Your guide to the best events across Melbourne in October

What’s on in Melbourne this month.

October is here and daylight savings has gifted us an extra hour, and some extra sunshine, to fit everything Melbourne has to offer this month into our schedules.

Alongside Melbourne Fashion Week, there’s an exciting lineup of free events, pop-ups, markets and workshops happening around the city. With so many chances to get out and about this October, we’ve rounded up our guide to the best events to add to your calendar.

Stay updated on the latest fashion and design events at FJ’s Events section.

Events on in Melbourne

Finders Keepers Market 

Melbourne’s biggest design market returns to the Royal Exhibition Building from Friday, October 10 to Sunday, October 12, bringing together a curated lineup of hundreds of Australia’s most innovative designers. With over 260 independent stalls and more than 50 food and drink vendors, you can explore a range of fashion, ceramics, art, homewares and jewellery, all while supporting independent Australian design.  

For more details, head here.

Melbourne Fringe Festival 

If you’re after some live entertainment, Victoria’s longest-running arts event, Melbourne Fringe Festival, is on now until October 19. With over 500 events happening all across the city, it’s the perfect chance to dip your toes into theatre or catch a gig from an emerging Aussie artist. From plays to cabaret, comedy, parties and everything in between, there’s an abundance of original Australian work to check out. You can even browse shows by the theme on the website to find something that suits your taste. 

For more details, head here.

Itadaki store pop-up 

Androgynous streetwear brand, Itadaki, is back in Melbourne to host a four-day pop-up. Open from 10am to 6pm everyday, from Friday 17 to Monday 20, you can swing by Hawker Spaces in Fitzroy to try and buy their latest collection. The team will also be releasing exclusive pieces and fresh colourways, alongside new additions to the brand such as jewellery and Itadaki’s very own matcha line. 

For more details, head here.

Second Life Archive market

Perfectly timed to pick up some new archival pieces for Melbourne Fashion Week, Second Hand Markets is bringing Second Life Archive back to Melbourne. On October 19, head to 524 Flinders Street to browse a range of stallholders stocking their best selection of archival goods. Make sure to pre-purchase tickets online, as there is limited capacity per hour.

For more details, head here.

Trashi and Reh Liquids Clothing Exchange

Trashi Exchange is teaming up with Reh Liquids to host a spring evening clothing exchange. From 8pm, bring along one to 10 clothing items you’re wanting to pass on and you’ll earn tokens you can use to shop other attendees’ pre-loved wardrobes. A ticket to the event gets you a complimentary drink, so you can swap and sip as you enjoy food, live music and score some new pieces for your spring wardrobe. 

For more details, head here.

Amplified Textiles Workshop with Sandy Ma

Australian artist and educator Sandy Ma is hosting an interactive workshop exploring how fabric and circuitry can come together. On Saturday October 18 at the Science Gallery in Melbourne, participants will experiment with sewing and electronics using conductive thread and Sandy’s custom-made software. You’ll get to experience her installations, which are designed to be touched, while creating tactile, personal projects that encourage reflection on your own relationship with technology.

For more details, head here.

Fiend pop-up at Same Page Art Book Fair 

Online bookstore, Fiend, is hosting a physical pop-up in Melbourne with a stall at the Same Page Art Book Fair at Gertrude Contemporary on the weekend of October 18 to 19. The fair showcases innovative independent publishers and small-scale local imprints. Fiend’s stall will stock a range of local and international zines, small press and independent titles.

For more details, head here.

Melbourne Fashion Week

The highly-anticipated Melbourne Fashion Week is back on October 20 for a full week of events (including free ones!) celebrating the city’s thriving fashion scene. This year, it will showcase six exclusive runways across the city, alongside more than 100 free and ticketed events, featuring the work of over 300 talented designers.

For a complete rundown, check out our guide to the program with a selection of the top free events you won’t want to miss below:

Little Bourke Street Runway presented by Emporium Melbourne

Melbourne’s premier retail destination, Emporium, brings its retailers’ collections to life along Little Bourke Street with its annual outdoor runway. This free event showcases luxury designs from leading local and international brands, including Aje Studio, Calibre, Husk, Marimekko, Oroton, Salomon and Sandro. Experience vibrant, tailored collections coming together in a celebration of Melbourne style.

To find out more head here.

Valuing the Handmade Workshop

RMIT will be running a free workshop on October 21 celebrating the value of DIY clothing. The event will explore how handmade clothing can challenge fast fashion systems by prioritising the environmental and social value of our clothes. Anyone with experience in sewing or mending is invited to attend and share their stories, skills and practices with a community of like-minded creatives.

To find out more and register for free, head here.

Tomorrow Publications Fashion and Art Book Installation

Online bookseller Tomorrow Publications will host a pop-up with a curated selection of new, vintage and rare fashion and beauty books. For the week of October 20, you can visit Dot Comme at Curtin House in Melbourne’s CBD and shop a library of literature celebrating global hair and makeup traditions.

For more details on the event, head here.

To explore more events on in Melbourne, head here.