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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.

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Melbourne Cup Day 2026 by state

VIC

3 November

Tuesday

Public holiday
Good to know: Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday across metropolitan Melbourne and almost all of regional Victoria. A small number of regional shires substitute a local race-day holiday on a different date instead — check with your council or employer if you're based outside greater Melbourne.

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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.

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More on public holidays.

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