Big Days News

Australia’s racing calendar peaks with the Melbourne Cup Carnival 2025, and fans nationwide are preparing for a week of racing, fashion, food, and festivities. Pubs, clubs, bars, and restaurants across the country are set to host themed lunches, watch parties, and celebratory events so everyone can join in the excitement.

Key Dates for the Melbourne Cup Carnival 2025

• Derby Day: Saturday, 1 November 2025 – traditional opening day of the carnival with the Victoria Derby as the highlight.
• Melbourne Cup Day (Cup Day): Tuesday, 4 November 2025 – the nation stops to watch the race that stops a nation.
• Oaks Day: Thursday, 6 November 2025 – also known as Ladies’ Day, celebrated with fashion, racing, and social gatherings.
• Stakes Day: Saturday, 8 November 2025 – the carnival wraps up with the final day of top-level racing and celebrations.

What to Expect at Melbourne Cup Events

While Flemington Racecourse is the epicentre, the Melbourne Cup Carnival extends far beyond the track. Across Australia, venues are offering:

• Watch parties with big screens for live race coverage.
• Lunch and dining specials including themed menus, high teas, and sharing platters.
• Fashion-inspired events with opportunities to dress up and join the fun.
• Sweepstakes and racing tips for groups to get in on the friendly competition.
• Live entertainment ranging from DJs and bands to themed décor enhancing the Cup Day atmosphere.

Whether you’re a racing enthusiast, a social diner, or just in it for the celebration, there’s something for everyone during the carnival.

Planning Your Cup Week Celebrations

• Book early: Popular venues fill quickly, particularly for Oaks Day, Cup Day, and Derby Day events.
• Dress to impress: Many events celebrate fashion and hats, so consider themed outfits for a true carnival experience.
• Join friends or colleagues: Make the day memorable with group reservations or themed get-togethers.
• Stay informed: Check event schedules and start times to plan your day efficiently.

Make Melbourne Cup Carnival a Big Day

For inspiration, tips, and ideas to make the most of the carnival, visit CupDay.com.au — your guide to planning and celebrating the Melbourne Cup in style.

To learn more about Melbourne Cup Day’s history, traditions, and what the day is all about, check out our Cup Day page.

From Derby Day to Stakes Day, the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival promises thrilling racing, social fun, and unforgettable memories. Get ready to cheer, toast, and celebrate!

Australia is gearing up for a frightfully fun Halloween 2025, with celebrations set to take over pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants across the country. From family-friendly afternoons to costume-filled parties after dark, venues are transforming into haunted hubs of Halloween activity.

Key Date

• Halloween 2025 falls on Friday, 31 October.
  While not a public holiday, it’s one of the most anticipated themed days on the calendar — blending family fun, food, dress-ups and nightlife entertainment across the final weekend of October.

Family-Friendly Halloween Festivities

More and more venues are adding daytime events so families can join in the fun before the spooky night begins. Expect:

• Kids’ Halloween parties with games, trick-or-treat stations, and themed activities.
• Face painting and costume parades encouraging little ones to show off their spooky style.
• Halloween-themed menus featuring pumpkin dishes, themed desserts and non-alcoholic “mocktail potions.”
• Craft corners and colouring competitions in restaurants and bistros to keep the fun light and family-oriented.

These early sessions often wrap up before sunset — making way for evening entertainment targeted at adults later on.

Nightlife After Dark

Once the kids are home counting lollies, the night shifts gears. Across Australia, bars, pubs and clubs are readying for:

• Costume parties & spooky-themed nights with prizes for best dressed.
• Live DJs and entertainment inspired by horror classics and Halloween anthems.
• Themed cocktails and drinks designed to match the eerie atmosphere.
• Immersive décor featuring cobwebs, pumpkins, lighting effects and fog machines to set the spooky mood.

Some venues are even running Halloween weekends, giving guests multiple nights to celebrate in style.

How to Make the Most of Halloween 2025

• Families: Book early for daytime events and kids’ activities — these sell out fast!
• Groups: Organise themed outfits for photo ops or competitions.
• Venues: Promote both family and adult sessions separately to cater to different audiences.
• Everyone: Stay safe, plan transport, and enjoy the Halloween spirit responsibly.

Plan Your Halloween the BigDays Way

Whether you’re after spooky nightlife or wholesome family fun, there’s something for everyone this Halloween. For creative inspiration, décor ideas, and themed event planning tips, head to HallowsEve.com.au — your ultimate guide to making Halloween one of the year’s Big Days.

