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

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.
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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'
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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.
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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

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

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

The full cast of the musical Book of Mormon on stage singing and dancing, with a painted sky coloured background and other theatre props.
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The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

A dark interior space, with smoky purple rounds of light, silhouettes of people's arms pushing into these open spaces.
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Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

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.

Two different hands holding two wine glasses, resting on a restaurant's dining table, a plate of food and napkins also on the table.
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Mystery Sidedoor City: Wine and Asian Fusion Bites

Enjoy off-menu bites and paired drinks at a hidden Melbourne venue on this guided tasting adventure.

Four women standing and holding up small mosaic lamps in front of a circular neon sign.
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Mosaic Art Classes: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop in Melbourne!

Four people on a tour of Arts Centre Melbourne, seated in a foyer, with a large mural behind them.
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Arts Centre Melbourne Tours

Explore the rich heritage and striking architecture of Victoria’s performing arts icon.

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 seated group of improv comedians, all looking seriously at the camera.
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Improvised Comedy: The Remix

Improvised comedy from true stories, sampled and remixed to create comedy gold.

Family activities during the long weekend

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

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

Still from the animated film Arco, shows two children against a pale background with rainbow arcs in the background.
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Kids' Flicks with Feelings

Flex your emotional muscles with two thoughtful films for kids that explore time travel and empathy.

Play School exhibition with signature teddy and toys.
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Play School: Come and Play

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

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

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A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
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Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

Two friends are seating outside a small cafe kiosk there is a sign saying mork chocolate

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A statue of a mother and baby giraffe in an indoor children's playground.

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A large dinosaur model with its mouth open in a park setting.
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Dinos at the Zoo

Let your imagination run wild as you explore the trail of dinosaurs at Melbourne Zoo.