Melbourne / December 2026 to February 2027
Melbourne In Summer: Events And Where To Stay
Last reviewed: 20 October 2026
Come for the cricket or tennis and stay a few extra days for Melbourne. Leave an afternoon for the NGV or head to the beach between events.
The Boxing Day Test starts on 26 December, the Australian Open runs from 11 to 31 January and St Kilda Festival returns on 20 and 21 February. Midsumma and the NGV Triennial add arts, performances and days out between the sporting dates.
Visiting outside summer? See our Things To Do And Events In Melbourne guide.
Summer Events At A Glance
| When | What’s On | Where | Worth Knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 December 2026 to 11 April 2027 | NGV Triennial | NGV International | Free entry, with the exhibition running throughout summer. |
| 18 December 2026; 1, 4, 7, 14 and 16 January 2027 | Big Bash cricket | MCG | Both Melbourne derbies are at the MCG this season. |
| 26 to 30 December | Australia v New Zealand Boxing Day Test | MCG | Five days are scheduled; the match can finish earlier. |
| 11 to 31 January | Australian Open | Melbourne Park | Opening Week comes first. The main draw begins on 17 January. |
| 17 January to 7 February | Midsumma Festival | Venues across Melbourne and Victoria | The full program launches on 24 November 2026. |
| 31 January | Midsumma Pride March | Fitzroy Street, St Kilda | The march shares its date with the final day of the Australian Open. |
| 7 February | Victoria’s Pride Street Party | Gertrude and Smith streets, Fitzroy | The final Sunday of Midsumma. |
| 20 to 21 February | St Kilda Festival | St Kilda foreshore | Check the 2027 program and transport arrangements as they’re released. |
December
Cricket And Christmas-Time City Days
The Boxing Day Test
26 to 30 December 2026 · MCG
Australia takes on New Zealand at the Boxing Day Test. Play is scheduled to start at 10.30 am, so arriving in Melbourne the day before gives you time to settle in without a same-morning flight.
A Test can finish before day five. If you’re staying for the full match, leave the Triennial or a beach outing for a spare day.
If you’re arriving on Christmas Day, arrange check-in and work out where you’ll get a meal or groceries. Find stays for the cricket in our MCG accommodation guide.
Big Bash Under The Lights
The MCG hosts six BBL matches this summer, beginning with Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers on Friday 18 December. The Melbourne Renegades also move to the MCG as a home ground this season, so don’t rely on an old Docklands travel plan.
The two Melbourne derbies are on Monday 4 and Saturday 16 January. If you’d prefer an afternoon start, the Renegades play the Sydney Sixers at 4 pm on New Year’s Day. The other January matches fall on the 7th and 14th. See the MCG’s full BBL fixture for teams and start times.
New Year's Eve
The City of Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve website will announce the 2026 celebrations. Check the site for viewing areas and transport details as they’re released.
January
Tennis Days And Midsumma Nights
Australian Open 2027
11 to 31 January 2027 · Melbourne Park
Go during Opening Week for qualifying, practice and Kids Tennis Day, or stay for several sessions in the early main draw. For finals weekend, choose your tickets before settling on travel dates. The AO what’s on guide has the week’s activities.
Choose between a ground pass and a reserved arena seat by checking the AO ticket guide for court access and separately ticketed performances. Player appearances depend on the draw and results, so book for the session you want rather than one particular player.
Allow for a late trip home after a night session. If you’re staying for several days, ask us about cooling and laundry facilities in the home you’re considering.
Midsumma Begins
17 January to 7 February 2027 · Multiple venues
Midsumma brings LGBTQIA+ theatre, cabaret, exhibitions and community events to Melbourne and wider Victoria.
The 2027 festival dates include Carnival on 17 January, Pride March on 31 January and Victoria’s Pride Street Party on 7 February. Carnival is at Alexandra Gardens; Pride March is in St Kilda. The full program launches on 24 November 2026. Use it to choose performances and check each venue’s access and ticket details.
