Lunar New Year Celebrations and High-Fashion Masterpieces in Melbourne Today

Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Quang Minh Temple

Today marks the beginning of the vibrant Quang Minh Tet Festival in Braybrook. As Melbourne transitions into the lunar festivities for the Year of the Horse, this annual tradition offers a deep dive into Vietnamese culture and Buddhist heritage. Visitors to the temple today can experience traditional prayer ceremonies, witness colorful dragon and lion dances, and enjoy a variety of authentic vegetarian food stalls. The temple grounds are transformed with festive decorations and floral displays, providing a serene yet celebratory atmosphere for families and community members to welcome the new year together. This two-day festival is one of the most significant cultural gatherings in Melbourne's west and starts its 2026 run this Monday morning.

Avant-Garde Fashion at NGV International

For those seeking artistic inspiration, the National Gallery of Victoria is hosting its major summer blockbuster, the Westwood | Kawakubo exhibition. This world-premiere showcase explores the revolutionary work of two of the most influential women in fashion history: British designer Vivienne Westwood and Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons. Today, visitors can walk through a thematic display of over 140 garments that challenge traditional notions of beauty, gender, and form. From the provocative roots of punk to the structural reinventions of the 21st century, the exhibition highlights how these two icons used clothing as a medium for social and cultural critique. The gallery on St Kilda Road is open today from 10:00 AM, offering a climate-controlled escape into the world of high-concept couture.

A Half-Million Balloon Wonderland at MCEC

Located at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Balloon Story exhibition continues its popular run today. This massive installation features over 500,000 eco-friendly balloons transformed into intricate, large-scale sculptures. From sprawling underwater scenes to towering fantasy landmarks, the exhibition is designed to be an immersive, sensory experience for all ages. It is an ideal Monday activity for families or anyone looking to see common materials turned into extraordinary art. The scale of the displays is immense, filling the exhibition halls with vibrant colors and creative structures that push the boundaries of balloon artistry.

Independent Art at the NotFair Fair

In Prahran, the NotFair curated contemporary art event is currently open to the public. Unlike traditional commercial art fairs, NotFair focuses on independent, emerging, and underrepresented artists who are often outside the mainstream gallery circuit. The 2026 edition is hosted in a unique space at 83 High Street and features experimental projects, video installations, and cutting-edge paintings. It provides a rare opportunity for art lovers to discover new voices in the Australian art scene in an intimate and thought-provoking environment. If you are looking for something away from the major city institutions today, this curated collection offers a raw and exciting look at contemporary practice.