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Melbourne for Free in September
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Published July 11th 2016
Top Free Things to See and Do around Melbourne in September
Enjoy Melbourne for FREE in September
Bid goodbye to August as the wintery cold gives way to blooms of golden wattles and daffoldils, spring festivals and town fairs. If you've been cozying up in winter, its time to stretch those limbs, get active and fill up your calender with fun things to do outdoors and indoors. You can join in the spring festivities; admire jewels from one of the world's top luxury brand; partake a progressive lunch; celebrate the mid-Autumn festival; view the largest exhibition of stage costumes; immerse in the Maltese culture; appreciate works from one of the nation's top contemporary artist; shop for some new designs; participate in a youth event; help plant some trees; and chuckle at live stand up comedy. Whatever event or activity suits the family or your fancy, you'll find something for FREE in the world's most liveable city this month.
1 to 11 September - Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival
What better way to welcome spring then a day trip with family and friends to Kyneton. The town and surrounding countryside is garlanded with daffodils as it celebrates the annual Daffodil and Arts Festival. The event serves up a program of flower shows, gardens, crafts, markets and visual and performing arts in the first 2 weeks of September. Highlights includes the Grand Parade, scarecrow displays, Daffodil Old Time Ball, Festival of One Act Plays, Daffodil Art Prize and Art Photography, Dog Dash, and 'That is not a Daffodil' musical for the kids.
Venue: Kyneton
Address: Kyneton VIC 3444
Phone: 03 5422 2282
Website: www.kynetondaffodilarts.org.au
From 1 September - Italian Jewels: Bulgari Style
The National Gallery of Victoria and Bulgari Heritage brings you an exhibition of photography, film and glittering jewels, synonymous with the luxury Italian brand and Hollywood. You can view exquisite Bulgari jewellery worn on the red carpet by Kiera Knightley, Anita Ekberg and Grace Kelly, as well as those from the personal collections of Elizabeth Taylor and Gina Lollobrigida. There will also be talks related to the jewels on display by curators, designers, academics and other experts related to jewellery, style and design. The exhibition will run till 1 January 2017.
Time: 1pm - 5pm daily
Venue: National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International)
Address: 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006
Phone: (03) 8620 2222
Till 4 September - Stage Presence
Head over to Art Centre Melbourne for a showcase of the country's largest and most comprehensive performance design corpus before it ends. The 'Stage Presence' exhibition features works from circus, dance, music, opera and theatre by over 150 Australian set and costume designers. You and your family can view sketches, research files, set models, finished designs and carefully annotated technical drawings, which illuminate the from varied productions such as King Lear and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Together they tell the story of performance design in Australia.
Time: 9am till late daily
Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne, Theatre Building, Level 6, Gallery 1
Address: 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004
Phone: 1300 182183
7, 14, 21 & 28 September - Open Mic Comedy at the Imperial
You've enjoyed the stand up comedy at Boney and Spleen Bar. Now make you way to the Imperial Hotel for Open Mic Night. Fresh faces to Melbourne's comedy scene will try to tickle your funny bone at 8.30pm. Its not Amateur Night at Apollo Theater in New York but this gig might just be the turning point for some. If you fancy taking a shot at live stand up, you can sign up for the stage before 8pm.
Time: 8.30pm
Venue: Imperial Hotel
Address: 2-8 Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Website: www.facebook.com/openmicimpy
10 September - FEASTival
Yarra Plenty Regional Library will be bringing the flavours of the world to the public through FEASTival. The food and wine event includes demonstrations, tastings and a 2-course progressive lunch that starts at Thomastown Library and then proceeds to Lalor Library. Contact the Library or visit the website for more updated information.
