Don't miss in Melbourne
Art
Margaret Preston: A Retrospective
On until Sun 31 Jan
Art
Cosi Fan Tutte
2 dates · next Thu 15 Oct
Sport
Melbourne v Richmond - 2026 NAB AFLW Season 11
Fri 16 Oct · 7:15pm–11:15pm
Food
Italian Festa & Expo
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 18 Oct · Sat 11am–10:30pm, Sun 11am–8:30pm
Sport
Caulfield Cup
Sat 17 Oct · 12:00am–11:59pm
Food
Mango Party at Prahran Market
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 18 Oct
Free this weekend in Melbourne
Today 3
TODAY
Cosi Fan Tutte
2 dates · next Thu 15 Oct
Melbourne Opera presents, Mozart's sparkling comedy in a new production by Suzanne Chaundy featuring some of Mozart's most beautiful ensembles and arias - Cosi fan Tutte is accessible and enjoyable comedy in which two men test their girlfriends fidelity and infidelity.
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Melbourne Opera presents, Mozart's sparkling comedy in a new production by Suzanne Chaundy featuring some of Mozart's most beautiful ensembles and arias - Cosi fan Tutte is accessible and enjoyable comedy in which two men test their girlfriends fidelity and infidelity.
- Thu 15 Oct 2026
- Sun 18 Oct 2026
TODAY
The Shark Is Broken
10 dates · next Thu 15 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 .
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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 .
- Thu 15 Oct 2026
- Fri 16 Oct 2026
- 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
Carl Barron: Just Wondering Why
3 dates · next Thu 15 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.
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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.
- Thu 15 Oct 2026
- Sat 17 Oct 2026
- Sun 18 Oct 2026
On for a while 1
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.
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Ticketed NGV retrospective of modernist painter Margaret Preston at the Ian Potter Centre, Fed Square. Closes 31 January.
This weekend 12
TOMORROW
Marvel Stadium Tour
9 dates · next Fri 16 Oct
Ticketed event at Marvel Stadium. Details and tickets on the organiser's page.
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Ticketed event at Marvel Stadium. Details and tickets on the organiser's page.
- Fri 16 Oct 2026
- 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
TOMORROW
ROME: Empire, Power, People
6 dates · next Fri 16 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.
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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.
- Fri 16 Oct 2026
- Sat 17 Oct 2026
- Sun 18 Oct 2026
- Mon 19 Oct 2026
- Tue 20 Oct 2026
- Wed 21 Oct 2026
TOMORROW
Briefs: The Works
4 dates · next Fri 16 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
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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
- Fri 16 Oct 2026
- Sat 17 Oct 2026
- Sat 17 Oct 2026
- Sun 18 Oct 2026
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.
TOMORROW
Comedy Fridays at Piper's Playhouse
Fri 16 Oct · 7:30pm–11:30pm
Ticketed event at Piper's Playhouse. 18+.
Details
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Ticketed event at Piper's Playhouse. 18+.
SAT 17 OCT
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
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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
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
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
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A weekend of mango demos, free tastings and kids' activities at Prahran Market.
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: 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: The Shark Is Broken (Fri 16 Oct), Soen (Fri 16 Oct) and Midge Ure Catalogue - The Hits Tour (Fri 16 Oct). 36 events in all, listed on this page.
- The Shark Is Broken Fri 16 Oct
- Soen Fri 16 Oct
- Midge Ure Catalogue - The Hits Tour Fri 16 Oct
See these on a map, where you are.
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