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

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

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

Looking over a blurred shoulder at a table with books displayed.
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World of the Book

Experience the rare, the sacred and the iconic in this one-of-a-kind exibition.

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

Enjoy a monthly craft fair at Queen Victoria Market.

Aerial view of an outdoor market on Southbank promenade, showing the Yarra River with boats on the right, market umbrellas and stalls on the concourse and city buildings in the background.
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Southbank Makers Market

Explore the Southbank Makers Market every Sunday on the promenade at Southgate.

Some of the best events on during the long weekend

The hidden entrance to Piccolo Teatro with a red door and lit up signage above.
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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.
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Rome: Empire, Power, People

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

Black and white photograph of a busy Melbourne city intersection with trams, cars, people crossing the road, and buildings, dating from around the 1950s or 1960s.
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Making Modern Melbourne

This free exhibition examines the tumultuous twentieth century in Melbourne.

Four rows of people sitting smiling and laughing.
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Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled

Enjoy stand-up comedy from future stars and celebrity guest headliners.

Four cabaret performers surrounded by pink and yellow feather fans.
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Cabaret Ridiculous

An hour of variety entertainment that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

A group of friends playing the board game dungeons and dragons at Fortress Tavern Melbourne, with a Dungeon Master dressed in a witch's costume leading the game.
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Dungeons and Flagons

Forge friendships through adventure at Dungeons and Flagons at Fortress.

Still from a film showing a man with a mustache and a brown jacket looking through a shop window.
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Matinees at ACMI Cinemas

Celebrate cinema at a sensible hour with ACMI's thoughtfully curated line-up of films.

Cruise boat on Yarra River with buildings and bridge.
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Ports and Docklands Cruise

Experience Melbourne's best scenery in Docklands on a sightseeing cruise.

People seated around a crafts table in a studio, with pots of resin and other tools and equipment on the table.
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Resin Art Classes: Cheeseboards and Coasters

Make abstract art and discover the magic of working with resin.

A group of people on a guided walk of the Royal Botanic Gardens, with trees in the background.
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Free Guided Walk

A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Stand-up comedian Tommy Little on stage in front of Spleen neon sign, holding microphone and smiling.
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Comedy at Spleen

Come along to the city's longest-running comedy night.

A library staff member holding a large owl puppet in one hand and a picture book in his other hand, standing in the children's section of a library.
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Stompers

Enjoy fun stories, songs, rhymes and activities at Kathleen Syme Library every Monday.

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 reaching for food from a plate with bar menu.

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, seen from the corner.

The Waterside Hotel

A Melbourne CBD destination for a pub, Southeast Asian dining and a rooftop experience.

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.

People getting help from red-shirted staff at the Melbourne Visitor Booth.

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

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Inside a bustling market hall

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A family of four standing in a grand library with antique desks, large white walls and a dome ceiling.

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Multiple plates on a white table cloth.

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A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
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View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River

Christmas Day Buffet Breakfast

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People inside PJ O'Brien's pub, most of them mingling at the bar.

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A hotel buffet with a line of bain-marie with lids open against a deep red background.

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