Melbourne Events Calendar 2026: The Complete Guide

Your ultimate guide to Melbourne's major events, festivals, and experiences in 2026—from the Australian Grand Prix to the Comedy Festival, AFL season, and everything in between.

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Introduction

Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital—a city that takes its events seriously. From world-class sporting fixtures to cutting-edge arts festivals, food and wine celebrations to community gatherings, Melbourne offers an extraordinary calendar of experiences throughout the year.

This guide covers the major events of 2026, organised by month and category, with links to detailed guides for the biggest occasions. Whether you're planning a visit or just want a clean annual plan, this is your roadmap to the year ahead. For official listings, keep What's On Melbourne handy.

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Quick Links: Major Events

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Month-by-Month Calendar

January 2026

Australian Open (12-25 January)

• Location: Melbourne Park
• The year's first Grand Slam
• World's best tennis players
• Ground pass options for casual fans
• Website: ausopen.com

Summer Events

• Outdoor cinema season
• Beach activities and festivals
• New Year's Day recovery
• Australia Day events (26 January)

February 2026

White Night Ballarat (Late February, TBC)

• Regional arts event
• Day trip from Melbourne
• Light installations and performances

Chinese New Year (Throughout February)

• Chinatown celebrations
• Dragon parades
• Lantern displays
• Festival food

Sustainable Living Festival (Throughout February)

• Federation Square
• Free events
• Environmental focus

March 2026

March is peak festival season in Melbourne—arguably the city's most exciting month.

Moomba Festival (6-9 March) Melbourne's biggest free community festival.

• Labour Day long weekend
• Yarra River precinct
• Parade, Birdman Rally, fireworks
• Over 1 million attendees

📖 Read our complete Moomba Festival Guide →

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Australian Grand Prix (12-15 March) Formula 1 returns to Albert Park.

• World's fastest cars
• 300,000+ fans over four days
• Entertainment beyond the track
• Premium and general admission options

📖 Read our complete Australian Grand Prix Guide →

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Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Mid-March – Mid-April) The world's third-largest comedy festival.

• 600+ shows across 100+ venues
• International and local comedians
• Free shows available
• Something for every sense of humour

📖 Read our complete Comedy Festival Guide →

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Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (Throughout March) Victoria's culinary celebration.

• World's Longest Lunch
• Indonesia Street Food Festival (28-29 March, QVM)
• Regional dining experiences
• Masterclasses and tastings

📖 Read our complete Food & Wine Festival Guide →

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AFL Season Begins (Mid-March) Australia's winter obsession kicks off.

• 10 Melbourne-based teams
• MCG and Marvel Stadium
• Community and atmosphere
• Runs through September

📖 Read our complete AFL Melbourne Guide →

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Melbourne Fashion Festival (Early March)

• Runway shows
• Public events
• Industry showcases
• Cultural Centre hub

St Patrick's Day (17 March)

• Parade in CBD
• Irish pubs celebration
• Green everywhere

Holi Festival (March, date varies)

• Federation Square
• Festival of colours
• Free entry

April 2026

Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Continues from March)

• Final weeks
• Award announcements
• Extended runs of hit shows

Easter (3-6 April)

• Good Friday (3 April)
• Easter Saturday (4 April)
• Easter Sunday (5 April)
• Easter Monday (6 April)
• School holidays around this time

School Holidays (Approximately 5-19 April)

• Museum programs
• Library activities
• Family events citywide

📖 Read our Melbourne Autumn Family Guide →

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ANZAC Day (25 April)

• Dawn Service at Shrine of Remembrance
• March through CBD
• Afternoon two-up at pubs
• Public holiday

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (Late March/Early April)

• Carlton Gardens
• Display gardens
• Plant sales
• Workshops

May 2026

RISING Festival (Late May – Early June) Melbourne's contemporary arts festival.

