School holidays

The best free and cheap family activities

Find family-friendly fun and free events in Melbourne.

Until 8 Jul

The Rink at RISING

Strap in and get orbital with riverside ice-skating under a galactic big top.

Until 9 Jul

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

The brand-new production can now be enjoyed in one magical afternoon or evening.

26 Jun – 8 Jul

The Melbourne Magic Festival

Casting its spell with performances and workshops for all ages this winter.

16 Jun – 6 Aug

Lightscape

The extraordinary after-dark experience returns to Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

28 Jun – 7 Jul

Kids Holiday Workshop: Freehand Street Art

Learn spray-painting techniques from a renowned street artist.

23 Jun – 18 Jul

Midnight The Musical

A major new musical that is sure to delight audiences young and old.

Until 8 Oct

Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature

Wonder at creatures from the Wizarding World alongside animals from London’s Natural History Museum.

Until 10 Jul

Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

7 Jul – 29 Sep

The Australian Ballet: Behind the Scenes

Get up close and personal with the extraordinary dancers of The Australian Ballet.

Until 30 Sep

Saboteurs

An immersive, interactive space-themed game, based on Among Us.

Until 7 Dec

Preschool Storytime

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

4 – 8 Jul

The Quizzical Mr Jeff

Award-winning, family-friendly circus and magic show with balloons, hoops and optical illusions.

Until 9 Jul

Top Designs

See innovative works from Victoria’s up-and-coming designers at Top Designs 2023.

27 Jun – 7 Jul

Kids Holiday Workshop: Stencil Street Art

A workshop for kids introducing spray-painting through stencils.

Until 7 Dec

Songbirds

Hear stories, songs, and rhymes for babies and toddlers at East Melbourne Library.

Until 5 Dec

Songbirds

Engage your young bookworm with stories, songs, rhymes at Kathleen Syme Library.

Until 13 Dec

Songbirds

Engage your young bookworm with stories, songs, and rhymes at North Melbourne Library.

Until 3 Sep

Maestro Impro

A high-stakes improvisation showdown.

4 – 8 Jul

Luigi Zucchini's Mega Magic Show

Astounding magic and illusions for children and adults.

5 – 8 Jul

The Magnificent and Malfunctioning Magic Show

Enter a wacky world where everything that can go wrong will go wrong.

Until 29 Mar

For Kin and Country

Explore the extraordinary history of First Peoples’ service in the Australian Defence Force.

4 – 8 Jul

Chris Morant's Magical Circus Show

Christopher Morant is proud to announce the return of his Magical Circus Show.

4 – 8 Jul

Tim Credible’s Family Magic Show

Magic, fun and amazement for the whole family in this school holiday show.

4 – 8 Jul

Josh Staley: Quicker than the Eye

A mind-blowing magic and comedy experience you won't forget.

Until 30 Jun

Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

4 – 8 Jul

The Great Armando's Magia Magia

Welcome to a world of wonder, jaw-dropping illusions, laughter and pure magic.

27 Jun

Teen Writers Room

Experience what it’s like to be in a writers room as you develop a TV show idea in one day.

23 – 24 Jun

The Grumpiest Boy in the World

An eye-opening opera for children and families.

4 – 8 Jul

Wonders

A show where drawings come to life, shadows dance and the impossible becomes possible.

Until 8 Oct

Up Down and All Around: Daniel Emma for Kids

Up, Down and All Around invites budding designers to look at design in the world around them.

28 – 29 Jun

Spirit Stories

Young writers are invited to explore kindred spirits and spirit stories these school holidays.

Until 31 Dec

The Story of the Moving Image

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

4 – 8 Jul

The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea Party

An hilarious magic show performed by award-winning magician Tim Ellis.

Until 4 Dec

Preschool Storytime

Sing songs and read stories with your child at City Library.

Until 7 Dec

Stompers

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

Until 5 Dec

Stompers

Head to Library at the Dock to enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and fun.

4 – 8 Jul

Conjuring College

Join an award-winning magician to learn tricks and techniques to perform your own magic show.

Until 4 Dec

Songbirds

Stories, songs and rhymes to engage your young bookworm at Southbank Library.

Until 31 Dec

Last Post Service

Every Sunday, pause to remember those who have served and sacrificed.