Your money’s no good here, put it away and read this roundup of the free things you can do in Melbourne this month
Night Market
Transport yourself to the streets of Asia on Wednesday nights from 19 September to 24 October at the Hawker 88 Night Market at Queen Victoria Market. Feast on authentic street food from across the continent, from China to India, Vietnam to Korea, and Malaysia to Japan with more than 20 food stalls dishing up tasty fare from far flung corners of the Orient. Go for the sticky pork buns, stay for the K-Pop and karaoke!
Exhibition
Get a glimpse of life in Melbourne in the ’70s at Putting it Out There: Melbourne in the 1970s, a free exhibition at the Royal Historical Society of Victoria which runs until January 2019. Discover a burgeoning social climate of activism, politics and community which influenced music, theatre and fashion, giving way to subcultures like the Sharpies and Surfies. Clothing, records, posters and kitchen gadgets feature in this trip back to an iconic decade. More details here.
Yoga
Prepare your mind and body with one of or all four FREE early morning mindful yoga flows led by Happy Melon’s senior teachers. Gain insights on to improve your focus, increase your connectivity and lower your stress levels in the sixty-minute sessions, which rounds off with a short meditation to for your daily dose of zen. Designed for all fitness levels and you don’t need anything except to bring your own mat. No bookings, just turn up at MPavillion on Fridays 12, 19, 26 October and 2 November. More details here.
Exhibition
Artist Rebecca Hastings explores a hypothetical future where today’s environmental and social anxieties about the future, exist. Explore the god-like portraits at The Eternal Youths from 23 October – 10 November at Flinders Lane Gallery. Free entry
Market
The urban wellness boho vibe of Byron Bay works its way into Melbourne on Sunday 28 October at the Boho Luxe Spring Festival. Shop the boutique Byron Bay labels that you’ve been coveting on Instagram then join in one of the two wellness journeys that include meditation, talks on health and wellbeing and witness a live medium show. The bohemian marketplace is our favourite price – free – while the two journeys are ticketed.
Dog Walking Adventures
Join the pack with Tom + Captain Dog Walking Adventure for a dog-filled meander through the city laneways and streets. This open to dog-owners and friends of dogs who just fancy running with our city’s hounds. The fun starts at MPavilion on Saturday 13 October, 3 November, 8 December, 12 January and 2 February from 10-11am.
Exhibition
Get up close and personal with the world of zines at Zine Enclosure by Sticky Institute, a curated collection of zines from the ever-changing selection on show and sale at zine resource, Sticky Institute. Runs until 31 December.
Tour
Take a peek behind the scenes where the political hotbed of the Parliament of Victoria takes place. Tours are held daily and you don’t need to book. Oh, and selfies are encourages. Get snappin’ Book here.
Market
Get all your Christmas shopping done in one go at The Melbourne Collective Market. Grab a coffee and the require sweet treats and peruse the work of local creatives while pondering what to get for your uncle Alan. Join in the day’s festivities, live music and congratulate yourself on getting all your gift shopping done by stopping by the Prosecco van to enjoy a glass of bubbly. Not an elbow in sight! Federation Square Sunday 11 November 10am – 4pm
No money? No problem! Want to keep up to date with all that’s free in Melbourne? Check back here on the regular and we’ll round up it up for you.