Free things to do in Melbourne this weekend
21 free events and places for Sat 31 Oct – Sun 8 Nov 2026. Every one was opened at its source and checked on Sat 31 Oct 2026 (AEDT).
Black Friday 2026 Melbourne: 9 confirmed sales Only sales we read on the shops' own websites. Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 (AEDT). See the list →
Good to know this week Tue 3 Nov 2026 is Melbourne Cup Day, a public holiday in metro Melbourne. Queen Victoria Market is closed that day; check opening hours before you go. 'Free' means free entry. Food and drinks at markets and festivals cost money.
This weekend: Sat 31 Oct – Sun 1 Nov
Witches Market
FREE Sat 31 Oct
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 10am–3pmWhere Kensington Town Hall, 30/34 Bellair St, KensingtonPrice Free entry, booking not required
40+ stalls: tarot readers, a tattooist, crystals, candles and cauldrons. Peak Halloween energy.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Port Melbourne Howl-O-Ween Paw Parade
FREE Kids Sat 31 Oct
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 10am–2pm; dog parade 11am from Olive's CornerWhere Bay St, Port Melbourne (Olive's Corner, Bay/Liardet St)Price Free ($0 parade registration on TryBooking)
Dogs in costume, free professional dog photos, giveaways and a kids' trick-or-treat scavenger hunt.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source · Source 2
FREE Sat 31 Oct
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 11:30am–10pm, fireworks in the eveningWhere Fed Square (Main Square, Birrarung Marr Walk, The Edge)Price Free
The 21st year of the city's big Diwali party: dance, music, bazaar, street food and evening fireworks.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
FREE Kids Sat 31 Oct Sun 1 Nov
When Sat 31 Oct – Sun 1 Nov 2026, 12pm–7pm both daysWhere Harbour Esplanade, DocklandsPrice Free, booking not required
Waterfront Halloween weekend with food trucks, live entertainment and spooky surprises for kids.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
KINGS Artist-Run: October Exhibitions
FREE Sat 31 Oct Sun 1 Nov Thu 5 Nov Fri 6 Nov Sat 7 Nov Sun 8 Nov
When Sat 31 Oct, Sun 1 Nov, Thu 5 – Sun 8 Nov 2026, 12pm–4pm (Thu–Fri 12pm–5pm)Where KINGS Artist-Run, 69 Capel St, West MelbournePrice Free, booking not required
Three new shows across three rooms at one of Melbourne's best artist-run spaces.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
FREE Kids Sat 31 Oct
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 2pm–10pm (lighting ceremony at dusk)Where Marvel Stadium Square, DocklandsPrice Free, no ticket needed
45+ live acts, 60+ stalls, henna and rangoli stations, kids zone, all undercover so it's on rain or shine.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Illustrators' Picnic – Halloween!
FREE Sat 31 Oct
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 2pm–5pmWhere Edinburgh Gardens (near the bandstand), Alfred Cres, Fitzroy NorthPrice Free, all welcome
Free face painting, costume comp, pumpkin designing, a horror bake-off and drawing games in the park.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
FREE Sat 31 Oct Sun 1 Nov Sat 7 Nov Sun 8 Nov
When Sat 31 Oct, Sun 1 Nov, Sat 7 Nov, Sun 8 Nov 2026, 2pm–9pmWhere Queensbridge Square, 1A Queens Bridge St, SouthbankPrice Free entry, booking not required (food for purchase)
Food and culture from Sabah and Sarawak right on the river.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Halloween Monster Mash
FREE Kids Sat 31 Oct
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 5pm–7pmWhere Boroondara Cemetery (under the Clock Tower), 430 High St, KewPrice Free (reserve a free ticket via Eventbrite link on the page)
A costume dance party in a heritage cemetery, with prizes for best costume and dance moves. Dogs welcome.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Halloween Movie in the Park: Hotel Transylvania
FREE Kids Sat 31 Oct
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 5pm–8pm (popcorn from 5pm, movie at 6pm)Where Powell Reserve, Hoppers Junction, Hoppers CrossingPrice FREE ($0)
Wyndham City's free costume movie night, a short walk from Hoppers Crossing station.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
The Lygon Street Market
FREE Sun 1 Nov
When Sun 1 Nov 2026, 10am–3pmWhere Piazza Italia, Argyle Square, CarltonPrice Free entry, booking not required
Monthly first-Sunday open-air market in the heart of Melbourne's Little Italy.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Southbank Makers Market
FREE Sun 1 Nov Sun 8 Nov
When Sun 1 Nov and Sun 8 Nov 2026, 10am–4pmWhere Southbank Promenade (eastern end), 3 Southgate Ave, SouthbankPrice Free entry, booking not required
Weekly riverside makers market: a good free Sunday wander with a city view.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
FREE Sun 1 Nov
When Sun 1 Nov 2026, 12pm–9pm; Catrina Walk leaves State Library Victoria at 2pmWhere Fed Square Main SquarePrice Free
Mexican music, dance, food trucks, face painting and a community ofrenda; dress up for the Catrina parade.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
AD SLOT Empty: no affiliate links yet. Reserved for one clearly labelled paid pick (for example, a Viator or GetYourGuide tour) for people who want to spend a little. Any future link here will be labelled "Ad" and explained on the disclosure page .
