What's free and what's open on the King's Birthday 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.
When is the King's Birthday long weekend?
In 2025, the King's Birthday public holiday falls on Monday 9 June.
Free things to do
Taste of Portugal
A cultural showcase of Portuguese cuisine, music, dance, arts, crafts, language and tourism.
RISING: Night Trade
Music, art, food and reality-rifting lasers – sample the RISING festival for free.
RISING: Blockbuster
The Land of the Five Rivers comes alive in Fed Square for a celebration that’s free for all ages.
RISING: intangible #form
Lasers bounce off The Capitol’s ceiling, turning the auditorium into a kinetic light sculpture.
Mark Chu: Eat With Our Eyes
Showing everyday food culture in a wide range of food spaces from supermarkets to wine bars.
Melbourne Out Loud: Life through the lens of Rennie Ellis
Relive Melbourne's culture and fashion through the lens of iconic photographer Rennie Ellis.
The Story of the Moving Image
An ongoing exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.
RISING: Matha
Connect to Matha, an audio/visual conversation between the Dhungala and Birrarung river systems.
Top Arts
The annual Top Arts exhibition provides a platform for emerging artists from across the state.
RISING: SHOUSE Communitas
Another epic session of Communitas, where everyone’s in the band, including you.
Ayoung Kim – Delivery Dancer's Arc: 0° Receiver
Korean artist Ayoung Kim creates a multiverse that blurs boundaries between space, time and self.
The best long weekend events
NGV Friday Nights: French Impressionism
Enjoy an after-hours exploration of French Impressionism at NGV International.
RISING: Day Tripper
The festival-within-a-festival returns with a live mixtape of music, performance and art.
RISING: Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf
The art of mini-golf, for anyone who swings outside the lines.
Fondue Chalet
Enjoy a fully immersive fondue experience in your own chalet at this Fed Square pop-up.
Martin Grant
A major exhibition of work by Australian-born Paris-based fashion designer Martin Grant.
Family-friendly events
LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition
Step into a world of epic battles, spaceships and landscapes from a galaxy far, far away.
NBA Finals Live Site
Celebrate the first game of the 2025 NBA Finals at Marvel Stadium's NBA Finals Free Live Site.
House Down Under
Australia’s favourite inverted house photo experience brings topsy-turvy fun to Melbourne.
Plans For The Planet: Olaf Breuning For Kids
Created by artist Olaf Breuning this exhibition invites kids to explore the natural environment.
Monopoly Dreams
Enjoy a fully immersive and interactive Monopoly experience, featuring games and challenges.
Note hours may vary and surcharges may apply. Check with the venue before visiting.
Last updated on Thu 22 May 2025
Only In The City
Only in the City
This city hums with energy - with hidden laneway cafes, rooftop bars, art and culture at every turn.
Melbourne's essential night-time events
From hidden laneway markets to epic pop-ups, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out.
Meyers Place
Explore one of Melbourne's most iconic laneways, filled with bars, restaurants and murals.
Discover more
Serwah Attafuah: The Darkness Between the Stars
An Afrofuturist exploration of climate change, land rights and the strength of indigenous peoples.
The Pacific Sisters
Zoot suits and ActiVAtions take over Smorgon Family Plaza with the Pacific Sisters.
CHARGE! Agincourt by Back to Back Theatre
A new exhibition by Geelong's Back to Back Theatre brings fresh perspective to the story of Henry V.
What's open in Melbourne on the ANZAC Day Long Weekend
Best things to do on the ANZAC day public holiday and the long weekend