Moomba Parade and Riverside Carnival Magic: Your Melbourne Labour Day Guide

Celebrate the Labour Day Long Weekend in Style

Monday, 9 March 2026, marks the Labour Day public holiday in Victoria, and Melbourne is buzzing with its largest free community celebration. Whether you are looking for family-friendly parades, historic steam trains, or a quiet night at the theater, the city has a packed schedule for the final day of the long weekend.

The 2026 Moomba Parade and Carnival

The crown jewel of today’s festivities is the iconic Moomba Parade, which kicks off at 10:45 AM. The procession starts at the Shrine of Remembrance and travels along Birdwood Avenue, finishing at Linlithgow Avenue. This year, the parade is led by Moomba Monarchs Sammy J and the Red Wiggle, Caterina Mete. Expect to see over 1,800 performers, including dance troupes, community groups, and nine magnificent floats, some of which were designed by local children.

• Moomba Carnival: Located at Birrarung Marr, the carnival is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM today. It features over 30 rides, including the high-flying Lunarix, alongside food trucks and free kids' activities in the Speakers Corner.
• Nightly Fireworks: The festival concludes with a spectacular fireworks display over the Yarra River at 9:00 PM.

Heritage Rail and Local Markets

For those interested in Victoria’s rich industrial history, today is the final day of the Newport Workshops Open Days. Hosted by Steamrail Victoria at the historic workshops in Newport, the event runs from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visitors can explore a massive collection of steam locomotives, vintage carriages, and diesel engines. There are even heritage shuttle buses running from Newport Station to help you reach the site.

If you are in the mood for a market stroll, the Whittlesea Monday Market is confirmed open today from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Unlike many city markets that close for the holiday, this country-style market at the Whittlesea Showgrounds thrives on public holidays with over 120 stalls, fresh produce, and special activities for children, including pony rides and animal farms.

Theater and Fine Art

If you prefer to escape the outdoor crowds, the Melbourne Theatre Company is holding a performance of the dark comedy Do Not Pass Go at the Southbank Theatre (The Lawler) at 7:00 PM. Additionally, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and the Melbourne Museum remain open from 10:00 AM and 9:00 AM respectively. At the NGV, you can catch major exhibitions like "Westwood | Kawakubo" and "Women Photographers 1900-1975" before the holiday rush subsides.