Candlelit concerts, Indonesian street food and a Valentine's Day celebration that doesn't require a booking...
Fed Square’s Open Air at the Square program continues to roll out the hits through mid-February, bringing Melburnians a week packed with free candlelit performances and a vibrant cultural celebration on Valentine’s Day.
It’s another bumper week at Melbourne’s central gathering spot, with live music performances by candlelight and an Indonesian twilight fair transforming the Square into a hub of food, music and community. All events are free and open to all ages, making this the perfect excuse to grab your mates and enjoy those balmy summer evenings in the heart of the city.
Here’s everything happening at Fed Square from 9-15 February.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Folk Bitch Trio Candlelight Concert
- 10 February
- 8:30pm
- Free
Fresh off their Meredith Music Festival appearance, Melbourne indie-folk trio Folk Bitch Trio bring their intricate vocal harmonies to Fed Square for a performance under the stars. Following a breakout 2024 that saw them support Alex G, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Julia Jacklin and Courtney Barnett, the trio released their debut album Now Would Be A Good Time in July 2025 to critical acclaim, selling out shows across Europe, North America and Australia.
Rising R&B star Dean Brady takes the stage for the second evening of Fed Square’s Candlelight Concert series on 11 February. Then Australian music icon Tina Arena brings her Thank You Melbourne show to Fed Square, marking 50 years in the music industry on 12 February.
Synths for women +/ non-binary people +/ trans people at MESS
- 10 February
- 6pm
- $66+
Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio hosts an introduction to subtractive synthesis for people of marginalised genders.
The four-hour workshop offers hands-on time with vintage and modern synthesisers, covering oscillators, filters, VCAs, sequencing and patching in a supportive environment. No experience necessary—curiosity is the only prerequisite. Participants will learn key concepts and basic methods needed to create sound across multiple kinds of vintage and modern machines, with one-on-one guidance from femme and non-binary MESS staff throughout the session.
Melbourne Conversations: Ethics in the Age of AI
- 11 February
- 6pm
- Free, registration required
Who gets to shape the technology that increasingly shapes our lives?
This panel discussion digs into the thorny questions around algorithmic bias, equitable AI development and the perspectives that get sidelined when artificial intelligence systems are built. Hosted by Triple R’s Byte into IT presenter Vanessa Toholka, the conversation brings together Dr Jake Goldenfein from Melbourne Law School, media artist and researcher Dr Sam McGilp, ANU sociology lecturer Dr Thao Phan, and Macquarie University’s Dr Tamika Worrell at The Edge. Presented by Melbourne Conversations with event partner Fed Square.
MSO x Find Your Voice Collective Livestream
- 13 February
- 7:30pm
- Free
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra teams up with Warrnambool’s Find Your Voice Collective for a free Big Screen livestream from Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Conducted by Benjamin Northey, the concert marks the culmination of a year-long collaboration bringing together MSO musicians, artists with lived experience of disability, and a 150-voice accessible choir and band. The program features original contemporary works by d/Deaf and disabled artists including GK (Grace Kenny), Jacob Paton-Lee and Julian Paterson, arranged by Nat Bartsch, Georgia Scott, Kym Dillon and Stefan Cassomenos.
Nongkrong – Pasar Senja (twilight fair)
- 14 February
- 3pm
- Free
Skip the overpriced Valentine’s dinner and fall in love with Indonesian culture instead. Nongkrong transforms Fed Square into a pasar senja (twilight fair) for an afternoon and evening of live music, dance, food and community. The lineup features seven live music acts and three dance performances, with Jakarta’s Ali bringing Middle Eastern-inflected grooves to the headline slot alongside iconic Indonesian jazz musician Candra Darusman and Balinese-Australian neo-soul artist Komang. Food stalls and gerobaks will serve Indonesian dishes and there’ll be handmade jewellery, clothes, homewares and exclusive Nongkrong merch. Sponsored by City of Melbourne, with Event Partner Garuda Indonesia.
Game Worlds at ACMI
- On now until 29 March
- ACMI
- $30+
ACMI’s blockbuster playable exhibition transports you inside the worlds of more than 30 iconic videogames, from global hits like Minecraft, World of Warcraft and The Sims to anticipated Australian release Hollow Knight: Silksong. Featuring 44 playable experiences, rare concept art, original design materials and four newly commissioned microgames from Australian developers, it’s the museum’s most popular show since 2018’s Wonderland.
The 13th Koorie Art Show
- On now until 22 February
- Koorie Heritage Trust
- Free
The Koorie Heritage Trust presents its vibrant annual celebration of First Peoples artists across Victoria. This open-entry, non-acquisitive award exhibition showcases work from emerging artists to senior figures, offering a powerful snapshot of contemporary First Nations art and storytelling. Running alongside is the 8th Koorie Art Show Young Mob, celebrating the emerging talent of young creatives aged five to 16.
Wurrdha Marra
- Daily
- The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
- Free
Meaning ‘Many Mobs’ in the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language, this dynamic exhibition space on the ground floor of NGV Australia showcases masterpieces and new works from the NGV’s First Nations art and design collection. Featuring artists including Tony Albert, Treahna Hamm, Kent Morris, Marlene Gilson, Rover Thomas and Christian Thompson, the display celebrates the central role of art in passing down important cultural knowledge.
Browse the full Open Air at the Square 2026 program here.
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