Wednesday is hump day. The weekend is just coming in sight but it’s still a distance away. People at a loose end on a Wednesday or visitors to Melbourne are sometimes at a loss for what to do, so here are 20 of our suggestions.

Chloe
Buy this print

1. Visit the Old Treasury Building which is one Melbourne's most impressive Victorian era buildings and has a regular display related to the history of Melbourne.
2. Pay a visit to CERES Environmental Park. Every Wednesday there is a farmers' market and plenty to see and do for adults and kids.
3. The National Gallery (International) in St Kilda road is often open on Wednesday evenings  for 'Art After Dark'. This often provides an opportunity to visit special exhibitions for those who cannot make it during the day.
4. Take a trip to Mornington . On Wednesdays you will find a large long-running craft market in the main street. If you want to stay closer to the city you can find a comprehensive list of Wednesday markets at The White Hat Guide to Wednesday Markets in Melbourne
5. The Queen Victoria Market is closed during the day on a Wednesday but the South Melbourne Market is open and offers a more compact version of its larger sister.
6. Take a leisurely stroll around Albert Park Lake. Enjoy a picnic or barbecue or maybe hire a boat.
7. During selected nights throughout the year enjoy the bustle of the Queen Victoria Night Market.
8. Take a boat tour on the Yarra and see the city from a different angle.
9. Enjoy lunch in Brunswick Street Fitzroy or Smith Street Collingwood.
10. Attend Evensong at St Paul's Cathedral. A brief oasis of calm in the bustle of the city.
11. Take a train to the end of the line and enjoy the changing scenery. You could try the Eltham/Hurstbridge line or maybe Belgrave in the Dandenongs
12. Visit Heidi or the McClelland Gallery and enjoy outdoor sculpture, indoor exhibitions and maybe a glass of champagne.
13. During winter, take in a free evening film at the State Library.
14. Have a leisurely night out at a restaurant in the city. There are plenty to choose from.
15. Visit Chloe at Young & Jacksons (sere above) and remind yourself why she has become an icon of Melbourne.
16. Attend a free public seminar. For instance the Cultural Heritage Centre for Asia and the Pacific has one on the last Wednesday of the month. See The White Hat Guide to Free Workshops, Lectures & Seminars in Melbourne.
17. During the summer months head off to the Royal Botanic Gardens for Moonlight Cinema in the Gardens.
18. Choose a sidewalk cafe in the CBD or in the corporate sector of Docklands and enjoy watching Melbourne at work.
19. Take a stroll around the Parkville campus of the University of Melbourne and enjoy the mish-mash of architectural styles.
20.  And finally, if it's raining then you could have a look at The White Hat Guide to 50 Things to do on a Rainy Day in Melbourne.

Some forthcoming events on a Wednesday in Melbourne

Evita

Opera Australia presents the original West End and Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, directed by Hal Prince and featuring Tina Arena.

Featuring some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best-loved songs including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night of a Thousand Stars, You Must Love Me, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall, Evita charts the story of Eva Perón, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Perón, from her humble beginnings through to the extraordinary wealth, power and status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’.

Prices and bookings on the Opera Australia website
Tue to Sun, 5th Dec 2018 to 16th Feb 2019
State Theatre, Melbourne Arts Centre

^{___________________    ___________________}

Sonatas for Strings

The Australian Chamber Orchestra with Richard Tognetti (director and violin) perform:

• Sculthorpe Sonata for Strings No. 1
• Debussy (arr. Richard Tognetti)
  • The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
  • The Interrupted Serenade from Preludes Book I
• Ravel (arr. Richard Tognetti) Two Hebrew Melodies
• Elgar Serenade for Strings
• Walton Sonata for Strings

This program unites a collection of pieces that forego an explanatory narrative in return for a rich vein of timeless beauty.

William Walton’s Sonata for Strings is a seemingly effortless interweaving of parts, while fellow Brit, Sir Edward Elgar’s Serenade for Strings holds a special place in the heart of the ACO and it remains a favourite for musicians and audiences alike. 

Peter Sculthorpe’s first Sonata for Strings, Ravel’s Two Hebrew Melodies and Debussy’s The Girl with the Flaxen Hair and The Interrupted Serenade complete this offering of music for string orchestra

Ticket prices and bookings on ACO website
7.30pm, Wednesday 5th December 2018
Melbourne Recital Centre

^{___________________    ___________________}

School of Rock - The Musical

Based on the movie, this new musical with a new score from Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Julian Fellowes and an incredible cast of kids shredding guitars, pounding drums and rocking out live, School of Rock is suited to all ages.

Prices & bookings on Her Majesty's Theatre website
Wed to Sun, 31st Oct 2018 to 3rd Feb 2019
Her Majesty's Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

^{___________________    ___________________}

More events below

^{___________________    ___________________}

Selected attractions open on certain Wednesdays in Melbourne

Grainger Museum

Built by arguably Australia's finest musician, Percy Grainger, to house his collection of music-related instruments, scores and other items associated with his life and career. more info > >

,

^{___________________    ___________________}