Carnival falls on the first day of the AO main draw; Pride March shares the final day of the tennis. If your group is splitting up, we’ll help you consider a home that works for both outings.
February
Street Celebrations And Music By The Bay
Victoria's Pride In Fitzroy
7 February 2027 · Gertrude and Smith streets
Midsumma’s Victoria’s Pride Street Party rounds off the festival in Fitzroy. Stay for the weekend to catch a performance or exhibition before Sunday’s street party.
St Kilda Festival
20 to 21 February 2027 · St Kilda foreshore
St Kilda Festival returns to the foreshore for a free weekend of music on 20 and 21 February.
Saturday is First Peoples First, with programming at South Beach Reserve and family entertainment in O’Donnell Gardens. Sunday is Big Festival Sunday, with multiple music stages and community events. Watch the festival website for the artist line-up and travel information. If you need step-free travel, check the festival’s access arrangements before choosing your route.
Add another night if you’d like a beach day without keeping an eye on the stage times.
Summer Days Between The Events
Art / All summer
Give The NGV An Afternoon
The NGV Triennial runs from 13 December 2026 to 11 April 2027 at NGV International, with free entry. Contemporary art and design spread across all four levels, so leave enough time to explore.
You’ll find NGV International on St Kilda Road. The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is a separate gallery at Fed Square. Both are closed on Christmas Day.
Outdoors / At your own pace
A Morning In The Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne are free to enter. Bring a picnic or spend a morning walking through the gardens.
The Children’s Garden has its own opening times, so check those if it’s the main reason for your visit. Keep an eye on the day’s weather and leave the longer walk for another time if it’s very hot.
A Day By The Bay
Walk St Kilda’s beach and pier, visit Brighton’s bathing boxes, or follow the foreshore paths through Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and Middle Park. Visit Victoria’s beach guide has more on each beach.
You don’t need to swim to enjoy an afternoon by the bay. If you do, choose a patrolled beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. Check the EPA’s current water quality advice as well, particularly after rain.
Where To Stay For Your Summer Plans
For several days at the tennis, consider the trip to Melbourne Park and the journey home after a night session. Tell us which events you’re coming for and we’ll help you choose among our homes.
| Your Main Plan | Where You’ll Be | Planning Your Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Boxing Day Test or BBL | MCG and its surrounding sporting precinct | Your ticket’s gate, the trip for each match day and the journey home. |
| Australian Open | Melbourne Park | Your entry point, day or night session and return transport after play. |
| Pride March or St Kilda Festival | St Kilda, including Fitzroy Street or the foreshore | Festival entrances, step-free access and temporary transport changes. |
| Victoria’s Pride Street Party | Fitzroy, around Gertrude and Smith streets | The trip into the event area and any other Midsumma venues on your list. |
| Galleries, gardens and varied days out | St Kilda Road, Fed Square and the bay destinations you choose | Travel from the home to the galleries and beaches you want to visit. |
Use Transport Victoria’s journey planner with the individual property’s address and your likely travel time. Check again closer to the event for service changes.
A Few Checks Before You Book
- Match your accommodation dates to the ticketed days or sessions. Allow an arrival night if an early start would make same-day travel awkward.
- Compare bedrooms, beds and bathrooms for everyone coming. Confirm cooling, parking and access details on the individual listing, plus a workspace if you need to work during the stay.
- Read cancellation and minimum-stay terms before paying, especially if part of your trip is still undecided.
- For an early arrival or late flight, ask us about check-in before booking your travel.
- Keep a light layer alongside sun protection and water. Check the Melbourne forecast and warnings before heading out.
Your Place Your Space
Find A Home For Your Summer Visit
Choose your dates and group size to see our homes. Need help with beds, parking or an arrival outside the usual hours? Ask our guest team before you book.
Your Place Your Space provides accommodation independently of these event organisers. Accommodation and event tickets are separate bookings.