Save the date: The best events happening in Melbourne this May
image via @drip.coffee.drip/instagram
WORDS BY FASHION JOURNAL
What’s on.
Although crowds are set to flock en masse to Sydney come May 11 for Australian Fashion Week, Melbourne is certainly holding down the fort. In fact, this coming month might be the busiest the city has yet to see.
Stay updated on the latest fashion and design events at FJ’s Events section.
So far, our calendar is booked up with independent runways, fashion pop-ups, author talks and pre-loved markets. Maybe we’ll see you there.
Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival
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When: May 21-23
The Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival is back for its fifth year. This year’s theme is ‘Transition’. The festival features free screenings of four films: Family Matters, Deep Quiet Room, The Photo from 1977, and A Foggy Tale. Explore Taiwan’s history through these moving personal stories.
Find more here.
The Big Design Market
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When: May 22-24
Discover independent Australian designers, indulge in some delicious food and soak up the festivities at The Big Design Market. Spend the weekend exploring over 250 independent designers from across Australia and more than 70 artisanal food brands. It’s a chance to shop for local and ethical ceramics, jewellery, homewares and more.
Find more here.
Melbourne Design Week
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When: May 14 to 24
Melbourne Design Week is back. Taking place throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria, you’ll have the opportunity to attend events like Kowtow’s The Pattern Project event, the NGV’s Radical Aesthetics exhibit and plenty more.
Find more here.
Sixteen Things to do With a Lemon Exhibition
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When: May 15 to 24
Chris Yuille, the Melbourne-based culinary artist, is pushing the boundaries of edible art with his latest work, Sixteen Things to Do With a Lemon. Created in collaboration with Melbourne creative studio AKLR Studio for Melbourne Design Week, the limited-run print exhibition offers an unexpected take on one of the kitchen’s most familiar ingredients.
Find more here.
Melbourne Art Book Fair
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When: May 14 to 24
Established by the NGV in 2015, the Melbourne Art Book Fair brings together local and international publishers, artists, and designers. Celebrating its 12th year, it acts as an extension of Melbourne Design Week. The event will see pop-ups and activations across Victoria, alongside a Stallholder Fair held in the NGV’s Great Hall from May 15 to 17.
Find more here.
Library Up Late x RISING
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When: May 29
Library Up Late is back for the Rising festival. Enjoy a night of dancing, music and creativity under the iconic reading room dome, with performances from Cloudy Ku, Solar Cells, Monica Lim and more. It’s bound to be a memorable night, filled with excellent music in Australia’s oldest public library.
Find more here.
Revamp Market
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When: May 29 to 31
Revamp Market is popping up for the last time this autumn at Prahran Market. For one final weekend, shop from a collection of stalls selling pre-loved and vintage goods at reasonable prices. While you shop, enjoy listening to tunes spun by a live DJ or indulging in food and drink from a local food truck.
Find more here.
Milkbar Pop-Up
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When: May 30 to 31
Australian menswear brand Milkbar is launching its next release, Lessons from Being Analog, totally offline, with doors opening to the public for two days only beginning May 31. In a complete rejection of a culture driven by algorithms, Milkbar has largely paused its online presence, and the first to access the collections’ two-piece wool suit, shirt and tie will be those who attend the in-person event.
Find more here.
A Plus Market
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When: May 31
To wrap up what promises to be an exciting month is the A Plus Market. Held at Coburg Town Hall, it’s a celebration of plus-size style, creativity and community. Find clothing, shoes, accessories, and art, alongside food and drinks on offer.
Find more here.
Fashion Life Drawing
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When: May 31
Join Many Hands Make for a relaxed, beginner-friendly life drawing class featuring fully clothed models showcasing vintage pieces from Waxy Apples Vintage. In this class, which focuses on fabric and form, attendees will be able to suggest poses for the models to try and pieces for them to wear, so each artist will leave with a totally unique sketch.
Find more here.
A Mesa Collections x Racine residency
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When: May 23 to Jun 6
Racine and Mesa Collections are taking over Brunswick café, Drip, for a two-week residency, bringing the rituals of French and Filipino hospitality to Melbourne. The residency will feature plating workshops, butter tasting, a dinner party and more.
For more details, head here.
Slowpoke Diner Sundays
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When: Every Sunday until June 7
Slowpoke Diner Sundays is a new rotating takeover series, where chefs from some of Melbourne’s best venues will step into Slowpoke’s kitchen and add their personal touch to the restaurant’s iconic cheeseburgers. The lineup includes chefs from Taquito, Leonardo’s Pizza Palace, Akimbo and more.
For more details, head here.
Basement Comedy Club
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When: Every Sunday until June 7
Wishing you had made it to more shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival? You’re in luck. The Basement Comedy Club is keeping this good thing going, with weekly Friday and Saturday night shows featuring a lineup of comedians.
Find more here.
Rising Melbourne
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When: May 27 to June 8
Ready to welcome winter, Rising runs from late May until early June. A festival of art, music and performance, you can see performances from Lil’ Kim and Anaiis, plus attend dance shows, balls, talks and more.
Find more here.
Music Documented: ACMI Cinemas
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When: Every Sunday until June 28
ACMI’s Music Documented is a celebration of sound. Discover more about the sounds and people that shaped pop culture. The event features a range of documentaries, from John and Yoko to house music, only screening at ACMI Cinemas.
Find more here.
To explore more events on in Melbourne, head here.
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