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Winter festivals and nocturnal attractions in Melbourne and Victoria in 2026

RISING rink
RACV

April 14, 2026

Whether it's being immersed in a garden light show, gliding around a pop-up ice rink, or sipping mulled wine at a night market, winter’s dark hours offer some of Melbourne and Victoria's most unforgettable nocturnal experiences.

Winter doesn’t have to mean short days and early nights. Melbourne and Victoria light up with winter festivals, night markets and one-off adventures from June to August every year. While winter festivals have broad appeal with music, food, and community, Melbourne's nighttime attractions offer the promise of discovery, mystery, and atmosphere. Plus RACV Members save on experiences across Australia - explore what's on offer now via the RACV App.

Here is your guide to Melbourne and Victoria's winter festivals and nocturnal adventures.

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Take in a festival with a mini-break at one of RACV's Resorts.


Winter festivals and events on in Melbourne 2026

Lightscape, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

$28-$46. 12 June - 2 August 2026.

Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens will set the night ablaze again in 2026 with the return of Lightscape. This award-winning nocturnal winter festival will this year feature 20 new light installations to discover hidden amongst the garden's winding trails. 

Take your time as you wander beneath glowing canopies and past fields of lights, enjoying the accompanying soundscapes and immersive experiences. The event is suitable for all ages and hot food and drink is available on site. 

Queen Victoria Winter Night Market, Melbourne CBD

Dates TBC 2026.

The much-loved night trade at Queen Victoria Market has become a weekly Wednesday night tradition for many Melburnians, featuring a wonderland of street food, shopping, live music, entertainment and hot drinks – did someone say mulled wine

The open-air sheds naturally get chilly, so rug up – and keep an eye out for a spot near the fire pits. Visitors can also pre-book a table if you want to guarantee a spot to sit. 

QVM Melbourne

Queen Victoria Markets have a delicious array of food and beverage choices during the winter season. Image: Visit Victoria

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), Melbourne

Various prices. 6- 23 August, 2026. 

The 74th Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) returns from August 6–23, 2026. Key 2026 events include the industry-focused MIFF 37ºSouth Market (August 6–9), the Critics Campus program (August 10–14), and prestigious awards like the $140,000 Bright Horizons prize. Specific screenings and ticketing details are released closer to the festival.

The festival also features in-person discussions with filmmakers, a childrens' program, local competitions and premieres of award contenders. The full program launches in July 2026. 

Discover how RACV Members save on movie tickets.

SIX the Musical

24 July - 23 August 2026, Comedy Theatre

SIX the Musical returns to Melbourne this year after touring more than 15 countries and scoring 38 major international awards, including two Tony Awards and a Grammy nomination.

Get ready to see Henry VIII's six wives - Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr - remix 500 years of history into an electrifying 80-minute pop concert fit for royalty.

SIX the Musical returns to Melbourne this year


More nocturnal winter activities in Melbourne

There are plenty of events and experiences running through winter around Melbourne to keep adults and children entertained in and around the city, including: 

Royal Botanical Gardens Lightscape

Warm up with a glass mulled wine and a soak in the hot springs at Alba this winter. Image: Alba.

Winter festivals and events on in regional Victoria 2026

Winter Glow, Adventure Park Geelong

Winter event opens 20 June 2026.

Don't miss the chance to experience an enchanting snowscape at Adventure Park. Winter Glow brings art installations, light shows, fire twirling and ice sculpting to the Geelong amusement park, with guests also able to access many of the regular attractions such as the Ferris wheel, carousel, teacups and mini golf.

Two snow play areas (one for all-ages and one for kids aged under five) are the highlight of the festival, with approximately 100 dump trucks worth of real snow created for the event. Kids will love the face painting and cookie decorating activities, and even have the chance to meet an ice princess in her special wintry castle. 

Book a stay at the nearby RACV Torquay Resort for an unforgettable winter weekend. 

Alba thermal bathing, Mornington Peninsula

Various winter offers

Relax and unwind at Alba Thermal Springs and Spa this winter. Enjoy it by the firepit before enjoying one of Alba's signature bathing experiences.

Make a stay out of it with a night at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort.


RACV Members save on experiences across Victoria

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