You’ve got to go to the city. If you’re suffering withdrawals from the New Year’s festival season, Sugar Mountain is back on Saturday January 21 to provide the ultimate dose. A cultural utopia at Melbourne’s Victorian College of Arts, it’s got all the music, art and good vibes you need to stay in holiday mode.

See ...
Sugar Mountain is very much a case of choose your own adventure – but we wouldn’t miss getting down to the likes of Weyes Blood, Kelsey Lu and The Avalanches. Along with the live tunes, there are installations to explore, interactive 2D works created in collaboration with artist Karan Singh and V MoVement, and, as if the day needed any more joy, the festival’s inaugural dog show. Then there’s warehouse party Studio 45, hosted by Absolut Nights, that can only be found via augmented reality using the Sugar Mountain app.

Stay ...
For a weekend trip, it’s hard to look past artful surrounds of Prahran’s The Cullen - or fellow Art Series hotel, The Olsen, in nearby South Yarra. Both are little more than a 10 minute Uber ride from the festival – or a stroll the through the Botanical Gardens if you’re in the mood. That, and they provide the ultimate vantage point for shopping the following Sunday. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Take ...
Make SPF your priority and, from there, go your own way. If in doubt, think classic: the ultimate white shirt, boots to explore in and a basket bag to do Birkin proud. Oh, and a pair of old jeans: you can exchange them on site for a pair of new Wranglers as part of the brand’s Exchange Project - with pre-loved pieces donated to charity for in-store resale and all proceeds going to community-based organisation Launch Housing.

Taste ...
Sugar Mountain brings a sweet selection of Melbourne providores – think experimental Japanese from Mr Miyagi, Jamaican flavours from Pretty Mama and cocktails by The Top – plus an ‘immersive restaurant experiment’ titled Sensory.