What's On in Melbourne This Weekend

Christmas is creeping ever closer, team. Whether that makes you want to deck the halls, or hit the deck, ’tis unavoidable. So whether you’re looking to gift buy, or looking to avoid buying gifts this weekend, here’s what’s going on around Melbourne to satisfy all you little christmas elves (and grinches).

Deutsche Schule German Christmas Market

Friday 25^th | 96 Barkly Street Fitzroy North, Victoria

Fröhliche Weihnachten, one and all! That, friends, is German for Merry Christmas – and if that tickled your fancy, then you might want to throw a coughing fit or two in front of the boss today, in order for you to confidently blag a cheeky a day off on Friday. That way, you can get down to the Deutche Schule Markets instead of having to do any pesky work – two birds, one stone.

If you can make it, you’ll be rewarded with delicious food (along the lines of pretzels, gingerbread, sausages and delicious Christmas biscuits), warming gluhwein (the German version of mulled wine – which, going by the weather over the past few days, we may need) and lots of traditional trinkets and treats to stuff those Santa sacks with. Of course, no German festivity would be complete without copious amounts of their liquid gold crowning glory, so yes, there will be beer too. Lots of beer.

Starward’s Housewarming Party

Saturday 26^th | 50 Bertie St, Port Melbourne

If you’d rather head on in to the office tomorrow, fear not – because Saturday is no less full of excitement… and alcohol. One of Melbourne’s favourite whiskey distillers is closing up shop in Essendon Fields, and heading to the port (in the physical sense, rather than the distilling – they’re still sticking to the whiskey). To celebrate the occasion, Starward’s will be hosting a boozy open day, which will offer you the opportunity to go inside the warehouse, take part in numerous master classes and cocktail making workshops, and of course, taste the merch. To help you celebrate, there’ll also be food trucks, mini bottles of whiskey, and guided tours all day long.

Melbourne Sexpo

Thursday 24^th – Sunday 27^th | Exhibition Centre, 2 Clarendon Street, South Wharf

Alright, so obviously this one is NSFW, and absolutely R18. But if the offerings at a Christmas market aren’t your bag, then perhaps you’d be more interested in a gift from the Sexpo; which is taking place at the Exhibition Centre across the weekend.

It’s hard, but we’re going to be classy and not make any mention of stocking stuffers, or Santa sacks, or little helpers, or any other punny quips to ruin Christmas. So in all seriousness, if your weekend could use a bit of shopping and socialising with world class entertainment – what better way to spend a day out?

Rosebud Foreshore Rock Fest

Friday 25^th – Sunday 27^th | Rosebud Village Green (opposite Rosebud Hotel)

Feel like getting out of the city? Love a good bit of rock’n’roll? How about a retro beach party, complete with custom cars and BYO drinks? If yes to any of the above, then the Rosebud Foreshore Rock Fest should be on your to do list this weekend. The festival is set to run from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th November 2016, and will feature rock ‘n’ roll dances, a big old beach party, markets, classic cars and drive-in movies – so you can live your best Sandy/Danny/Rydell High truth, at least for the weekend.

The party kicks off on Friday 25th November at 6pm with a good, old-fashioned Beach Party at the Rosebud Sea Scout Hall, where DJs will keep you hand-jiving all night long. Tickets are $10 each, which includes a gourmet burger for dinner… and it’s BYO drinks!

Melbourne Colour Run

Sunday 27^th | Flemington Racecourse

Rounding out the weekend, in conjunction with Sportsgirl, the Melbourne leg of the Tropicolor World Tour is set to get you running in between palm trees, amidst tropical scents and along to island tunes. Think of it as a fun way to get in shape for summer – and if that isn’t enough to encourage you to get your runners on, there’s a festival on Rainbow Beach for those who make it to the finish line. What was that about two birds, again?

You’re welcome.

By Courtney White

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