When is the Melbourne Cup Day public holiday this year?

This year, the Melbourne Cup Day public holiday falls on Tuesday 5 November, 2024. Taking an extra day? Kicking on late into Cup Day-eve? Come back later in the year to find fun events to make the most of your public holiday.

Free on the public holiday

Wurrdha Marra
Until

Wurrdha Marra

Sharing the work of First Nations artists across time and place.

The Story of the Moving Image
Until

The Story of the Moving Image

An ongoing exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Rekospective: The Art of Reko Rennie
Until

Rekospective: The Art of Reko Rennie

Reko Rennie's largest presentation of work to date and his first-ever retrospective exhibition.

Laugh Lab at La La Land
Until

Laugh Lab at La La Land

Come watch Melbourne's finest up and coming comedians perform in the cosiest cocktail bar in town.

Bark Salon
Until

Bark Salon

Bark Salon is a large-scale display of First Nations bark painting, with more than 160 works.

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.

Ayoung Kim – Delivery Dancer's Arc: 0° Receiver
Until

Ayoung Kim – Delivery Dancer's Arc: 0° Receiver

Korean artist Ayoung Kim creates a multiverse that blurs boundaries between space, time and self.

Hofbrauhaus Trivia Experience mit Ben Sorensen
Until

Hofbrauhaus Trivia Experience mit Ben Sorensen

Join Ben Sorensen’s free weekly Hofbrauhaus trivia experience.

What's open for drinking and dining

Some venues will have different hours and holiday surcharges - call ahead with any questions.

Aster Cocktail & Wine

Aster Cocktail & Wine

Aster is an intimate cocktail and wine bar with delicious fare.

Ponyfish Island

Ponyfish Island

A floating bar on the Yarra River under the Southbank pedestrian bridge.

Morris House

Morris House

A four-level drinks, dining and entertainment destination in the heart of the city.

Marameo

Marameo

Marameo is a fun, easy-going Italian eatery offering a range of pasta and mains.

Il Bacaro Cucina e Bar

Il Bacaro Cucina e Bar

A fine dining experience, offering modern Italian cuisine in an intimate and relaxed setting.

Hopscotch

Hopscotch

Riverside beer bar with 30 beers on tap and an in-house microbrewery.

Young & Jackson

Young & Jackson

One of Melbourne's oldest hotels, featuring a combination of boutique bar and classic pub.

P.J.O'Brien's Irish Pub

P.J.O'Brien's Irish Pub

An Irish pub in Southbank with live music nightly, open for lunch, dinner, and drinks.

BearBrass

BearBrass

A riverside bistro with city views, a relaxed vibe, and all-day dining.

Imperial Hotel

Imperial Hotel

Historic pub with a great rooftop, delicious food and sports on the big screens.

Hophaus

Hophaus

Beer hall dishing up modern European food and classic pub favourites.

Turf Sports Bar

Turf Sports Bar

Classic pub-style sports bar with cold beer and sports from all over the world.

Roccella

Roccella

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

Harry's Restaurant and Bar

Harry's Restaurant and Bar

Relax and enjoy classic and seasonal concoctions at Harry's Bar.

Left Bank Melbourne

Left Bank Melbourne

A versatile venue catering to both large and small groups for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Douglas Club

The Douglas Club

Set within the Equity Chambers Building, The Douglas Club is the perfect spot for a city drink.

Luci

Luci

A contemporary Australian restaurant set in the grand hall of historic Equity Chambers building.

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.

Best events and attractions to book

Punting on the Lake
Until

Punting on the Lake

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

Cats & Dogs
Until

Cats & Dogs

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

Paint and Sip Class: Ceramic Bowls and Plates
Until

Paint and Sip Class: Ceramic Bowls and Plates

Immerse yourself in the delightful and creative experience of Paint and Sip class.

What's on over the weekend and Cup Day eve

Disney's Beauty and the Beast the Musical
Until

Disney's Beauty and the Beast the Musical

Experience Disney's new enchanting musical, Beauty and the Beast.

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
Until

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

The inspiring life story of the Queen of Rock, who didn’t just break the rules – she rewrote them.

Sister Act
Until

Sister Act

Don’t miss the Broadway and UK smash hit musical, direct from London’s West End.

Stalactites Restaurant

Stalactites Restaurant

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

Hella Good

Hella Good

A souvlaki shop from the owners of one of Melbourne's best-known Greek restaurant, Stalactites.

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.

Pidapipo Gelateria

Pidapipo Gelateria

Authentic, artisanal Italian-style gelato in the heart of Carlton's Lygon Street.

Society

Society

A glamourous restaurant and bar with contemporary dining and bespoke cocktails.

Grill Americano

Grill Americano

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

Kisumé

Kisumé

Exquisite sushi and one of the city's finest wine cellars.

Yakimono

Yakimono

Yakimono is a high energy Japanese-inspired eating house.

Chin Chin

Chin Chin

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

Maha

Maha

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

Jayda

Jayda

Enjoy seasonal cocktails, wine and bar snacks in a sophisticated, opulent space.

Last updated on Fri 1 Nov 2024

Christmas

Christmas things to do

Christmas things to do

Explore a wonderland of events and dazzling decorations as the city comes to life this Christmas.

Christmas eat and drink

Christmas eat and drink

Feeling festive? Sip mistletoe martinis at a rooftop bar or dine under the lights in a laneway.

Christmas shopping

Christmas shopping

Shop the city's iconic laneways, malls and arcades to find the perfect pressie.

Discover more

What's on today

What's on today

Discover free events, epic festivals and shows on in Melbourne today.

New Year's Eve at The General Assembly

New Year's Eve at The General Assembly

Party at one of the best pubs on the Yarra River with prime fireworks views.

What's on this week in Melbourne

What's on this week in Melbourne

Discover things to do in Melbourne this week, from free events to exhibitions.

What's on in July

What's on in July

Discover things to do in July, from free events to exhibitions, attractions and places to visit.