• 12 days of art, music, performance
• Late-night programming
• Public installations citywide
• Experimental and immersive works

📖 Read our complete RISING Festival Guide →

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Mother's Day (Second Sunday in May)

• High tea bookings popular
• Botanic Gardens picnics
• Restaurant specials

Melbourne Knowledge Week (May, dates TBC)

• Innovation and ideas festival
• City of Melbourne program
• Many free events
• Smart cities, sustainability, tech

📖 Read our Melbourne Tech Events Guide →

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Good Food Month (Throughout May)

• Restaurant specials
• Food events
• Culinary experiences

June 2026

RISING Festival (Continues from May)

• Final days
• Extended runs of popular works

Melbourne International Jazz Festival (Early June)

• International and local artists
• Various venues
• Free and ticketed events

Queen's Birthday Long Weekend (8 June, public holiday)

• AFL blockbuster (traditionally Collingwood vs Melbourne)
• Winter events
• Travel popular

Melbourne Winter Masterpieces (Opens around June)

• NGV blockbuster exhibition
• Major international collection
• Runs through September/October

July 2026

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) (Late July – Mid August)

• Australia's premier film festival
• International premieres
• Local cinema showcase
• Documentary program

NAIDOC Week (First full week of July)

• Indigenous celebration
• Events citywide
• Cultural programs

School Holidays (Late June – Mid July)

• Winter holiday programs
• Indoor activities popular
• Museum and gallery events

August 2026

MIFF Continues (Early August)

• Festival screenings continue
• Awards and closing events

Melbourne Writers Festival (Late August)

• Federation Square and surrounds
• Author events
• Book launches
• Writing workshops

Melbourne Day (30 August)

• City's founding anniversary
• CBD events
• Historical focus

September 2026

AFL Finals Series (Throughout September)

• Qualifying finals (early September)
• Preliminary finals (mid-September)
• AFL Grand Final (last Saturday)
• Peak Melbourne sporting atmosphere

📖 Read our complete AFL Melbourne Guide →

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Melbourne Fringe Festival (Mid-September – Early October)

• Independent arts
• Emerging artists
• Experimental works
• Affordable tickets

Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival Begins (Late September)

• Racing season kicks off
• Fashion focus
• Social calendar highlight

Father's Day (First Sunday in September)

• Family events
• Restaurant specials

Royal Melbourne Show (Late September – Early October)

• Showgrounds
• Agricultural displays
• Carnival rides
• Food competitions

October 2026

Melbourne International Arts Festival (October, dates TBC)

• Major arts programming
• Theatre, dance, music
• International artists
• Multiple venues

Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival (Peak October-November)

• Caulfield Cup (mid-October)
• Cox Plate (late October)
• Fashion and social events

Melbourne Marathon (Mid-October)

• Full marathon, half, 10K
• Courses through the city
• Mass participation event

AFL Grand Final Replay (If required)

• Rare but possible
• MCG spectacle

Web Directions Summit (October/November)

• Tech conference
• Web development focus
• International speakers

📖 Read our Melbourne Tech Events Guide →

November 2026

Melbourne Cup Carnival (First Tuesday in November)

• Melbourne Cup Day (3 November, public holiday)
• "The race that stops a nation"
• Flemington Racecourse
• Fashion, food, festivities

Stakes Day (Saturday after Melbourne Cup)

• Final day of carnival
• Family-focused
• Flemington

Diwali Festival (November, date varies)

• Federation Square
• Free celebration
• Indian culture showcase

Christmas Shopping Season Begins

• Myer Christmas windows unveiled
• CBD festive atmosphere

December 2026

Christmas Festival (Throughout December)

• Federation Square events
• Myer Christmas windows
• Carols by Candlelight (Christmas Eve)
• City decorations

Boxing Day Test (26 December onwards)

• Australia vs touring nation
• MCG cricket tradition
• Five-day test match

New Year's Eve (31 December)

• City of Melbourne fireworks
• Yarra River celebration
• Rooftop parties
• Restaurant events

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Events by Category

Sports

Major Annual Events:

📖 AFL Melbourne Guide → 📖 Australian Grand Prix Guide →

Arts and Culture

Major Festivals:

📖 Comedy Festival Guide → 📖 RISING Festival Guide →

Food and Drink

Major Experiences:

📖 Food & Wine Festival Guide →

Community and Free

Major Free Events:

📖 Moomba Festival Guide → 📖 Free Things Melbourne Autumn →

Family

Family-Friendly Highlights:

📖 Melbourne Autumn Family Guide →

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Seasonal Guide

Autumn (March–May)

Weather: 17-24°C, cooling as the season progresses

Highlights:

