Don't miss in Melbourne
Free this weekend in Melbourne
This weekend 7
TOMORROW
Melbourne v Richmond - 2026 NAB AFLW Season 11
Fri 16 Oct · 7:15pm–11:15pm
Ticketed event at IKON Park. All ages.
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Ticketed event at IKON Park. All ages.
SAT 17 OCT
Caulfield Cup
Sat 17 Oct · 12:00am–11:59pm
The 150th Caulfield Cup, a Group 1 race over 2400m and one of the big days of Melbourne's spring racing season.
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The 150th Caulfield Cup, a Group 1 race over 2400m and one of the big days of Melbourne's spring racing season.
SAT 17 OCT
Free
Italian Festa & Expo
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 18 Oct
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.
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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.
SAT 17 OCT
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.
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A weekend of mango demos, free tastings and kids' activities at Prahran Market.
SAT 17 OCT
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.
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Free weekend of 15+ donut makers under cover in the Queen Victoria Market sheds, with coffee and entertainment.
SAT 17 OCT
Carlton v Western Bulldogs - 2026 NAB AFLW Season 11
Sat 17 Oct · 3:05pm–7:05pm
Ticketed event at IKON Park. All ages.
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Ticketed event at IKON Park. All ages.
SUN 18 OCT
Collingwood v Sydney & Essendon v North Melbourne - 2026 NAB AFLW
Sun 18 Oct · 12:30pm–4:30pm
Collingwood v Sydney - 12:30 PM Essendon v North Melbourne - 3:05 PM
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Collingwood v Sydney - 12:30 PM Essendon v North Melbourne - 3:05 PM
Next 7 days 1
THU 22 OCT
Luna Dark
Thu 22 Oct – Sun 1 Nov
Luna Park's Halloween event with haunted mazes, scare attractions and unlimited rides. Night sessions plus kid-friendly day sessions.
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Luna Park's Halloween event with haunted mazes, scare attractions and unlimited rides. Night sessions plus kid-friendly day sessions.
Later 17
SAT 24 OCT
Free
Pinoy Octoberfest
Sat 24 Oct – Sun 25 Oct · 10am–4pm daily
A weekend of Filipino food stalls and live entertainment at Queen Victoria Market. Free entry.
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A weekend of Filipino food stalls and live entertainment at Queen Victoria Market. Free entry.
SAT 24 OCT
Cox Plate at Flemington
Sat 24 Oct · 12:25pm–5:50pm
The Cox Plate runs at Flemington for 2026 only, its first time at the course. A full Group 1 race day a week before the Cup Carnival.
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The Cox Plate runs at Flemington for 2026 only, its first time at the course. A full Group 1 race day a week before the Cup Carnival.
SAT 31 OCT
Free
Witches Market
Sat 31 Oct · 10:00am–3:00pm
A Halloween-weekend market by Witches of Macedon with 40+ stalls at Kensington Town Hall, 10am to 3pm. Free entry.
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A Halloween-weekend market by Witches of Macedon with 40+ stalls at Kensington Town Hall, 10am to 3pm. Free entry.
SAT 31 OCT
Free
The Street Social: Halloween
Sat 31 Oct – Sun 1 Nov · 12pm–7pm daily
Food trucks and live music on Harbour Esplanade in Docklands over the Halloween weekend, 12pm to 7pm both days. Free entry.
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Food trucks and live music on Harbour Esplanade in Docklands over the Halloween weekend, 12pm to 7pm both days. Free entry.
SAT 31 OCT
Victoria Derby Day
Sat 31 Oct · 12:20pm–5:40pm
Opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, headlined by the Victoria Derby. Black and white dress code and a big, social crowd.
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Opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, headlined by the Victoria Derby. Black and white dress code and a big, social crowd.
MON 2 NOV
Free
Melbourne International Dumpling Festival
Mon 2 Nov · 12:00pm–10:00pm
Dozens of dumpling vendors at Queen Victoria Market on Cup eve, from xiao long bao to pierogi and momo. Free entry, register online.
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Dozens of dumpling vendors at Queen Victoria Market on Cup eve, from xiao long bao to pierogi and momo. Free entry, register online.
TUE 3 NOV
Melbourne Cup Day
Tue 3 Nov · 10:45am–5:15pm
The Melbourne Cup at Flemington, on a Victorian public holiday. Fashion, crowds and a full card of racing.
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The Melbourne Cup at Flemington, on a Victorian public holiday. Fashion, crowds and a full card of racing.
THU 5 NOV
Oaks Day
Thu 5 Nov · 1:00pm–5:50pm
Thursday race day of the Cup Carnival, featuring the Oaks for three-year-old fillies. Usually more relaxed, with a strong fashion focus.
