Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival: Your Complete Guide
October 9
Your guide to the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival with key races, race-day fashion, and tips to enjoy every moment of the Carnival at Crown Melbourne.

4 mins read
It’s fashionable. It’s delectable. It’s social. And it’s all a little bit over the top in the best kind of way. It’s the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, and it’s just around the corner. There is no better place to experience the thrill of spring racing than in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, at Crown Melbourne.

What Is the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival?
The Melbourne Cup first ran in 1861, but no one at the time could have ever guessed it would one day become ‘The Race That Stops The Nation’ (and half of New Zealand to boot).
Today, the Melbourne Cup is one of the biggest, most renowned horse racing events in the world, and the Melbourne Spring Carnival refers to the several months of festivities and events surrounding this main race.
An estimated 700 million people tune in to watch the Melbourne Cup, which runs on the first Tuesday of November each year. In more than 150 years, it has only not been held during World War I and World War II and has therefore firmly cemented itself as a key part of Australian culture, and is even recognised as a public holiday in Victoria.
Despite being a series of horse races, there’s so much more to it than that. These events – and the Melbourne Cup in particular – are a chance to go all out with fashion. Think fascinators, oversized hats, cocktail attire, and spectacular accessories.
In other words, this isn’t an event on the social calendar. It is the event on the social calendar.
When Does the Spring Racing Carnival Start?
The Melbourne Spring Carnival calendar kicks off on Saturday, August 30 with the Memsie Stakes Day in Caulfield, and ends on Saturday, December 6 with the Ballarat Cup Day in Ballarat.
The Melbourne Cup is the brightest star in the Spring Racing Carnival, but far from the only event worth attending.
That means that even if you can’t make it to the big event, there are many more to choose from throughout the season. For visitors from outside of Melbourne, attending one of the other key races can make it easier to find accommodation and restaurant reservation spaces during your stay.
Key Races & Spring Racing Events
Spring Racing in Melbourne is so much more than just one event. So if you can’t decide which outfit to showcase this year, you can attend several races and don them all.
Here are some of the biggest races of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival:
- Caulfield Cup Day
- Cox Plate Day
- Victoria Derby (Derby Day)
- Melbourne Cup
- VRC Oaks (Oaks Day)
- TAB Champions (Stakes Day)
Spring Racing Carnival Fashion & Dress Codes
The hats. The dresses. The suits. The smiles.
The Melbourne Racing Carnival is as much about the horses as it is about the outfits, and those who have no interest in the winners on the track may be much more excited about seeing the winners in the fashion field.
This is one of those events where there’s no such thing as too much. It’s an excuse to go big with accessories, hats, fascinators, and incredible style. Both men and women dress up to the nines, and the best-dressed awards typically make it into the news alongside the fastest horses.
Note that there are some fashion guidelines for each of the ‘big four’ cup days:
- Derby Day: Black and white
- Oaks Day: Pastels and florals
- Melbourne Cup Day: Glamorous, avant-garde styles
- Stakes Day: More laid-back, family style

Spring Racing Carnival: Know Before You Go
The most important tip? Book your Melbourne hotel early. Crown hotels offer a huge range of options, yet still often book out for Cup Day and several of the bigger races. The sooner you book, the better deal you will find.
A close second is to make restaurant reservations. Not only is it a public holiday in Victoria, it’s also, quite literally, The Race That Stops The Nation. Naturally, it’s a day when everyone is out celebrating and dining. Be sure to lock in any reservations to ensure you get a seat.
The easiest way to get to Flemington Racecourse from Melbourne CBD is by train. Trains operate on all race days, and it takes just 15 minutes from the Southern Cross Train Station.
Trams, buses, and taxis are also an option. Plus, there are free shuttles from 3pm to 8pm from outside the Phar Lap Entrance of the Crown Casino on Carnival days, making it easy for anyone staying with us – especially those attending in heels.
If you are unable to attend the actual event, keep in mind that just about every bar in the city will be showcasing the Melbourne Spring Carnival, with many encouraging fancy dress to suit the occasion. You can catch every race live on the big screens at The Pub, Sports Bar, and Jackpot Bar.

Experience the Carnival at Crown Melbourne
Be amongst the magic in the heart of the city at Crown for Spring Racing Carnival. We’ve got the nightlife, the dining, and the place to get ready at the start of the day and collapse into a plush bed at the end of the day.
Plus, our proximity to both Caulfield and Flemington make it easy to pop there and back so you don’t miss a minute of the action.
Whether it’s for pre-race drinks, post-race dinner, a night on the town, or live entertainment to keep the party going, it’s all here at Crown.
Explore our restaurant offers and bar offers to see what’s on and what’s on during your stay for the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Celebrate the Carnival in Style at Crown Melbourne
Consider Crown Melbourne as your home base for the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. We’ve got you covered for your stay, your meals, your drinks, and your entertainment in between events.
So, lock in your accommodation, your reservations, and your outfit today. The race is on.
Terms & conditions
Individual venue conditions and opening hours apply. Bookings subject to availability. Menu subject to change and availability. Images for illustration purposes only.