Don't miss in Melbourne
Art
Margaret Preston: A Retrospective
On until Sun 31 Jan
Music
Melbourne International Jazz Festival
On until Sun 25 Oct
Music
Tribe Soundsystem & clipp.art present Rich Medina (USA)
Fri 16 Oct – Sat 17 Oct
Food
Mango Party at Prahran Market
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 18 Oct
Food
Italian Festa & Expo
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 18 Oct · Sat 11am–10:30pm, Sun 11am–8:30pm
Art
ROME: Empire, Power, People
5 dates · next Sat 17 Oct
Free this weekend in Melbourne
Today 17
TODAY
Tribe Soundsystem & clipp.art present Rich Medina (USA)
Fri 16 Oct – Sat 17 Oct
Tribe Soundsystem makes its return to The Night Cat for a full evening of Boogie, Funk, House & Classics selected by the legendary Rich Medina and Zepherin Saint!
Details
Get tickets
Tribe Soundsystem makes its return to The Night Cat for a full evening of Boogie, Funk, House & Classics selected by the legendary Rich Medina and Zepherin Saint!
TODAY
Free
Mango Party at Prahran Market
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 18 Oct
A weekend of mango demos, free tastings and kids' activities at Prahran Market.
Details
Sign up
A weekend of mango demos, free tastings and kids' activities at Prahran Market.
TODAY
Free
Italian Festa & Expo
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 18 Oct · Sat 11am–10:30pm, Sun 11am–8:30pm
Free Italian food weekend at the Royal Exhibition Building with 50+ food vendors, live music on three stages, bars and a kids' area. Sat 11am to 10.30pm, Sun 11am to 8.30pm.
Details
Sign up
Free Italian food weekend at the Royal Exhibition Building with 50+ food vendors, live music on three stages, bars and a kids' area. Sat 11am to 10.30pm, Sun 11am to 8.30pm.
TODAY
Free
Melbourne Donut Festival
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 18 Oct · 9am–4pm daily
Free weekend of 15+ donut makers under cover in the Queen Victoria Market sheds, with coffee and entertainment.
Details
Sign up
Free weekend of 15+ donut makers under cover in the Queen Victoria Market sheds, with coffee and entertainment.
TODAY
ROME: Empire, Power, People
5 dates · next Sat 17 Oct
Featuring original statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery and everyday objects from the humblest to the most sumptuous, this Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Rome's political, cultural and social life.
Details
Get tickets
Featuring original statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery and everyday objects from the humblest to the most sumptuous, this Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Rome's political, cultural and social life.
- Sat 17 Oct 2026
- Sun 18 Oct 2026
- Mon 19 Oct 2026
- Tue 20 Oct 2026
- Wed 21 Oct 2026
TODAY
Marvel Stadium Tour
8 dates · next Sat 17 Oct
Ticketed event at Marvel Stadium. Details and tickets on the organiser's page.
Details
Get tickets
Ticketed event at Marvel Stadium. Details and tickets on the organiser's page.
- Sat 17 Oct 2026
- Sun 18 Oct 2026
- Mon 19 Oct 2026
- Tue 20 Oct 2026
- Wed 21 Oct 2026
- Thu 22 Oct 2026
- Fri 23 Oct 2026
- Sat 24 Oct 2026
TODAY
The Shark Is Broken
8 dates · next Sat 17 Oct
When the shark won't work, the drama does. Behind the scenes of Jaws, three actors are stranded on a boat as tempers flare, egos clash and a cinematic legend hangs by a thread. The Shark Is Broken is a razor-sharp, laugh-out-loud play about fame, failure, and friendship under pressure - an edgy, once is a lifetime theatrical treat that proves the biggest drama was never in the water. You're gonna need a bigger seat. Book Now .
Details
Get tickets
When the shark won't work, the drama does. Behind the scenes of Jaws, three actors are stranded on a boat as tempers flare, egos clash and a cinematic legend hangs by a thread. The Shark Is Broken is a razor-sharp, laugh-out-loud play about fame, failure, and friendship under pressure - an edgy, once is a lifetime theatrical treat that proves the biggest drama was never in the water. You're gonna need a bigger seat. Book Now .
