Melbourne Cup Day 2026 in Australia
There are 1 days until Melbourne Cup Day 2026 in Australia — Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
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About Melbourne Cup Day 2026
Melbourne Cup Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, November 3. It falls on a Tuesday — take Monday, November 2 off for a four-day weekend.
Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday across the Australian state of Victoria on the first Tuesday in November, tied to the thoroughbred race run at Flemington since 1861. Elsewhere in Australia it is a normal workday that the whole country stops to watch.
Melbourne Cup Day in other years
| Year | Date | Day | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 3, 2026 | Tuesday | — |
| 2027 | November 2, 2027 | Tuesday | — |
Holidays after Melbourne Cup Day 2026
- Dec 25, 2026 Christmas Day 2026 (Friday)
- Dec 26, 2026 Boxing Day 2026 (Saturday)
- Jan 1, 2027 New Year's Day 2027 (Friday)
- Jan 26, 2027 Australia Day 2027 (Tuesday)
- Mar 26, 2027 Good Friday 2027 (Friday)
Other holidays in November 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2 | Mon | Recreation Day | State/territory holiday |
| Nov 11 | Wed | Remembrance Day | Observance |
| Nov 27 | Fri | Devonport Show | State/territory holiday |
Quick facts
- Date in 2026
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Date rule
- First Tuesday in November (the day after the first Monday)
- Legal status
- Public holiday in Victoria only, under the state's Public Holidays Act 1993
- First run
- November 7, 1861, at Flemington Racecourse; won by Archer
- Holiday since
- A public holiday for much of Victoria since 1876
- Distance
- 3,200 meters — two miles until Australia adopted the metric system in 1972
Frequently asked questions
What day is Melbourne Cup Day in 2026?
Melbourne Cup Day 2026 is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Is Melbourne Cup Day a day off in 2026?
Melbourne Cup Day is a state/territory holiday in the states and territories that observe it, so government offices close. Private employers decide for themselves.
How many days until Melbourne Cup Day 2026?
There are 1 days until Melbourne Cup Day 2026 (November 3, 2026) as of today.