Local History & Culture

**No pressure, no plan—just new friends** ✨ Whether you’re visiting Melbourne for the first time, recently relocated, or simply love connecting with curious people, this weekly meetup is the perfect way to share stories, make friends, and go explore, as a group, the magic that Melbourne has to offer 🇦🇺 **What to expect?** • **Casual & hostless**: no formal host, no schedule: just show up, be yourself, meet fellow solo travellers & expats and decide as a group where you feel like going • **Central meeting point**: it is surrounded by cultural landmarks, cafes, and restaurants, making it a convenient and safe starting point. • **Open to everyone**: whether you are a local, an expat or just passing through for a few days, you are welcome to join. (English is the primary language, but feel free to switch of course) **How to talk with strangers?** (and create meaningful connections) To help you get started, I curated a little game of **[ridiculously good questions](https://www.pierrebonvalot.com/theblog?p=285a9711d7df80d5ac25dd4ef8fe5394&pm=c)** you can ask to break the ice, shift the conversation from dull to intriguing and fun, and eventually create meaningful connection quickly. I hope this helps! **The only things you need to do are…** • Leave a message in the comment section to let the others know that you will actually be there (I don’t want you to end up alone there :) • If you can’t make it anymore, no problem! But please update your RSVP to let the others know • Please be gentle and patient with each other. We all want to make good friends here. **Why join?** • Meet open-minded travellers and locals who are keen to connect, learn and have fun together. • Experience Melbourne... as a group. • Be part of a global community that celebrates solo travelling and meaningful connections between foreign and locals. **How does it works?** 1\. Arrive at the meeting spot at the scheduled time\. 2\. Look for other joiners—friendly faces and curious explorers\. 3\. Introduce yourself\, connect with others\, and decide as a group where to go\. **When & where?** • Day: every Sunday • Time: 4:00 PM (meetup sometimes displays a different time zone: but it’s always 4pm local time) • Location: in front of the Dolphin Fountain (inside Fitzroy Gardens) **Hostless**: I am setting up the event for you all to meet, but I won't be there myself this time :) **Hi my names is Pierre** I created this Meetup group because I want to see more human connection happen in the real world. I feel many of us want this, but don't exactly know how to go about it. I hope this helps a little bit. I also work as a transformational coach: I help people who feel stuck in their life to reconnect with themselves, create real change and ultimately live more fulfilling lives. 🔗 bento.me/pierrebonvalot

MUST TAP “ATTEND” (PLEASE SPECIFY NUMBER OF GUESTS) AND REGISTER ON Friending-night.eventbrite.com FOR FREE. This is an extremely popular event so please RSVP EARLY to avoid disappointment as PLACES ARE LIMITED. Please arrive on time at 5.30pm as NO ADMISSION WILL GRANTED ONCE THE VENUE REACHES FULL CAPACITY. Please follow instagram.com/eventsinmelb for more FREE events! LAST ENTRY STRICTLY AT 6.30PM

MUST TAP “ATTEND” (PLEASE SPECIFY NUMBER OF GUESTS) AND REGISTER ON introverts.eventbrite.com FOR FREE. Calling all introverts! Meet other introverts in Melbourne and make new friends in a safe environment with board games to help break the ice! Feel free but not obliged to socialise! ALL WELCOME! Please follow Instagram.com/eventsinmelb for more FREE events! LAST ENTRY STRICTLY AT 6.30PM

Turn Anxiety into Happiness! Become your natural self again. Discover the drug-free way to a healthy mind. This educational talk is based on the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by New York Times bestseller author L. Ron Hubbard. Dianetics is an exact science of the mind. In this educational talk you will learn about the hidden source of all irrational thoughts and behavior as well as unwanted emotions (anxiety, fear, suppression, and apathy) and how to handle them forever. Free entry and free parking. Please send messages to host if you have any question.

Join us for and **end of year fun event**, a fantastic Sunday afternoon of music, good vibes, and great company at the iconic Mission to Seafarers! **Dinash & Friends** bringing a unique mix of pop, funk and reggae 😎 **Date & Time:** Sunday, 28th December 2025 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM **Venue**: The Mission to Seafarers Victoria **Address:** 717 Flinders Street, Docklands (South Wharf Venue) **Cost:** **Free Entry** (Donations for costs are welcome) **Vibe:** Great venue, great vibe, great tunes, & drinks at great prices 🍺🍷 Live music in the ‘open air beer-garden’ (weather permitting) or in the courtyard under the rooftop. This is the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon so come down to this iconic South Wharf venue and support the historic Mission to Seafarers. The Mission to Seafarers Victoria is a heritage-listed building in Melbourne's Docklands and provides welfare services to seafarers. Your attendance supports this vital cause! Getting there by public transport is easy - the tram stop is just nearby or it's just a short walk from Flinders Street station. Even closer from Southern Cross Station. Enter around the side to the beer garden.

Ready to add some rhythm to your week? Join us for a **FREE Salsa class** right in the heart of Melbourne! No partner or experience needed — just bring your energy, and we’ll handle the rest. You’ll learn the basic steps, meet amazing people, and have a ton of fun while moving to Latin beats. ✨ **What to expect:** * Easy, step-by-step instruction — perfect for first-timers * A fun and welcoming community * Great music, great vibes, and maybe a new obsession! 📍 **Location:** 600 Little Collins St, Melbourne CBD (The Salsa Foundation Studio) 🕕 **When:** Multiple sessions weekly — book your spot now! 🎟️ **Cost:** 100% Free — bookings are essential due to limited space

🍝✨ **Lunch at Vibrante’s Italian – Templestowe!** ✨🍝 Did you *make it through Christmas* in one piece? 😅🎄 If so — bravo! You deserve a long lunch, good laughs, and conversation with people you *actually* want to talk to! 💃🍷 Join us for a relaxed, post-festive catch-up at **Vibrante’s Italian Restaurant** in **Templestowe** — great food, warm vibes, and plenty of room for stories, sass, and maybe a little tiramisu therapy 🍰😉 📅 **Saturday 28th December** 🕧 **12:30 PM** 📍 **Vibrante’s Italian Restaurant, Templestowe** Come hungry, come chatty, come fabulous! Let’s toast surviving the silly season — and celebrate friendship, laughter, and the joy of still showing up! 🥂💖 MENU: https://www.vibranterestaurant.com.au/_files/ugd/a4475d_b65c33fa38a1468da546ec2105259dbf.pdf AND YES!!!! THEY SPLIT BILLS!!

