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
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
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
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
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. Details Sign up
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. Details Sign up
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.
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: Cosi Fan Tutte at Athenaeum Theatre Two (7:00pm), Briefs: The Works at Spiegel Haus Melbourne (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 MUDHONEY (USA) (Fri 16 Oct). 36 events in all, listed on this page.
- Briefs: The Works Fri 16 Oct
- The Shark Is Broken Fri 16 Oct
- MUDHONEY (USA) Fri 16 Oct
See these on a map, where you are.
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