October puts us in the final quarter of the year, with (hopefully) warmer weather and continued beautiful blooms around the city.
And, of course, there are plenty of events and activities to keep you entertained in Melbourne in October! From fashion to jazz to creative festivals to Oktoberfest to Halloween, October is a great month to visit the city.
And don’t forget that daylight saving time begins on 6 October, which means more daylight to enjoy the best of Melbourne activities.
Here’s a curated selection of the must-dos happening this October in Melbourne.
This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
Melbourne weather in October
It’s warming up a little! October sees temperatures average between 14 and 26 degrees (57 to 78 Fahrenheit).
October often experiences the highest rainfall of the year – and last year was no exception, so we can probably expect a few days of rain this year.
Check the upcoming Melbourne weather forecast online, and read my full guide to spring in Melbourne.
Public holidays in Melbourne in October
No public holidays in Melbourne until November, I’m afraid!
Major events and festivals in October
Check back regularly throughout the month – I’ll keep this page updated as I hunt down more events!
Melbourne Fringe Festival
Melbourne’s most democratic arts festival is back on this year, with a program that features everything from dance to theatre to experimental performances.
Dates: 1-20 October
Where: Various venues
Cost: Ticket prices vary
More info: Website
Melbourne International Jazz Festival
Treat yourself to the smooth sounds of jazz, with acts from Australia and New Zealand, as well as performers from as far away as the USA, Italy, Somalia and Mexico.
Dates: 18-27 October
Where: Various venues
Cost: Varies
More info: Website
Melbourne Fashion Week
Fashionistas take over the city, with some of Australia’s best designers showing off their creations.
Dates: 21-27 October
Where: Various venues
Cost: Tickets and event prices vary
More info: Website
Melbourne Royal Show
There’ll be the usual fun to be had: games, rides, livestock shows, cooking demonstrations and, of course, sheds full of showbags. The final day is 1 October!
Dates: Until 6 October
Where: Melbourne Showgrounds
Cost: From $16
More info: Website
Halloween activities
Luna Dark
Luna Dark: Carnivale of Screams will show you a side to Luna Park you never knew existed. There are spooky night events and kid-friendly day activities.
Dates: 25 October-2 November
Where: Luna Park
Cost: Tickets from $69.50
More info: Website
Who’s Haunting Heide?
Join Heide Museum’s head gardener for a twilight talk to learn about the spookier aspects of the museum’s history. (Check out more ghost tours in Melbourne!)
Dates: 31 October
Where: Heide Museum
Cost: Adults $30
More info: Website
Theatre, film and music
Tina: Tina Turner the Musical
The life of the Queen of Rock ‘n Roll on stage – with all the hits you know.
Dates: Throughout October
Where: Princess Theatre
Cost: From $56
More info: Website
Six
Returning to Melbourne, the six wives of Henry VIII tell their stories through music, rewriting 500 years of history.
Dates: Until 20 October
Where: Comedy Theatre
Cost: From $75
More info: Website
Candelight Concert Series with Fever
Fever brings their stunning candlelit concerts to venues across Melbourne. There’s everything from the Best of Frank Sinatra and Fleetwood Mac to tributes to Queen and Beyonce.
Dates: Various dates in October
Where: Various venues
Cost: From $27
More info: Website
Beauty and the Beast
The much-loved classic tale comes to the stage in a spectacular performance.
Dates: Throughout October
Where: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Cost: From $80
More info: Website
Melbourne Magic Show
Have your mind blown by the magic and illusion of Master Magician Luke Hocking.
Dates: Throughout October
Where: Melbourne Marriott Hotel
Cost: From $39.95
More info: Website
Italian Film Festival
Escape to Italy through film with the St Ali Italian Film Festival at Cinema Nova.
Dates: Until 17 October
Where: Cinema Nova
Cost: Tickets from $16.50
More info: Website
Museums and art
Jurassic World: The Exhibition
This immersive experience brings you face-to-face with life-sized dinosaurs. Walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates and prepare to be in awe as the ground-breaking movie franchise is brought to life.
