Get out of the house and head toward Melbourne’s centre. Kathryn Kernohan’s guide tells you where to go.Laugh yourself silly as comedian and Melbourne expat Tim Minchin (he’s now based in the UK) teams up with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for two shows at St Kilda’s Palais Theatre on February 7 and 8. Tickets from $69, visit www.palaistheatre.net.au
Cheer on the Aussies at the Australian Open, on now through January 29. Novak Djokovic and Kim Clijsters will be in town to defend their titles, with superstars such as Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams also set to play. The tournament doesn’t just feature tennis – it’s packed with live entertainment, interactive demonstrations and plenty of food. First-week ground passes are $29, visit australianopen.com
Party at the annual Midsumma Festival, on until February 5 in venues across the city. Midsumma is recognised as one of the world’s top five gay and lesbian arts and cultural celebrations, and the program is packed with music, cabaret, theatre, dance and visual arts events. Ticket prices vary, visit midsumma.org.au
Pack some blankets and a picnic and enjoy the traditional summer performance of Wind in the Willows at the Royal Botanic Gardens. The season runs until January 28. The family-friendly production has long been a favourite of Melburnians and is praised for its interactive nature. Tickets are $25, visit ticketmaster.com.au
Rock out at the granddaddy of Australian music festivals, the Big Day Out. The travelling roadshow checks in at Flemington Racecourse on January 29, with a bumper line-up featuring Kanye West, My Chemical Romance, Kasabian, Noel Gallagher and reformed 1990s grunge outfit Soundgarden. BYO Australian flag. Tickets are $165 plus booking fee, visit bigdayout.com
Explore avant-garde German art in The Mad Square: Modernity in German Art 1910–37 showing at the NGV International until March 4. The exhibition features more than 200 works by artists including Max Beckmann, Otto Dix and George Grosz, drawn from collections around the world. Adult tickets are $18, visit ngv.vic.gov.au
Celebrate our country’s rich sporting heritage at the National Sports Museum. Located at the holy grail of sport in Melbourne – the MCG – the museum features historical artefacts and memorabilia devoted to some of our favourite games including football, cricket and soccer, as well as hands-on exhibitions sure to excite the youngsters. Adult tickets $15, visit nsm.org.au
Explore the role mothers play in Australian society in Morganna Magee’s photography exhibition Motherhood, which opens on February 7 at fortyfivedownstairs. The exhibition looks at how women from different backgrounds react to expectations of how they raise their children in Australia. Entry is free. At 45 Flinders Lane, city, visit fortyfivedownstairs.com
Marvel at the city skyline from the top of Swanston Street’s Curtin House – home of Rooftop Cinema. The program is a mix of contemporary arthouse films and classics, and features We Need To Talk About Kevin, Submarine and Purple Rain. There will be food, drinks and plenty of fun. Adult tickets are $20 plus booking fee, visit rooftopcinema.com.au
Experience what is often deemed ‘‘the worst film of all time’’ – Tommy Wiseau’s The Room. The trashy 2003 US drama is so bad it’s good, rising to prominence thanks to self-proclaimed fan Judd Apatow. Carlton’s Cinema Nova holds interactive screenings every Saturday night at 11pm. Adult tickets $17.50, visit cinemanova.com.au
Make your New Year’s resolution to learn to cook – and then follow through with it. William Angliss Institute in La Trobe Street, Melbourne, runs short courses and coffee classes throughout summer. One-day classes cover everything from how to become the perfect barbecue chef to sushi-making and knife skills. Prices vary, visit angliss.edu.au
Run away and join the circus – Circus Oz, that is. The iconic circus will again run its summer public circus classes in Port Melbourne for adults and children. Adult classes include Circus Allsorts (juggling, tumbling, unicycle and acro-balance) and a hula hoop masterclass. Entry from $75, visit www.circusoz.com
Escape the Melbourne heat in a novel way by learning to ice skate. Docklands’ Icehouse runs regular beginners classes in Port Melbourne for adults and children, as well as free 15-minute ‘‘come and try’’ events. Public skating is available daily, with extended opening hours during summer. Prices vary, visit icehouse.com.au
Shop and eat to your heart’s content at the Suzuki Night Market. Held at the Queen Victoria Market every Wednesday night until February 29, the market is a hub of multicultural food, regional producers, wine bars, local designer goods and live music. Entry is free. Open from 5.30pm, visit qvm.com.au
Browse what has been voted Australia’s most outstanding farmers’ market at the Collingwood Children’s Farm (18 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford). Held on the second Saturday of each month, the market is home to more than 70 Victorian producers offering fresh fruit and vegetables, free-range meat and eggs, handmade cheeses, cakes, pasta and more. Adult entry is $2. Open from 8am until 1pm, visit farm.org.au
Join Melbourne’s bibliophiles at Federation Square’s weekly book market. There are more than 5000 new and pre-loved books for sale each week, spanning everything from literature and history to gardening and children’s titles. Local authors and illustrators regularly make appearances and some of the city’s most experienced book dealers set up store. Entry is free. From 11am until 5pm each Saturday, visit fedsquare.com
Enjoy what is widely regarded as the beginning of modern Australian drama – Ray Lawler’s groundbreaking 1955 play Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. Melbourne Theatre Company presents Neil Armfield’s new production of the play, at Playhouse, The Arts Centre until February 18. Tickets from $30, visit mtc.com.au
Have a good belly laugh at a new stage adaption of the classic British comedy series Yes, Prime Minister. Written by the show’s creators Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay and a sell out on London’s West End, it follows fictional PM Jim Hacker and senior civil servant Sir Humphrey Appleby 20 years after the TV show finished. Opens January 31. Adult tickets from $49, visit ticketmaster.com.au
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