What's On In Melbourne This Weekend

By Courtney White

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October

Spring has finally sprung here in beautiful Melbourne… and not a moment too soon! As the weather warms up, it’s getting to that time of year where we can feel a little more confident in packing away our winter woolies, tentatively stepping back outside without an umbrella, and perhaps even beginning to plan our Christmas holidays.

But what about your social life? With all this planning and uncertainty going on, we wouldn’t want you to miss anything that’s happening this weekend. Worry not though, chaps, because here are our top five picks for what to do in Melbourne this weekend:

1. World Vegan Day Melbourne

If you’re one of these folks who switches off at the first mention of anything vege or vegan, switch back on for a second and give this one a go. World Vegan Day at the showgrounds is set to be a crowd-pleaser – whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, vegan-curious or even full blown omnivore. This event is always welcoming, and will be is an opportunity to explore everything Melbourne has to offer in regards to in this ever-more important and accessible way of life.

There’s going to be over 160 exhibitor stalls and 60 food stalls, guest speakers, a fitness zone, cooking demos, a fashion show, an art exhibition, a music and performance stage, speed dating and more – so there really will be something for everyone.

When: Sunday 23^rd October

Where: Royal Melbourne Show Grounds, Flemington VIC 3032

How much: Free!

2. Cake Bake and Sweets Show

Oh sweet, sweet lord of all that is holy (and I’m not talking about your teeth after all that sugar). This weekend marks the beginning of The Cake Bake and Sweets Show – which is a weekend for keen bakers, pastry cooks and cake decorators to share their talents and treats, and the rest of us to gorge ourselves sick. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will be cooking up a three-day bonanza of sugar-induced fun, with live demonstrations by celebrity chefs, all showcasing their signature desserts using state-of-the-art baking technology. A personal highlight will be the much loved Art of Cake Challenge, which will feature showstopping wedding and novelty cakes, so you can channel your inner Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood all weekend long.

Drool.

When: Friday 21^st – Sunday 23^rd October

Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

How much: $23 – $69

3. Victorian Diwali Festival

If you’re in the market for some family-friendly fun this weekend, you might want to get yourself down to Federation Square this Saturday, for one of the cultural highlights on the calendar – the Victorian Festival of Diwali. You’ll be escorted on a vibrant journey through India, with the festival featuring Indian cinema, Bollywood dancing, live music, assorted traditional culinary delights, art displays, dance and craft workshops and traditional henna painting. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet and greet with AFL and cricket players, and to top it all off, stick around for the penultimate fireworks display over the Yarra.

When: Saturday 22^nd October

Where: Federation Square, Corner of Swanston & Flinders Streets, Melbourne VIC 3000

How much: Free

4. Garage Sale Trail 2016

If an event has been running for six years, you know it’s on to something good. Garage Sale Trail is one such event – a free, national council-run day of garage sales – which has attracted over 300,000 bargain hunters annually. If a day of barbequing, baking, recycling, treasure hunting, or just a bout of good haggling sounds good, this one’s for you. There are a number of sites across Melbourne, so you can spend the weekend sight seeing as well as bargain hunting as you follow the trail. Just make sure you bring a sturdy backpack for all the trinkets you’ll inevitably end up nabbing.

When: Saturday 22^nd October

Where: All over the place – check out the trail here

How much: Free

5. Camelot Castle Medieval Festival

Hail, fellow! If perchance you are looking hither and thither for something a little different to excite you this weekend, then I prithee check out the Medieval Village Fair – fittingly held in the gardens of Camelot Castle in Yellingbo. ‘Tis true, in an actual castle. Yellingbo is a scenic trip through the Yarra Valley, about an hour from Melbourne and just twenty minutes from Lilydale.

There’s set to be a dazzling array of entertainment on display at the fair, not least the roaming minstrels and knights, face painting, a bouncy castle, market stalls (medieval style, of course), weaving and metal work (read: armor and weaponry) displays, puppet shows, and – last but by no means least – live action battles between knights.

Sounds like a great way to while away of few of the many, many hours left before the next season of Game of Thrones is released… for the kids, obviously 😎

When: Sunday 23rd of October 2016 10am – 4pm

Where: 2605 Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road, Yellingbo VIC 3139

How much: Gold coin donation

FIND A VENUE