Don't let an empty wallet stop you from enjoying Melbourne. These festivals and street parties offer free entry and tons of entertainment.

Free festivals

Open Air at the Square
Until

Open Air at the Square

As the weather warms up, enjoy accessible, all-ages live music and outdoor cinema at Fed Square.

National Sustainability Festival

National Sustainability Festival

Showcasing sustainability and climate thought leaders.

Melbourne Chinese Lunar New Year Festival

Melbourne Chinese Lunar New Year Festival

Chinatown's biggest festival is back with a dragon parade, lion dances, street food and family fun.

Festival of the Photocopier Zine Fair

Festival of the Photocopier Zine Fair

The Festival of the Photocopier is a two-day zine fair with over 100 stalls celebrating zines.

Lunar New Year at Fed Square

Lunar New Year at Fed Square

Celebrate Lunar New Year at Fed Square, with free activities and a dragon dance.

Afro-Caribbean Carnival

Afro-Caribbean Carnival

This summer, Melbourne comes alive with the vibrant energy of the Afro-Caribbean Carnival.

Costa's Picnic Extravaganza

Costa's Picnic Extravaganza

Connect with nature and community in a vibrant, picnic-style celebration.

Asia TOPA x Fed Square Live

Asia TOPA x Fed Square Live

Enjoy a free, all-ages concert to celebrate the opening of the Asia TOPA festival.

Antipodes Festival

Antipodes Festival

Enjoy a giant street party as Lonsdale St is transformed into a celebration of Greek culture.

Asia TOPA: Nongkrong – Sarapan

Asia TOPA: Nongkrong – Sarapan

A free, all-day event of sarapan (breakfast) and performances presented by Nongkrong Festival.

Home Bound

Home Bound

As the fibres intertwine, a tapestry enacts the social entanglement of life in Naarm–Melbourne.

Silent Cinema with Live Scores

Silent Cinema with Live Scores

See classic silent films from across the world, paired with live music scores.

The Female Pope

The Female Pope

Witness Rakini Devi's powerful transformative durational performance as part of Asia TOPA.

Sonik Ekologies

Sonik Ekologies

Step into Sonik Ekologies, an intimate listening room curated by Liquid Architecture.

Peach PRC with George Alice and Carla Wehbe

Peach PRC with George Alice and Carla Wehbe

A massive, free, all-ages, high-energy pop party at Fed Square on the Labour Day long weekend.

Nepal Festival Melbourne

Nepal Festival Melbourne

Celebrate Nepali culture at Federation Square.

Nongkrong Festival: Roots and Routes

Nongkrong Festival: Roots and Routes

A two-week arts festival with multiple events celebrating Australian-Indonesian culture.

Midsumma Festival
Until

Midsumma Festival

Showcasing a diverse celebration of distinguished queer arts and cultural festivities.

Kamayan Festival

Kamayan Festival

Celebrate the Filipino art of communal dining at Melbourne’s first-ever Kamayan Festival.

More free fun

What's free in Melbourne this month

What's free in Melbourne this month

Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.

The best free and cheap family activities

The best free and cheap family activities

Find family-friendly fun and free events in Melbourne.

NGV Architecture Commission: Home Truth by Breathe
Until

NGV Architecture Commission: Home Truth by Breathe

The NGV's 2024 Architecture Commission is designed by architecture and design studio Breathe.

Melbourne Out Loud: Life through the lens of Rennie Ellis
Until

Melbourne Out Loud: Life through the lens of Rennie Ellis

Relive Melbourne's culture and fashion through the lens of iconic photographer Rennie Ellis.

Last updated on Thu 2 Jan 2025

Only In The City

Only in the City

Only in the City

There’s more to explore, only in the city. 

The ultimate guide to Melbourne's best markets

The ultimate guide to Melbourne's best markets

Explore Melbourne's iconic markets this summer season.

The best things to do under $20 in Melbourne

The best things to do under $20 in Melbourne

The best cocktail deals, cheap eats and low-cost activities in Melbourne.

Discover more

Where to enjoy a white winter in Melbourne

Where to enjoy a white winter in Melbourne

Embrace the chill with warming treats, pop-ups and events worthy of a Northern Hemisphere winter.

Melbourne Celtic Festival

Melbourne Celtic Festival

A stacked international and local line-up of Celtic music.

View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River

Gulabo at Spice Market

Get ready for the night of the naughty when the legendary Gulabo comes to town.

Full Bloom Cabaret: Jacqui Randa

Full Bloom Cabaret: Jacqui Randa

Cabaret show with premier singing and piano playing lilac Queen, Jacqui Randa.