The Dumpling Festival returns on 2nd November with free entry and dumplings from around the world
Melbourne’s Dumpling Festival is returning to Queen Victoria Market on 2nd November, bringing a day of dumplings, food, music and cultural performances to the city.
The Melbourne International Dumpling Festival will take place on Melbourne Cup Eve, running from 12pm to 10pm with free entry for visitors who register online. It is the first time the festival has returned since 2019, following a seven-year break.
The event will take over Queen Victoria Market, with festival-goers able to explore dumpling traditions from different parts of the world. The festival organisers have listed examples including Chinese jiaozi and xiao long bao, Japanese gyoza, Nepalese momo, Korean mandu, Georgian khinkali and Polish pierogi.
Other dumpling traditions referenced by the festival include ravioli and manti, reflecting the broader idea behind the event: dumplings are not limited to one cuisine or region.
What to expect at the 2026 festival
The festival will feature food stalls alongside desserts, drinks, live music, multicultural performances and entertainment.
Queen Victoria Market says visitors can expect dozens of dumpling vendors, with the event fully undercover beneath the market’s heritage sheds. The venue is also step-free and pram and wheelchair friendly.
The 2026 vendor line-up and menus have not yet been announced, so the dumpling styles listed by the organisers should be viewed as examples of the traditions being celebrated rather than a confirmed food line-up.
The festival is being presented by Inhale Culture Celebrate Life, an Australian charity that runs cultural festivals centred on food, music, performance and community. The organisation previously presented MOMO Fest Melbourne at Footscray Park in April 2026.
For anyone planning a visit, the festival will be held at Queen Victoria Market, with free entry available through online registration. The event is open to all ages.
Event Details
Date: Monday, 2nd November 2026
Time: 12pm to 10pm
Location: Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne
Entry: Free, with online registration required
