21 free things to do in Melbourne for Sat 31 Oct – Sun 8 Nov 2026: festivals, markets, free galleries and family events. Every one was opened at its official source and checked on Sat 31 Oct 2026 (AEDT).
This is an archived week. Dates have passed. See this weekend's free list.
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 10am–3pm
Where Kensington Town Hall, 30/34 Bellair St, Kensington
Price Free entry, booking not required
40+ stalls: tarot readers, a tattooist, crystals, candles and cauldrons. Peak Halloween energy.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 10am–2pm; dog parade 11am from Olive's Corner
Where 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.
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 11:30am–10pm, fireworks in the evening
Where 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
When Sat 31 Oct – Sun 1 Nov 2026, 12pm–7pm both days
Where Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
Price Free, booking not required
Waterfront Halloween weekend with food trucks, live entertainment and spooky surprises for kids.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
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 Melbourne
Price 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
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 2pm–10pm (lighting ceremony at dusk)
Where Marvel Stadium Square, Docklands
Price 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
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 2pm–5pm
Where Edinburgh Gardens (near the bandstand), Alfred Cres, Fitzroy North
Price 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
When Sat 31 Oct, Sun 1 Nov, Sat 7 Nov, Sun 8 Nov 2026, 2pm–9pm
Where Queensbridge Square, 1A Queens Bridge St, Southbank
Price 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
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 5pm–7pm
Where Boroondara Cemetery (under the Clock Tower), 430 High St, Kew
Price 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
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 5pm–8pm (popcorn from 5pm, movie at 6pm)
Where Powell Reserve, Hoppers Junction, Hoppers Crossing
Price FREE ($0)
Wyndham City's free costume movie night, a short walk from Hoppers Crossing station.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
When Sun 1 Nov 2026, 10am–3pm
Where Piazza Italia, Argyle Square, Carlton
Price 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
When Sun 1 Nov and Sun 8 Nov 2026, 10am–4pm
Where Southbank Promenade (eastern end), 3 Southgate Ave, Southbank
Price Free entry, booking not required
Weekly riverside makers market: a good free Sunday wander with a city view.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
When Sun 1 Nov 2026, 12pm–9pm; Catrina Walk leaves State Library Victoria at 2pm
Where Fed Square Main Square
Price Free
Mexican music, dance, food trucks, face painting and a community ofrenda; dress up for the Catrina parade.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
When Mon 2 Nov 2026 (Cup Eve), 12pm–10pm
Where Queen Victoria Market, Queen St, Melbourne
Price Free entry with free online registration (Eventbrite); dumplings for purchase
Dozens of dumpling vendors on the night before the Cup Day public holiday.
When Wed 4 Nov 2026, 6pm
Where Fed Square Main Square
Price Free
A free big-screen doco on the Bourke St espresso bar that shaped Melbourne's coffee culture.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
When Wed 4 Nov 2026 (weekly), 7:30pm–9:30pm
Where Downstairs at Bar Humbug, 586 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
Price Free, booking not required
Quick-fire free stand-up: each comic gets five minutes to test new material.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
When Sun 8 Nov 2026, 4:45pm Last Post Service, concert 5pm–5:45pm
Where Second World War Memorial Forecourt, Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Ave
Price Free, first-come seating
An outdoor evening of music and reflection at the Shrine ahead of Remembrance Day.
When Daily until Sun 8 Nov 2026 (closes), 10am–5pm
Where NGV International, Level 2, 180 St Kilda Rd, Southbank
Price Free entry
Last chance: barkcloth, fashion, photography and sculpture from across the Pacific. Closes 8 Nov.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
When Opened Fri 30 Oct 2026; daily (runs to 14 Jun 2027), 10am–5pm
Where The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Level 3, Fed Square
Price Free entry
Brand-new show of bold portrait photography by Melbourne-based South Sudanese artist Atong Atem.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
When Daily (runs to 7 Feb 2027), 10am–5pm
Where The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square
Price 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
When Daily, including Tue 3 Nov 2026 (Cup Day public holiday), 10am–6pm
Where State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne
Price 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
