Missed out on Taylor tickets? There’s still plenty for Melbourne Swifties to check out

For those lucky enough to have secured Melbourne tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, this week will be the final countdown before a once-in-a-lifetime show. For the unlucky Swifties, it could merely be a painful reminder of missed opportunities.

But it doesn’t have to be all dread and despair, for there are plenty of Swift-themed events to keep you occupied before, during and after the highly anticipated concerts. And if you do have a ticket, they’re just the thing to get you … Ready for it.

From silent discos to Swift impersonations, here are seven things you can do to feel closer to the “real thing” throughout the month (Taylor’s Version).

Taylor Swift ice skating night | Saturday, February 10 | Tickets around $26

Who said you can’t ice skate in summer? Reservoir’s IceHQ will host a Swift-themed ice skating night between 5.15pm and 8:15pm on Saturday. Visitors are encouraged to dress in their best Swiftie outfits (or as Travis Kelce if you want to be in on a chance to win the prize of the night) and twirl on the ice to the singer’s hits. All ages are welcome, skates are available free of charge and themed drinks will be available to buy.

Panel discussion at Swiftposium | Sunday, February 11 | Tickets from $40

Calling all erudite Swifties: The University of Melbourne’s Swiftposium will see scholars from Australia and New Zealand discuss Swift’s global popularity, including what that has meant for the economy, music industry and fandom at large.

Though the two-day conference will not be open to the public, a special panel discussion at Fed Square will be. It will be held from 6pm to 7.30pm and moderated by The Project’s Georgie Tunny (who also hosts the Swift-themed podcast Ready For It). The panel will consist of award-winning composer Kate Neal, PhD student Kate Pattison and musician, journalist and host of the Stranger Than Fiction podcast Eilish Gilligan.

Taylor Sheesh at Fed Square | Friday, February 16 | Free

If impersonation is the highest form of flattery, then Taylor Sheesh could be Swift’s official hype-man. The Filipino drag queen, who has been impersonating the pop star since 2017, will be making their Australian debut at Fed Square from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Packed with “vogueing”, Bollywood dancing, cheerleading and more, Sheesh’s “Errors Tour” pays homage to Swift while celebrating local and diverse performers from around Australia.

Eras Tour after-party | February 16-18 | Tickets from $25

For the night owls, music venue Max Watts will host an after-party following each of the Melbourne shows. Beginning about 11.30pm, Perth-based DJ Rog – who went viral over the pandemic for his Swift mash-ups – will spin the hottest tracks from all 10 of the pop star’s eras. A chance to dance, sing and continue sharing friendship bracelets, this will be perfect for those who don’t want the day to end (and who prefer listening to Swift on max volume).

The Friday and Saturday after-parties will take place at Max Watts, while the Sunday event will take place at Garden State Hotel at 10.30pm. You must be 18+ to attend.

Taylor Swift bottomless brunch | February 17-18 | Bookings essential, $79 a person

Richmond’s Harlow bar has planned a “Taylor takeover” the weekend of her Melbourne dates, including three Taylor drag bottomless brunch sessions. Local drag queens will lip-synch, death drop and vogue to Swift’s top hits while you sip on Taylor-inspired cocktails (or mocktails) and nibble on some tasty bites.

Taylor Swift silent disco walking tour | Friday, February 23 | Tickets from $15

Have you experienced second-hand embarrassment watching those large groups of people dancing down the CBD’s streets wearing large headphones and singing loud for all to hear? Well, now is your chance to join them.

Mr Motion will lead a Swift-themed silent disco walking tour around Melbourne’s CBD.Credit: Guru Dudu

Starting at 6.30pm at Fed Square’s Atrium, dancer Mr Motion will lead you through a walking/dancing tour of the city while Swift songs blast through your headphones. Taking place the weekend after Swift’s Melbourne shows, this will be a chance to either relive the Eras Tour experience or to imagine you were there in the first place.

Candlelight: A tribute to Taylor Swift | Saturday, February 24 | Tickets from $28

After the intensity of Swift’s Melbourne weekend, what better way to unwind – while still soaking up plenty of Swiftie goodness – than an intimate candlelit concert? Hundreds of candles will illuminate the Collingwood Town Hall, as a string quartet plays instrumental versions of Swift’s songs, including Enchanted, Love Story and All Too Well. If you can’t make it to the Saturday session, or wish to keep riding the Taylor train into next month, there will be another candlelit Swift tribute on March 14 at Fitzroy Town Hall.

Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.