Entertain the whole family over the school holidays with these kid-friendly events and activities. There's plenty of free, low-cost events and family attractions to choose from.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

When are the school holidays?

The school holidays in Victoria are from Monday 22 December 2025 to Wednesday 28 January 2026.

School holiday deals and offers

Three people playing a water gun game in a neon-lit arcade.

Archie Brothers

Under 18s can enjoy one game of bowling, a $25 game card, and one game of laser tag for $36.

Special offer
A koala in an airy enclosure on a branch of a eucalypt tree.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street

Book a family room package and receive two adult tickets to Melbourne Zoo. 21 Dec to 26 Jan.

Special offer

School holiday events

Storytime Ballet: The Nutcracker

Storytime Ballet: The Nutcracker

An interactive ballet experience for children, from The Australian Ballet.

The Whale

The Whale

Dive into an extraordinary underwater world with this larger-than-life puppet experience.

Let's Party: NGV Fashion for Kids
Until

Let's Party: NGV Fashion for Kids

Step into a vibrant world of colour, creativity and celebration.

Nature Play Melbourne

Nature Play Melbourne

Delight your child’s senses with free nature play experiences.

ZOOOM

ZOOOM

Embark on a dreamlike adventure in this interactive and award-winning family show.

Ten Thousand Hours

Ten Thousand Hours

Eight world-class acrobats compress 10,000 hours of practice into 60 minutes you’ll never forget.

Shrek the Musical

Shrek the Musical

Get ready for an exhilarating adventure to a far, far away kingdom!

Melbourne Magic Show
Until

Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

Distraction

Distraction

An exhibition that plugs into the torrent of content and places we go when craving distraction.

The Sunday Market at Southgate
Until

The Sunday Market at Southgate

Explore the Sunday Market at Southgate and meet the makers.

Melbourne Paint Lab Art Workshop
Until

Melbourne Paint Lab Art Workshop

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

Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners
Until

Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

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

Kokedama Workshop
Until

Kokedama Workshop

Enjoy a beginner's workshop and learn how to make a little moss ball plant.

Polymer Clay Workshop
Until

Polymer Clay Workshop

Create beautiful pairs of earrings and necklaces using polymer clay in this fun workshop.

Polymer Clay Earring Workshop
Until

Polymer Clay Earring Workshop

Create beautiful jewellery in this fun workshop.

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure
Until

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

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

Shrine Kids
Until

Shrine Kids

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

Free Kids Explorer Bus
Until

Free Kids Explorer Bus

Children ride free on the Kids Explorer Bus during the school holidays.

LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition
Until

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
Until

Chocolate Family Adventure Day

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

Family Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways
Until

Family Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways

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

DIY Craft Workshops
Until

DIY Craft Workshops

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

Flinch Coffee & Play

Flinch Coffee & Play

Serving up coffee, matcha, savoury bites, pancakes and painting fun.

The Great Gummy Bear Escape
Until

The Great Gummy Bear Escape

Enjoy this free, large-scale festive experience designed for families and friends.

View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River

Christmas Square

The giant 17.5m tree is back at Fed Square, featuring light shows from 9pm to 11pm every night.

School Holiday Street Art Workshops

School Holiday Street Art Workshops

Learn spray-painting techniques from a renowned street artist this school holidays.

Library on the Lawn

Library on the Lawn

State Library Victoria is the place for families these summer school holidays.

Fitzroy Gardens Nature Navigator

Fitzroy Gardens Nature Navigator

Join a fun and educational kids activity exploring the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens.

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

Join Alice on her amazing journey through Wonderland and experience an adventure like no other.

Pixar Putt at Marvel Stadium
Until

Pixar Putt at Marvel Stadium

School holiday fun with the pop-up mini-golf sensation.

Myer Christmas Windows
Until

Myer Christmas Windows

Experience the magic of Christmas at the Playful LEGO Christmas Story Myer Christmas Windows.

Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight

Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight

A cherished tradition featuring live performances from artists, choirs, comedians and more.

Fractured Fairytales: Drama Workshops with Emma Chandler

Fractured Fairytales: Drama Workshops with Emma Chandler

Step into a world of imagination where fairytales get a delightful twist.

Game Worlds
Until

Game Worlds

ACMI's new playable exhibition features more than 30 videogames from the 1970s to today.

Pirate Day at Polly Woodside
Until

Pirate Day at Polly Woodside

Come along and experience the pirate life aboard Melbourne's tall ship.

See You in the Soup

See You in the Soup

Join performer Emma Chandler for an enchanting concert about love, joy and being very, very silly.

Australian Open

Australian Open

The summer stage for epic tennis, music, entertainment and unforgettable fan moments.

Christmas in the city
Until

Christmas in the city

See the city light up with dazzling displays, festive events and activities for the whole family.

