Plan ahead for New Year's Eve with transport, road closure and accessibility info.
The best free and cheap family activities
Need to keep your little mates entertained? Check out these awesome free events and fun adventures for an epic day of fun this Christmas. Some age limits may apply, check with venues before visiting.
When are the school holidays?
The school holidays in Victoria are from Monday 22 December 2025 to Wednesday 28 January 2026.
Driving in?
With more than 70,000 car spaces in the city, you’re never far from Melbourne’s best events. Book ahead at key parking providers to get the best deal.
Free Christmas fun for families
Melbourne City Christmas Treasure Hunt
Collect a map from the Mary Martin Bookshop to go on a magical city treasure hunt.
Free family-friendly events
Distraction
An exhibition that plugs into the torrent of content and places we go when craving distraction.
New Year's Eve in Melbourne
From fireworks to fancy dinners and family fun, Melbourne is the perfect place to celebrate NYE.
Making Memoir of a Snail
Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.
See You in the Soup
Join performer Emma Chandler for an enchanting concert about love, joy and being very, very silly.
Family Art Day: Summer Picnic and Tourmaline
Make collaborative sculptures, puppets and costumes at this family art day and picnic.
Free kids activities
Songbirds
Come along to East Melbourne Library on Thursdays for Songbirds: songs, rhymes and stories.
Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure
A free fun outdoor seek and find adventure around the Fitzroy Gardens.
Shrine Kids
Embark on a family adventure with this engaging program designed for discovery at every turn.
Family Art Day: Summer Picnic and Tourmaline
Make collaborative sculptures, puppets and costumes at this family art day and picnic.
For teens and older kids
The Story of the Moving Image
A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.
Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners
Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.
Polymer Clay Workshop
Create beautiful pairs of earrings and necklaces using polymer clay in this fun workshop.
Riverslide Skate Park
The city's biggest skate park, overlooking the Yarra River and Birrarung Marr.
Hardrock Climbing
The ultimate indoor rock-climbing experience in Melbourne is at Hardrock Climbing.
Hama Film Self Photo Studio
A self-photo studio where you can take amazing photos in special concept rooms.
Hijinx Hotel
No beds here. Just ball pits, bold colours, brain-teasing challenges and a lot of laughter.
Archie Brothers
Archie Brothers delivers circus themed arcade charm, whimsical cocktails, and big-kid energy.
Holey Moley Golf Club
Holey Moley offers a mini golf course and bar with 27 themed holes plus a karaoke room.
Loopy Lab
See how plastic waste is a resource by making your own pen or carabiner from plastic bottle tops.
Events under $20
Pirate Day at Polly Woodside
Come along and experience the pirate life aboard Melbourne's tall ship.
Fitzroy Gardens Nature Navigator
Join a fun and educational kids activity exploring the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens.
Special occasion activities - $20 and over
Storytime Ballet: The Nutcracker
An interactive ballet experience for children, from The Australian Ballet.
Game Worlds
ACMI's new playable exhibition features more than 30 videogames from the 1970s to today.
BBL: Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers
The Melbourne Stars take on the Adelaide Strikers at the 'G for the First Nations match.
LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition
Step into a world of epic battles, spaceships and landscapes from a galaxy far, far away.
Chocolate Family Adventure Day
Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.
Family Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways
Solve clues, taste and collect pre-paid gourmet food on this unique foodie adventure.
Monopoly Dreams
Enjoy a fully immersive and interactive Monopoly experience, featuring games and challenges.
House Down Under
Australia’s favourite inverted house photo experience brings topsy-turvy fun to Melbourne.
Ten Thousand Hours
Eight world-class acrobats compress 10,000 hours of practice into 60 minutes you’ll never forget.
Cats the Musical
Be thrilled by the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical, Cats.
Alice in Wonderland
Join Alice on her amazing journey through Wonderland and experience an adventure like no other.
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame’s immortal story of life on the riverbank is brought to life.
Australian Open
The summer stage for epic tennis, music, entertainment and unforgettable fan moments.
School holiday workshops
Melbourne Paint Lab Art Workshop
At Melbourne Paint Lab you can splash, splatter and drip paint to unleash your inner artist.
Family-friendly attractions
Children's Gallery Melbourne Museum
This is a wondrous place for young children to explore, play and learn.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Discover thousands of aquatic animals in four enchanting worlds at this top Melbourne attraction.
Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
The world’s first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art.
Queen Victoria Market
This beloved Melbourne landmark is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere.
Museum of Chinese Australian History
Museum preserving and displaying the history of Chinese immigration.
Last updated on Tue 23 Dec 2025
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Get the kids out and explore these free events and adventures for an awesome day of fun.
Christmas at QV: Qris Qringle
Feel festive at QV with the 11-metre tall Christmas installation and the Qris Qringle giveaway.
Book Fair Australia
Book Fair Australia is a literary festival that celebrates stories of all genres.