What's On December

Gertrude SaturdaysEvery Saturday in December

Throughout December, Fitzroy's Gertrude Street will come alive with a Saturday series to finish the year on a high. With various discounts on local products and services, music blasting all day long, art everywhere and surprise performances throughout the day, there’s no better way to spend Saturdays this December. The weekly festival aims to reignite the popular neighbourhood famous for its food, music and entertainment. 

Art in the VinesUntil 21 March 2021

The annual outdoor sculpture exhibition at Hanging Rock Winery features works by 25 highly-acclaimed Australian sculptors, many of whom have exhibited right across the globe. Hanging Rock Winery has been creating wines of distinction for over 30 years and is the largest in the Macedon Ranges, with a cellar door boasting an extensive award-winning range that showcases its estate wines and others made from premium grapes from the best regions in Victoria. Visitors can enjoy the art sculpture that will thrill, mesmerize and intrigue while sampling some outstanding wine. Until 21 March. 88 Jim Road, Newham, Victoria, 3442.

Rain Room5 December 2020 – 31 March 2021

Following a sell-out seven-month season in 2019, RANDOM INTERNATIONAL’s unmissable Rain Room will reopen on Saturday 5 December. The epitome of socially distant art, Rain Room is a 100 square metre expanse of torrential rainfall that responds to visitors’ presence and movement; protecting them from the rain as they navigate the space and allowing centre stage to be taken in a mesmerising merging of art, technology, and nature. More than 90,000 visitors ‘controlled the weather’ last season, making it Melbourne’s most talked about – and Instagrammed – solo art exhibition of recent memory. Jackalope Pavilion, Corner of Acland and Jackson Streets, St Kilda, 3182.

Melbourne Music Week9 December 2020 - 28 February 2021

Melbourne Music Week in its 10th year will captivate the city from December 2020 to February 2021 with a massive line-up of imaginative music and arts events. Extended over three-months, the program ensures a full social calendar over a summer-long festival, what better way to unite with friends than by enjoying the best of local music this summer. Various venues, Various locations, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000

Hedonistic Hiking’s Buffalo and Bubbles18 December 

Explore some of the distinctive rock formations on the beautiful plateau of Mount Buffalo with Hedonistic Hiking. Enjoy amazing views on a short but spectacular fully-guided hike suitable for all levels of walking. Finish the experience relaxing and enjoying the view with chilled bubbles and a selection of delicious canapés. This is a perfect experience to celebrate a special occasion or for people wanting more hedonism and less hiking! Departures from Bright/Porepunkah will be at approx. 4.00 pm depending on the time of year.

South East Summer11 December 2020 – 15 January 2021

Head to the East Gippsland Art Gallery, the centre for visual arts in East Gippsland for the South East Summer exhibition. South East Summer features new work from Gippsland Koorie Artists, Alfie Hudson Chris Mongta and Patricia Pittman. Featuring a stunning series of limited-edition linocut prints, drawings and paintings. Keep an eye out of the gallery’s calendar for its vibrant and dynamic program of art and cultural experiences for the whole family that celebrates the diverse artistic spirit of the region. 2 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale, 3875.

NGV Triennial19 December 2020 – 18 April2021

The NGV Triennial brings contemporary art, design and architecture into dialogue, offering a visually arresting and thought-provoking view of the world at this time. The large-scale exhibition features 86 projects by more than 100 artists, designers and collectives from more than 30 countries. It crosses cultures, disciplines and traditional divides, seeking to question the status quo of the art and design world through the generation of collaborative projects with positive impacts and long-term legacies. 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, 3006.

Lotus Flower Season26 December 2020 - mid-April 2021

Every summer thousands of massive and beautiful lotus flowers emerge from the lakes transforming the gardens into a sea of colour. Have a picnic or barbecue amongst the flowers or enjoy a delicious lunch at the Lily Pond Café. See the amazing new Tropical World with the world's largest water lilies on display. On weekends, public holidays, school holidays and Easter the Fairy Queen flies in to meet the children and tell stories in the Fairy Garden. 2628 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction, 3797.

New Year Street Feasts31 December 2020 – 1 January 2021

The party is being taken to the streets this New Year in Melbourne, and what a party it’s going to be. From Flinders Lane to Little Bourke Street, Chinatown to Domain Road celebrated restaurants, time-honoured favourites and cutting-edge kitchens are gearing up to add thousands of extra seats on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. There are Japanese hot dogs and cocktails for $29, luxe multi-course banquets for $1,000 a head, refined Chinese fare from a city stalwart, recovery brunches on 1 January and more. Book in with friends and family to say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021 with Melbourne’s best restaurants. Various venues, Various locations, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000

QV Melbourne Christmas Hub and Pop-up Bar27 November - 24 December 

Head to QV to visit one of Australia’s largest Christmas trees on show, reaching 15 metres to the stars, with magical lights covering the entire exterior. Nestled next to the QV Christmas Tree, is a bustling cocktail caravan, where Father’s Office mixologists will serve up watermelon daiquiris, lime margaritas, espresso martinis and more. Of A Friday and Saturday, Candy Cane and Angel Stilt Walkers, Red and Gold Acrobats and Roller Bauble performers will offer interactive delight to those picnicking under the Christmas tree. QV Melbourne, Lonsdale Street and Swanston Street, Melbourne, 3000.