To learn more about Halloween’s origins, traditions and how it’s celebrated across Australia, visit our Halloween page for all the details.

It’s time to dust off your costumes and light those pumpkins — Halloween 2025 is coming, and the excitement is brewing.

Get ready to raise your stein — Oktoberfest 2025 is shaping up to be a month of celebrations across Australia. Pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants are gearing up to host Bavarian-style soirées filled with live music, German food, special drinks, cultural flair and communal cheer.

Key Dates & Timing

• The official Munich Oktoberfest 2025 runs from Sunday, 20 September to Sunday, 5 October 2025, following the traditional pattern of mid-September through early October.
• Across Australia, local Oktoberfest events are spread throughout October, with major single-day celebrations scheduled in many cities.

These dates offer a wide window for venues to plan themed nights, extended weekends, or Oktoberfest runs.

What to Expect from Oktoberfest Events

But what does Oktoberfest look like in a pub or bar setting? Here’s what patrons and operators can anticipate:

• Live music & entertainment — traditional German bands, brass, folk, polka, DJ sets with Bavarian flair.
• Themed food & drink menus — think bratwursts, pretzels, sauerkraut, schnitzel, beer, cider and German-style beverages.
• Atmospheric décor & dress-ups — decorations, flags, bunting, and patrons encouraged to wear lederhosen, dirndls, alpine costumes or Bavarian accessories.
• Cultural activities & competitions — stein-holding challenges, yodelling, best dressed, Bavarian trivia or folk dance.
• Extended hours & festival mood — venues may run special sessions over multiple nights or weekends to capture the Oktoberfest spirit.

Tips for Venues & Patrons

• Start planning early: secure supply of themed food/drink items, book entertainment, and promote well in advance.
• Offer package deals: meal+drink combos, early-bird specials, group bookings.
• Promote dress code: encourage patrons to dress in Oktoberfest style to enhance atmosphere.
• Create experience zones: designate areas for music, dancing, quieter seating or cultural displays.
• Cross-promote local events: link with city-wide Oktoberfest celebrations to drive foot traffic to your venue.

Join the Oktoberfest Movement Across Australia

Oktoberfest has grown far beyond Munich — it’s now a catalyst for cultural fun and community gatherings across Australia. If you’re after ideas, planning tips, themes or inspiration for your event, head to Oktfest.com.au — they’re curating the Big Days of Oktoberfest you’ll want to know about.

For full background, history on what Oktoberfest is all about, visit our Oktoberfest page. It’s your go-to hub for understanding and celebrating this German festival in Australian style.

Let the steins clink and the music play — Prost to Oktoberfest 2025!

Get ready for two of Australia’s biggest sporting weekends — AFL Grand Final Day and NRL Grand Final Day — with fans nationwide spilling into pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants to cheer, toast and celebrate together.

Key Dates to Circle

• The 2025 AFL Grand Final will be played on Saturday, 27 September 2025, with the match kicking off at 2:30 pm AEST.

• The 2025 NRL Grand Final is scheduled for Sunday, 5 October 2025, with kick-off at 7:30 pm AEDT.

Whether you’re planning ahead for the AFL showdown or counting down to the NRL decider, the demand for lively, atmosphere-filled venues to watch these matches is already growing.

Why Grand Final Watch Parties Are a Must

While many fans may watch from home or stream the games, nothing quite matches the energy of a shared crowd cheering on their team. Bars and pubs across the country are gearing up to host:

• Big-screen viewing setups

• Themed food and drink specials

• Premium seating areas for groups

• Pre-match build-up shows and coverage

• Prize draws, giveaways and fan engagement

These events are ideal for footy lovers, social groups, work teams, or anyone wanting to soak up the grand final atmosphere with fellow supporters.

What to Expect & How to Plan

• Arrive early: top venues will fill fast, so head in well before kick-off to secure a good seat.

• Check for booking options or RSVP requirements, especially for larger groups.

• Keep an eye out for promotions tied to the Grand Final (food & drink specials or themed packages) — but remember to check the fine print (no booking fees, minimum spends, etc.).

• Share the excitement: encourage friends, family or colleagues to join in and make it a social event.

• Spread the word: many venues will advertise on social media or via local networks — follow your favourite pubs and clubs for updates.

Spread the Word, Spread the Footy Spirit

Grand Final Day is more than just a game — it’s a cultural moment across Australia. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to make the day memorable, jump over to GrandFinalDay.com.au — they’ve got ideas, planning tips and fan-friendly content to help you make it a big one.

For comprehensive information and more on Grand Final Day, head over to our Grand Final Day page.

