Are you looking for fun summer school holiday events for families in Melbourne? The summer holidays are one of the best times to explore the city, with a huge range of family-friendly events, kids activities and school holiday programs on offer across Melbourne. From live theatre and outdoor cinema to creative workshops, exhibitions and interactive experiences, there are plenty of things to do in Melbourne with kids this summer. This guide brings together some of the best school holiday events in Melbourne to help families plan memorable days out and make the most of the summer break.
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Circa’s Duck Pond is coming to the Princess Theatre this January. Get ready for a dazzling mix of ballet and circus in this reimagining of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling. Expect breathtaking acrobatics, soaring aerials, cheeky humour, and stunning theatrical moments that will captivate audiences of all ages.
Date: 14 – 25 January 2026
Times: check website for performance times
Venue: Princess Theatre, Melbourne
Price: $59-$174
Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show returns with a huge 2026 Australian tour, bringing the Emmy® award-winning children’s series to life on stage with Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad in a brand-new story by creator Joe Brumm, featuring original music by Joff Bush.
Using brilliantly crafted puppets and the voices of Melanie Zanetti (Mum) and David McCormack (Dad), this family-friendly production is directed by Rosemary Myers of Windmill Theatre Company and presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co.
Date: 30 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
Time: 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm
Location: Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne
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Shrek The Musical arrives at the Playhouse this summer, bringing the much-loved fairy tale to life in a fun, high-energy stage production. Set in a far, far away kingdom, this action-packed musical follows an unlikely hero, a talkative donkey and a feisty princess on a heartwarming adventure filled with humour, romance and fantasy. Running time: 2 hours (including a 20-minute interval)
Date & time:
Tuesday 6 Jan: 2:30 pm
Wednesday 7 Jan: 10:30am, 2:30pm
Thursday 8 Jan: 10:30am, 2:30pm
Friday 9 Jan: 2:30pm, 6:30pm
Saturday 10 Jan: 2:30pm, 6:30pm
Location: Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne
Arts Centre Melbourne presents ZOOOM by Patch Theatre, a calm and engaging school holiday theatre experience for children aged 4–8, running 6–10 January 2026 in the Fairfax Studio. Inspired by Harold and the Purple Crayon, this award-winning interactive show follows a child on a dreamlike journey through the universe to help a lost star find its way home, brought to life with original music, lasers and vivid projections.
Children are invited to bring a “piece of dark” from home to exchange for a guiding light on arrival, with free pre- and post-show Creation Stations offering craft and creative activities before or after the performance.
Date and time:
Tuesday 6 Jan 2 pm
Wednesday 7 Jan 11 am, 2 pm
Thursday 8 Jan 11 am, 2 pm
Friday 9 Jan 11 am, 2 pm
Saturday 10 Jan 11 am, 2 pm
Location: Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne
Price: from $28
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Kids’ Flicks with Feelings is a school holiday film program at ACMI designed to help children explore emotional intelligence through fantasy films. Each screening includes a short curator-led introduction, followed by a take-home activity kit to continue the learning at home. A thoughtful and family-friendly cinema experience for imaginative young minds.
Date: Mon 22 Dec 2025 – Fri 23 Jan 2026
Location: Cinemas, Level 2, ACMI, Fed Square
Price: $9-$14
This summer, get ready for a celebration of play like no other at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Melbourne. Summer of Play is packed with awesome activities that help kids discover their unique Play Mode – whether they love to create, discover, build, dance or simply play their way.
From buzzing bee builds and designing a playful city with our Master Model Builder, to the DJ GoodVibes dance party and Miniland surprises, the whole family can dive into a world of imagination and summer fun. Snap photos throughout and celebrate activating your Play Mode while meeting some of your favourite LEGO characters. What’s your Play Mode? Come and find out.
