People sitting in the shade next to the Yarra River in the city.

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

What's better than a three-day weekend? That would be a four-day weekend! Take your Easter break to the next level with the city's best comedy shows, exhibits, theatre and more.

When are the Easter long weekend public holidays?

In 2026, Good Friday falls on 3 April and Easter Monday falls on 6 April.

When do the Easter school holidays start?

The Easter school holidays start on Friday 3 April and end on Sunday 19 April 2026.

What’s free on the long weekend

An aerial view of the Princes Park sporting precinct, with Melbourne's city skyline in the distance.
–

Australian Sikh Games

The 38th Australian Sikh Games bring sport, culture and community together in Melbourne this Easter.

A person dressed in yellow, holding a small yellow bunny close to their face, the entire image drenched with a yellow filter.

Lygon Street Market

Celebrate your Easter Sunday at The Lygon Street Market.

Huge Comedy Festival microphone prop in a paved courtyard with seating.
Until

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Busking Program

Laughs, magic and high‑energy street acts as the Comedy Festival takes over City Square.

A black-and-white street photograph of a high-contrast scene focused on silhouettes and shadows.
Until

Japan: Photos by Australians - Selections by Japanese

An exhibition of photographs by Australians in Japan, selected by Japanese people.

Person looking at a display in a glass case, rows of colourful books in the background.
Until

World of the Book

Explore the rare, the sacred and the iconic in the 20th anniversary of this annual exhibition.

Painting of two individuals in a parking lot setting. A woman in a red top is perched on the roof of a vehicle, while a man stands nearby looking toward her.
Until

Top Arts

Top Arts 2026 offers a captivating look into the inventive and imaginative spirit of young artists.

A crowded scene within the Queen Victoria Market, featuring various banners for a craft fair and market called 'CRFT*WRK'
–

CRFT*WRK Market

Enjoy a monthly craft fair at Queen Victoria Market.

Market stallholder with her puppet toys, beside the Yarra River in the CBD.
Until

The Sunday Market at Southgate

Explore the Sunday Market at Southgate and meet the makers.

Some of the best events on during the long weekend

A pink tea cup with a gold handle and a small bunny-shaped treat on a matching saucer, with a gold spoon and a pink teapot in the background.

Easter Wonderland High Tea at Collins Kitchen

Enjoy a decadent Easter-themed High Tea Wonderland at Collins Kitchen.

Ballet dancer wearing 1920s fringed dress performing mid-air grand jete.
Until

The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey

Jazz, tap and ballet bring Gatsby to life in a dazzling theatrical spectacle.

People sitting on cushions on a vast lawn in front of a large outdoor movie screen.
Until

Moonlight Cinema

Kick back with a film under the stars at Melbourne’s most spectacular open-air cinema.

A smiling comedian standing at a lectern on a stage, behind them the words THE GREAT DEBATE are projected onto a screen.

The 36th Annual Great Debate

Two teams of comedy superstars battle it out with jokes, jabs and justifications.

A comedian standing on a stage talking into a microphone, behind her is a sign spelling out the words UPFRONT in colourful lights.

Upfront

A one-night showcase of the funniest female and non-binary comedians from Australia and the world.

Movie still from 'Paris, Texas' of actor Harry Dean Stanton, a man wearing a suit, tie and red baseball cap, standing in a barren desert landscape.
Until

Focus on Wim Wenders

Visit ACMI cinema for a trip through the filmography of Wim Wenders.

A performer with a standing audience looking on in the NGV, stained glass visible and purple lighting.
Until

NGV Friday Nights

Experience the NGV as it comes alive after dark

The Town Hall at night with Melbourne International Comedy Festival banners, signage, and red and blue spotlights and people lined up in queues on the footpath.
Until

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

The festival that takes over the city celebrates 40 years of funny - come have a laugh.

A person taking a photo of two mannequins dressed in colourful clothing in a fashion exhibition.
Until

Westwood | Kawakubo

NGV’s summer exhibition pairs two icons of the fashion world, Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo.

