See what's playing this summer
December program has landed
Picnic rug, check. Drinks, check.
Bring your own food and drinks, or order from our bar and kitchen.
Moonlight Cinema Melbourne
Open 2 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027
Moonlight Cinema is Melbourne’s most relaxed and atmospheric outdoor summer cinema, screening new releases, cult classics and family favourites under the stars at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Gates open 90mins before the film – enough time to spread out a picnic, grab food and drinks on site and catch-up as the sun sets. Bring a blanket and settle in on the grass, or upgrade to a premium experience.
What
Outdoor Cinema
A summer evening under the stars with a great film & company
Where
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Central Lawn, enter via Domain Road Gate on Birdwood Avenue
When
This Summer Season
2 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027
Who
Everyone
Dates, friends, family, solo adventures & pups welcome
Now showing
View Full ProgramPremium Experiences
Presented by
General Admission gets you entry to Moonlight Cinema, so bring your favourite people, a picnic rug to nab your spot and your go-to snacks. Settle in for golden hour and make the evening your own.
Presented by Connoisseur
Settle into the evening with a bean bed waiting for you. Connoisseur Lounge at Moonlight Cinema gives you a guaranteed bean bed in a dedicated lounge area with a great view, plus a delicious Connoisseur Gourmet Ice Cream to enjoy during the film.
Presented by GWM
Sit back and soak up the pre-movie atmosphere with GWM Gold Grass. Enjoy uninterrupted ease with prime viewing, express entry and food and drinks ordered via QR code delivered straight to your premium bean bed before the film starts.
Presented by
For those special occasions worth marking, Platinum Experience gives two of you a deluxe double bean bed in a prime spot, with express entry, drinks on arrival, a premium cinema snackbox and blankets to keep you cosy after sunset. Settle in and order whatever else you fancy by QR code, and it’s brought to your seat before the film starts.
At a Glance
- Venue
- Central Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
- Location
- Melbourne VIC | Wurundjeri of the Kulin Nation
- Season
- 2 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027
- Gates Open & Arrive From
- 90 minutes before each film, to soak up the atmosphere
- Film Starts
- Times shift with sunset, check each session
- Food & Drink
- Available on site order by QR code, or bring a picnic
- Seating
- Nab a spot on the grass on arrival & BYO rug, or upgrade to a premium experience for a guaranteed bean-bed
- Tickets
- Book online in advance. Swaps available once, up to 24hrs in advance.
FAQs
Everything you need to know before your night under the stars at Moonlight Melbourne.
What time do the gates open?
Gates open 90 minutes before the film start time at Moonlight Cinema Melbourne. Start times can shift a little from night to night, and the films kick off earlier across the season as the sun sets earlier. Your booking confirmation shows the gate opening and film start times for your session.
Arriving when the gates open is the best part of the night. You have time to settle in, choose your spot, and enjoy a catch up and picnic or order from the bar and kitchen by QR code before the film. Orders close 15 minutes before the pre-show starts.
What should I bring?
What to bring to Moonlight Cinema Melbourne depends on your ticket. With General Admission, which is entry rather than a seat, bring a picnic rug, pillows or a blanket to sit or sprawl on. With a premium bean bed experience (Connoisseur Lounge, GWM Gold Grass or Platinum Experience), your bean bed is waiting for you, so you can travel light.
Whichever ticket you have, bring:
- A warm layer: it cools down after sunset, and insect repellent is handy in the warmer months.
- Food and drinks: pack your own picnic, including alcohol, or order light meals, snacks and drinks from our licensed bar and kitchen by QR code before the film. Alcohol is for guests over 18 with valid ID.
- A way to pay: all venues are cashless for food, drinks and bean bed hire, so bring a debit card, credit card or gift card.
- A torch: we recommend one to help you make your way to and from the venue.
With General Admission, chairs higher than 50cm go in a designated area so they don’t block anyone’s view. A limited number of bean beds are available to hire on site, first come first served, as a separate paid extra.
Can I BYO?
Yes, you can bring your own food and drinks, including alcohol, to Moonlight Cinema Melbourne. If you’re a pro at charcuterie, get your grazing boards ready. Alcohol is for guests over 18 with valid ID.
Prefer to leave it to us? Our licensed bar and kitchen serve drinks, snacks and light meals, which you order by QR code before the film starts. Orders close 15 minutes before the pre-show starts, so there’s no food or drink service during the film.
Where can I buy tickets, and should I book in advance?
You can buy tickets for Moonlight Cinema Melbourne online or at the venue box office, which opens 90 minutes before each film starts. We recommend booking online in advance, because some sessions and ticket types reach capacity, and tickets on the night depend on availability.
Choose your film, date and ticket type in the program, and your confirmation email arrives with the QR code you’ll show at the gate. Booking ahead means your night is locked in before you arrive. Online booking fees apply.
Moonlight Cinema acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognizes the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.
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