Where to go if you don’t want to watch the Melbourne Cup horse racing cruelty

If you’re after an ethical alternative to the traditional Melbourne Cup boozy lunch and horse racing cruelty, here are some of the venues that will be offering some horse-free fun.

• New South Wales
• Queensland
• Victoria
• South Australia

New South Wales

Melbourne Cup Rally

Martin Place | Tuesday, 5^th November from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm 

Sydney: Join us and our comrades from other animal groups to protest the (disg)race that stops the nation. Animal rights advocate, Abigail Boyd, will be joining us and she will be speaking at 12 pm.

Choose Kindness

The Stables at Highlands Centre for Healing | Tuesday, 5^th November at 12 pm    

Avoca: Join for a delicious, light lunch for just $30 and get the chance to meet an incredible therapy herd, which includes two retired racehorses PJ and George who are now able to enjoy life of care and love. This your chance to connect with these sweet animals and learn a little more about them.

Nup To The Cup At The Sanctuary

The Owl & The PussyCat Farm Animal Sanctuary | Sunday, 10^th November at 3 pm

Crabbes Creek: Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon with the rescue residents at the sanctuary as you learn about their unique personalities and individual rescue stories at the 130-acre paradise in the north of Byron Bay. What makes this fundraising event even more special is that it’s held in honour of the life of Gemma, an ex-racehorse, and all those who’ve lost their precious lives to horse racing cruelty. All proceeds go directly to supporting the rescue residents and ongoing life-saving work.

Nup To The Cup Portland

The Annexe | Tuesday, 5^th November at 12 pm 

Portland: Book your spot now for $70 to join the sensational vegan chef Tenille Evans from Secret Creek Cafe & Vegan Weddings and Kellie Evans from The Annexe in Portland. Prepare to enjoy some delicious vegan eats and drinks at this fantastic location. Your ticket includes arrival cocktail/mocktail, yummy vegan food, drinks and a donation to the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses.

Queensland

High Tea Fundraiser Featuring The Canine Cup

Serbian Cultural & Information Center Cairns Inc. | Sunday, 3^rd November from 1 pm to 4 pm

Edge Hill: Come along for a fun afternoon to watch ‘The Canine Cup’ – pre-recorded cruelty-free videos of dogs - which does not involve whips, drugs, or any added weight. Join in on the fun for $35 per person. Enjoy delicious canapes and tea and take part in some exciting games and activities. You will also be making a meaningful difference as all proceeds raised on the day will be donated to the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses.

Melbourne Cup Protest Brisbane

Eagle Farm Racecourse | Tuesday, 5^th November at 10 am

Brisbane: Grab your friends and join in to protest the (disg)race that stops the nation. Organised by AnimalKind and Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses, this event will be followed by their very own 'Nup to the Cup' event at Naim. Meet like-minded people as you say no to horse racing cruelty.

Nup to the Cup Party

Naim | Tuesday, 5^th November at 1 pm

Brisbane: If you’re looking for a fun way to say ‘nup’ to cruel horse racing, put on your best outfit and head to this event in support of AnimalKind. Tickets for $110 per person, which includes 90 mins of drinks, food and a 3-hour event. The best part? A portion of ticket sales will go directly to the charity as a donation.

Victoria

Nup to the Cup at Glou Sustainable Wine Dispensary

Glou | Tuesday, 5^th November at 2 pm

Collingwood: Celebrate saying ‘nup’ to horse racing cruelty with special cocktails and spritzes in the sunshine. Meet like-minded animal lovers and join together to give horse racing and the Melbourne Cup a big miss.

Shut The Cup Up in Concert

The Tote | Monday, 4^th November at 7:30 pm

Collingwood: Grab your friends and enjoy an evening of music at Shut the Cup Up - a fundraiser by an awesome line up of bands who believe the Melbourne Cup needs to end. Tickets are $16.35 per person and all proceeds from this event (after meeting production costs) will be donated to help ex-racehorses.

Selby Nup to the Cup: Afternoon Tea for the Animals

Selby Community House | Tuesday, 5^th November at 2 pm

Selby: Prepare to savour a wide range of sweet and savoury treats made with love and compassion at this vegan high tea event. If you’d like to enjoy some sparkling wine, tea, or coffee, and some live performances while saying ‘nup’ to the cup, this event is for you So come along with friends and family to relax in a festive and friendly community atmosphere with music, games for kids and a chance to win some great prizes in the raffle.

Nup to the Cup on Derby Day

Flemington Racecourse | Saturday, 2^nd November at 10:30 am

Melbourne: Join the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses to say ‘nup’ to the cup and take a stand for horses on Derby Day. This race day marks the start of the Victoria Racing Club’s Melbourne Cup carnival held at Flemington racecourse. For this one, you’re advised to dress as if you were going to the races and placards and banners will be provided.

The Official Melbourne Cup Protest & Picnic

Flemington Racecourse | Tuesday, 5^th November at 10 am

Melbourne: Get ready to join the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses for their traditional protest and picnic at Flemington Racecourse on the Melbourne Cup Day to say ‘nup’ to horse racing cruelty. Bring your drinks and some food to share, and dress as if you were going to the races.

Vegan Takeover at Welcome to Thornbury

Welcome to Thornbury | Tuesday, 5^th November from 12 pm to 8 pm

Melbourne: Prepare to say no to horse racing cruelty with a Vegan Takeover at Welcome To Thornbury featuring Melbourne's best vegan small businesses and charities. This event includes delicious vegan food, animal charities, music, flash tattoo artists, cocktails and a mega raffle.

Tasmania  

Defund Tasracing: Nup to the Cup

Intersection of Murray and Macquarie streets | Tuesday, 5^th November at 8  

Hobart: Come join Animal Liberation Tasmania, Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses, and various community groups to protest horse racing cruelty. Head over here before work or school or even on your morning run to show your support. Placards will be provided.

#NupToTheCup Picnic at UTAS Sandy Bay Campus

Outside Lazenby’s Cafe | Tuesday, 5^th November at 11:30 am 

Hobart: Bring your friends and join this picnic on the lawn to protest the (disg)race that stops the nation. You’ll be provided with picnic blankets and games to play. Come show your support!

South Australia

Collage and Sip  

Banham House | Tuesday, 5^th November at 1 pm

Blackwood: Join in for a fun and creative collage workshop with artist Renee Goulding at her Blackwood studio. This event is suitable for all skill levels. Bring your snacks and drinks and say no to cruel horse racing with like-minded people.

Nup to the Cup at Morphettville

Morphettville Tramstop Entrance | Tuesday, 5^th November at 10:30 am  

Morphettville: Head over to Animal Liberation South Australia for a silent vigil and stand strong against horse racing cruelty at Morphettville Racecourse.

Nup to the Cup Events are alternative events to the Melbourne Cup and are designed to show that there can be entertainment and glamor without exploiting animals.