Time: 11am - 12.45pm
Venue: Thomastown Library
Address: 52 Main St, Thomastown VIC 3074
Phone: (03) 9464 1864
10 September - Mooncake & Mid Autumn Festival
In addition to the Full Moon Festival at the Dandenong Market, you and your family can also enjoy the Mid Autumn Festival hosted by the Whittlesea Chinese Association. Observed when the moon is full and at its brightest in the Lunar Calender by Chinese around the world, this festival brings together families for prayers and thanksgiving. This event is open to everyone and you can enjoy cultural music, performances, lucky draw prizes and a lantern parade.
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Epping Memorial Hall
Address: 827 High St, Epping VIC 3076
Phone: (03) 9404 8843
11 September - Warranwood Reserve Wetland Planting
Looking for a way to get the family closer to nature that's more than just gardening workshops? Then join the Warranwood Reserve Committee for a session of tree planting. They will be adding more indigenous plants in the new wetland opposite the Bryson's Road and at the end of Kardinia Crescent. This coucil reserve is home to a vast diversity of flora and fauna. Tools and gloves are provided. You and your family can enjoy a free BBQ lunch with cordial, tea and coffee as thanks. Long sleeves, trousers and strong shoes or 'wellies' are recommended. The event is open to all ages and young children should be supervised by adults at all times.
Time: 10am - 2pm
Venue: Warranwood Reserve
Address: Warranwood Reserve, Warranwood VIC 3134
Phone: 03 98763094
Website: www.warranwoodreserve.org
14 September - Maltese Night at Mill Park Library
Head over to Mill Park Library for a night of Maltese festivities. Malta is an archipelago nation located between Sicily and the North African coast. It is rich with history contributed by the Romans, Turks, French and British. September is an important month for Malta due to signficant historic events including the Great Siege, victory over the Turks and political Independence from Britain. This event is presented by Yarra Plenty Regional Library and celebrates the Maltese culture.
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Mill Park Library
Address: 394 Plenty Rd, Mill Park VIC 3082
Phone: (03) 9437 8189
16 September - Speak Up: An Evening of Spoken Word
Come hear some of the best spoken word performers, song writers and poets in Melbourne at 'Speak Up'. Hosted by Incinerator Gallery, this popular program features a line-up of inspiring, exhilarating and thought-provoking artists curated by spoken word artist Jessie Giles. You can also enjoy free refreshments at 6pm and stroll through the exhibition in the gallery. Click here to register your seat.
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Incinerator Gallery
Address: 180 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds, VIC 3039
Phone: (03) 8325 1750
From 23 September - Sally Gabori: Land Of All
The Ian Potter Centre NGV Australia will showcase the cultural legacy left behind by Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori c.1924–2015. Gabori was one of the leading contemporary Australian artists of the last decade and a distinguished senior Kaiadilt woman artist from Bentinck Island in the Queensland's Gulf of Carpentaria. The exhibition features more than 30 small-scale to monumental canvases on loan from Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art that capture her stories, knowledge, experiences and cultural memories of Bentinck Island, Dibirdibi Country, Mirdidingki, and the first outstation, Nyinyilki. The exhibition will run till 29 January 2017.
Time: 10am - 5pm daily
Venue: The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Address: Ground Floor, Federation Sqaure, Flinders St & Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 8620 2222
24 September - Unleashed
Head over to Federation Square for the top youth annual social change festival in Australia. Organised by the Foundation for Young Australians, 'Unleashed' brings together youths from around the country to exchange ideas, skills and views on key national issues. The program is open to all ages and will feature a line-up of live music, film and speakers.
Time: 12pm - 6pm
Venue: Federation Square
Address: Corner of Swanston & Flinders Streets, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 03 9670 5436
Website: www.unleashedfestival.com
25 September - Bend and Snap Market
Come celebrate Bend and Snap Market's 5th birthday at Thousand £ Bend. While its not the scale of the Big Design Market at the Royal Exhibition Building or the Melbourne Design Market in Federation Square, this indoor design market still delivers a fair share of art, vintage and quirky goodies. It has been showcasing local creativity and supporting the community of illustrators, fashion designers, jewelers and textile artists in Melbourne. Enjoy a coffee from the cafe while you check out the DIY kits, goth edge candles and kooky illustrations.