People dressed at F1 drivers with helmets on, leaning back as if seated.
Until

The F1 Exhibition

The F1 Exhibition makes its long-awaited debut in Australia.

Magician balancing one finger on a globe, suspended updside down, wearing a white suit and hat.
Until

Piccolo Teatro: Magic Theatre

Specialising in astonishing magic shows and immersive live entertainment.

An ancient Roman marble bust with its nose chipped off, displayed on a small square plinth.
–

Rome: Empire, Power, People

This Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Ancient Rome.

Family activities during the long weekend

A girl and a boy reaching their hands out to touch a glass wall water feature.
–

School holidays

Entertain the whole family over the school holidays with these kid-friendly events and activities.

The foyer of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with balloons and banners overhead, and a large sign above a doorway with the words 'good friday appeal' written on it.

Kids Day Out

A family fun festival day out, hosted by The Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

A family of four wearing pyjamas and sleepmasks lying on mattresses in a museum with lamps, dinosaur skeleton in the background.
–

Family Museum Sleepovers

Explore the museum after dark in this unique overnight experience at Melbourne Museum.

A still from the animated film Wolfwalkers, with a flame-haired girl standing next to another girl, surrounded by several grey wolves in a forest clearing.
–

Kids' Flicks with Feelings

Flex your emotional muscles this autumn with thoughtful films from acclaimed studio Cartoon Saloon.

A male performer dressed in a red ringmaster-style jacket and black trousers on a stage with blue and red lighting, holding a stick and gesturing with his other hand during a circus and magic show.
–

The Greatest Magic Show!

The Greatest Magic Show is a spectacular packed with magic, comedy and larger-than-life fun.

A male circus performer in a purple jacket and black pants stands on a stage in a circus tent under bright lights, holding a flaming torch, with an audience watching and a large CIRCUS sign in the background.
–

Circus The Show

A family circus spectacular that families are raving about.

A male performer operates a large, yellow, barrel-shaped smoke cannon, which fires a large, blue-lit smoke vortex across a dark stage during a live science show.
–

Kaboom!

See Australia’s favourite family science show.

Three cartoon kids in a a real park setting.
–

Then and Now Time Detectives

Join a fun and educational kids activity exploring the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens.

Young children playing in a tunnel structure at the Children's Gallery at the Melbourne Museum.
–

Autumn School Holidays at Melbourne Museum

Autumn adventures await at Melbourne Museum.

Two performers on stage making very long and large bubbles.
–

Bubble Show in Space

Embark on a soap-tastic adventure to the intergalactic wonder that is bubbles in space.

A kids comedy troupe performing on stage in fun poses.
–

Comedy Club for Kids

A laugh-a-minute hour the whole family will enjoy.

Play School exhibition with signature teddy and toys.
Until

Play School: Come and Play

A hands-on, playful exhibition where families can discover how the beloved TV show comes to life.

Twinkle Hollow

Collect virtual eggs in your VR game session, then exchange them for chocolate Easter eggs, $20pp.

Special offer
Young girl wearing rabbit ears, having her face painted.

The District Docklands

Hop on down to the corner of Star Cres & Studio Lane, Sat, Sun & Mon 4–6 April, 2-5pm.

Special offer

Where to eat and drink on the long weekend

Souvlakis and chips wrapped in paper, a Greek salad and blue bottles on a marble table

Hella Good

A souvlaki shop from the owners of one of Melbourne's best-known Greek restaurant, Stalactites.

Hands using chopsticks to pick up food from a share plate of entrees on a purple table.

JUNI

A Southeast Asian bar and restaurant offering lunch, dinner, pre-theatre or late night options.

The external facade of the Waterside Hotel, with a vertical garden on the building behind it.

Waterside Hotel

Dine between destinations with a layered experience of Melbourne hospitality inspired by Asia.

Mini tacos with meatballs on.

Mamasita

Delicious Mexican food and a massive selection of tequila and mezcal.