Date: 26th December 2025 – 26th January 2026
Location: LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Melbourne, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone, Victoria
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Join Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter, Portly and the unforgettable Mr Toad as Glenn Elston’s much-loved adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows returns to the stage. Running from 19 December 2025 to 25 January 2026, this critically acclaimed outdoor theatre production is filled with music, songs and laughs for the whole family.
Set in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, the interactive performance invites children to become part of the story, with plenty of opportunities to join in, sing along and cheer the characters on. Celebrating more than 35 years of performances, The Wind in the Willows remains one of Australia’s best-loved and affordable family theatre experiences.
Presented by Glenn Elston & The Australian Shakespeare Company.
Date: 19 December 2025 – 25 January 2026
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Australia’s favourite outdoor cinema is back for summer, bringing a blockbuster lineup to the Central Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Moonlight Cinema returns with a mix of new releases, family favourites and must-see screenings, perfect for warm evenings under the stars.
The January program features major summer titles, including Wicked: For Good, Zootopia 2, and Anaconda, alongside preview screenings of Song Sung Blue, Hamnet, and Six the Musical. Families can also enjoy holiday favourites such as SpongeBob: Search for SquarePants and The Parent Trap, plus the return of fan favourite Shrek as part of the People’s Program.
Dates: 3 December 2025 – 5 April 2026
Location: Central Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne
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The NGV Kids Summer Festival returns from 10 – 16 January 2026 with a week of free school holiday activities for kids and families at NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. The festival features art workshops, kids disco parties in the Great Hall, live performances, First Nations–led storytelling and creative sessions, plus the immersive Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids exhibition in the Children’s Gallery. There are also behind-the-scenes conservation lab tours for teens and relaxed sessions on 14 and 15 January 2025 for a quieter, low-sensory experience.
Date: 10 – 16 January 2026
Location: NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Price: FREE
Bunjil Place has a full program of spider-themed activities these summer school holidays, inspired by the exhibition Maria Fernanda Cardoso: Spiders of Paradise. Families can enjoy free film screenings, hands-on activities and a special Spider Appreciation Day celebrating our eight-legged friends.
Summer Spider Family Films
Enjoy a series of free, family-friendly spider-themed films — no bookings required.
• Charlotte’s Web – Sunday 4 January 2026
• Inspector Sun – Sunday 11 January 2026
• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – Sunday 18 January 2026
Spider Appreciation Day – Sunday 11 January 2026
Celebrate Spider Appreciation Day with an afternoon of spider-themed workshops, performances, activities and a mini-beast encounter, inspired by Spiders of Paradise. Families are welcome to bring snacks or enjoy themed food and drinks from Bunjil Place Café. The day wraps up with a screening of Inspector Sun.
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Hot Arts for Cool Kids: Make + Play! is a creative and hands-on art and craft program designed for primary-school-aged children and their families. Developed by artists and art therapists, the sessions encourage playful exploration and family engagement through the arts.
Make a mess at our place, not yours! Join us at Cube 37 Gallery this summer for a colourful, crafty and imaginative experience. Kids can enjoy a fun-filled session of making, playing and discovering new materials. All supplies are provided—just bring your ideas and imagination! Suitable for Children aged 5–12 years.
Date:
Tuesday, 20 January 2026 | 10 am– 11:30 am and 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Wednesday, 21 January 2026 | 10 am – 11:30 am & 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: Cube 37, Frankston Arts Centre
Price: $26 per child
Location: Cube 37, Frankston Arts Centre
Price: $26 per child
Dive into a SpongeBob Underworld Adventure these school holidays.
Join SpongeBob, Patrick and friends on a fun, interactive quest inspired by The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: The Search for SquarePants (in cinemas Boxing Day). Kids can take on pirate-themed challenges, spot familiar characters, discover their pirate name and collect a Swashbuckler Certificate.
With activities woven through SEA LIFE Melbourne’s marine displays — plus chances to meet SpongeBob or Patrick — it’s a great summer outing for families.
Date: 18 December 2025 – 27 January 2026
Location: SEA LIFE Melbourne, 503 Flinders Street Melbourne
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.
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