Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday in Victoria
Melbourne Cup Day — the first Tuesday in November — falls on 3 November 2026, a full public holiday for workers across Victoria, except in a handful of non-metro council areas that substitute a local holiday.
Melbourne Cup Day 2026 by state
Turn Cup Day into a four-day break
Melbourne Cup Day is always the first Tuesday in November, so one day of annual leave on the Monday before gives you four days off in a row. In 2026, one leave day on Monday 2 November gives a four-day break from Saturday 31 October to Tuesday 3 November.
If your council takes a local race or show day instead, Cup Day is a normal working day where you are. Check Victoria public holidays 2026 for your council’s date.
History
Melbourne Cup Day has been a public holiday in Victoria since 1877, making Melbourne one of the first cities in the world to declare a holiday for a horse race. The Cup has been run at Flemington Racecourse since 1861.
How Australians celebrate
Known as 'the race that stops a nation', the Melbourne Cup is watched by millions across Australia. In Victoria, workplace sweepstakes, fashions on the field, and long lunches are the norm. The race covers 3,200 metres and typically starts at 3pm Melbourne time.
Melbourne Cup Day in other years
Frequently asked questions
When is Melbourne Cup Day in 2026?
Melbourne Cup Day 2026 falls on Tuesday 3 November 2026.
Is Melbourne Cup Day a public holiday in all states?
No, Melbourne Cup Day is observed in VIC only. It is not a national public holiday.
Do I get a day off for Melbourne Cup Day?
Melbourne Cup Day is a gazetted public holiday in VIC. Most workers are entitled to a day off with pay. If you work on the day, penalty rates typically apply as per your award or enterprise agreement.
Does all of Victoria get Melbourne Cup Day off?
Almost all of it. Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday across metropolitan Melbourne and most of regional Victoria. A small number of regional Victorian shires substitute a different local race-day holiday instead, so check with your council or employer if you're based outside greater Melbourne.
Do I get paid extra if I work on Melbourne Cup Day?
If your workplace is in Victoria and you're rostered on Melbourne Cup Day, public holiday penalty rates apply under your award or enterprise agreement, the same as for any other Victorian public holiday.
Is Melbourne Cup Day a full public holiday or a restricted trading day?
It's a full public holiday, not a part-day holiday. Melbourne Cup Day is also not one of Victoria's restricted trading days — only Good Friday, Christmas Day and Anzac Day (before 1pm) carry statewide trading restrictions — so most shops are free to open if they choose to.
Which council areas substitute a different local holiday instead of Melbourne Cup Day?
A small number of non-metropolitan Victorian councils arrange an alternate local public holiday instead of Melbourne Cup Day, each on a date set by the council rather than the first Tuesday in November. Business Victoria publishes the confirmed list each year; councils that have done this include Warrnambool City, Moyne Shire, Greater Geelong City, Macedon Ranges Shire, Wodonga City, Hindmarsh Shire, Yarriambiack Shire, Moira Shire, Mildura Rural City and Greater Bendigo City. If you're in regional Victoria, check with your council or employer rather than assuming the statewide date applies.
When is Melbourne Cup Day in 2027?
Melbourne Cup Day 2027 falls on Tuesday 2 November 2027.
Related tools
Picked for Victoria.
Is today a public holiday?
VICCheck today's public holiday status in every state and territory.
Printable calendar
VICPrint a full year or a single month with public holidays and school terms, or save it as a PDF.
Calendar subscriptions
Add public holidays to Apple Calendar, Google Calendar or Outlook.
Daylight saving
VICSee when the clocks change and which Australian states observe daylight saving.
