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 2025, Good Friday falls on 18 April and Easter Monday falls on 21 April.

When do the Easter school holidays start?

The Easter school holidays start on Monday 7 April and end on Sunday 20 April 2025.

What’s free on the long weekend

Making Memoir of a Snail
Until

Making Memoir of a Snail

Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.

World of the Book
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World of the Book

Explore the rare, the sacred and the iconic in this one-of-a-kind exhibition.

Elissa Goodrich: Waves and Bubbles – Turbulent Waters
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Elissa Goodrich: Waves and Bubbles – Turbulent Waters

An exhibition of climate-science, sound and visual arts, for all ages.

Top Arts
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Top Arts

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

The Sunday Market at Southgate
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The Sunday Market at Southgate

After decades positioned around the Arts Centre, the Sunday Market is now at Southgate.

Some of the best events on during the long weekend

Van Gogh
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Van Gogh

See Van Gogh reimagined with a world-first shared VR experience.

Joy
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Joy

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

Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled
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Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled

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

Comedy at Spleen
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Comedy at Spleen

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

TGIF! with Charlie Pickering
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TGIF! with Charlie Pickering

Join Charlie Pickering and his guests for an hour of laughs every Friday.

The Vaudeville Revue: Cabaret, Comedy and Burlesque
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The Vaudeville Revue: Cabaret, Comedy and Burlesque

Experience Melbourne's most intimate variety show in a hidden gem of the city.

Improvised Comedy: F#*k This, I Quit
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Improvised Comedy: F#*k This, I Quit

This show uses your work stories to create hilarious inmprovised scenes.

Basement Comedy Club: Fridays and Saturdays
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Basement Comedy Club: Fridays and Saturdays

See the very best of Australian standup comedians perform every Friday and Saturday.

Burlesque Bingo
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Burlesque Bingo

Bingo, cabaret and cocktails every Saturday for nonstop glitz and fun.

Family activities during the long weekend

House Down Under

House Down Under

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

ArtVo

ArtVo

An interactive 3D art gallery with optical illusions that visitors can touch and explore.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Discover thousands of aquatic animals in four enchanting worlds at this top Melbourne attraction.

Titanic: A Voyage Through Time
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Titanic: A Voyage Through Time

An extraordinary virtual reality journey into history’s most famous ship.

Melbourne Magic Show
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Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

Cats & Dogs
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Cats & Dogs

From cattle dogs to lap dogs, divine felines to cat superstitions, explore more than 250 works.

Where to eat and drink on the long weekend

Bottega

Bottega

Modern Italian fare at the leafy end of Bourke Street.

Hotel Nacional

Hotel Nacional

An entirely gluten-free Mexican-inspired rooftop bar and restaurant.

Grossi Florentino

Grossi Florentino

Grossi Florentino has set the bar for Italian fine dining in Melbourne since 1928.

Ombra

Ombra

Guy Grossi's Ombra serves cured meats, Venetian tapas and excellent wines to share.

Arlechin

Arlechin

Arlechin is a cocktail and wine bar.

Stalactites Restaurant

Stalactites Restaurant

One of Melbourne’s longest established and best-known Greek restaurants.

St Ali and the Queen

St Ali and the Queen

Coffee meets cocktails at this new concept in the Queen Victoria Market.

Johnny's Green Room

Johnny's Green Room

A rooftop bar above King & Godfree with great views, tunes and Italian inspired food and drinks.

Yakimono

Yakimono

Yakimono is a high energy Japanese-inspired eating house.

The Terrace

The Terrace

A little cafe in the Royal Botanic Gardens with picturesque views and scones to die for.

Good Heavens

Good Heavens

Rooftop bar on Bourke Street serving fabulous cocktails, craft beer and Australian wine.

Hacienda Melbourne

Hacienda Melbourne

Brash, loud, bold and fun, delivering honest Mexican food and great cocktails.

Maison Bâtard

Maison Bâtard

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

Maha

Maha

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

Grill Americano

Grill Americano

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

Chin Chin

Chin Chin

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

Brunetti Classico

Brunetti Classico

Brunetti Classico Carlton boasts one of Melbourne's biggest arrays of cakes and pastries.

Mamak Satti Power

Mamak Satti Power

Serving bold Indian Singaporean flavours, featuring Mamak classics.

Tiamo

Tiamo

Tiamo is a traditional Italian cafe serving classic Italian dishes for decades.

Roccella

Roccella

An all-day dining Italian restaurant located across from the Fitzroy Gardens.

Central Club Hotel

Central Club Hotel

Great craft beer and delicious market-to-table food, opposite the Queen Victoria Market.

EziStreat

EziStreat

EziStreat transforms North Melbourne into a multicultural culinary melting pot of food and fun.

Visitor centres open on Good Friday

Melbourne Visitor Hub

Melbourne Visitor Hub

Stop by Town Hall for information and help planning your time in Melbourne and Regional Victoria.

Melbourne Visitor Booth

Melbourne Visitor Booth

Booth in the Bourke Street Mall with information on shopping, attractions and events.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre

Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre

Stop by for free information on the heritage-listed gardens and surrounding attractions.

Visitor centres

Visitor centres

Get advice and recommendations at one of the visitor centres in the city.

Last updated on Thu 17 Apr 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.

Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market

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

Discover more

Melbourne's best outdoor events

Melbourne's best outdoor events

Take the good times out into the fresh air with alfresco dining, summer events and epic pop-ups.

Korea Festival

Korea Festival

Dive into Korea’s vibrant culture, food, and performances at Melbourne’s biggest Korean festival.

Moomba

Moomba

An annual free festival held along the banks of the Yarra River.

Christmas in the city

Christmas in the city

See the city light up with dazzling displays, festive events and activities for the whole family.