Need to keep your little mates entertained? These awesome free events and fun adventures for an epic day of fun. Some age limits may apply, check with venues before visiting.

When are the school holidays?

The September school holidays in Victoria are from Saturday 23 December 2024 to 28 January 2025.

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 family-friendly events

The Australian Ballet's The Nutcracker on the Big Screen

The Australian Ballet's The Nutcracker on the Big Screen

Watch The Australian Ballet performing The Nutcracker live streamed from the Sydney Opera House.

Rain
Until

Rain

An intimate and interactive installation for you to experience together with your family.

The Rockstar and the Krill
Until

The Rockstar and the Krill

Join for an all-singing, all-dancing free show for families.

Sci-Fi: Mythologies Transformed
Until

Sci-Fi: Mythologies Transformed

This exhibition highlights science fiction’s connection to ancient philosophy and mythologies.

Ants: Polyglot Theatre

Ants: Polyglot Theatre

A roving performance where giant ants lead children into a playful world of discovery.

Table Tennis at Boyd Community Hub
Until

Table Tennis at Boyd Community Hub

Visit the Boyd Community Hub for table tennis with a local world medallist.

Plans For The Planet: Olaf Breuning For Kids

Plans For The Planet: Olaf Breuning For Kids

Created by artist Olaf Breuning this exhibition invites kids to explore the natural environment.

Free kids activities

Preschool Storytime
Until

Preschool Storytime

Share the wonder of books with your children at Library at The Dock.

Shrine Kids
Until

Shrine Kids

A free self-guided program for visitors of all ages.

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure
Until

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

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

Free family Christmas fun

Christmas Carnival

Christmas Carnival

Thrill rides, carnival games and festive food on the banks of the Yarra.

Crown Christmas River Show
Until

Crown Christmas River Show

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

Myer Christmas Windows
Until

Myer Christmas Windows

Take a magical journey with Australia Zoo's favourite wildlife heroes in An Irwin’s Christmas Story.

Nth Pole
Until

Nth Pole

Immerse yourself in the ambience of the festive holiday season at Marvel Stadium.

Christmas Outdoor Cinema

Christmas Outdoor Cinema

Gather friends, family and loved ones for a free Christmas outdoor cinema at Fed Square.

Christmas at Queensbridge Square
Until

Christmas at Queensbridge Square

Take a ride on the light-up see-saw in this festive pop-up.

Melbourne City Christmas Treasure Hunt
Until

Melbourne City Christmas Treasure Hunt

Collect a map from Mary Martin Bookshop to go on a magical city treasure hunt.

Celebrate the Magic of Christmas in North and West Melbourne

Celebrate the Magic of Christmas in North and West Melbourne

Kick off the Christmas season with an evening of Christmas magic in North and West Melbourne.

North Pole Lego

North Pole Lego

Drop into Southbank Library for some special Christmas-themed Lego.

Christmas at Crown Melbourne

Christmas at Crown Melbourne

The perfect place for families to celebrate the holidays.

For teens and older kids

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

One-stop entertainment venue with arcade games, bowling lanes, dodgem cars and cocktail bar.

Fun things to do for teens in Melbourne

Fun things to do for teens in Melbourne

Free exhibitions, festivals, arts and crafts and ice skating.

The Story of the Moving Image
Until

The Story of the Moving Image

An ongoing exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Events under $20

Buzz about Bees: Cottage Quest

Buzz about Bees: Cottage Quest

This summer, send your little explorers on an exciting, bee-themed scavenger hunt like no other.

House Down Under

House Down Under

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

Skyline Melbourne

Skyline Melbourne

See Melbourne's unbeatable city view from the Skyline Melbourne Ferris wheel.

Special occasion activities - $20 and over

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Heroes in a Half Shell
Until

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Heroes in a Half Shell

An exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of the franchise.

Imaginator
Until

Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

Apsis VR: Virtual Reality Melbourne

Apsis VR: Virtual Reality Melbourne

Experience all the fun, laughter, screams and excitement with Virtual Reality.

Leonardo Da Vinci
Until

Leonardo Da Vinci

Explore the legacy of the visionary artist, inventor, scientist and philosopher at THE LUME.

Melbourne Magic Show
Until

Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

Monopoly Dreams

Monopoly Dreams

Enjoy a fully immersive and interactive Monopoly experience, featuring games and challenges.

Chocolate Family Adventure Day
Until

Chocolate Family Adventure Day

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

T.Rex 3D
Until

T.Rex 3D

Experience the iconic T. rex come to life on the world's biggest best screen in this 3D documentary.

Rainbow Art Class
Until

Rainbow Art Class

A guided art class for children, led by an artist and educator.

School holiday workshops

DIY Craft Workshops
Until

DIY Craft Workshops

Unleash your creativity at these workshops where everyone is a designer.

Pigment Squad

Pigment Squad

Add your artistic touch to your favourite cartoon character figurine to create a unique masterpiece.

Mosaic Class: Turkish Lamp Workshop
Until

Mosaic Class: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Learn about ancient mosaic art and create a beautiful Turkish lamp.

Rainbow Art Class
Until

Rainbow Art Class

A guided art class for children, led by an artist and educator.

Family-friendly attractions

Children's Gallery Melbourne Museum

Children's Gallery Melbourne Museum

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

Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo

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

Australian Music Vault

Australian Music Vault

A celebration of Australian contemporary music – past, present and future.

Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum

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

Glow Golf

Glow Golf

Good old-fashioned mini golf transformed into an amazing glow-in-the-dark-experience.

ArtVo

ArtVo

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

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

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

NGV International

NGV International

NGV International houses a whole world of international art.

Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

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

Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market

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

ACMI

ACMI

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

Museum of Chinese Australian History

Museum of Chinese Australian History

Museum preserving and displaying the history of Chinese immigration.

Bear With Us

Bear With Us

Unleash your inner artist in this therapeutic and fun experience.

Last updated on Thu 5 Dec 2024

Christmas

Christmas things to do

Christmas things to do

Explore a wonderland of events and dazzling decorations as the city comes to life this Christmas.

Christmas eat and drink

Christmas eat and drink

Feeling festive? Sip mistletoe martinis at a rooftop bar or dine under the lights in a laneway.

Christmas shopping

Christmas shopping

Shop the city's iconic laneways, malls and arcades to find the perfect pressie.

Discover more

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Melbourne's best blockbuster events

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Skip the Westfield crowd and get free Santa photo, ugly jumper pics and more.

What's free in Melbourne this month

What's free in Melbourne this month

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Melbourne's essential night-time events

Melbourne's essential night-time events

From hidden laneway markets to epic pop-ups, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out.