C&G Guide to the ANZAC Day Long Weekend

Local Community

Just as we’re polishing off the last of the Easter eggs, we’re in for yet another long weekend with ANZAC Day falling this Friday, 25th April. Some will have dawn services and ANZAC memorial events pencilled in, but today C&G looks at some other events to help you make the most of another few precious days off this long weekend.


Kick off your long weekend early with stylish Collins Street eatery Hare & Grace’s Anzac Eve Wine Dinner, Thursday 24th April. With the playful dress code ‘Risqué’, the dinner will begin with Madame Brussels cocktails and champagne before a banquet assembled by some of Melbourne’s big culinary names. An evening of fun and frivolity indeed! Call (03) 9629 6755 for bookings ($165pp).

Stake a claim at South Wharf’s The Boatbuilder’s Yard on Saturday, 25th April, for the waterfront bar and café’s all-day ANZAC Day event. There’ll be breakfast served from 7am, bocce games all day and the ANZAC Day football clash live from the decks. The Boatbuilder’s Yard will also host Two-Up from 1pm – a game famously illegal every other day of the year except ANZAC Day. For more information see here

Melbourne’s Relay For Life will run at Albert Park this Saturday 26th April, where teams of 10-15 will run or walk a continuous relay for twenty-four hours. This nation-wide community event raises money for the Cancer Council – and you still have time to put together a team and register in person on relay day. There will be events and activities throughout the 24 hours, plus a candlelight ceremony to remember those who have been lost to and fought cancer. 

Don’t miss out on Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival, which will take place both Saturday and Sunday at Federation Square. The festival celebrates both the birth of Buddha as well as the incredible multiculturalism of Melbourne. From tea cup painting and tea serving ceremonies to the evening light offering ceremony, vegetarian cooking demonstrations to food stalls from many Asian regions such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China – the festival is a great way of immersing the whole family in some multicultural fun.