Two women are in a gallery looking at a colourful striped painting. There is a large pink soft sculpture behind them in the shape of a giant U.

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

Looking up from ground view at a person jumping off a futuristic building.
Until

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

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

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
Until

Making Memoir of a Snail

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

An artist standing, working at a desk with bookshelves and computers in the background.
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Rewind Forward: Creative in Residence Group Exhibition

Drawing from state archives, artists create works that reawaken Victoria’s historical narrative.

Designer Nipa Doshi standing in front of her installation of designed pieces at the National Gallery of Victoria.
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MECCA X NGV Women in Design Commission: Nipa Doshi

Designer Nipa Doshi explores beauty, plurality and diversity in her handcrafted cabinet.

A tan jacket made of squiggly fur on a white dummy torso.
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Let's Party: NGV Fashion for Kids

Step into a vibrant world of colour, creativity and celebration.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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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

A large group of people in active wear all running on a path in park.
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Run the Tan: Run Club

Start the weekend off on the right foot with a run around the Tan.

Person looking at a display in a glass case, rows of colourful books in the background.
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World of the Book

Explore the rare, the sacred and the iconic in the 20th anniversary of this annual exhibition.

A group of people on a guided walk of the Royal Botanic Gardens, with the tour guide pointing at plant specimen.
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Free Guided Walk

A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic Gardens ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

The best events on the public holiday

A person taking a photo of two mannequins dressed in colourful clothing in a fashion exhibition.
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Westwood | Kawakubo

NGV’s summer exhibition pairs two icons of the fashion world, Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo.

Elton John in the 1970s wearing large spectacles and satin suit with Cher wearing Bob Mackie midriff-revealing strappy gown and Diana Ross wearing feather and sequin gown.
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DIVA

From opera stars to pop icons, celebrate the power and creativity of the diva.

Purple-lit dark room with screens.
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Game Worlds

ACMI's new playable exhibition features more than 30 videogames from the 1970s to today.

A waiter in a restaurant, blurred in motion.
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Order Up: A City Fed by Many Cultures

Experience the soul of ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s hospitality scene like never before and this exhibition.

The best events on the weekend before the public holiday

A performer with a standing audience looking on in the NGV, stained glass visible and purple lighting.
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NGV Friday Nights

Experience the NGV as it comes alive after dark

Four cabaret performers surrounded by pink and yellow feather fans.
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Cabaret Ridiculous

An hour of variety entertainment that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

Three people walking with a Fit City tour guide through a leafy laneway in central ³Ô¹ÏÍø.
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History and Donuts Walking Tour

History, laneways and donuts – explore ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s sweet side on this 2.5-hour walking tour.

Interior of a bar decorated with colourful lamps, small paintings hanging on the red walls, with small tables and chairs arranged in the space.
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³Ô¹ÏÍø Hidden Bars Walking Tour

Discover ³Ô¹ÏÍø's hidden bars – down alleys, in basements and behind closed doors.

Diners seated at a table and eating from plates that have designs projected onto them from above, as part of an immersive visual art and food experience.
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7 Paintings Dining Experience

A dinner show that combines art, technology, and culinary delight into a unique experience.

What's open on the public holiday

Afloat in ³Ô¹ÏÍø in the Yarra River with a late afternoon glow through trees.

Afloat ³Ô¹ÏÍø

A floating restaurant and bar located on the Yarra River in the heart of ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

The external facade of the Waterside Hotel, with a vertical garden on the building behind it.

Waterside Hotel

Dine between destinations with a layered experience of ³Ô¹ÏÍø hospitality inspired by Asia.

A share plate of tomato-based pasta surrounded by empty plates, wine and water glasses and cutlery on a white table.

Ronnie's

Inspired by family dinners, where friends and family meet to dine, wine and have good times.

Exterior of restaurant Grill Americano, showing windows and blue awnings.

Grill Americano

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

Neon-lit entrance to Yakimono restaurant.

Yakimono

Yakimono is a high energy Japanese-inspired eating house.

Interior of Chin Chin restaurant, filled with patrons seated at dining tables, high ceilings giving an industrial warehouse feel to the busy space.

Chin Chin

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

Exterior of Morris House, a white three-level building on a city corner, with balcony seating and glassed-in top floor.

Morris House

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

Chopsticks poised over a steamer of dumplings, with several other plates of food on the table.

