As we roll into the last couple of months of sunshine and glorious weather made for day drinking, it would be a crime not to take advantage of Melbourne’s jam packed events calendar. We’ve rounded up the last few events of the summer that are guaranteed to be a fitting end to the sunny festival season.
The Beer Run: Melbourne
I aggressively avoid running at all costs, but if there is one thing I’ll bang out a brisk jog for, it’s a beer – specifically, the annual Melbourne Beer Run. This is a brewery tour with a twist of athleticism. The day will kick off at The Mill with a few ‘warm-up’ beers before you’ll jog your way across 5km of beer havens, dropping by the likes of Bodriggy, Moondog, Mountain Goat & Burnley breweries.
Depending on how long you decide to take for each pit stop, the run lasts around 2-3 hours before wrapping up at the final brewery for a hard-earned after party. Each athlete will score themselves a beer bottle opener medal, a beer in each brewery, a Beer Run bib and some prizes (for those who make it across the finish line).
So, don those velour tracksuits, fluorescent windbreakers and a pair of durable kicks because this brewery crawl will test the endurance of even the hardiest drinkers.
When: Sun Feb 9
Where: The Mill, Collingwood
How much: $55
St Kilda Wine & Cider Walk 2020
If running 5km on a gut full of beer isn’t your idea of good time, then slow things down a notch with the St Kilda Wine & Cider Walk. Pairing 15 of your favourite St Kilda venues with a collection of Victoria’s greatest wineries, this afternoon brings the best parts of a winery tour, right to Melbourne’s doorstep.
Hop your way down Fitzroy Street with a showcasing of tastings from a different local winery or cider house at each venue. You’ll be accompanied by roving street entertainment, live music and killer crew of event staff to keep the mood high all afternoon.
Registration tent will be set up at 42 Fitzroy Street, so drop by before 11 to grab your tasting cup, complimentary drink token and lanyard including a map of all the venues you’ll be visiting.
When: Sat Feb 22
Where: 42 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
How much: $25
Prosecco Festival 2020
Nothing gets me up and about like the sound of a cork being unleashed from a bottle of…. well, anything corked tbh. And on Feb 29 Northcote is hosting an entire festival dedicated to sampling the finest drop of the sparkling goodness that is Prosecco.
Pop down to Northcote Town Hall to sip your way through over 40 different Proseccos , mingle with growers, winemakers and importers and devour an excessive amount of Italian and local food.
Relish in the bliss of abundant prosecco brought to you by Italian and local producers, as well as Van Di Vino, Australia’s first Prosecco and Spritz Bar. And once you’ve drunk your way to an insatiable hunger, you’ll be spoilt for choice with vendors to satisfy those cheeky cravings, with appearances by 400 Gradi Pizza, Zero Gradi gelato, That’s Amore Cheese, Arancini Art, The Meat Room, Yes Porketta, and Eat Cannoli.
The day runs over two sessions, 11am-3pm and 4.30pm-8.30pm, so pick a time, bring the crew, and soak up the bubbles and good vibes over 4 hours of prosecco-induced bliss.
When: Sat Feb 29
Where: Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre
How much: $50
Curry Fest – St Kilda Beach
Curry, glorious curry, in absolute abundance on Melbourne’s prime location, St Kilda Beach. Name a better way to spend your Sunday arvo, I’ll wait.
On the 1st of March, St Kilda Beach will become home to some of the best Indian cuisine south of the equator. Showcasing a mouthwatering line up of gourmet food vendors and live music pumping all day, all you need to bring is a picnic rug and an appetite for some bloody good curry.
And the best part – it’s free entry! (You’ll just need to register online)
Despite butter chicken being as adventurous as I get with my curry choices, you bet your last papadam that I’ll be roaming my way through the vendors purely to get high off the aromas of that scrumptious Indian Sub Continental goodness.
When: Sun March 1
Where: St Kilda beach
How much: Free
Wine & Cheese Fest 2020
Melbourne’s foodie festival lineup may have saved the best until last, because trust me when I say the Wine & Cheese Fest is one that you do not want to miss. With a distinct focus on ‘keeping it local’ the festival showcases 60 boutique wine, cheese and small goods producers at the iconic Timber Yard in Port Melbourne. While it technically falls just outside summer, we’re willing to make an exception for this one.
As it enters its 8th year of running, you can be pretty confident they must be doing something right. A ticket will cost you 50 bucks but it’ll set you up with a FREE tastings of quality food and drink, FREE Master Classes, and a sick atmosphere to kick back in the sun and enjoy some solid tunes and company. If you’re the competitive type then give the legendary Grape Stomp Comp a berl, or just kick back and watch the madness unfurl.
As the sun sets, the atmosphere amps up and the after party kicks off on the lawn with DJs, food trucks and fully stocked bar to keep you pumping until 11pm.
When: Sun March 8
Where: The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne
How much: $50
