Melbourne Cup Day
Tuesday 3 November 2026
Melbourne Cup Day is Victoria's public holiday for the race that stops a nation.
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About Melbourne Cup Day
Melbourne Cup Day is Victoria's public holiday for the race that stops a nation.
How Australians Observe Melbourne Cup Day
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's most famous horse race, run at Flemington Racecourse in front of more than 80,000 people. Even outside Victoria, where it isn't a public holiday, workplaces around the country pause for the 3pm race, and office sweeps and fashion-on-the-field traditions are everywhere. In Victoria it's a full public holiday, kicking off the Spring Racing Carnival's biggest day.
Leave Planning Tip
Melbourne Cup Day is a Tuesday every year, so Victorians can take the Monday off for a four-day break spanning the weekend through to Tuesday, using just one day of leave. Outside Victoria, many workplaces still allow a long lunch or early finish to watch the race.