- Sat 17 Oct 2026
- Sat 17 Oct 2026
- Sun 18 Oct 2026
- Sun 18 Oct 2026
- Wed 21 Oct 2026
- Wed 21 Oct 2026
- Thu 22 Oct 2026
- Fri 23 Oct 2026
TODAY
Briefs: The Works
3 dates · next Sat 17 Oct
Circus with attitude. Drag with muscle. Burlesque with bite.
After selling out seasons around the world and setting Melbourne's Spiegel Haus ablaze, Briefs Factory brings its hit sensation BRIEFS: THE WORKS to Melbourne Fringe.
This is a no-holds-barred raid through the glittering archives of Australia's most iconic queer cabaret company. A high voltage collision of world class circus, outrageous drag, seductive burlesque and filthy comedy, delivered with the swagger and skill and that have made Briefs a global phenomenon.
Hosted by the incomparable Fez Faanana as Shivannah, and featuring a
Details
Get tickets
Circus with attitude. Drag with muscle. Burlesque with bite. After selling out seasons around the world and setting Melbourne's Spiegel Haus ablaze, Briefs Factory brings its hit sensation BRIEFS: THE WORKS to Melbourne Fringe. This is a no-holds-barred raid through the glittering archives of Australia's most iconic queer cabaret company. A high voltage collision of world class circus, outrageous drag, seductive burlesque and filthy comedy, delivered with the swagger and skill and that have made Briefs a global phenomenon. Hosted by the incomparable Fez Faanana as Shivannah, and featuring a
- Sat 17 Oct 2026
- Sat 17 Oct 2026
- Sun 18 Oct 2026
TODAY
Tina's Rooftop Piano Bar
Sat 17 Oct · 6:00pm–7:15pm
A cabaret and comedy cocktail hour (and 15!)
Tina Del Twist lets her velvet voice and wicked wit loose with a bevy of dazzling guests every Saturday throughout Melbourne Fringe Festival, on the Spiegel Haus Rooftop. Australia’s much-loved nightingale holds court as your host, serving glamour, laughter and a generous splash of mischief.
*Strictly no refunds
Details
Get tickets
A cabaret and comedy cocktail hour (and 15!) Tina Del Twist lets her velvet voice and wicked wit loose with a bevy of dazzling guests every Saturday throughout Melbourne Fringe Festival, on the Spiegel Haus Rooftop. Australia’s much-loved nightingale holds court as your host, serving glamour, laughter and a generous splash of mischief. *Strictly no refunds
TODAY
NO CIGAR - Aussie Tour
Sat 17 Oct · 6:30pm–10:00pm
NO CIGAR are bringing their brand of ‘semi rock’ to Australia this spring, with thirteen lively shows on the cards for their biggest run in Australia to date.
Details
Get tickets
NO CIGAR are bringing their brand of ‘semi rock’ to Australia this spring, with thirteen lively shows on the cards for their biggest run in Australia to date.
TODAY
THE REFLEX - 80s NEW WAVE
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 18 Oct
Step back into the electric atmosphere of the 1980s as The Reflex 80s New Wave Tribute presents Hungry Like the 80s, bringing the ultimate retro party to Brunswick Ballroom.
Details
Get tickets
Step back into the electric atmosphere of the 1980s as The Reflex 80s New Wave Tribute presents Hungry Like the 80s, bringing the ultimate retro party to Brunswick Ballroom.
TODAY
Spike Fuck
Sat 17 Oct · 7:00pm–11:30pm
For ten years Melbourne’s Spike Fuck has existed more as a messy myth than an artist – sporadic works forever poised on the precipice of triumph, rumours of death or insanity and so on.
Details
Get tickets
For ten years Melbourne’s Spike Fuck has existed more as a messy myth than an artist – sporadic works forever poised on the precipice of triumph, rumours of death or insanity and so on.
TODAY
CARL COX (UK) - Extended 3 Hour Techno Set
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 18 Oct
Melbourne is set for an unforgettable night of underground electronic music as global techno icon Carl Cox takes over Northcote Theatre on Saturday 17 October 2026 for an exclusive three-hour techno set. 18+, standing.
Details
Get tickets
Melbourne is set for an unforgettable night of underground electronic music as global techno icon Carl Cox takes over Northcote Theatre on Saturday 17 October 2026 for an exclusive three-hour techno set. 18+, standing.