Let the cheers begin — the countdown to Grand Final Day 2025 is on!

Each September, Brisbane’s skyline is transformed into a dazzling canvas of colour, sound, and celebration as Riverfire lights up the city. In 2025, the spectacular returns on Saturday, 6 September, marking the official opening of Brisbane Festival and drawing thousands of locals and visitors alike.

More than just fireworks, Riverfire is a full-city celebration. From the rumble of aerial displays to the breathtaking pyrotechnics launched from bridges, barges, and rooftops, every corner of Brisbane comes alive. Families gather along the riverbanks, friends meet at rooftop bars, and the entire community unites for one unforgettable night.

Riverfire has earned its reputation as one of Australia’s largest and most anticipated fireworks displays. It’s a cultural milestone that blends art, performance, and community spirit—cementing itself as a true “Big Day” on Brisbane’s calendar.

Whether it’s your first time experiencing Riverfire or an annual tradition, 2025 promises to be bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever.

Plan your Big Day now at Riverfire.com.au.

The countdown is on — Picnic Day 2025 is just around the corner, and the Northern Territory is gearing up for one of its most loved public holidays. Held on the first Monday in August, Picnic Day is a true Territory tradition, offering locals a chance to relax, reconnect, and celebrate all things NT.

From Darwin to Alice Springs, Katherine to Tennant Creek, the Territory will come alive with community events, outdoor gatherings, and vibrant hospitality celebrations. Expect open-air picnics, family-friendly festivities, and bustling venues as restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs embrace the long weekend with top end flair, local flavours, and laid-back energy.

Whether you’re planning a casual catch-up in the park or a night out with mates, Picnic Day 2025 is shaping up to be a Big Day in every sense — food, fun and Territory spirit on full display.

For more on what’s happening and how to celebrate, head to PicnicDay.com.au.

July 14, 2025 is set to bring a wave of French-inspired celebration across Australia, as cities prepare to embrace Bastille Day with a mix of community events, cultural festivities, and themed dining experiences.

In Melbourne, laneways and local venues will come alive with music, winter charm, and a dash of Parisian flair. Sydney is expected to host rooftop gatherings and waterfront celebrations, while Brisbane will bring its signature relaxed energy to riverfront dining and outdoor events. Over in Perth, revellers will enjoy a mix of stylish nights out and alfresco fun under the stars.

From French flags and fairy lights to cheese boards and Champagne, Australians will celebrate the French National Day with creativity and enthusiasm. Whether joining a public event or planning a low-key gathering at home, Bastille Day 2025 promises to be one of the year’s most vibrant mid-winter highlights.

For ideas, inspiration, and event guides in your city, head to BastilleDay.au — your destination for celebrating July 14 across Australia.

When the Australian winter settles in, there’s no better way to chase away the chill than by hosting a cosy, festive Christmas in July dinner party at home.

Christmas in July has become an increasingly popular celebration across Australia, combining the cosiness of winter with the festive spirit usually reserved for December. It’s the perfect atmosphere for good food, great company, and festive fun. Here’s how to pull off a memorable evening.Continue reading→

Territory Day is more than just fireworks — it’s the Northern Territory’s biggest celebration of culture, community, and good times. Every July 1st, locals and visitors come together across Darwin, Palmerston, Alice Springs and beyond to mark the Territory’s unique spirit with a night full of food, drinks, and entertainment.

From waterfront pubs and bustling bars to lively clubs and laid-back restaurants, hospitality venues across the NT come alive with Territory Day energy. Live music, themed menus, and vibrant atmospheres make it the perfect time to gather with mates and celebrate all things NT.

Whether you’re planning dinner and drinks, looking for the best firework viewing spots, or just want to be where the action is — Territory Day delivers.

For ideas, events and where to go, head to TerritoryDay.com and make the most of the Top End’s biggest night.

Canada Day is set to take over Australia on Tuesday, July 1st, with major celebrations lighting up cities from Melbourne to Perth. What began as a patriotic holiday in the northern hemisphere has become a big day Down Under — one packed with Canadian food, music, and maple-leaf spirit.

Bars and restaurants across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth are joining the festivities, decking out in red and white and serving up Canadian classics like poutine, Bloody Caesars, and craft beers from the Great White North. Expect live music, DJs, themed menus, trivia, hockey jerseys, and more as local venues embrace the fun.

Whether you’re Canadian, Canadian-adjacent, or just love a good time, there’s a party waiting near you.

Find your local celebration and explore what Canada Day means at CanadaDay.com.au.