne-fashion-festival-pavilion/">Fashion Pavillion</a>, and hosts major brand events such as <a href="/events/christmas-in-the-wizarding-world/">Christmas in the Wizarding World</a> and <a href="/events/star-wars-may-the-4th/">Star Wars Day (May the Fourth)</a>.

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Other options for specialised spaces include Slot 9, a tiny, hidden, underground space that borders the train tracks, which was thrillingly activated for <a href="/events/sensory-underground-dinner-by-tokyo-tina/">Sensory Underground</a> – the incredibly popular curated food, beverage, sonic and tactile multisensory experience, for a limited number of patrons. Melbournians, as we know, love a hidden space, and it doesn’t get much more exclusive than Slot 9.
And we’ve got heaps more options to get your ideas flowing and inspiration bubbling to make your next event really pop – have a chat to our friendly staff to talk through your venue hire needs.
That’s what we’re here for!

Want to enquire about venue hire for your next event?

You’ve been looking for the perfect place to host your event – to launch a brand activation or host a festival; to run a conference, put on a concert or craft an exclusive, bespoke ticketed event in a hidden location. You’ve been googling ‘venue hire Melbourne’ and going out of your mind trying to find something – well, just a bit special.
We’re here to help – we’ve been right under your nose the whole time!
After all, Fed Square has it all – with a range of special event spaces, both indoors, undercover and outside, and dedicated specialised in-house event management, event operations, multimedia and AV expertise, located in the centre of Melbourne’s beating heart – we have the perfect formula to ensure that your event will run smoothly and be one to remember.
If you’re looking to add marketing benefits to your venue hire arrangement – you also have option to reach Fed Square’s extensive public audience, with over 40,000 public subscribers to our weekly <a href="/subscribe/">What’s On e-newsletter</a>, and a combined social media audience of over 180,000.

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For the best in venue hire Melbourne – that’s Fed Square.

At Fed Square, there’s always something on – from festivals to free live music and pop-up performances, to small-group workshops or classes. So, whether you’re looking to laugh, live, learn or listen – we’ll have something that tickles your fancy.

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As the home of <a href="/venues/acmi/">ACMI</a> – your museum of screen culture, <a href="/venues/the-ian-potter-centre-ngv-australia/">The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia</a> and the <a href="/venues/koorie-heritage-trust-fed-square/">Koorie Heritage Trust</a>, we have free exhibitions open daily throughout the year – so why not pop in and see what’s on?

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Our regular program of free films on the <a href="/fed-tv-guide/">Big Screen</a> changes seasonally, so head on down to catch your faves. You can always find a comfy spot to seat – a colourful deckchair, or even something a bit more fun.

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And if you’ll only be drawn in by the truly spectacular and unique of Melbourne activities – Fed Square is always ready to impress. We love to bring you never-before-seen artworks, unusual immersive experiences and moments of true delight.

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We pride ourselves in always having something new to show you – particularly each winter, when we bring you the essence of Fed Square, in our <a href="/events/anything-but-square-winter/">Anything But Square</a> program. Past years have brought you <a href="/events/sensory-underground-dinner-by-tokyo-tina/">Sensory Underground</a> – a bespoke, curated sensory feast in the underground heart of Fed Square – and the Australian premiere of Cyril Lancelin’s <a href="/events/the-knot/">The Knot</a>.

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If you’re the type that loves to learn – be sure to check out our wonderful program of (almost!) <a href="/events/free-workshops/">free workshops</a>, classes and activities. You could learn to embroider or how to dance burlesque – or even how to paint a Melbourne skyline.

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For the kids, we have our annual <a href="/events/fed-kidz/">Fed Kidz</a> program each April. Featuring a special program of workshops just for kids, family films and the <a href="/events/little-food-festival/">Little Food Festival</a> – you can rest easy that you won’t run out of things to do.

With all roads and trainlines leading to Fed Square, we’re perfectly situated to be Melbourne’s great meeting point, so next time someone asks you to meet them ‘on the steps’, know that there’ll be a great Melbourne activity waiting for you to experience!
Be sure to check our <a href="/whats-on/">What’s On</a> and sign up for our <a href="/subscribe/">E-News</a> to stay in-the-know. And follow us on socials, because we love making new friends who love to know about Melbourne activities!

Looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered.

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The home of the best Melbourne activities year-round – Fed Square!

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And of course – at Christmas time, the Square lights up with the enormous City of Melbourne Christmas Tree and it’s all twinkling lights and beautiful moments for you to share with your family. Be sure to come and stop in for a visit with Santa – his workshop is a must-visit each Christmas at Fed Square. And don’t forget Koorie Krismas! That’s a special weekend of activity presented in partnership with the Koorie Heritage Trust, featuring a Welcome to Country, performances, live music – and a special visit from Koorie Klaus.

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We also love having exciting new installations in the Square, so be sure to check out what’s on to plan your visit. At wintertime, our Anything But Square program brings a truly unique spectacle to the square and in the summer – there’s bound to be something fun and playful for you to explore with your family in the hot January months.

We hope to see you and your family next school holidays at Fed Square – the number one destination for Melbourne activities for kids!

There are a heap of reasons why Fed Square should be top of your list to take the kids next school holidays.
With a chock-full annual program of free events and activities, great places to eat and recharge – all conveniently located at the centre of Melbourne, across the road from Flinders Street Station and on the banks of the Birrarung (Yarra) – you’ll never run out of things to do!
As the home of <a href="/venues/acmi/">ACMI</a>, the <a href="/venues/koorie-heritage-trust-fed-square/">Koorie Heritage Trust</a> and the <a href="/venues/the-ian-potter-centre-ngv-australia/">Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia</a>, we’re a one-stop shop for an arts or culture fix to inspire ideas and creativity in enquiring young minds. Our museums and galleries have their own program of free exhibitions open daily, including ACMI’s Story of the Moving Image, where your kids can learn about the history of cinema – and you can challenge them to an 80s arcade game or two!
Each April, we also have a special <a href="/events/fed-kidz/">Fed Kidz program</a> of school holiday events and activities – two weeks of workshops, Big Screen gaming, free films up on our Big Screen, live events and more.

Fed Square News - Things To Do In Melbourne

Fed Square – the heart of what’s on in Melbourne

Melbourne Christmas activities

For the best in venue hire Melbourne – that’s Fed Square.

The home of the best Melbourne activities year-round – Fed Square!

School holiday events Melbourne: why Fed Square is your go-to destination