What's free and what's open on the January public holiday
When is the January public holiday in 2026
In 2026, the January public holiday and long weekend falls on Monday 26 January. Come back later in the year for more information about what is on and open on the public holiday.
The best free events on the public holiday
Share the Spirit
Victoria's longest-running First Peoples festival with performances, food and activities.
AO Hilltop
Unwind after work, catch up with friends or view the live action from the AO26 on the big screen.
Le Club Lacoste
Melbourne's favourite floating restaurant and bar is putting a floating tennis court on the Yarra.
Ayoung Kim – Delivery Dancer's Arc: 0° Receiver
The Korean artist creates a multiverse that blurs boundaries between space, time and self.
CHARGE! Agincourt by Back to Back Theatre
A new exhibition by Geelong's Back to Back Theatre brings fresh perspective to the story of Henry V.
Making Memoir of a Snail
Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.
Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday
NGV's exhibition brings together the work of more than 50 designers.
Rewind Forward: Creative in Residence Group Exhibition
Drawing from state archives, artists create works that reawaken Victoria’s historical narrative.
MECCA X NGV Women in Design Commission: Nipa Doshi
Designer Nipa Doshi explores beauty, plurality and diversity in her handcrafted cabinet.
Rigg Design Prize: Next in Design
The Rigg Design Prize is Australia’s most prestigious accolade for contemporary design.
Bloom: By Melbourne Central x Melissa Likes Sushi
Step inside the immersive installation wrapping the historic Shot Tower in vibrant greenery.
The Story of the Moving Image
A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.
The best free events on the weekend before the public holiday
World of the Book
Explore the rare, the sacred and the iconic in the 20th anniversary of this annual exhibition.
SIGNAL Summer: Celebration for Youth Arts
Celebrate the work of young artists with a live DJ, visual exhibition and performances.
Free Guided Walk
A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.
ACCA's Summer Season: r e a : c l a i m e d
ACCA presents a focused retrospective of Gamilaraay, Wailwan and Biripi digital media artist, r e a.
ACCA's Summer Season: Tourmaline: Transcendent
The first Australian solo exhibition of work by acclaimed artist, filmmaker and writer, Tourmaline.
The best events on the public holiday
Westwood | Kawakubo
NGV’s summer exhibition pairs two icons of the fashion world, Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo.
Hot Air Balloon Dining Experience
Gather with friends and family at The Wharf Hotel's hot air balloon dining pods.
School Holiday Explorer Bus
Children ride for half-price on the Kids Explorer Bus during the school holidays.
Transmutation: Our Origin Stories
Journey into stories of origin, transformation and cultural inheritance.
Game Worlds
ACMI's new playable exhibition features more than 30 videogames from the 1970s to today.
A-League Men: Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC
Melbourne Victory face off against rivals Sydney FC in the Big Blue.
Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard
See one of the most significant European Viking-age discoveries of the 21st century.
Order Up: A City Fed by Many Cultures
Experience the soul of Melbourne’s hospitality scene like never before and this exhibition.
The best events on the weekend before the public holiday
History and Donuts Walking Tour
History, laneways and donuts – explore Melbourne’s sweet side on this 2.5-hour walking tour.
Noria and the Parisians
French chanteuse, Noria Letts, brings the verve and swing of a Parisian Jazz club to the stage.
Wicked: For Good Sing-a-long with Lazy Susan and Zelda Moon
Dress in your best Elphaba green or Glinda pink for a drag sing-along screening of Wicked: For Good.
Melbourne Hidden Bars Walking Tour
Discover Melbourne's hidden bars – down alleys, in basements and behind closed doors.
Saturday Night Fever
Award-winning Drew Anthony Creative is bringing Saturday Night Fever to Melbourne.
7 Paintings Dining Experience
A dinner show that combines art, technology, and culinary delight into a unique experience.
Treasures of the Viking Age: Curator Tours
Pop-up talks across the closing weekend of Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard.
Cats the Musical
Be thrilled by the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical, Cats.
Bluey Live Interactive Experience
See Bluey and her little sister Bingo live on stage at Melbourne Zoo.
What's open on the public holiday
Afloat Melbourne
A floating restaurant and bar located on the Yarra River in the heart of Melbourne.
Waterside Hotel
Dine between destinations with a layered experience of Melbourne hospitality inspired by Asia.
Ronnie's
Inspired by family dinners, where friends and family meet to dine, wine and have good times.
Grill Americano
Offering Italian classics with signature Chris Lucas spin in sophisticated surrounds.
Ms Ava Bar
Ms Ava serves an elevated bistro-style menu, signature cocktails and plays Frank Sinatra.
Dodee Paidang Thai Bar and Cafe
Thai restaurant specialising in traditional-style street food dishes.
Code Black Coffee
The Flinders Lane cafe is the destination for expert service, coffee cocktails and brunch.
Luci
A contemporary Australian restaurant set in the grand hall of historic Equity Chambers building.
BKK
A turbocharged Thai canteen, serving Bangkok-inspired street food from a fiery open-concept kitchen
Her Bar Melbourne
A European restaurant and bar serving diverse wines, seasonal plates, and modern cocktails.
D.O.C Espresso & Delicatessen
Pick up top-quality Italian coffee, panini, smallgoods and pantry staples.
Il Bacaro Cucina e Bar
A fine dining experience, offering modern Italian cuisine in an intimate and relaxed setting.
Vinesmith City Cellar Door
Elegant French bistro and wine bar showcasing wines from the Pyrenees and Grampians regions.
More events in Melbourne
Melbourne's essential night-time events
From hidden laneway markets to epic pop-ups, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out.
Melbourne's best outdoor events
Take the good times out into the fresh air with alfresco dining, summer events and epic pop-ups.
The best things to do under $20 in Melbourne
The best cocktail deals, cheap eats and low-cost activities in Melbourne.
Last updated on Tue 20 Jan 2026
Only In The City
The best pop-up and outdoor cinemas in Melbourne
Find the best outdoor cinema, pop-up theatres and free movies.
Melbourne’s most Instagrammable experiences
You won't need filters at the city's most photogenic spots.
Things you can only do in the city
There's only one place to find these rare Melbourne experiences and secret spots.
Discover more
VR World Melbourne: Virtual Reality Arcade
Experience virtual reality in Melbourne. Solve mysteries, fight zombies, explore new worlds.
Apsis VR: Virtual Reality Escape Room
Explore story-driven adventures in your choice of puzzle-solving escape rooms with VR headsets.