During the week: Mon 2 Nov – Fri 6 Nov
FREE Mon 2 Nov
When Mon 2 Nov 2026 (Cup Eve), 12pm–10pmWhere Queen Victoria Market, Queen St, MelbournePrice Free entry with free online registration (Eventbrite); dumplings for purchase
Dozens of dumpling vendors on the night before the Cup Day public holiday.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source · Source 2
Outdoor Cinema – Pellegrini's: A Melbourne Legacy
FREE Wed 4 Nov
When Wed 4 Nov 2026, 6pmWhere Fed Square Main SquarePrice Free
A free big-screen doco on the Bourke St espresso bar that shaped Melbourne's coffee culture.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Bar Humbug Comedy
FREE Wed 4 Nov
When Wed 4 Nov 2026 (weekly), 7:30pm–9:30pmWhere Downstairs at Bar Humbug, 586 Little Bourke St, MelbournePrice Free, booking not required
Quick-fire free stand-up: each comic gets five minutes to test new material.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Next weekend: Sat 7 Nov – Sun 8 Nov
FREE Sun 8 Nov
When Sun 8 Nov 2026, 4:45pm Last Post Service, concert 5pm–5:45pmWhere Second World War Memorial Forecourt, Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood AvePrice Free, first-come seating
An outdoor evening of music and reflection at the Shrine ahead of Remembrance Day.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source · Source 2
On every day this week (free galleries and more)
Art of the Pacific: From the NGV Collection (final week)
FREE On every day this week
When Daily until Sun 8 Nov 2026 (closes), 10am–5pmWhere NGV International, Level 2, 180 St Kilda Rd, SouthbankPrice Free entry
Last chance: barkcloth, fashion, photography and sculpture from across the Pacific. Closes 8 Nov.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Passage: The Art of Atong Atem
FREE On every day this week
When Opened Fri 30 Oct 2026; daily (runs to 14 Jun 2027), 10am–5pmWhere The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Level 3, Fed SquarePrice Free entry
Brand-new show of bold portrait photography by Melbourne-based South Sudanese artist Atong Atem.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Plant Life: The Nature of Design
FREE On every day this week
When Daily (runs to 7 Feb 2027), 10am–5pmWhere The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed SquarePrice Free entry
Fungus leather, hemp fibreboard and more: design's relationship with plants. Pair it with Atong Atem upstairs.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
State Library Victoria: La Trobe Reading Room dome (open on Cup Day)
FREE On every day this week
When Daily, including Tue 3 Nov 2026 (Cup Day public holiday), 10am–6pmWhere State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston St, MelbournePrice Free entry
The domed reading room is one of Melbourne's great free interiors, and the Library is open every public holiday except New Year's Day, Good Friday, Christmas and Boxing Day.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
The weekly free list, by email A short Thursday email with the best free things for the weekend. Coming soon: the signup form isn't live yet. Follow @free_melbourneweekly in the meantime.
Running a free event in Melbourne? Submit it here . It's free to be listed.
Get the list every week on Instagram: @free_melbourneweekly