When
Saturday 17 October 2026
1pm to 7pm
Billycart Race:
Heats from 1pm
Celebrity race from 3:15pm
Fashions on the Footpath 4pm
Finals at 4pm
sat 17 october 2026
BillyCart race &
street party
Where
Corner Errol St. and Queensberry St., North Melbourne VIC 3051
Free Entry
Please support the fundraising efforts of billycart racers.
Make a donation to the charitable work of North & West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre
billycart CHALLENGE
Sixty billycart daredevils have registered to race down Errol St. on contraptions of their own design. Entries are now full. No more entries can be accepted - there is always 2027!
1pm: Heats for 7-11 year olds
2:15pm: Heats for 12-17 year olds
2:45pm: Heats for Open Category
3:45pm: Celebrity Races
4:00pm: Fashions on the Footpath
4:15pm: FINALS
5:15pm: Awards Presentation
These are the 2026 terms and conditions. Billycarts must conform to the rules.
EVENT OVERVIEW
Use this to help plan your Queensberry Cup day.
The Queensberry Cup is a street festival and a celebration of the diverse communities of North Melbourne and West Melbourne.
The festival reflects, celebrates and supports the local residents, businesses, students and workers of our dynamic inner city suburbs.
For one day, the main street is closed and turned over to a range of creative and cultural activities!
In 2026 the event celebrates 50 years of North & West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre.
The program is as diverse as our local community. Join in The Famous Village Dog Show, Fashions on the Field, check out the billycart display, play giant Mah Jong, try some new dance styles or listen to music from across the neighbourhood and around the globe.
Dog Show & Fashions on the Footpath
The Famous Village Dog Show returns! Local residents bring their dogs and participate in fun, light-hearted competition. Great prizes thanks to local pet shop Paw Principality.
2pm at the Queensberry Street Stage.
Prizes awarded for best dog outfit; best dog-owner dress sense; best trick; longest drool
Register here for free or take your chances on the day.
Why should dogs have all the fun?
If you like to dress for an occasion, participate in our inaugural Fashions on the Footpath.
Forget the Melbourne Cup marquees. Dress up North (& West) Melbourne style, strut your stuff and earn renown (and prizes).
Register here for free or take your chances on the day.
Bites & Beverages
Celebrating global flavours and good taste from local businesses: The Courthouse Hotel Bar, Bear’s Wine Bar (dim sims), El Sabor (Mexican), Al Makan (Mediterranean), Spanish Gourmet (paella), Melrose Place 3051 (pizza), Whitebark (Australian meats) plus North Melbourne Rotary’s sausage sizzle, Billy Van Creamy ice cream, Lucy's Vietnamese and Wimble St Childcare Co-op cakes.
In 2026, there will be a second food and drink zone in Errol Street (near Arden St) in the XYZ Youth Zone including hot chocolate from Mork.
And a limited release gin from Here's Looking at You Kid.
Half the site is licensed for alcohol consumption. The remainder is alcohol-free.
Plus everything Errol St. has to offer.
Dance & Music
Feel the rhythm with performances and workshops from around the world.
2026 line-up includes:
River Nile School Dancers
Homebrew Verandah Singers
School of Loving Music Ensembles
Zoey Pipa (China)
Special preview performance of Ordinary Heroes
Learn to line dance with Aligned Dance, try Sri Lankan dance with Haveli Studios and witness the enchanting Chinese Arts Association of Melbourne.
Plus check out the new buskers' pitch near North Melbourne Library on Errol Street.
Check out performance times for the Queensberry Street stage.
XYZ Youth Zone
On Errol Street, between the finish line and Arden Street.
A festival within the festival for young people.
Grab something to eat from the food trucks, hang on the grass with friends old or new, then stand up and cheer the young performers on stage.
Afro-hip-hop, K-Pop and new originals from young locals.
Make your own music in the Beat Retreat with Melvin. Get into the free raffle with The Drum and relax in the River Nile School Chillzone.