Secret Kitchen

An excellent spot for yum cha and Chinese delicacies.

The interior of Ms Ava bar with a sign on the column and a fern.

Ms Ava Bar

Ms Ava serves an elevated bistro-style menu, signature cocktails and plays Frank Sinatra.

Roast chicken pieces on a plate.

The Carlton Wine Room

Simple European food and an extensive wine list.

Thai food and drinks in takeaway containers.

Dodee Paidang Thai Bar and Cafe

Thai restaurant specialising in traditional-style street food dishes.

Code Black cafe exterior with black paintwork, neon sign and dim interior.

Code Black Coffee

The Flinders Lane cafe is the destination for expert service, coffee cocktails and brunch.

Moody neon-lit entry to Miss Pearl Bar on Southbank.

Miss Pearl Bar + Dining

Experience modern Asian dining in the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Arts Precinct.

Bowl of pasta on wooden table, glass of white wine to right, front.

The Courthouse Hotel

A beautiful art deco pub delivering warm hospitality and serving pub classics.

The classic interior of Luci restaurant, with a staircase, and floor-ceiling-windows and dining tables and chairs.

Luci

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

Two people dining at a bar on counter stools in a moodily lit dining area, on dishes including noodles and chips.

BKK

A turbocharged Thai canteen, serving Bangkok-inspired street food from a fiery open-concept kitchen

People leaning against a bar, sipping drinks and close talking, the bar area and bottles on shelves behind the bar bathed in a warm orange-yellow light.

Her Bar ³Ô¹ÏÍø

A European restaurant and bar serving diverse wines, seasonal plates, and modern cocktails.

Exterior of Arbory Bar building, showing the wooden outdoor deck, situated on the banks of the Yarra River, surrounded by green leafy trees.

Arbory Bar and Eatery

Riverside outdoor eatery with all-day dining and a wide selection of drinks.

Interior of D.O.C Delicatessen showing many different products available and a woman looking at the shelves.

D.O.C Espresso & Delicatessen

Pick up top-quality Italian coffee, panini, smallgoods and pantry staples.

Exterior of Il Bacaro restaurant with two blurred figures walking past on the footpath out the front.

Il Bacaro Cucina e Bar

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

An elegant and moody wine bar with patrons seated at wooden tables, waiters pouring wine and two people at a high bench table. Leafy trees seen through the window.

Vinesmith City Cellar Door

Elegant French bistro and wine bar showcasing wines from the Pyrenees and Grampians regions.

The illuminated exterior of the Douglas Club, showing its classical architecture.

The Douglas Club

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

Seats and coffee tables in Westin Hotel lobby lounge.

Lobby Lounge

Crafted cocktails and bar bites in the lobby of The Westin ³Ô¹ÏÍø Hotel.

Hands holding glasses over pizza and snacks on a table.

Transport Public Bar

Bustling pub in Federation Square with tasty pub meals and an impressive range of drinks.

Drinks lined up on a shelf and wooden wall in front of a birdcage ornament.

Transit Rooftop Bar

Large rooftop bar in Federation Square, with expansive views of the ³Ô¹ÏÍø skyline.

Tall dining space with huge windows and overhead lighting.

Taxi Kitchen

Accessible and affordable meals in a light-filled room with great views.

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³Ô¹ÏÍø Town Hall with a line out the front for ³Ô¹ÏÍø International Comedy Festival

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People milling around Fed Square at night.

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A group of friends having a picnic at an outdoor event

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Two friends are walking out of an arcade

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The best cocktail deals, cheap eats and low-cost activities in ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

Last updated on Tue 27 Jan 2026

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A family of four standing in a grand library with antique desks, large white walls and a dome ceiling.

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A family seated at an outdoor table in a grassy park, eating takeaway food from the food van parked behind them, the Skyline Ferris wheel in the background.

Skyline ³Ô¹ÏÍø

See ³Ô¹ÏÍø's unbeatable city view from the Skyline ³Ô¹ÏÍø Ferris wheel.

Participants in a VR game room wearing headsets.

VR World ³Ô¹ÏÍø: Virtual Reality Arcade

Experience virtual reality in ³Ô¹ÏÍø. Solve mysteries, fight zombies, explore new worlds.

People wearing video goggles standing in front of Apsis VR logoed walls.

Apsis VR: Virtual Reality Escape Room

Explore story-driven adventures in your choice of puzzle-solving escape rooms with VR headsets.