The 7 Best Things To Do In Melbourne This June
Don’t let those cloudy 12 degree days get you down – there’s still a heap of cool stuff happening in Melbourne to keep you culturally stimulated this June. From festivals to markets, screenings to late night events – grab your warmest woolies and get out of that winter slump.
[listicle]Support the community (cup)
Don your team colours and head down to Elsternwick Park for a day of live music, food, beverages and of course, the greatest game of footy you’ll ever see. Reclink’s annual Community Cup raises funds to help Reclink Australia provide sporting and art opportunities for disadvantaged Aussies. In a now infamous tradition, a big footy match is held with icons from Melbourne’s music scene (the Rockdogs) battling it out with community radio disc jockeys (the Megahertz). It’s a chilled out day of good tunes and (somewhat) good footy, and it’s all for a good cause. More info here.
Photo: Community Cup
Feeling hot, hot, hot
The city is full of festivals right now, but one not to miss is Melbourne’s Chilli Festival. Hosted by Hobba in Prahran, this inaugural event will showcase Melbourne’s hottest (literally) food trucks and help raise some much needed funds for the Prahran Mission. Food truck masters Dos Diablos, Billy Van Creamy, Soul Kitchen Pizza and Little Mushroom Co. will be bringing their A game and throwing in a spicy selection of eats to their existing menu.
If you’re game, there’s also a chilli eating competition which involves contestants inhaling 12 chicken wings marinated in the world’s hottest chilli extract. Prizes and bragging rights are up for grabs for the brave soul who wins. The event will be held on Saturday June 4 from 6pm till 10pm at 424 Malvern Rd (right next door to Hobba).
Wine and wildlife – the perfect combo
Wine, cheese and koalas? Yup, some of the Yarra Valley’s greatest culinary icons will be descending on Healsville Sanctuary for a very special Queen’s Birthday weekend event. Wine & Wildlife will showcase fine wines from De Bortoli and Punt Road, craft beers, cider from Napoleone, chocolate from Kennedy and Wilson, gourmet cheese tasting and a bunch more.
There’ll be roaring open fires, live music and cutesy wildlife to get around. Keepers will be roaming the bushland setting with some furry, feathered and scaly friends for some unique wildlife encounters. More info here.
Photo: Zoos Australia
A spooky Donnie Darko screening
The Astor Theatre will be hosting two very special screenings to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Donnie Darko, the generation defining cult film that spawned scary Bunny-themed Halloween costumes worldwide. The OG time-bending mind warp will be presented in its original theatrical version and will also feature a very special bunny themed pre-show spectacular.
Revel in the angst, sing along to the epic soundtrack and head-scratch your way through this very special screening of a very weird film. Screenings are on at 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday June 14 – tickets available here. BYO bunny suit.
Tell us a story
In the lead up to Melbourne’s Emerging Writers’ Festival, four inspiring storytellers will shape, craft and create a story to share on stage at the Emerging Writers Fest: Opening Night Storytelling Slam. This year’s slam will feature Mohammed Baqiri, Nayuka Gorrie, Fury, Jane Harper, Dr Jill Tomlinson, Paul Gorrie and Neil Morris telling silly and heartfelt stories themed around advice they’ve received on the road. The event will take place on June 14 at the Malthouse Theatre and it’s set to be a fun and raucous romp into the lives of some of our greatest emerging storytellers – head here for more info.
Photo: Emerging Writers’ Festival
To market, to market
Queen Victoria Market’s will once again cosy up under its historic sheds for many a Melburnian’s mid-week winter ritual – the QVM’s Winter Night Market. There’ll be crackling fires, mulled wine, roving entertainment, live music and a veritable global feast brought to you by over 30 street vendors. Not to mention some of the city’s best designer and artisan stalls. Grab your winter woolies, and settle in for an evening of fun – QVM’s Winter Night Market runs every Wednesday night from 5-10pm, from June 1.
Photo: Queen Victoria Market
CERES are throwing a winter party
The winter solstice is upon us, so CERES Environmental Park are throwing a party. Ceres Beautiful Darkness Winter Solstice party will be a celebration of the longest night of the year and feature live music, performances, craft activities and a ceremonial fire. There’ll be food, chai and mulled wine on offer to keep you warm and toasty as the night goes on. It takes place on June 25 from 4.30-8.30pm, and tickets are $18 – get them here. [/listicle]
(Lead image: Chilli Festival patrons Soul Kitchen Woodfired Pizza Truck/Facebook)
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