Ice cream cornet with red and white scoops of gelati.

Pidapipo Gelateria

Authentic, artisanal Italian-style gelato in the heart of Carlton's Lygon Street.

A dimly lit restaurant with glamorous decor and a crystal chandelier, and patrons dining at tables.

Society

A glamourous restaurant and bar with contemporary dining and bespoke cocktails.

Exterior of restaurant Grill Americano, showing windows and blue awnings.

Grill Americano

Offering Italian classics with signature Chris Lucas spin in sophisticated surrounds.

Several chefs preparing Japanese food in front of dining patrons who are seated at a high wooden bar in front of them.

Kisumé

Exquisite sushi and one of the city's finest wine cellars.

Neon-lit entrance to Yakimono restaurant.

Yakimono

Yakimono is a high energy Japanese-inspired eating house.

Interior of Chin Chin restaurant, filled with patrons seated at dining tables, high ceilings giving an industrial warehouse feel to the busy space.

Chin Chin

A fast-paced hawker-style dining sensation serving Thai-inspired food.

A French bistro-style restaurant with seated patrons and an open kitchen.

Maison Bâtard

Chris Lucas' Maison Bâtard heralds a grand new legacy for a heritage Bourke Street site.

Inside a dimly-lit restaurant, showing a long bar and several tables.

Maha

This opulent, award-winning restaurant brings Middle Eastern flavours to modern fine dining.

A glowing red street canopy over a dark doorway in a laneway.

Jayda

Enjoy seasonal cocktails, wine and bar snacks in a sophisticated, opulent space.

Visitor centres open on Good Friday

Two people in a local handicrafts store, one in a red uniform showing the other some products.

Melbourne Visitor Hub

Located in the centre of the city, the Melbourne Visitor Hub can provide helpful advice and tips.

A man getting help from an information stand in Melbourne

Melbourne Visitor Booth

The Melbourne Visitor Booth is your go-to spot for maps, tips, and recommendations.

The Melbourne Visitor Pod in City Square, with a translucent roof and a large grass tree in the foreground, with two people in red jackets standing near the entrance with a red umbrella.

Melbourne Visitor Pod

Stop in at the Melbourne Visitor Pod for quick information about all things relating to the city.

Tourist information centre, with a person in a red uniform talking to a visitor.

Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre

This visitor centre is your first stop to explore the beautiful surrounds and Cooks' Cottage.

More to do over the long weekend

Last updated on Tue 31 Mar 2026

Only In The City

Only in this City of Ours
A crowd of people sitting on picnic blankets at an outdoor cinema at sunset.

The best pop-up and outdoor cinemas in Melbourne

Find the best outdoor cinema, pop-up theatres and free movies.

People milling around Fed Square at night.

Melbourne's essential night-time events

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

Smiling vendor selling a range of pastries, dips and spreads at Queen Victoria Market.

Queen Victoria Market

This beloved Melbourne landmark is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere.

Discover more

A dessert buffet, featuring a central chocolate fountain, at the Easter high tea buffet at Stamford Plaza Hotel Melbourne.

Easter Holiday Chocolate High Tea Buffet

Enjoy a family friendly Easter holiday chocolate high tea buffet at Stamford Plaza Melbourne.

An Easter themed High Tea served on tiered stands, with hands selecting small morsels of food and holding a cup of tea.

Dorsett Melbourne x Sucre Du Jour: Easter High Tea

Enjoy an Easter High Tea at Dorsett Melbourne in partnership with Sucre Du Jour.

Care Bears themed high tea treats, including bear-shaped cookies with pink icing alongside cups of tea and juice.
–

Care Bears Afternoon Tea

Step into a world of colour, sweetness and nostalgia with an enchanting Care Bears afternoon tea.

A table set for High Tea with a multi-tiered cake stand containing scones and cakes, a small plate of savoury pastries and two flutes of pink champagne.

Mother's Day High Tea Buffet

Because this year, Mum deserves more than a bunch of flowers and a card.