New Year's Eve in Melbourne

New Year's Eve in Melbourne

From fireworks to fancy dinners and family fun, Melbourne is the perfect place to celebrate NYE.

Myer Santaland
Until

Myer Santaland

Follow the festive fun at Santaland where kids can meet Santa or ride the Santaland Express.

Bubble Show for Christmas

Bubble Show for Christmas

See stunning bubble displays in this Christmas adventure that is fun for the whole family.

North Pole at Marvel Stadium
Until

North Pole at Marvel Stadium

Marvel Stadium is transforming into a magical Christmas wonderland.

Christmas Decorations
Until

Christmas Decorations

Christmas comes to life around the city with sparkly decorations spreading festive cheer.

The Nutcracker
Until

The Nutcracker

Ballet’s most iconic story is returning to Melbourne this Christmas.

Christmas at Queen Vic Market
Until

Christmas at Queen Vic Market

‘Tis the season at Queen Victoria Market.

Christmas at QV: Qris Qringle
Until

Christmas at QV: Qris Qringle

Feel festive at QV with the 11-metre tall Christmas installation and the Qris Qringle giveaway.

Christmas Square
Until

Christmas Square

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

Crown Christmas River Show
Until

Crown Christmas River Show

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

Photos with Santa at David Jones
Until

Photos with Santa at David Jones

Make this Christmas one to remember with a magical Santa experience like no other.

Surprise Christmas Holiday Activity
Until

Surprise Christmas Holiday Activity

Enjoy a free Christmas activity when stopping by at the Melbourne Visitor Hub.

Christmas at Crown Melbourne
Until

Christmas at Crown Melbourne

Celebrate the festive season with Santa, a giant tree and carousel, plus carol singing.

Mosaic Art Classes: Turkish Lamp Workshop
Until

Mosaic Art Classes: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop in Melbourne!

BBL: Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers

BBL: Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers

Come to the MCG and see the Melbourne Stars host the Sydney Sixers.

Folded Forest

Folded Forest

Fold by fold the forest grows – one crease, one creature, one colourful creation at a time.

Lego Robotics and Coding Holiday Program

Lego Robotics and Coding Holiday Program

A workshop for kids aged 6-12 years, providing fun coding challenges to learn Scratch-based coding.

Mural of Me: Collage Workshops with Nicky Tsekouras

Mural of Me: Collage Workshops with Nicky Tsekouras

A hands-on workshop to express yourself through colour, texture and playful paper collage.

NBL: Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers

NBL: Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers

Melbourne United play the Tasmania JackJumpers in the return of the open air game.

Boxing Day Test Summer Fest

Boxing Day Test Summer Fest

The energy spills beyond the boundary as the Boxing Day Festival returns to Yarra Park.

Tiny Tours: Ant to Apple

Tiny Tours: Ant to Apple

See how ants, bees and other insects help grow our food and keep ecosystems healthy.

Kids' Flicks with Feelings

Kids' Flicks with Feelings

Flex your emotional muscles this summer with a series of fun films for imaginative minds.

BBL: Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers

BBL: Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers

The Melbourne Stars take on the Adelaide Strikers at the 'G for the First Nations match.

Christmas Day Lunch Buffet at Crowne Plaza Melbourne

Christmas Day Lunch Buffet at Crowne Plaza Melbourne

Enjoy a Christmas Day buffet by the Yarra River, with seasonal favourites and festive entertainment.

Christmas Day Lunch at Melbourne Town Hall

Christmas Day Lunch at Melbourne Town Hall

Celebrate a traditional Christmas feast in the heart of Melbourne.

Loopy Lab
Until

Loopy Lab

See how plastic waste is a resource by making your own pen or carabiner from plastic bottle tops.

Family attractions

Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo

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

Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum

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

IMAX

IMAX

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

ACMI

ACMI

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

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

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

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

A picturesque haven for recreation and a key botanical resource for research and conservation.

Monopoly Dreams

Monopoly Dreams

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

House Down Under

House Down Under

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

ArtVo

ArtVo

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

O'Brien Icehouse

O'Brien Icehouse

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

Skyline Melbourne

Skyline Melbourne

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

ArtPlay

ArtPlay

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

Discover more

The best free and cheap family activities

The best free and cheap family activities

Find family-friendly fun and free events in Melbourne this Christmas.

The best playgrounds in Melbourne

The best playgrounds in Melbourne

We've rounded up the best adventure parks and playgrounds.

The best things to do in Melbourne with kids under 5

The best things to do in Melbourne with kids under 5

Toddler-friendly activities for a day out in Melbourne that you'll enjoy too.

Melbourne for free

Melbourne for free

Discover free things to do in Melbourne, including galleries, museums, events and festivals.