TODAY
Jay Chou "Carnival II" World Tour in Melbourne
Sat 17 Oct · 7:30pm–11:30pm
Jay Chou, the King of Mandopop, has shaped a new era in Chinese pop music since his debut in 2000 with his distinctive style and unforgettable songs. Gates 6pm.
Details
Get tickets
Jay Chou, the King of Mandopop, has shaped a new era in Chinese pop music since his debut in 2000 with his distinctive style and unforgettable songs. Gates 6pm.
TODAY
Carl Barron: Just Wondering Why
2 dates · next Sat 17 Oct
The brand-new show from Australia's most popular comedian!! One thing Carl has heard his whole life is that he thinks too much. Doors 7pm.
Details
Get tickets
The brand-new show from Australia's most popular comedian!! One thing Carl has heard his whole life is that he thinks too much. Doors 7pm.
- Sat 17 Oct 2026
- Sun 18 Oct 2026
TODAY
Suzy Sheer
Sat 17 Oct · 8:00pm–11:30pm
Suzy Sheer is a band from Vancouver, British Columbia, now split between Montreal and New York. Their music has been described as purity electronics, blisstronica, and post-tronica.
Details
Get tickets
Suzy Sheer is a band from Vancouver, British Columbia, now split between Montreal and New York. Their music has been described as purity electronics, blisstronica, and post-tronica.
TODAY
Tour-Maubourg. Australian Tour 2026.
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 18 Oct
Niche Productions is proud to present the Australian debut of French-Belgian producer Tour-Maubourg, bringing his acclaimed blend of soulful house, acid jazz and trip-hop to Australia for the very first time this October.
Details
Get tickets
Niche Productions is proud to present the Australian debut of French-Belgian producer Tour-Maubourg, bringing his acclaimed blend of soulful house, acid jazz and trip-hop to Australia for the very first time this October.
On for a while 2
UNTIL 31 JAN
Margaret Preston: A Retrospective
On until Sun 31 Jan
Ticketed NGV retrospective of modernist painter Margaret Preston at the Ian Potter Centre, Fed Square. Closes 31 January.
Details
Get tickets
Ticketed NGV retrospective of modernist painter Margaret Preston at the Ian Potter Centre, Fed Square. Closes 31 January.
UNTIL 25 OCT
Melbourne International Jazz Festival
On until Sun 25 Oct
Ten days of jazz in concert halls, clubs and Fed Square. Free outdoor sets and film screenings at Fed Square on the opening weekend.
Details
Get tickets
Ten days of jazz in concert halls, clubs and Fed Square. Free outdoor sets and film screenings at Fed Square on the opening weekend.
Questions
What's free in Melbourne this weekend?
Free this weekend (16–18 Oct): Mango Party at Prahran Market (17–18 Oct), Italian Festa & Expo (17–18 Oct) and Melbourne Donut Festival (17–18 Oct).
- Mango Party at Prahran Market 17–18 Oct
- Italian Festa & Expo 17–18 Oct
- Melbourne Donut Festival 17–18 Oct
What's on tonight in Melbourne?
Tonight in Melbourne: Caulfield Cup at Caulfield Racecourse (12:00am), The Shark Is Broken at Athenaeum Theatre One (2:00pm), Carlton v Western Bulldogs - 2026 NAB AFLW Season 11 at IKON Park (3:05pm), Briefs: The Works at Spiegel Haus Melbourne (4:30pm) and Tina's Rooftop Piano Bar at Spiegel Haus Melbourne (6:00pm).
- Caulfield Cup 12:00am
- The Shark Is Broken 2:00pm
- Carlton v Western Bulldogs - 2026 NAB AFLW Season 11 3:05pm
- Briefs: The Works 4:30pm
- Tina's Rooftop Piano Bar 6:00pm
What's on in Melbourne this weekend?
This weekend (16–18 Oct) in Melbourne: Caulfield Cup (Sat 17 Oct), Mango Party at Prahran Market (17–18 Oct) and Italian Festa & Expo (17–18 Oct). 27 events in all, listed on this page.
- Caulfield Cup Sat 17 Oct
- Mango Party at Prahran Market 17–18 Oct
- Italian Festa & Expo 17–18 Oct
See these on a map, where you are.
Suna shows what's on near you, learns what you like, and taps you on the shoulder when you're a minute's walk from somewhere good.
Get Suna, free on iPhone