What's open on the grand final long weekend

Kick goals on the long weekend at the city's best restaurants, live gigs, free events and more.

A person holding a football in their hand against a wall

When is the grand final public holiday in 2026?

The public holiday will be on Friday 25 September, the day before the AFL Grand Final. The MCG will once again host the AFL Grand Final, on Saturday 26 September 2026.

Note: Check individual events and venues for exact opening hours.

Free events on the long weekend

Sports man signing yellow footballs for children behind a railing.
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Footy Fest

Meet your footy heroes, join a free footy clinic and enjoy live entertainment for the whole family.

Parade walkway lined with fans, city buildings in the background with yellow smoke.

Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade

Cheer on the Grand Finalists one last time before the big game.

Mossy bird's nest balanced between twig branches on a tree.
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Design X Nature

An outdoor exhibition of artworks exploring how natural systems inform creative practice.

The facade of Melbourne Town Hall illuminated in colours, with a blurred tram going past.
Until

Light Up Melbourne After-dark Projections

See immersive art projections light up some of the city's most iconic landmarks.

An egg-shaped figuring with a brown cowboy hat and a pistol.
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NEW26

The return of the much-loved NEW exhibition series at ACCA.

Visitors on a tour at the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio with electronic instruments on display on shelves.
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MESS Studio Tour

Take a free guided tour of a collection of rare instruments and hear the stories behind the sounds.

A crowd of people at night, seated and socialising at Whitehart Bar, a multi-level outdoor venue.
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Hartbeats Live Jazz

Settle in for live jazz, deep grooves and an afternoon that slowly drifts into night.

A gallery space with paintings displayed on one white and one yellow wall, plus a series of totems or tree trunks displayed in a white stand in the middle.
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Ngarn Wa'ngal: Art of the Gum Tree

Discover how the iconic gum tree has inspired centuries of Australian art and culture.

Two young adults observing a sculpture in a gallery space with digital and scupltural displays.
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EMERGENCE[Y]

An exhibition exploring how adaptation in a world of flux unfolds in every layer of life.

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 person in a gallery setting looking at a sculpture of an oversize wooden pipe with a sculpture of a giant peeled mandarin balanced on the pipe.
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Poetry Goes No Further Than Language

Explore a moment in mid-1980s China when a group of artists began to question values about art.

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
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Making Memoir of a Snail

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

Free and cheap for kids

Illustrations of two children with clipboards in (real) garden setting.
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Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

A free fun outdoor seek and find adventure around the Fitzroy Gardens.

An adult and child riding in an open bus, the child pointing at something.
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School Holiday Explorer Bus

Children ride for half-price on the Kids Explorer Bus during the school holidays.

A smiling woman with a ukulele seated at a desk with two picture books on display.
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Stompers

Join in the Stompers fun with your toddler at narrm ngarrgu Library every Friday.

Kids on the grass outside the Shrine of Memorial, holding kit bags and smiling.
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Shrine Kids

Embark on a family adventure with this engaging program designed for discovery at every turn.

A little girl looking at a colourful display of cushions in an art gallery.
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Children's Play: Ragnar Kjartansson

A new children's exhibition by Ragnar Kjartansson, inspired by the idea of a theatrical feast.

A girl drawing with a green pencil in a crafting room with tens of coloured picture frames on the yellow wall behind her.
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The Activity Hub

Drop into The Activity Hub during the school holidays for hands-on family activities.

Two park rangers in front of a display table with their ute behind and more displays.
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Junior Rangers - Wings and Wattles

Find urban bushland in Royal Park and connect with nature close to home.

Two children stand at a table looking at a craft project in a room that features a colourful display of framed artwork or pictures hung in a grid pattern on the wall behind the table.
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Pocket House

Young children can build a tiny house full of big memories with Pocket House.

A smiling man holds a cheerful toddler in his arms as the child reaches toward a large, textured, teardrop-shaped gourd hanging from the ceiling; part of an interactive installation at ArtPlay.
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Exhibition: Obang 오방

Step into a Korean grandmother's home while she is away visiting her grandchildren overseas.

Melbourne markets on this weekend

Drawing of a market stall with city buildings in the background.
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Moon Fest Market

A vibrant Mid-Autumn market with creative stalls, cultural workshops and family activities.

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.

Selection of market goods including packets of teas and biscuits.
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Kensington Market

An eclectic mix of homewares, culinary treats, ceramics, sustainable goods and visual art.

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.

