What's on in October

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A crowd of people gathered around a Melbourne Fringe Festival stage with purple and yellow lights.

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

A woman eating fire from sticks with Fringe Festival lettering in the background in blue.
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Melbourne Fringe Festival

Melbourne Fringe Festival returns with 500+ exciting, boundary-pushing arts events.

Two models stand smiling outdoors in vibrant, unconventional fashion ensembles.
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Melbourne Fashion Week

M/FW takes over the city from 19–25 October.

Illuminated panels with shades of red on a black background.
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Melbourne International Jazz Festival

A city-wide celebration of jazz, improvisation and boundary-pushing contemporary music.

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.

A traditional beer keg-tapping ceremony at an Oktoberfest celebration, at a Bavarian-style beer hall.
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Oktoberfest at Munich Brauhaus

Enjoy Bavarian feasts, flowing German bier, live entertainment, and all the Oktoberfest festivities.

Dark image of a Dracula figure lit with red light on stage.
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Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest

A bold, cinematic reimagining of the gothic classic.

Oktoberfest-themed illustration with man wearing a Tyrolean hat holding steins of beer, pretzel and meat, with a Melbourne tram.
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Oktoberfest at Hofbrauhaus

Celebrate German bier, food and music as the Hofbräuhaus Oktoberfest turns 58.

Cabaret artist and vocal coach Amelie Peters posing in front of a pink neon wall sign that reads Pals in Pink, against a solid pink background.
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Sink or Sing! A Sing-Along Cabaret

An award-winning singer and vocal coach brings big cabaret energy to Melbourne Fringe Festival.

A netball player in a green and gold uniform catches the ball while a defender in a black uniform lunges toward her on an indoor court, blurred players and seated fans in the background.

Constellation Cup

The Australian Diamonds take on the Silver Ferns in Game 4 of the Constellation Cup.

Rooftop garden at Fed Square with people under market umbrellas.
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RESET: A Festival for Grounding and Growing

Slow down, find joy in the hands-on and discover creative ways to live more sustainably this spring.

A large group of people taking part in the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival, running across Princess Bridge over the Yarra River, with tall city buildings and trees in the background, set against a blue sky.
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Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival

The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival takes over the streets of Melbourne this October.

Two figures wearing gaming costumes standing at an illuminated games machine.
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Melbourne International Games Week

Australia's largest festival celebrating games and the people who make and play them.

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.

A fashion model wearing a magenta patterned high-neck gown featuring an oversized structured front bow accent on a runway.

Student Collections Runway

Featuring collections by student designers.

A fashion model wearing an avant-garde layered ensemble with floral embellishments and an elaborate headpiece from a runway collection.

Closing Runway: Wear The Moment

Immerse yourself in the individuality and influence of Melbourne’s diverse fashion community.

Four classical musicians surrounded by glittering scrolls and stars.

The Wagner Gala Concert

A landmark, one-night-only musical event to mark the reopening of the Ian Potter State Theatre.

Two individuals talking to each other inside Melbourne Museum at night, with blue lighting.
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Nocturnal: Museum After Dark

Experience Melbourne Museum after hours, when the doors stay open and the night belongs to adults.

International human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, a woman with fair hair and gold hoop earrings, looking directly at the camera with a slight smile.

For Future Reference: Jennifer Robinson on Courage

Hear human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson discuss the notion of courage in our uncertain world.

Man wearing traditional Italian dress - red hat, green waistcoat, holding an Italian flag in front of the Exhibition Building.
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Italian Festa and Expo

Celebrating all thing Italian at the Royal Exhibition Building and Museum Plaza.

Participants on the State Library Victoria Unlocked guided morning tour inside the iconic dome at State Library Victoria in Melbourne.
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State Library Victoria Unlocked

Join an exclusive guided tour and experience State Library Victoria before the doors open.

See all events in October

Discover more

A chef cooking meat skewers over a flaming grill.
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What's on in November

Things to do in Melbourne in November, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.

Young child, in front of an artsy background, looking up at something.

Family and kids

Find things to do with the kids, from family-friendly events to fun attractions and workshops.

Young kid sitting on the shoulders of an adult in a large crowd of people watching a show.

Melbourne for free

Discover free things to do in Melbourne, including galleries, museums, events and festivals.