Dates: Until 28 October
Where: Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre, 62 Dawson Street, Brunswick
Cost: From $59
More info: Website
The Art of Banksy: Without Limits
The Art of Banksy: Without Limits features more than 180 artworks, such as certified art, prints on different kinds of materials, photos, sculptures, installations, digital installations, murals and mapping shows.
Dates: Throughout October
Where: The District Docklands
Cost: From $41
More info: Website
Pharaoh
Presented in partnership with the British Museum, this NGV exhibition celebrates 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian art and culture.
Dates: Until 6 October
Where: NGV
Cost: From $38
More info: Website
NGV Friday Nights
Music, eating and drinking plus late-night exclusive access to the Pharaoh exhibition = a perfect night out.
Dates: Friday nights until 4 October
Where: NGV
Cost: From $40
More info: NGV website
Victoria the T. rex
Come meet Melbourne Museum’s newest visitor, Victoria the T. rex – a 12-metre-long, 3.6-metre-high, 66-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil.
Dates: Until 20 October
Where: Melbourne Museum
Cost: From $18
More info: Website
Africa Fashion
More than 200 works will feature in the NGV’s Africa Fashion exhibit, which celebrates the creativity, ingenuity, and global impact of contemporary African fashions from the mid-twentieth century to the present day.
Dates: Until 6 October
Where: NGV
Cost: From $25
More info: Website
Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius
The Lume’s newest immersive exhibition celebrates the life and art of of Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci.
Dates: Throughout October
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Cost: From $44.90
More info: Website
Planetarium Nights
Head to Scienceworks for an adults-only, after dark experience. October’s events include Black Holes – Journey into the Unknown (narrated by Geoffrey Rush) and XYZZY (a psychedelic musical odyssey through a fictional world).
Dates: Friday nights throughout October
Where: Scienceworks
Cost: Tickets from $25
More info: Website
Monopoly Dreams
Immerse yourself in giant Monopoly sets, win prizes and – most importantly – stay out of jail!
Dates: Throughout October
Where: Melbourne Central
Cost: From $38.50
More info: Website
Experience the Dome Promenade
One of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings has opened a hidden part that hasn’t been accessible to the public for 100 years.
Dates: Various dates in October
Where: Royal Exhibition Building
Cost: From $29 for adults
More info: Museums Victoria website
Food and drink events in October
Oktoberfest
Can’t make it to Germany this year? No worries! Join the hordes for Melbourne’s version of Oktoberfest.
Dates: Until 26 October
Where: Hofbrauhaus Melbourne
More info: Website
Festival Indonesia
Explore the culinary and cultural delights of one of our closest neighbours.
Dates: 6 October
Where: Argyle Square, Carlton
Cost: Free entry
More info: Website
Community events, festivals, shows and shopping
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
Surround yourself with an explosion of colour at this annual tulip festival.
Dates: Until 13 October
Where: Silvan
Cost: Adults from $35
More info: Website
Dog Lovers Show
Get your dog fix at this annual show, which includes the opportunity to meet dogs awaiting adoption.
Dates: 26-27 October
Where: Melbourne Showgrounds
Cost: Adults $42.35
More info: Website
Melbourne International Boat Show
Fishing, cruising, ski, wake boarding, pontoon, sailing, jet ski, bike boats – and seafood cooking demonstrations.
Dates: 17-20 October
Where: Docklands
Cost: Free entry
More info: Website
Melbourne International Games Week
Gamers can see and play the latest in digital games – everything from testing out your Mario Kart skills to learning about the importance of audio.
Dates: 3-13 October
Where: Various venues
Cost: Ticket prices vary
More info: Website
The Finders Keepers
Find gorgeous jewellery, fashion and art at this must-visit market.
Dates: 11-13 October
Where: Royal Exhibition Building
Cost: Adults $6
More info: Website
What are you most excited to see and do in October in Melbourne?
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Best Melbourne resources
- Check out my Melbourne travel guide for everything you need to know about planning a trip to Melbourne
- Look for flights to Melbourne on Skyscanner.
- Book accommodation on Booking.com or Expedia for your Melbourne trip. The Ovolo Laneways Hotel is a good choice in the CBD.
- You won’t really need a car in Melbourne, but if you do want to get out of the city, then rent a car through DiscoverCars.
- Pick up a copy of the Lonely Planet Pocket Melbourne to help plan your trip.