The best long weekend events to book

Three long narrow boats with people seated in them and a guide standing at the rear of each boat, punting on the lake at Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Punting on the Lake

Glide between the bays and islands of Ornamental Lake on a guided boat cruise.

Visitors enjoying an evening event at the National Gallery of Victoria, seated on stools under shadowy lighting.
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NGV Friday Nights: Cartier

NGV Friday Nights shine with Cartier, featuring live music, flims, food and drinks.

Two people standing in front of a large pink spiky wall of speakers in an exhibition space.
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Reverb: A Journey into Sound

ACMI and RISING present Reverb: A Journey Into Sound, a major exhibition of vinyl culture and music.

Singers and dancers on a theatre stage in a scene from A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, with spotlights and stage sets.
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A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

An inspiring, exhilarating, energetic musical memoir.

King Arthur and knights standing on stage in medieval dress.
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Monty Python's Spamalot

A riotous retelling of the adventures of King Arthur and his loyal Knights.

Six female performers on a purple lit stage in costumes and striking poses, all singing into microphones they hold in their hands.
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SIX the Musical

SIX the Musical makes its royal stage return to Melbourne's Comedy Theatre.

Four hot air balloons floating in front of the Melbourne city skyline during sunrise, with skyscrapers visible in the background.
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Melbourne Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight

Float over Melbourne's iconic landmarks in a sunrise hot air balloon flight.

Table set with food and drinks next to potted palms.
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Fern’s Hidden Winter Garden

Melbourne's most-booked winter escape blooms into spring.

Cheese and wine display on a table near a window.
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High Cheese

A bold three-tiered journey showcasing local and international cheeses, inspired by fire and water.

A checked tablecloth with a High Tea spread on top with pink teacups and teapot and plates of cakes and sandwiches.
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Picnic High Tea

Enjoy a High Tea picnic against a backdrop of stunning city views.

A group of four patrons dining in a heated glass dome on a rooftop with Melbourne's city skyline at night behind them.
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Sky Dome Dining

Dine beneath the stars in Melbourne's highest rooftop dome dining experience.

A three-tier stand of high tea food items, a bottle of sparkling and two glasses, arranged on a wooden table with bunches of native flora in the background.
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Native High Tea

Discover Australia through a new expression of High Tea at The Westin Melbourne.

A circus performer holding onto a ring suspended from the ceiling, a big red star behind them.
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Circus The Show

Prepare to enter a world of whimsy and wonder where your imagination will soar like never before.

Where to watch the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne

A busy colourful bar with people watching sport.

The Waterside Hotel

Watch the AFL Grand Final on the big screen with 5 hours of free-flowing food & drinks, $148pp.

Special offer

Hickens Hotel

Watch the AFL Grand Final live & loud then enjoy DJ sets post-game.

Special offer

The General Assembly

Celebrate Grand Final Day with wings & pulled beef burger specials.

Special offer

Morris House

Book a bottomless drinks & canapes package and watch the Grand Final live & loud.

Special offer

The Boatbuilders Yard

Watch the Grand Final on 11 big screens, live and loud.

Special offer

Riverland Bar

Spend Grand Final Day in the sun with the big screen on live & loud, brekkie, after-party and more.

Special offer

Imperial Hotel

Watch the Grand Final on the rooftop with live tunes, brekkie, free snags and a raffle.

Special offer

Good Nature

Watch the Grand Final live & loud with live music, brekkie, face painting and packages.

Special offer

The Wharf Hotel

Celebrate Grand Final Day with face painting, drink packages, brekkie burgers, live music & more.

Special offer

State of Grace

Enjoy a Kylie-inspired brunch, with 3-hrs of drinks & brunch faves, Kylie tunes & the game, $99pp.

Special offer

Garden State Hotel

Book your spot to watch the game, with post-game live entertainment and DJs into the night.

Special offer

Hopscotch

Doors open 9am with breakfast, a full menu, live music from 11am and the game!

Special offer

Mail Exchange Hotel

Enjoy lunch with a shared antipasto, a main, 3/4 time snacks, dessert, plus the game. $67pp.

Special offer

Ludlow Bar and Dining Room

Watch the game on big screens in the public bar and on the terrace, open from 11.30am.

Special offer

The Duke of Wellington

Enjoy the pre-game hype, the big match, plus post-game celebrations. Open from 10am.

Special offer

Transport Public Bar

Watch it live and loud across 13 screens & 3 mega screens. No bookings, no tickets, walk-ins only.

Special offer
Find more

Last updated on Thu 10 Sep 2026

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