• Festival season (Moomba, Grand Prix, Comedy, Food & Wine)
• AFL season begins
• Perfect weather for outdoor exploration
• Autumn foliage in parks

What to Wear: Layers, light jacket, comfortable shoes

📖 Free Things Melbourne Autumn →

Winter (June–August)

Weather: 10-15°C, frequent rain

Highlights:

• RISING Festival
• MIFF
• AFL finals build-up
• Cosy restaurant season
• NGV Winter Masterpieces

What to Wear: Warm coat, umbrella, waterproof shoes

Spring (September–November)

Weather: 15-22°C, changeable

Highlights:

• AFL Finals and Grand Final
• Spring Racing Carnival
• Melbourne Cup
• Garden blooms
• Outdoor events return

What to Wear: Layers for changing conditions, racing fashion for the Cup

Summer (December–February)

Weather: 20-30°C, occasional heatwaves

Highlights:

• Australian Open
• Beach season
• Outdoor cinema
• Christmas and NYE
• School holidays

What to Wear: Light clothing, sun protection

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Planning Tips

Accommodation

Book Early For:

• Australian Grand Prix (March)
• Melbourne Cup (November)
• Australian Open (January)
• Major concerts and one-off events

Shoulder Periods (Better Availability):

• May (between festivals)
• August (winter, quieter)
• Early December (before Christmas rush)

Transport

Event Days:

• Public transport runs extended services for major events
• Avoid driving to MCG, Albert Park, Flemington
• Rideshare surge pricing likely

Myki Cards:

• Essential for public transport
• Buy at stations or online
• Weekend daily cap applies

Tickets

Book Immediately:

• Grand Prix (on sale ~October prior)
• AFL Grand Final (membership and ballot only)
• Melbourne Cup (Birdcage/corporate fills early)
• Comedy Festival headliners
• RISING limited-capacity works

Usually Available:

• General admission events
• Free festivals
• Larger venues and longer runs

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Quick Reference: Public Holidays 2026

Note: Some holidays substitute to Monday if falling on weekend.

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Visitor Essentials

Getting to Melbourne

Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine):

• 25km from CBD
• SkyBus or taxi/rideshare
• No train connection (yet)

Avalon Airport:

• Budget airlines
• Further from city (55km)
• Bus transfer available

Getting Around

Public Transport:

• Trains, trams, buses
• Myki card required
• Free tram zone in CBD

Walking:

• CBD is compact and walkable
• Best way to experience laneways

Cycling:

• Bike share available
• Good bike paths along Yarra

Melbourne Weather

"Four seasons in one day" is a real phenomenon. Always:

• Check the forecast
• Bring layers
• Carry a light rain jacket
• Expect the unexpected

Tipping

Not mandatory in Australia, but:

• 10% for excellent restaurant service appreciated
• Rounding up for good service common
• No tipping expected for counter service

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All Guides in This Series

Major Events

• Australian Grand Prix 2026
• Moomba Festival 2026
• Melbourne Comedy Festival 2026
• Melbourne Food & Wine Festival 2026
• RISING Festival 2026
• AFL Melbourne 2026

Practical Guides

• Free Things Melbourne Autumn 2026
• Melbourne Autumn Family Guide 2026
• Melbourne Tech & AI Events 2026

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Stay Updated

Melbourne's event calendar evolves throughout the year. Stay informed:

• What's On Melbourne: City of Melbourne's official guide
• Broadsheet Melbourne: Culture, food, events
• Time Out Melbourne: Comprehensive listings
• The Age: Local news and event coverage

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Final Thoughts

Melbourne earns its reputation as Australia's cultural capital through the sheer depth and diversity of its events calendar. From the roar of Formula 1 cars at Albert Park to the quiet magic of a RISING installation at midnight, from 100,000 fans at the MCG to an intimate comedy show in a basement bar, this city offers experiences you simply won't find anywhere else.

The best advice for experiencing Melbourne events? Book the big things early, leave room for spontaneity, and embrace whatever the weather throws at you.

See you out there.

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Related Content

Related Guides

• Australian Grand Prix 2026
• Moomba Festival 2026
• Melbourne Comedy Festival 2026

Last updated: January 2026. Event dates and details subject to change. Always verify with official sources.