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 summer school holidays in Victoria are from Thursday 21 December 2023 to Monday 29 January 2024.

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

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure
Until

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

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

The Plants

The Plants

The Plants are unlike any musical instrument you have ever seen, heard or played.

Rififi: Jean Jullien for Kids

Rififi: Jean Jullien for Kids

Experience the NGV's kids' gallery as it's transformed into an underwater world for summer.

Road to Zero Helmet Heroes

Road to Zero Helmet Heroes

Road to Zero at Melbourne Museum is offering free family-friendly holiday fun.

Library Cinema

Library Cinema

See contemporary, classic and documentary films on the big screen at Library at The Dock.

Songbirds
Until

Songbirds

Engage your young bookworm with stories, songs, rhymes at Library at The Dock.

Stompers
Until

Stompers

Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and fun at East Melbourne Library Stompers.

Stompers
Until

Stompers

Head to Southbank Library to enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and fun.

Preschool Storytime
Until

Preschool Storytime

Share the wonder of books with your child and enjoy stories and songs at Kathleen Syme Library.

Preschool Storytime
Until

Preschool Storytime

Sing songs and read stories with your child at Library at The Dock storytime.

Free things to do with kids in Melbourne

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.

The ultimate guide to Melbourne's best markets

The ultimate guide to Melbourne's best markets

Melbourne's iconic markets are back in full force for Christmas

Free family Christmas events

Christmas Carnival

Christmas Carnival

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

Christmas River Show
Until

Christmas River Show

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

Christmas Roller Rink

Christmas Roller Rink

Get your skates on with a pop-up rink landing in Carlton's Argyle Square.

Docklands Christmas Maze
Until

Docklands Christmas Maze

Find your holiday cheer at the giant Christmas maze, with amazing prizes to be won.

Santa's Workshop
Until

Santa's Workshop

Say hello to the big man in red at his new workshop in Howey Place.

Myer Christmas Windows
Until

Myer Christmas Windows

This festive season, the annual Myer windows display celebrates Bluey.

Christmas Films

Christmas Films

Enjoy classic Christmas films during Christmas week, on Fed Square's Big Screen

View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River

Melbourne Town Hall Projections

See the nightly projections with singing reindeer, giant koalas and the famous nutcracker soldiers.

Events under $20

The Listies Ruin Xmas

The Listies Ruin Xmas

Yule love this hilarious holiday pantomime with comedic duo The Listies.

Special occasion activities - $20 and over

Monopoly Dreams
Until

Monopoly Dreams

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

RELICS: A New World Rises
Until

RELICS: A New World Rises

A unique new exhibition where real-world artefacts meet the ingenious world of LEGO!

Circus 1903

Circus 1903

An edge-of-your-seat, magical experience for young and old this summer.

Tiny Tours
Until

Tiny Tours

A Melbourne Museum tour for young visitors aged 3–5 years.

Brickvention

Brickvention

A fun, amazing and inspirational exhibition for LEGO fans of all ages.

Melbourne Magic Show
Until

Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

O'Brien Icehouse

O'Brien Icehouse

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

IMAX

IMAX

Delivering an immersive movie experience on the world's largest screen.

Tempo

Tempo

When the orchestra hasn't shown up and the audience is waiting, call in the Flying Fruit Fly Circus.

Erth's Prehistoric World

Erth's Prehistoric World

Bringing ancient creatures from land and sea together in one magical show.

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

Join Alice as she explores Wonderland these summer school holidays.

The Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows

The must-do family theatre experience returns to the Gardens for the summer school holidays.

Zindzi & The Zillionaires

Zindzi & The Zillionaires

Get ready to groove with Zindzi and her fluffy friends The Zillies.

Family-friendly restaurants

Sakura Kaiten Sushi

Sakura Kaiten Sushi

Japanese sushi train restaurant serving a selection dishes.

Mörk Chocolate City

Mörk Chocolate City

Iconic chocolate shop in an old lift shaft, located in one of Melbourne’s most bustling laneways.

Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung

World-class dumplings and other Taiwanese delights.

The best family-friendly restaurants in Melbourne

The best family-friendly restaurants in Melbourne

Meeting Santa is hungry work. Grab a bite at one of these kid-approved and pram-friendly spots.

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.

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.

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.

Submerged

Submerged

A new digital experience at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium while the Oceanarium undergoes renovations.

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.

Last updated on Thu 23 Nov 2023

Christmas

Christmas events

Christmas events

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

Christmas eat and drink

Christmas eat and drink

Savour the season with festive feasts and rooftop drinks. Read on for Christmas catch-up ideas.

Christmas shopping

Christmas shopping

Wrap up your Christmas list and find the perfect pressies with thousands of shops to choose from.

Discover more

Melbourne's best blockbuster events

Melbourne's best blockbuster events

The best major events on in Melbourne this year.

Melbourne's essential night-time events

Melbourne's essential night-time events

From hidden laneway markets to winter wonderlands, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out.

Only in the City

Only in the City

Melbourne’s most unmissable moments are yours to explore, only in the city.  

Best Santa photo spots in Melbourne

Best Santa photo spots in Melbourne

Skip the Westfield crowd and get Santa photos at Myer, visit Santa's workshop and get pet photos.