The best free festivals in Melbourne

Don't let an empty wallet stop you from enjoying Melbourne these holidays. Enjoy Christmas festivals, summer parties and end-of-year celebrations with free entry and tonnes of entertainment.

Crowds looking at a festival stage in the city.

Free festivals

A man holding a piece of paper with a satchel on his shoulder, pointing his arm towards brightly lit shops on the other side of the road behind him.
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Being Human Festival

Bringing Australian humanities research to life in imaginative and engaging ways.

A man and a woman posing together at an indoor event decorated with hanging floral structures and warm string lights.
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MindBodySpirit Festival

MindBodySpirit returns to Melbourne, with three days dedicated to health, wellness and spirituality.

A team of people holding up a long Chinese dragon at an outdoor festival.
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Colours of Asia: Garden of Wonders

Come and discover where cultures bloom, stories come alive, and wonders await.

A couple in Polish traditional dress in Federation Square.

Polish Festival

Experience the colour, flavours and spirit of Poland.

Three African drummers wearing colourful clothing while drumming with their hands on stage.
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African Music and Cultural Festival

Celebrate the best of African culture with music, food, fashion, film, dance and art.

Performers on stage in Queen Vic Market sheds, with children seated on the ground and onlookers standing.
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Cachivaches Latin Market

A vibrant cultural event celebrating the best of Latin American traditions in Melbourne.

A Persian-style image showing three windows overlaid on an image of Fed Square in Melbourne; the windows showing persian food, instruments and dancers.

Taste of Persia

Celebrate Persian food, art and music while supporting disadvantaged children's education.

A person wearing a light blue suit jacket speaking at the Pillars of Light Chanukah celebration at Federation Square in Melbourne, he stands at a lectern in front of a banner which displays an image of a lit Menorah and the words 'Pillars of Light'.
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Pillars of Light Festival

This festival invites people of all backgrounds to come together, celebrate, and connect.

Koorie Klaus giving a present to a small boy in Fed Square.

Koorie Krismas

Koorie Krismas is a free, family-friendly event where culture, creativity, and joy come together.

A person wearing a green, inflatable Christmas Tree mascot costume holding hands with a young child in a festive outdoor setting.
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Mr Fantastico's Christmas Rooftop Carnival

Free Christmas fun with live performances, Santa activities and creative workshops.

Crowds thronging a street with leafy trees, tent stalls and stage with lighting and live performance as part of the Antipodes Greek Festival.
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Antipodes Festival

Lonsdale Street comes alive with Greek food, live music, dancing and entertainment for all ages.

People sitting down in Federation Square at sunset.

Nongkrong Festival: Pasar Senja

A twilight fair of Indonesian culture with performances, food, a design market and arts workshops.

More free fun

A town square with a neon Christmas tree.

The best free Christmas events in Melbourne

Find free Christmas markets, street parties, family-friendly events and more.

Selection of market goods including packets of teas and biscuits.
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Kensington Market

An eclectic mix of homewares, culinary treats, ceramics, sustainable goods and visual art.

Looking over a blurred shoulder at a table with books displayed.
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World of the Book

Experience the rare, the sacred and the iconic in this one-of-a-kind exibition.

Comedian holding a microphone, standing under a spotlight in a bar with plants and bar stools.
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Laugh Lab

Come watch some of Melbourne's best comedians perform in the cosiest cocktail bar in town.

A violinist plays in St Paul's Cathedral.
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Lunchtime Concerts

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral and fine music during a weekly lunchtime concert.

Market stall tents with signage next to a heritage brick building, with greenery and families.
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Younghusband Market

With great music, curated stalls, hands-on workshops and delicious food, a vibrant scene awaits.

An egg-shaped figuring with a brown cowboy hat and a pistol.
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NEW26

The return of the much-loved NEW exhibition series at ACCA.

Aerial view of an outdoor market on Southbank promenade, showing the Yarra River with boats on the right, market umbrellas and stalls on the concourse and city buildings in the background.
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Southbank Makers Market

Explore the Southbank Makers Market every Sunday on the promenade at Southgate.

Nellie Noble, a burlesque performer and jazz singer posed in a chair in a club, wearing classic feather and fan burlesque garments, holding a cocktail in one hand.
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The Thursday Tease

The Thursday Tease is a weekly live burlesque show at Mill Place Merchants.

A crowd of people at night, seated and socialising at Whitehart Bar, a multi-level outdoor venue.
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Hartbeats Live Jazz

Settle in for live jazz, deep grooves and an afternoon that slowly drifts into night.

A still from the film, Loving Vincent, showing a painted portrait of Vincent Van Gogh in the style of Van Gogh and painted predominantly with blue.
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Library Cinema at narrm ngarrgu

Each month, watch a movie on the big screen, including contemporary, classic and documentary films.

A giant illuminated purple Christmas Tree at Federation Square, surrounded by people and view of Flinders St Station and city buildings in the background.
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Christmas Square

Discover a Christmas wonderland featuring the city’s beloved tree.

A view of the illuminated city skyline at night, with a large Christmas star on Evan Walker Bridge.
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Christmas Decorations

Christmas comes to life around the city with sparkly decorations spreading festive cheer.

Coloured pink lights illuminate water sprays high in the air on the Yarra River at night with a crowd watching from the promenade.
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Crown Christmas River Show

Be dazzled by a spectacular water, laser and light show on the Yarra River.

Two people walking into a Christmas-themed carnival at Melbourne's Birrarung Marr.
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Christmas Carnival

Thrill rides, carnival games and festive food on the banks of the Yarra.

Inside a small shop filled with sparkly decorations and plastic novelty goods.
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Squish, Twist, Fizz: Mika Rottenberg for Kids

A new children's exhibition by Mika Rottenberg as part of 2026 NGV Triennial.

A couple in a gallery looking up at a sign that says count down.

The best free museums and art galleries in Melbourne

Explore world-class museums, edgy artist-run spaces and blockbuster exhibitions for free.

A large blue LED Christmas tree in the city at night.

What's free in Melbourne this month

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

A glowing neon river show at night with Melbourne's city skyline in the background

The best free and cheap family activities

Find family-friendly fun and free events in Melbourne.

Last updated on Thu 5 Nov 2026

Christmas

Christmas starts only in the city
Start here
A man and woman dancing next to a woman dressed in a Santa outfit who is using a DJ deck.

Christmas things to do

The city’s wrapped and ready with magical moments, twinkling lights and festive fun.

A man and woman sitting at a table full of food with a Christmas tree in the background.

Christmas eat and drink

Savour the city’s festive flavours with rooftop bars and menus made for merry moments.

Two women holding several shopping bags while they walk through a shopping arcade decorated for Christmas.

Christmas shopping

Start ticking off your list in the city’s iconic laneways, arcades and malls.

Start here

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A woman looking at a display of Formula 1 racing suits in an exhibition.

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A woman in a blue t-shirt and red bucket hat welcoming a child with arms wide.

Deaf Festival

Celebrating Deaf culture and connecting communities with stalls, entertainment and fun for all ages.

A woman walking through a Christmas shop filled with white decorations.

Where to enjoy a European-style winter in Melbourne

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

A laneway lit up with hanging fairy lights

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Find the best laneway street parties, free workshops, pop-up events and gigs.