Plus giant games and handball challenge with the North Melbourne Football Club.
For The Kids
As well as the thrill of watching billycarts careen down Errol St., there is plenty for kids of all ages to get involved with.
NEW: Under 7s Billycart Track. Thrills for the little kids in George Johnson Lane (near the library).
There is also have a colourful rainbow playhouse in Little Errol Street behind the librarny.
Plus make your very own balloon car in the library.
Lancashire Lane is the place for primary school aged kids. Take a photo with the Sewing Kindness mascot bear, decorate your very own cupcake, get crafty with the crazy crew and there's facepainting and hula hoops.
But Wait There's More
Make sure you check out the billycart exhibition along the tramline curve.
Make a Tongan lei in front of Arts House
Play giant Mah Jong near the city-bound tram stop.
Spin the Wheel at North & West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre's Info Stall and take home some awesome prizes.
Catch up with local legendary community organisations including:
Hotham History Project
North Melbourne Language & Learning
North West Patch
Federal MP Sarah Witty
The Greens State MP Ellen Sandell
VISY Container Deposit Scheme
Rafael Camillo, Victorian Liberal Party
SUPPORT THE RACERS
Some of the billycart race entrants have committed not just to racing, but also raising funds for the charitable work of North & West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre.
Show your support for the billycart racers and the local community causes they are supporting, including
learning support for disadvantaged kids
seniors social connection
food security
support for marginalised men
community events and festivals
Everyone who donates $20 of more goes into the running to win some fantastic donor prizes:
Queensberry Cup signature gin from Here's Looking at You Kid (over 18s only)
3 x $50 gift vouchers to Bread Club
Double pass to Society cabaret show, presented by VIVA Melbourne (over 18s only)
2 x Limited edition Queensberry Cup 2026 T-shirt
5 x Queensberry Cup 2026 merch pack
SILENT AUCTION
Local businesses have come to the party and are donating more than thirty different products, services and experiences.
Fancy taking your friends to the Courthouse for dinner? Or seeing VIVA Melbourne's new cabaret show? Driving a V8 car or a helicopter ride? Fine art photography or a signed North Melbourne Kangaroos guernsey? Amazing items at super prices. Bid early and bid often!!
STAGE SCHEDULE
The Main Stage in Queensberry Street (near Leveson Street) is a non-stop showcase of North & West Melbourne culture.
GET INVOLVED
Queensberry Cup relies on volunteers to make the event successful. This is a great opportunity to see what is involved in a community event and contribute to the local community.
Volunteers can be involved in the lead up to the event and/or on the day.
What's in it for you?
Gain experience in events, customer service and local experience
Have lots of fun and have many opportunities to connect with and engage with our local community
Food during the day (lunch and snacks)
$25 gift voucher to be used in North Melbourne
Participation certificate as a thank you for your time and support.
LORD MAYOR's MESSAGE
Nick Reece
Lord Mayor
Proudly presented by North & West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre
2025 RESULTS
Congratulations to the superstars of last year.
Who will take out the cup in 2026?
7-11 year old Finals
12-17 year old Finals
Open Finals
Most Creative
2024 oFFICIAL
reSULTS
congratulations to our winners
2023 OFFICIAL
RESULTS
Congratulations to all riders.
Here are the official results.
Open Category
Congratulations to Orly Furlong who took out the title for the second year running, closely followed by his sister Leni.
12 - 17 Year Olds
Another dual winner, Levi Haydon-Wimmer came out on top of a strong field.
7 - 11 Year Olds
Orly Furlong also took out the 7-11 year old category. Ned Lock from Castlemaine was not far behind.
North & West melbourne neighbourhood Centre
Queensberry Cup is presented by North & West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre Inc.
NWMNC is a not-for-profit incorporated charity situated in Errol Street in the heart of North & West Melbourne.
NWMNC has now been in operation for 40 years and is proudly run by a loyal and committed team of volunteers and paid staff. Our members and clientele cover a diverse range of individuals and organisations exemplifying the richness of the local community.