Time: 11am - 4pm
Venue: Thousand £ Bend
Address: 361 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Website: bendandsnapmarket.wordpress.com
Bid goodbye to August as the wintery cold gives way to blooms of golden wattles and daffoldils, spring festivals and town fairs. If you've been cozying up in winter, its time to stretch those limbs, get active and fill up your calender with fun things to do outdoors and indoors. You can join in the spring festivities; admire jewels from one of the world's top luxury brand; partake a progressive lunch; celebrate the mid-Autumn festival; view the largest exhibition of stage costumes; immerse in the Maltese culture; appreciate works from one of the nation's top contemporary artist; shop for some new designs; participate in a youth event; help plant some trees; and chuckle at live stand up comedy. Whatever event or activity suits the family or your fancy, you'll find something for FREE in the world's most liveable city this month.
1 to 11 September - Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival
Address: Kyneton VIC 3444
Phone: 03 5422 2282
Website: www.kynetondaffodilarts.org.au
From 1 September - Italian Jewels: Bulgari Style
The National Gallery of Victoria and Bulgari Heritage brings you an exhibition of photography, film and glittering jewels, synonymous with the luxury Italian brand and Hollywood. You can view exquisite Bulgari jewellery worn on the red carpet by Kiera Knightley, Anita Ekberg and Grace Kelly, as well as those from the personal collections of Elizabeth Taylor and Gina Lollobrigida. There will also be talks related to the jewels on display by curators, designers, academics and other experts related to jewellery, style and design. The exhibition will run till 1 January 2017.
Time: 1pm - 5pm daily
Venue: National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International)
Address: 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006
Phone: (03) 8620 2222
Till 4 September - Stage Presence
Head over to Art Centre Melbourne for a showcase of the country's largest and most comprehensive performance design corpus before it ends. The 'Stage Presence' exhibition features works from circus, dance, music, opera and theatre by over 150 Australian set and costume designers. You and your family can view sketches, research files, set models, finished designs and carefully annotated technical drawings, which illuminate the from varied productions such as King Lear and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Together they tell the story of performance design in Australia.
Time: 9am till late daily
Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne, Theatre Building, Level 6, Gallery 1
Address: 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004
Phone: 1300 182183
7, 14, 21 & 28 September - Open Mic Comedy at the Imperial
Photo courtesy of Imperial Hotel Bourke Street
You've enjoyed the stand up comedy at Boney and Spleen Bar. Now make you way to the Imperial Hotel for Open Mic Night. Fresh faces to Melbourne's comedy scene will try to tickle your funny bone at 8.30pm. Its not Amateur Night at Apollo Theater in New York but this gig might just be the turning point for some. If you fancy taking a shot at live stand up, you can sign up for the stage before 8pm.
Time: 8.30pm
Venue: Imperial Hotel
Address: 2-8 Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Website: www.facebook.com/openmicimpy
10 September - FEASTival
Yarra Plenty Regional Library will be bringing the flavours of the world to the public through FEASTival. The food and wine event includes demonstrations, tastings and a 2-course progressive lunch that starts at Thomastown Library and then proceeds to Lalor Library. Contact the Library or visit the website for more updated information.
Time: 11am - 12.45pm
Venue: Thomastown Library
Address: 52 Main St, Thomastown VIC 3074
Phone: (03) 9464 1864
10 September - Mooncake & Mid Autumn Festival
In addition to the Full Moon Festival at the Dandenong Market, you and your family can also enjoy the Mid Autumn Festival hosted by the Whittlesea Chinese Association. Observed when the moon is full and at its brightest in the Lunar Calender by Chinese around the world, this festival brings together families for prayers and thanksgiving. This event is open to everyone and you can enjoy cultural music, performances, lucky draw prizes and a lantern parade.