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Thursday race day of the Cup Carnival, featuring the Oaks for three-year-old fillies. Usually more relaxed, with a strong fashion focus.
SAT 7 NOV
Coffee Weekend
Sat 7 Nov – Sun 8 Nov · 9am–4pm daily
A ticketed coffee festival in C Shed at Queen Victoria Market. Kids under 12 free with a paying adult.
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A ticketed coffee festival in C Shed at Queen Victoria Market. Kids under 12 free with a paying adult.
SAT 7 NOV
Champions Stakes Day
Sat 7 Nov · 12:40pm–5:50pm
Closing Saturday of the Cup Carnival. The cheapest weekend entry of the carnival and a good day for families.
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Closing Saturday of the Cup Carnival. The cheapest weekend entry of the carnival and a good day for families.
FRI 13 NOV
Burrata Festival Opening Night
Fri 13 Nov · 6:00pm–9:00pm
Ticketed Friday opening night of Prahran Market's Burrata Festival, with live mozzarella making, tastings and music.
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Ticketed Friday opening night of Prahran Market's Burrata Festival, with live mozzarella making, tastings and music.
SAT 14 NOV
Free
Burrata Festival Weekend
Sat 14 Nov – Sun 15 Nov
Free weekend at Prahran Market with mozzarella-making demos, tastings and a Burrata Trail. Masterclasses booked separately.
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Free weekend at Prahran Market with mozzarella-making demos, tastings and a Burrata Trail. Masterclasses booked separately.
SAT 14 NOV
Farmers Market at Abbotsford Convent
Every Saturday · next Sat 14 Nov
Monthly farmers market at Abbotsford Convent with 45+ Victorian growers and makers. $2 entry goes to the Convent.
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Monthly farmers market at Abbotsford Convent with 45+ Victorian growers and makers. $2 entry goes to the Convent.
- Sat 14 Nov 2026
- Sat 12 Dec 2026
SUN 15 NOV
Free
Stock Up Vintage Market
Sun 15 Nov · 9:00am–4:00pm
A one-day vintage market in C Shed at Queen Victoria Market. Free entry.
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A one-day vintage market in C Shed at Queen Victoria Market. Free entry.
SAT 21 NOV
Free
Cachivaches Latin Market
Sat 21 Nov – Sun 22 Nov · 9am–4pm daily
A Latin market weekend with music, food trucks and stalls in the C and D Sheds at Queen Victoria Market. Free entry.
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A Latin market weekend with music, food trucks and stalls in the C and D Sheds at Queen Victoria Market. Free entry.
SAT 21 NOV
T20 International: Australia v England
Sat 21 Nov · 7:15pm–11:59pm
A night T20 between Australia and England at the MCG. A short, fast game that fits into an evening. Starts 7.15pm.
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A night T20 between Australia and England at the MCG. A short, fast game that fits into an evening. Starts 7.15pm.
SAT 12 DEC
Free
Summer Solstice Herbalism Market
Sat 12 Dec · 9:00am–3:00pm
Market of handmade herbal products and local herbalists in the Abbotsford Convent Oratory. Free entry.
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Market of handmade herbal products and local herbalists in the Abbotsford Convent Oratory. Free entry.
Questions
What's free in Melbourne this weekend?
Free this weekend (16–18 Oct): Italian Festa & Expo (17–18 Oct), Mango Party at Prahran Market (17–18 Oct) and Melbourne Donut Festival (17–18 Oct).
- Italian Festa & Expo 17–18 Oct
- Mango Party at Prahran Market 17–18 Oct
- Melbourne Donut Festival 17–18 Oct
What's on tonight in Melbourne?
Tonight in Melbourne: Briefs: The Works at Spiegel Haus Melbourne (7:00pm), Cosi Fan Tutte at Athenaeum Theatre Two (7:00pm), The Shark Is Broken at Athenaeum Theatre One (7:00pm), ROWENA WISE - Bad Things Feel Good* Album Tour with Hannah McKittrick Band + Ullah (solo) at Howler (7:30pm) and Carl Barron: Just Wondering Why at Palais Theatre (8:00pm).
What's on in Melbourne this weekend?
This weekend (16–18 Oct) in Melbourne: Briefs: The Works (Fri 16 Oct), The Shark Is Broken (Fri 16 Oct) and Soen (Fri 16 Oct). 36 events in all, listed on this page.
- Briefs: The Works Fri 16 Oct
- The Shark Is Broken Fri 16 Oct
- Soen Fri 16 Oct
See these on a map, where you are.
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