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. Check individual events and venues for exact opening hours.
When is the King's Birthday long weekend?
In 2024, the King's Birthday public holiday falls on Monday 10 June.
Check back closer to the date to see what's on.
The best long weekend events
Leonardo Da Vinci
Explore the life and legacy of the visionary artist, inventor, scientist and philosopher.
The NBA Exhibition
The NBA Exhibition is the ultimate one-of-a-kind adventure experience for basketball enthusiasts.
Free things to do
Memo Akten: Distributed Consciousness
A digital work merging human and non-human consciousness – via the AI musings of octopus critters.
Melbourne Out Loud: Life through the lens of Rennie Ellis
Relive Melbourne's culture and fashion through the lens of iconic photographer Rennie Ellis.
Country Road + NGV First Nations Commissions: My Country
This exhibition showcases the work of First Nations artists from around Australia.
The Story of the Moving Image
An ongoing exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.
Lucila Zentner: Surrender
Enjoy Surrender, a solo exhibition by Lucila Zentner featuring colourful, generous, joyous works.
RISING: Acid Brass
Acid Brass brings together Melbourne’s own brass bands to blast acid house anthems for RISING.
RISING: The Blak Infinite
Leading First Nations artists and writers turn Fed Square into a canvas of art and stories.
RISING: The Rivers Sing
A large-scale audio artwork sings across the city’s riverbanks at dusk, each night of RISING.
RISING: Night Trade
Night Trade is back with micro-bars, food music and art — live in the Capitol Arcade.
RISING: 24 Hour Rock Show
Enjoy a 24-hour marathon of cult classic and rarely shown music docos screening at the Capitol.
Family-friendly events
The Art of the Brick Immersive Experience
See works of art crafted from LEGO bricks, in an immersive digital space.
Beings by Universal Everything
Move, dance and play in this interactive exhibition that will surprise and delight all ages.
House Down Under
Australia’s favourite inverted house photo experience brings topsy-turvy fun to Melbourne.
Last updated on Wed 24 Apr 2024
Only In The City
Melbourne's essential night-time events
From hidden laneway markets to epic pop-ups, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out.
What's free in Melbourne this month
Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.
Discover more
Friday Night Social: Yandell Walton
A visual feast and an innovative example of pushing technology in a new direction.
MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission: Bethan Laura Wood
An installation that delves into the gendered history of education and transfer of knowledge.
