Spring in Melbourne is pure magic. The days are longer, the weather warmer, and the city bursts into life with festivals, fashion, music, food, and culture. October is one of the most exciting months to be here – a time when every corner of Melbourne offers something new to discover.
Whether you’re chasing once-in-a-lifetime experiences, vibrant cultural celebrations, or family-friendly fun, October’s calendar is packed with unforgettable moments.
Here are our top picks for things to do in Melbourne this October:
Melbourne International Boat Show returns this October, set against the sparkling waters of Victoria Harbour. The event is centred at Melbourne City Marina and the Superyacht Marina – the only one of its kind in the city.
Browse everything from luxury yachts to paddle craft, take part in interactive demonstrations, and enjoy expert talks and family-friendly activities. With boats up to 65 metres in length docked right in the heart of Docklands, it’s an unmissable celebration of Melbourne’s waterfront lifestyle.
📅 ： 16 to 19 October
🎫 ：Free entry
Halloween in Melbourne means one thing: Luna Dark. By day, Luna Park is fun-filled and family-friendly, with spooky décor, themed rides, and Halloween treats for kids. But after dark, the park transforms into the Carnivale of Screams – a haunting playground of scare mazes, live entertainment, and roaming ghosts and ghouls.
Running across six terrifying nights and two daytime sessions, Luna Dark is Melbourne’s ultimate Halloween costume party. Secure your tickets early – if you dare!
📅 ： October to 1 November
🎫 ：Tickets from $45
Raise your steins – Australia’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration is back! Returning to Catani Gardens, Oktoberfest in the Gardens promises a massive day of Bavarian-inspired festivities.
Sip authentic German biers and wines, feast on bratwurst and pretzels, and enjoy live music and roving performers across multiple stages. With thousands of partygoers dressed in lederhosen and dirndls, it’s one of Melbourne’s most colourful and energetic events of the year. Tickets always sell fast, so don’t miss out.
📅 ：18 October
🎫 ：Tickets from $45
Melbourne’s Italian community takes centre stage at this vibrant cultural festival. Held over two days, the Italian Festa and Expo is a celebration of food, fashion, design, and family traditions. Stroll through market stalls, enjoy cooking demonstrations, and be entertained by live music and performances. It’s a slice of Italy right in the heart of Melbourne.
📅 ：18 to 19 October
🎫 ：Free entry
Fashion lovers, this is your moment. This October, Melbourne becomes a city-wide runway for Melbourne Fashion Week. Over seven dazzling days, the city celebrates bold creativity and self-expression through runway shows, pop-up exhibitions, hands-on workshops, and thought-provoking talks.
From historic laneways to landmark venues, fashion spills into every corner of the city. No dress code. No limits. Just pure style. Come as you are – and let Melbourne be your catwalk.
📅 ：20 to 26 October
🎫 ：Free events across the city
Melbourne International Jazz Festival
For ten days, Melbourne swings to the rhythm of jazz as the Melbourne International Jazz Festival takes over the city. With more than 130 performances and over 550 artists, it’s a program that blends global icons with Australia’s rising stars.
Enjoy the Modern Masters series at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Hamer Hall, and Melbourne Recital Centre, or stumble upon intimate gigs in hidden bars and laneways. Each year, the festival also commissions new works, making it a must-see for jazz fans and newcomers alike.
From floating above the Yarra Valley in a hot air balloon at sunrise to dancing the night away at Oktoberfest or being swept up in the sounds of jazz, Melbourne in October is a city alive with energy and creativity.
Mark your calendar, book your tickets, and get ready to experience a month full of unforgettable adventures.
📅 ： 17 to 26 October
🎫 ：Many events free to attend
Hot Air Ballooning Over the Yarra Valley
Just under an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is one of Victoria’s most picturesque regions – and there’s no better way to take it all in than from the sky.
On a sunrise hot air balloon flight, you’ll drift gently above rolling vineyards, farmland, and mountain ranges as the first light of day paints the landscape gold. It’s a serene, once-in-a-lifetime experience – and you might even spot kangaroos hopping through the fields below.
With over 30 years of experience, Global Ballooning offers safe and awe-inspiring flights over the Yarra Valley. After landing, celebrate your adventure with a buffet breakfast at Balgownie Estate – the perfect start to a spring day.
📅 ： 7 days a week, every sunrise
🎫 ：From $495