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Epping Memorial Hall
Address: 827 High St, Epping VIC 3076
Phone: (03) 9404 8843
11 September - Warranwood Reserve Wetland Planting
Looking for a way to get the family closer to nature that's more than just gardening workshops? Then join the Warranwood Reserve Committee for a session of tree planting. They will be adding more indigenous plants in the new wetland opposite the Bryson's Road and at the end of Kardinia Crescent. This coucil reserve is home to a vast diversity of flora and fauna. Tools and gloves are provided. You and your family can enjoy a free BBQ lunch with cordial, tea and coffee as thanks. Long sleeves, trousers and strong shoes or 'wellies' are recommended. The event is open to all ages and young children should be supervised by adults at all times.
Time: 10am - 2pm
Venue: Warranwood Reserve
Address: Warranwood Reserve, Warranwood VIC 3134
Phone: 03 98763094
Website: www.warranwoodreserve.org
14 September - Maltese Night at Mill Park Library
Head over to Mill Park Library for a night of Maltese festivities. Malta is an archipelago nation located between Sicily and the North African coast. It is rich with history contributed by the Romans, Turks, French and British. September is an important month for Malta due to signficant historic events including the Great Siege, victory over the Turks and political Independence from Britain. This event is presented by Yarra Plenty Regional Library and celebrates the Maltese culture.
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Mill Park Library
Address: 394 Plenty Rd, Mill Park VIC 3082
Phone: (03) 9437 8189
16 September - Speak Up: An Evening of Spoken Word
Come hear some of the best spoken word performers, song writers and poets in Melbourne at 'Speak Up'. Hosted by Incinerator Gallery, this popular program features a line-up of inspiring, exhilarating and thought-provoking artists curated by spoken word artist Jessie Giles. You can also enjoy free refreshments at 6pm and stroll through the exhibition in the gallery. Click here to register your seat.
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Incinerator Gallery
Address: 180 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds, VIC 3039
Phone: (03) 8325 1750
From 23 September - Sally Gabori: Land Of All
The Ian Potter Centre NGV Australia will showcase the cultural legacy left behind by Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori c.1924–2015. Gabori was one of the leading contemporary Australian artists of the last decade and a distinguished senior Kaiadilt woman artist from Bentinck Island in the Queensland's Gulf of Carpentaria. The exhibition features more than 30 small-scale to monumental canvases on loan from Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art that capture her stories, knowledge, experiences and cultural memories of Bentinck Island, Dibirdibi Country, Mirdidingki, and the first outstation, Nyinyilki. The exhibition will run till 29 January 2017.
Time: 10am - 5pm daily
Venue: The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Address: Ground Floor, Federation Sqaure, Flinders St & Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 8620 2222
24 September - Unleashed
Head over to Federation Square for the top youth annual social change festival in Australia. Organised by the Foundation for Young Australians, 'Unleashed' brings together youths from around the country to exchange ideas, skills and views on key national issues. The program is open to all ages and will feature a line-up of live music, film and speakers.
Time: 12pm - 6pm
Venue: Federation Square
Address: Corner of Swanston & Flinders Streets, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 03 9670 5436
Website: www.unleashedfestival.com
25 September - Bend and Snap Market
Come celebrate Bend and Snap Market's 5th birthday at Thousand £ Bend. While its not the scale of the Big Design Market at the Royal Exhibition Building or the Melbourne Design Market in Federation Square, this indoor design market still delivers a fair share of art, vintage and quirky goodies. It has been showcasing local creativity and supporting the community of illustrators, fashion designers, jewelers and textile artists in Melbourne. Enjoy a coffee from the cafe while you check out the DIY kits, goth edge candles and kooky illustrations.
Time: 11am - 4pm
Venue: Thousand £ Bend
Address: 361 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Website: bendandsnapmarket.wordpress.com
Related Articles
Why? Loads of free things to do and see in Melbourne this September
Where: Various venues around Melbourne
Cost: Free
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Your Comment
I've been looking for a reason to go to Melbourne! Well done on the article :)
by Chloe Doyle (score: 3|1349) 853 days ago
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