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

Taste of Portugal

A cultural showcase of Portuguese cuisine, music, dance, arts, crafts, language and tourism.

RISING: Night Trade

RISING: Night Trade

Music, art, food and reality-rifting lasers – sample the RISING festival for free.

RISING: Blockbuster

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

RISING: intangible #form

Lasers bounce off The Capitol’s ceiling, turning the auditorium into a kinetic light sculpture.

Mark Chu: Eat With Our Eyes
Until

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
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.

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.

RISING: Matha

RISING: Matha

Connect to Matha, an audio/visual conversation between the Dhungala and Birrarung river systems.

RISING: Space-out Competition

RISING: Space-out Competition

A performance art event by South Korean artist Woopsyang.

Top Arts
Until

Top Arts

The annual Top Arts exhibition provides a platform for emerging artists from across the state.

RISING: SHOUSE Communitas

RISING: SHOUSE Communitas

Another epic session of Communitas, where everyone’s in the band, including you.

Ayoung Kim – Delivery Dancer's Arc: 0° Receiver
Until

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

NGV Friday Nights: French Impressionism

Enjoy an after-hours exploration of French Impressionism at NGV International.

RISING: Day Tripper

RISING: Day Tripper

The festival-within-a-festival returns with a live mixtape of music, performance and art.

Beetlejuice The Musical
Until

Beetlejuice The Musical

The musical to give Melbourne the fright of its life in 2025.

RISING: Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf

RISING: Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf

The art of mini-golf, for anyone who swings outside the lines.

Footloose: The Musical
Until

Footloose: The Musical

This smash-hit musical will leave you on your feet and cheering for more.

Fondue Chalet
Until

Fondue Chalet

Enjoy a fully immersive fondue experience in your own chalet at this Fed Square pop-up.

Martin Grant
Until

Martin Grant

A major exhibition of work by Australian-born Paris-based fashion designer Martin Grant.

Market Brunch
Until

Market Brunch

A monthly food market featuring some of Melbourne’s most creative food makers.

Family-friendly events

LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition
Until

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

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

House Down Under

Australia’s favourite inverted house photo experience brings topsy-turvy fun to Melbourne.

Joy
Until

Joy

Experience an emotive adventure where creativity, colour and storytelling join forces.

Plans For The Planet: Olaf Breuning For Kids

Plans For The Planet: Olaf Breuning For Kids

Created by artist Olaf Breuning this exhibition invites kids to explore the natural environment.

Mr Wolf Game
Until

Mr Wolf Game

An immersive 'play in real life game' for kids aged five to ten.

Monopoly Dreams

Monopoly Dreams

Enjoy a fully immersive and interactive Monopoly experience, featuring games and challenges.

Saboteurs
Until

Saboteurs

An 'Among Us' style game played in real life.

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

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

Melbourne's essential night-time events

From hidden laneway markets to epic pop-ups, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out.

Meyers Place

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
Until

Serwah Attafuah: The Darkness Between the Stars

An Afrofuturist exploration of climate change, land rights and the strength of indigenous peoples.

The Pacific Sisters
Until

The Pacific Sisters

Zoot suits and ActiVAtions take over Smorgon Family Plaza with the Pacific Sisters.

CHARGE! Agincourt by Back to Back Theatre

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

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