The best free and cheap family activities

Need to keep your little mates entertained these summer holidays? Check out these awesome free events, festive fun and family-friendly adventures.

A glowing neon river show at night with Melbourne's city skyline in the background

When are the school holidays?

The school holidays in Victoria are from Saturday 19 December 2026 to Tuesday, 26 January 2027.

When is public transport half price during the school holidays?

Public transport is half price in Victoria until the end of the year. This includes Melbourne trains, trams and buses as well as regional trains, coaches and buses. Check the full details.

Free Christmas events

A scene from the Myer Christmas Windows showing the toys from Toy Story in a child's bedroom.
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Myer Christmas Windows

The beloved Bourke Street tradition will return with a new festive theme for the 71st season.

A giant illuminated purple Christmas Tree at Federation Square, surrounded by people and view of Flinders St Station and city buildings in the background.
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Christmas Square

Discover a Christmas wonderland featuring the city’s beloved tree.

Lit Christmas tree in Fed Square with crowds of people around it and city buildings against a night sky in the background.

Christmas Tree Lighting

See the city light up as the Christmas celebrations begin.

Coloured pink lights illuminate water sprays high in the air on the Yarra River at night with a crowd watching from the promenade.
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Crown Christmas River Show

Be dazzled by a spectacular water, laser and light show on the Yarra River.

Koorie Klaus giving a present to a small boy in Fed Square.

Koorie Krismas

Koorie Krismas is a free, family-friendly event where culture, creativity, and joy come together.

A person wearing a green, inflatable Christmas Tree mascot costume holding hands with a young child in a festive outdoor setting.
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Mr Fantastico's Christmas Rooftop Carnival

Free Christmas fun with live performances, Santa activities and creative workshops.

People gathered at Fed Square watching a movie on the large outdoor screen, some in deckchairs, with a blue sky and tall city buildings in the background.
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Christmas Outdoor Cinema

In the lead-up to Christmas Day, enjoy free Christmas and festive films at Fed Square.

A busy outdoor market with colourful tents lining a pedestrian walkway alongside tall palm trees and crowds of visitors.

Christmas Docklands Waterfront Farmers' Market

Celebrate the festive season at the Docklands Waterfront Farmers’ Market this December.

Free family-friendly events

Aerial view of an outdoor market on Southbank promenade, showing the Yarra River with boats on the right, market umbrellas and stalls on the concourse and city buildings in the background.
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Southbank Makers Market

Explore the Southbank Makers Market every Sunday on the promenade at Southgate.

Illustrations of two children with clipboards in (real) garden setting.
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Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

A free fun outdoor seek and find adventure around the Fitzroy Gardens.

Group of children seated on the floor while adults look on.
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Auslan Storytime

Bringing stories to life through visual language and movement, 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month.

A still from a videogame depicting a Chinese soldier fighting two warriors in front of an ancient Chinese temple.
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Feng Mengbo: Long March Restart

An free exhibition that playfully reimagines modern Chinese history as a videogame.

A drawing of three dolls dressed in kimonos against a mint green background.
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Japanese Storytime

Visit City Library for immersive Japanese language storytime.

A team of people holding up a long Chinese dragon at an outdoor festival.
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Colours of Asia: Garden of Wonders

Come and discover where cultures bloom, stories come alive, and wonders await.

Inside a small shop filled with sparkly decorations and plastic novelty goods.
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Squish, Twist, Fizz: Mika Rottenberg for Kids

A new children's exhibition by Mika Rottenberg as part of 2026 NGV Triennial.

Free kids activities

Young children and their parents listening to a story book being read aloud in a colourful environment with large dinosaur cutouts.
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Dino Days

Young dinosaur enthusiasts, aged 3-5 years, are invited to explore all things dinosaur.

A preschool aged child with curly hair wearing a red dress, holding open a book and looking at it.
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Preschool Storytime

Sing songs and read stories with your young child at North Melbourne Library.

A woman holding a picture book titled 'Ruffles' and also holding a dog toy in a library reading area.
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Songbirds

Come along to East Melbourne Library on Thursdays for Songbirds: songs, rhymes and stories.

A smiling adult holding a ukulele seated at a low table, with two picture books resting on the table, in a library setting.
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Preschool Storytime

Share the wonder of books with your children at narrm ngarrgu Library.

A smiling woman with a ukulele seated at a desk with two picture books on display.
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Stompers

Join in the Stompers fun with your toddler at narrm ngarrgu Library every Friday.

Illustrations of two children with clipboards in (real) garden setting.
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Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

A free fun outdoor seek and find adventure around the Fitzroy Gardens.

Three toy robots in various stages of being built, on an orange surface.
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STEAM After School at narrm ngarrgu Library

Explore the fun of science, technology, engineering, art and maths with hands-on activities.

Deals, discounts and pop-ups

A mother and two young children on the deck of a ferry looking out across the water.

Port Phillip Ferries

Kids (4-16 years) travel free on these weekly 2.5hour cruises, Tuesdays 9.30am-12.15pm, T&Cs apply.

Special offer
Cartoon style illustration of children with painted faces, against a blue background.