Looking to get outside, clear your head, and connect with good people? Join us for a relaxed walk around the promenade of Port Melbourne during the golden hour. The route will start at the meeting point and heading towards St. Kilda. After 40m aprox we will turn around and back to the meeting point. This is a casual meetup, no pressure. Just a friendly stroll, good conversation, and a reason to step away from screens and into the fresh air. Whether you’re new in town, working from home, or just want a social reason to walk, you’re very welcome. Come as you are. Comfy shoes, water bottle, and curiosity are all you need. **Optional:** After the walk, some of us might grab a coffee nearby — feel free to join if you’re up for it!

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your lamp, use the MEETAMC10 coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Join us for a hands-on workshop where families can learn the art of creating beautiful Turkish lamps together. This unique and engaging class will guide parents and kids through crafting intricate and colorful lamps. No prior experience is required, as our expert instructors will provide step-by-step instructions on design, assembly, and decorating techniques. This workshop is perfect for families and friends to bond, unleash their creativity, and take home a stunning handmade craft that can brighten any room. Come discover Turkish lamp-making's magic with your little ones in a fun and supportive environment. In this 2.5-hour workshop, you'll lose track of time and end up with a beautiful lamp to take home!

Fed Square is doing another FREE outdoor cinema! This time it’s one of my favourite film series Lord Of The Rings 🧝‍♀️ I absolutely love these films and they have inspired many of my artworks 🎨✨ This is more of a social hangout event but bring your art supplies along if you feel like sketching, i’ll be bringing my sketchbook ✏️ Invite your friends along too, everyone is welcome to join this event! 🍿For food and drinks in the area there will be a food truck called Bilbo Snaggins and ACMI will have a snack bar open around the upper square entrance serving choc tops, popcorn and other treats🥤 It will be the full extended versions of the films and they will be showing over the course of 3 days 🎥✨ Saturday 27th 6pm - The Fellowship Of The Ring Sunday 28th 6pm - The Two Towers Monday 29th 6pm - The Return Of The King Here’s the link to the event on Fed Squares website to see more info https://fedsquare.com/events/outdoor-cinema-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

First Sundays are free admission at Franklin Park Conservatory. Sunday, January 4th, is also the last day The Palm House will be open before renovations begin. Let’s meet, enjoy a respite from January weather, and wander the gardens. Free neanthe bella palms are available to guests, beginning at 10am, while supplies last. Afterwards, we can visit the nearby East Market (212 Kelton Avenue).

Come and join our lively Japanese language meetup, where Japanese language learners and native speakers come together to learn, play, and connect. We’ll practice through fun games and interactive conversation in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Whether you’re just starting out, more advanced, or a native speaker who enjoys helping others, everyone is encouraged to join and participate. After the library we'll take a leisurely walk together to get food/drinks. There are many options around including North Market Bridge Park. It's a perfect opportunity to continue our conversations and enjoy each other's company over a meal.

Wild Ones: Annual Native Seed Swap January 10, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Join Wild Ones Columbus for their annual native seeds swap. If you have native seeds to share, please label them with the Latin name and common name. The seeds don’t need to be removed from the seed head if you aren’t sure how to do it, but remove as much stem as possible. Bringing seeds is not required. Bring bags or envelopes to store seeds. Inniswood Metro Gardens 940 S. Hempstead Rd. Westerville, OH 43081 Phone (614)895-6216 This event will be held in the Greenhouse/Multipurpose Building located near the east end of the parking lot. Click here to see the Inniswood map. If you have native seeds to share, label each species with this information: * Botanical Name * Common Name Species we will accept: * Species native to our ecoregion (8.2.4) - Best * Species native to Ohio and surrounding states - Good * Straight species only - no cultivars. The seeds don’t need to be removed from the seed head if you aren’t sure how to do it, but don’t leave much stem on the seed heads. Please email the list of species to Mary May so we can prepare information for attendees. You can bring the seeds on the day of the swap, or we can arrange to have them picked up beforehand - just let her know in the email. If you don’t have any seeds to bring, no worries. If you are new to native plants or didn't have time to collect seeds, there are ALWAYS plenty from those that do bring them! We love to see "newbies" at our seed exchange! Also, remember to bring something to put seeds in such as envelopes, paper bags or containers.

Welcome, readers! ❄️ Our December read is **_A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella._** A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella is a tender, character-driven novel that follows three people in a small Pennsylvania town as they each cope with loss and seek connection. Chuck, a widower, struggles to find meaning after his wife’s death; Ella, a young woman, faces the heartbreak of her missing daughter; and Kirsten, a veterinary technician, grieves her father while contemplating her future. Their stories intertwine gently, revealing how grief and hope coexist—and how even small acts of kindness can help people rediscover purpose and peace in the aftermath of tragedy. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! At this meeting, our third annual White Elephant book exchange will take place! If you'd like to participate, bring a gift-wrapped book that you already own. On the gift wrap, write the genre of the book. We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [5 Bean Coffee](https://5beancoffee.com/)!