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RESET Festival 2026: A Free Sustainability Festival for the Whole Family
Looking for a fun way to learn more about sustainability, get creative and spend time with the family this spring? RESET – a festival for grounding and growing is returning to Fed Square in 2026 with a program packed with free activities, workshops, performances, talks and hands-on experiences.
Bringing together artists, environmental leaders, community organisations and families, RESET is all about finding practical and enjoyable ways to live more sustainably. From repairing clothes and swapping toys to gardening, exploring nature and getting creative with recycled materials, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
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Zero Waste Festival
The RESET program kicks off with the Zero Waste Festival on Saturday 12 September 2026, presented with Zero Waste Victoria.
Families can explore repair and mending activities, including small electronics, clothes and books, while browsing sustainable market stalls and taking part in creative activities for children. There will also be book and fabric swaps and plenty of ideas for sustainable cooking and reducing waste at home.
The day will finish with the inaugural ReWear Runway, showcasing garments that have been reclaimed, repaired, reused and transformed.
Garden lovers can also meet Australia’s favourite gardening personality, Costa Georgiadis, who will be at Fed Square celebrating the Melbourne launch of his new book, Costa’s Garden: Fruit.
Date: Saturday 12 September 2026
Time: 12 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: The Edge, The Atrium, Fed Square
Price: FREE
Junk Journaling and Remake & Repair
RESET also has several workshops designed to help visitors slow down and see new possibilities in materials that might otherwise be thrown away.
On Saturday 19 September, Junk Journaling with hey.raco and Akres will show participants how to create layered journals using scraps and repurposed materials. FREE – Register Here
Then on Sunday 20 September, Remake & Repair will offer two sessions focused on practical sewing, mending and upcycling skills. Bring along your own clothing and learn ways to repair, refresh and give old pieces a new life. FREE – Register Here
Date:
Junk Journaling – Saturday 19 September 2026, 10 am – 12:30 pm
Remake & Repair – Sunday 20 September 2026, 10 am – 12 pm & 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: The Atrium, Fed Square
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Free School Holiday Activities
RESET continues throughout the school holidays from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October 2026, with plenty for families to enjoy.
The Big Toy Swap
On Wednesday 23 September, families can take part in The Big Toy Swap, presented with Zero Waste Victoria. Bring along clean, gently used toys, books and games that your children have outgrown and swap them for something new-to-you. It’s a simple way to refresh the toy box while keeping perfectly good items in circulation.
Date: Wednesday 23 September 2026
Time: 10:30 am – 2 pm
Location: The Edge, Fed Square
Price: FREE
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Paper Planet by Polyglot Theatre
One of the school holiday highlights is Paper Planet by Polyglot Theatre, returning to Fed Square from Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October.
Celebrating 15 years since Paper Planet was first commissioned and premiered at Fed Square, the experience invites children and families into a forest of towering cardboard trees.
Using paper, tape and their imaginations, children can create creatures, costumes, stories and new environments. The universally accessible, child-led experience has travelled internationally since its premiere in 2011, making its return to Fed Square a special part of this year’s festival.
Date: Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October 2026
Location: Fed Square
Price: FREE
Outdoor Cinema
Families can also enjoy free afternoon movies on the Fed Square Big Screen during the school holidays.
The nature-themed Outdoor Cinema program includes:
- Flipper – Wednesday 30 September 2026, 3 pm
- Free Willy – Thursday 10 October 2026, 3 pm
- Fly Away Home – Friday 2 October 2026, 3 pm
RESET Festival 2026
Fed Square, Melbourne
More information
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We try our best to provide accurate information on kid-friendly events around Victoria but do recommend parents check details directly to confirm dates, times, prices as some details may be subject to change.