The Wharf Hotel

Enjoy free family activities every Sunday, incl. face painting, magicians & balloon twisters, 1-4pm.

Special offer

TGI Fridays

Order a full priced food item, min $24.90 per item, to get a free kid's meal (under 12s) Mon–Thu.

Special offer

Events under $20

A scene with Max and the Wild Thing Carol walking along a sand dune, from the 2009 fantasy drama film Where the Wild Things Are.
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Kids' Flicks with Feelings

Flex your emotional muscles with two thoughtful films for kids.

A standing and seated row of children in a large bright room, all holding up artworks they've created.
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Art Classes for Kids

A guided art class for children, led by an artist and educator, held at The Hub at Docklands.

Capitol Cinema with red and orange lighting, seated audience in front of large screen with signage.
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Christmas Cinema

See festive films in the stunning Capitol Theatre.

Three acrobats in matching orange and yellow striped vintage swimsuits pose against a blue and white striped backdrop, holding swimming paraphernalia.
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Splash Test Dummies

The circus comes to town with a new watery adventure to delight families this holiday season.

Ice hockey players on the ice during a match.
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Melbourne Ice Women: Australian Women's Ice Hockey League

The Australian Women's Ice Hockey League takes over O'Brien Icehouse in a formidable on-ice battle.

Special occasion activities - $20 and over

Two people standing on the 'ceiling' of an inverted living room.

House Down Under

Australia’s favourite inverted house photo experience brings topsy-turvy fun to Melbourne.

Two people standing in an immersive room at Dreamskape surrounded by a virtual reality projection of interior of a spaceship.

Dreamskape

Explore the District Dockland's multi-media sensory entertainment complex.

A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
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Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

Picnic spread of dishes, boxed food and drinks on a blue gingham tablecloth.
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Family Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways

Solve clues, taste and collect pre-paid gourmet food on this unique foodie adventure.

Man wearing a tuxedo performing sleight of hands tricks with a glass in front of a seated audience.
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Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

A dancer wears a vibrant green, light-up ballerina-style tutu dress with a matching crown, and large, glowing translucent fairy wings spread out behind her, standing against a dark background.
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Ballet of Lights: Peter Pan in a Sparkling Show

Peter Pan lights up Neverland in a dazzling dance spectacle.

A smiling young girl seated as a table in front of a pile of slime.

Slime Lab

A play and retail space offering awesome and creative slime workshops for kids.

A child wearing a plastic coat, squirting paint with a paintgun at a pink canvas on a wall splattered with paint.
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Melbourne Paint Lab Art Workshop

At Melbourne Paint Lab you can splash, splatter and drip paint to unleash your inner artist.

'Wonders of the sea' themed high tea treats including mermaid-tail cupcakes on a white plate on a display of sand and shells.
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Le Petit Wonders of the Sea: Kids High Tea

An enchanting under-the-sea themed High Tea designed especially for small explorers.

A solar eclipse, with light emerging around the edges of the blacked-out sun.
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Solar Tours

Come and experience the wonders of the Sun at the historic Melbourne Observatory.

People holding their glass bowl terrariums, looking amazed.
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Terrarium Miniature Garden Workshop

Join a hands-on workshop making your own living garden.

A large gingerbread man and various other Christmassy items.

Gingerbread Making Workshop

Build and decorate a festive gingerbread house this Christmas.

Two young children smiling while participating in an interactive play or educational activity against a green forest-themed backdrop, at Melbourne Museum.
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Tiny Tours: Big Adventures for Little Explorers

Light the spark of curiosity and explore Melbourne Museum like never before.

For teens and older kids

Exterior of Holey Moley mini golf venue at night.

Holey Moley Golf Club

Holey Moley offers a mini golf course and bar with 27 themed holes plus a karaoke room.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

A butterfly brooch with green and pink mother of pearl inlay wings, against a white background.
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Mother of Pearl Inlay Brooch Making Workshop

Join this jewellery making class on mother-of-pearl inlay, perfect for beginners.

A group of smiling participants in a studio workshop setting, holding glass-domed terrariums.
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Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.

A beige and white knitted shoulder bag with plush trim and a chain strap, made in a cross-stitch workshop.
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Cross-stitch Embroidery Bag Workshop

Make your own pretty cross-stitch bag to style your look in this beginner class.

A sophisticated music store with guitars hanging on the wall.

The Music Gym

Drop in to The Music Gym, Melbourne's most playable pit stop!

Person on a skateboard at Riverslide Skate Park.

Riverslide Skate Park

The city's biggest skate park, overlooking the Yarra River and Birrarung Marr.

Small brick building illuminated at night, housing Signal creative arts studio.

Signal

Signal is the City of Melbourne's creative studio for young people 14 to 25 years.

People skating in an indoor ice rink with disco lighting.

O'Brien Icehouse

An ice arena for public skating and ice sports events, located in Docklands.

Brightly coloured singing booths arranged around the walls in a large room, with bench seating in the central open space.

Kono Coin Karaoke

Enjoy a karaoke experience at a singing booth.

The exterior of Hardrock climbing in the city, surrounded by other buildings.

