Skip to main content

Thank you for subscribing

You’ll be sent the latest news, exclusive offers and competitions to your inbox.

Victoria

Winter festivals and nocturnal attractions in Melbourne and Victoria in 2025

RISING rink
RACV

June 23, 2025

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.

Jump to:

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

Winter festivals and events on in Melbourne 2025

Lightscape, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

$28-$44. June 20 - August 10, 2025.

Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens will set the night ablaze again in 2025 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

Free entry. June 4 - August 27, 2025.

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. 7 - 24 August, 2025. 

As one of our premier film festivals during the year, MIFF's 72nd edition features local and international films across cinemas and entertainment venues in Melbourne. Highlights this year include Parasite composer Jung Jae-il conducting and performing the score alongside the film (and Orchestra Victoria); Palm d'Or winner and revenge thriller It Was Just An Accident; and Careless, an Australian documentary and elderly Australians growing old how they want to. 

The festival also features in-person discussions with filmmakers, a childrens' program, local competitions and premieres of award contenders. The full program launches on July 10, 2025. 

Discover how RACV Members save on movie tickets.

BEETLEJUICE the Musical, Melbourne

Various prices. Until August 31, 2025.

This spooktacular musical is funnier, more irreverent, more reckless and more repellent than ever in this original musical based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film. Eddie Perfect, who wrote the musical's music and lyrics, will star in the titular role.

BEETLEJUICE tells the story of a deceased couple, the Maitlands, who try to haunt the new inhabitants of their former home. One of the new inhabitants is a young girl, Lydia, who is dealing with her mother's death and her neglectful father. (Un)luckily for Lydia and the Maitlands, the ghost-with-the-most, mischievous Beetlejuice is here to 'help'.

RACV Members can save on tickets to BEETLEJUICE.

QVM Melbourne

BEETLEJUICE stars Eddie Perfect as the titular character, a rakish poltergeist set on mischief. Image: Supplied.

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 2025

Winter Glow, Adventure Park Geelong

$32.50-$42. 28 June - 9 August, 2025. 

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, Fingal

Various prices. From June 1, 2025.

Relax and unwind at Alba Thermal Springs and Spa this winter. From June 1, 2025, the luxurious thermal springs and spa centre is offering all guests arriving after 6pm each evening a complimentary glass of mulled wine. 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

Learn more