Flinders Street Station illuminated blue at night.

What's free and what's open on the June long weekend

It may have changed from the Queen's Birthday to the King's Birthday, but you can still have a royal long weekend at the city's best restaurants, festivals, free events and more. Check individual events and venues for exact opening hours.

When is the King's Birthday long weekend?

In 2023, the King's Birthday public holiday falls on Monday 12 June.

Free things to do

Taste of Portugal

Taste of Portugal

Showcasing food and entertainment from Portuguese-speaking countries.

Night Trade
–

Night Trade

Reality bends in St Paul’s Cathedral’s car park of curated chaos and everyone’s invited.

Melbourne Now
Until

Melbourne Now

Explore the talents of over 200 Victorian-based creative practioners in Melbourne Now 2023.

NGV Architecture Commission: Temple of Boom
Until

NGV Architecture Commission: Temple of Boom

An outdoor installation in the NGV garden inspired by the The Parthenon.

C=O=D=A: Cerith Wyn Evans
Until

C=O=D=A: Cerith Wyn Evans

Cerith Wyn Evans’ installation returns to NGV, suspending neon light in Federation Court.

10,000 Kazoos

10,000 Kazoos

10,000 people playing kazoos for RISING and everyone’s invited.

Break the Binaries
Until

Break the Binaries

Bend, blend, blur or break society’s binary codes as part of this exhibition.

Wallabies
–

Wallabies

Curious greetings along the riverbank from a big, bright troop of wallabies for RISING.

Arts Centre Melbourne Sunday Market
Until

Arts Centre Melbourne Sunday Market

Discover handcrafted treasures made by local artisans.

June Crafternoon

June Crafternoon

Join an afternoon of casual creating at Sticky Institute.

The Story of the Moving Image
Until

The Story of the Moving Image

An ongoing exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Docklands Community Market
Until

Docklands Community Market

A food and craft market in the heart of the Docklands.

Anthem by Wu Tsang
–

Anthem by Wu Tsang

Immerse yourself in a cathedral-sized portrait of sonic connection.

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure
Until

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

A free fun outdoor seek and find adventure around the Fitzroy Gardens.

Family-friendly events

The Rink at RISING
–

The Rink at RISING

Strap in and get orbital with riverside ice-skating under a galactic big top.

Imaginator
Until

Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

Saboteurs
Until

Saboteurs

An immersive, interactive space-themed game, based on Among Us.

Melbourne Magic Show
Until

Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

More of the best long weekend events

RISING
–

RISING

A festival that you do, in a city that does it best.

The Raclette Igloo Experience
Until

The Raclette Igloo Experience

Melt into a winter wonderland of French cheese and wine in your own private igloo.

Shadow Spirit
–

Shadow Spirit

An exhibition of First Peoples’ spirits, time travel and memory within Flinders Street Station.

Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion
Until

Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion

An exhibition of on and off screen trailblazers, nonconformists, rebels, agitators and instigators.

Euphoria
–

Euphoria

Two thousand years of greed reimagined as an opulent cinematic experience.

Melbourne Vixens v Collingwood Magpies

Melbourne Vixens v Collingwood Magpies

Watch the Vixens unleash live at John Cain Arena for the 2023 season.

Last updated on Tue 2 May 2023

Melbourne’s most unmissable moments

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

See what’s on
Goddess Nights
Until

Goddess Nights

Celebrate and experience the collective power of Goddess after dark.

Melbourne's essential night-time events

Melbourne's essential night-time events

From hidden laneway markets to winter wonderlands, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out.

NGV Friday Nights
–

NGV Friday Nights

NGV Friday Nights returns with a kaleidoscope of colour this winter.

See what’s on

Discover more

Mirror: New Views on Photography​
Until

Mirror: New Views on Photography​

Step into this immersive experience, celebrating the power of great photography and story.

Spirits Of The Land
–

Spirits Of The Land

First Peoples’ spirit stories in a new large-scale projection by Aunty Zeta Thomson.

MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission: Bethan Laura Wood
–

MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission: Bethan Laura Wood

An installation that delves into the gendered history of education and transfer of knowledge.

NGV Triennial
–

NGV Triennial

NGV Triennial returns in 2023 with a powerful and moving snapshot capturing the world today.