Hardrock Climbing

The ultimate indoor rock-climbing experience in Melbourne is at Hardrock Climbing.

People lining up outside a retro photobooth at night.

Flinders Street Photobooth

Have your photo taken at a vintage black and white photobooth.

Looking into the interior of a studio space, with a row of five small booths on the left and shelves of props and equipment on the right wall.

Life4Cuts Chinatown

A Korean-inspired self-photo booth studio in Chinatown.

Three girls posing and holding up their hands in peace signs while wearing flower headbands.

Hama Film Self Photo Studio

A self-photo studio where you can take amazing photos in special concept rooms.

A giant ball pit with brightly coloured geometric patterns and neon shapes on the walls.

Hijinx Hotel

No beds here. Just ball pits, bold colours, brain-teasing challenges and a lot of laughter.

Interior of Archie Brothers games venue, showing a candy counter, and a central bar area.

Archie Brothers

Archie Brothers delivers circus themed arcade charm, whimsical cocktails, and big-kid energy.

People enjoying tenpin bowling.

Strike Bowling

Tenpin bowling plus laser tag and escape rooms - great fun for everyone.

A person applying henna art to their hand using a fine applicator cone as part of a henna art workshop.

The Art of Presence: A Beginner’s Henna Workshop

Learn the art of henna as a mindful practice, and discover calm through ancient patterns.

School holiday workshops

A standing and seated row of children in a large bright room, all holding up artworks they've created.
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Art Classes for Kids

A guided art class for children, led by an artist and educator, held at The Hub at Docklands.

A child wearing a plastic coat, squirting paint with a paintgun at a pink canvas on a wall splattered with paint.
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Melbourne Paint Lab Art Workshop

At Melbourne Paint Lab you can splash, splatter and drip paint to unleash your inner artist.

Kids on the grass outside the Shrine of Memorial, holding kit bags and smiling.
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Shrine Kids

Embark on a family adventure with this engaging program designed for discovery at every turn.

Family-friendly attractions

Baby looking in a mirror.

Children's Gallery Melbourne Museum

This is a wondrous place for young children to explore, play and learn.

Koala in a gum tree at Melbourne Zoo.

Melbourne Zoo

Journey through a world of wildlife in the heart of Melbourne.

Child looking over right shoulder with delighted smile, dark dinosaur model behind.

Melbourne Museum

Explore history, culture, science and nature at this popular Melbourne attraction.

Two friends in exaggerated poses against a hand-painted interactive artwork of a jungle scene, at ArtVo.

ArtVo

An interactive 3D art gallery with optical illusions that visitors can touch and explore.

Family in a glass tunnel looking up at a very large stingray.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Discover thousands of aquatic animals in four enchanting worlds at this top Melbourne attraction.

Water wall installation at the entrance to NGV International on St Kilda Road.

NGV International

NGV International houses a whole world of international art.

Large, rectangular building of Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square.

Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

The world’s first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art.

Smiling vendor selling a range of pastries, dips and spreads at Queen Victoria Market.

Queen Victoria Market

This beloved Melbourne landmark is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere.

Dark silhouetted figures in a space with red and blue lighting.

ACMI

Museum dedicated to the moving image through events, film screenings and exhibitions.

People browsing a museum with paper lanterns and artwork.

Museum of Chinese Australian History

Museum preserving and displaying the history of Chinese immigration.

Double-storey ArtPlay building with city skyscrapers in the background.

ArtPlay

A creative arts centre for children to share unique experiences with professional artists.

More family-friendly ideas

Note: Some age limits may apply, check with venues before visiting.

Last updated on Mon 9 Nov 2026

Christmas

Christmas starts only in the city
Start here
A man and woman dancing next to a woman dressed in a Santa outfit who is using a DJ deck.

Christmas things to do

The city’s wrapped and ready with magical moments, twinkling lights and festive fun.

A man and woman sitting at a table full of food with a Christmas tree in the background.

Christmas eat and drink

Savour the city’s festive flavours with rooftop bars and menus made for merry moments.

Two women holding several shopping bags while they walk through a shopping arcade decorated for Christmas.

Christmas shopping

Start ticking off your list in the city’s iconic laneways, arcades and malls.

Start here

Discover more

Large scale artworks depicting smoking ceremonies, outdoors at Melbourne's Docklands, a lone cyclist riding past.
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Journey of a Smoking Ceremony

This large-scale art installation by James Henry, traces the sacred practice of a smoking ceremony.

A smiling man holds a cheerful toddler in his arms as the child reaches toward a large, textured, teardrop-shaped gourd hanging from the ceiling; part of an interactive installation at ArtPlay.
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Exhibition: Obang 오방

Step into a Korean grandmother's home while she is away visiting her grandchildren overseas.

Hand painting a Christmas fir tree card with paints.
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Youth Arts Fun Festival

Two days of live performances, handmade stalls, hands-on art and cultural discovery.

A young boy and girl pointing to triceratops bones in the Museum.

Free things to do with kids in Melbourne

Get the kids out and explore these free events and adventures for an awesome day of fun.