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Winter School Holidays Melbourne 2026 Guide
The Winter School Holidays in Melbourne 2026 run from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 12 July 2026, bringing a packed calendar of theatre, immersive experiences, exhibitions and family-friendly events across the city. From dazzling light trails at the Royal Botanic Gardens and hands-on museum workshops to large-scale arena shows, interactive performances and creative school holiday programs, there is something for every age and interest. Whether you are planning a big day out, a school holiday adventure, or a cosy winter experience closer to home, this guide brings together the best events and activities happening across Melbourne to help families make the most of the winter break.
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Lightscape Melbourne
Lightscape Melbourne will return to the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne from 12 June to 2 August 2026, transforming the gardens into a dazzling winter wonderland of light, colour and sound. This award-winning after-dark experience features a brand-new trail of immersive light installations, interactive displays and artistic creations from Australian and international artists.
Date: 12 June to 2 August 2026
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Price: Adult: $36 – $46, Conc: $32.40 – $41.40, Child (4 – 12 yrs): $28 – $36, Flexi: $50 – $60, Super Flexi Tickets: $98
Creative Lab: Rise of the Gladiators
Creative Lab: Rise of the Gladiators at Melbourne Museum runs from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 12 July, inviting families to step into ancient Rome through a fun, hands-on workshop designed for kids aged 6 to 12. Set beneath the Colosseum in an immersive environment of sights and sounds, children will discover how gladiators used helmets, masks and symbols to express identity and tell powerful stories in the arena. Participants will then design and build their own gladiator mask inspired by historical armour, blending creativity, history and imagination in a 30-minute interactive experience that brings the world of Roman combat to life.
Date: 27 June – 12 July 2026
Time: 10 am, 11 am, 12 noon & 1:30 pm (30 minutes duration)
Location: Melbourne Museum
Price: Child 16 Years & Under $12, Members $10
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Disney On Ice Presents Magic in the Stars
Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars arrives at Rod Laver Arena from 2 – 6 July 2026, bringing 56 beloved Disney and Pixar characters together in a spectacular live ice-skating adventure. Featuring the on-ice debut of Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon, alongside favourites including Elsa, Anna, Moana, Mirabel, Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Mickey Mouse, this dazzling production combines world-class skating, aerial acrobatics, stunning costumes and immersive special effects. Families can journey through iconic stories from Frozen 2, Encanto, Toy Story, Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog and more.
Date: 2 – 6 July 2026
Location: Rod Laver Arena
Price: from $26 + bf
Cinderella
Experience the magic of the classic fairy tale as the Victorian State Ballet presents Cinderella at Hamer Hall. Set to Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved score, this enchanting full-length ballet features stunning choreography, beautiful costumes and captivating storytelling as Cinderella’s journey from hardship to happiness unfolds on stage. Filled with dazzling fairy scenes, breathtaking performances and a heartwarming message of kindness, hope and resilience.
Date: 3 July 2026
Time: 7.30 pm
Location: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
Price: $75 – $109
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Saltbush
Saltbush, presented by Insite Arts and Compagnia TPO, is a magical interactive theatre experience for young audiences showing Bunjil Place during the school holidays. Designed for Early Years to Year 4, this 45-minute production blends storytelling, movement and cutting-edge digital technology to create an immersive world where children don’t just watch,they become part of the performance. Following two friends and their spiritual guide on a journey across First Nations Countries, Saltbush explores rivers, cities, deserts and sea, celebrating connection to land, culture and discovery.
Date: 26 – 28 Jun 2026
Time: 10.30 am & 12.30 pm (Fri – for schools), 11 am & 1 pm (Sat & Sun)
Location: Studio, Bunjil Place
Price: $18 – $28
Children’s Play: Ragnar Kjartansson
Alongside Ragnar Kjartansson: Mercy, the NGV presents the free children’s exhibition Children’s Play: Ragnar Kjartansson, the artist’s first-ever exhibition created specifically for children. Inspired by Kjartansson’s upbringing in a theatrical family, the exhibition invites young visitors into a playful backstage world where they can step into the roles of audience member, actor or creator, inventing and performing stories on stage with family and friends. Featuring interactive theatre-inspired spaces and banquet-style activity tables arranged like colourful still-life feasts, children are encouraged to draw, imagine and respond creatively to the displays, before exploring soft sculptural cushions that can be stacked into whimsical “cake” forms—making it a joyful, hands-on celebration of performance, imagination and play.
Date: 26 Jun – 4 Oct 26
Location: NGV International, Ground Level, Children’s Gallery
Price: FREE
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The Wiggles
The Wiggles return to Melbourne with The Wiggles Tree of Wisdom Big Show Arena Spectacular!, their biggest and brightest live show yet, bringing an unforgettable 360° arena experience filled with music, dancing and non-stop family fun. Packed with arena-sized surprises including bubbles, lights, DJ Dorothy dance parties and the iconic Big Red Utes, this high-energy celebration has the whole audience singing and Wiggling from start to finish. Featuring beloved hits like Rock-A-Bye Your Bear, Fruit Salad Yummy Yummy and Hot Potato, alongside new favourites such as Big Red Ute and Bin Night, it’s a joyful all-ages event perfect for first-time Wiggles fans and lifelong followers alike.
Date: 25 – 27 June 2026
Time: 10 am, 1 pm & 4 pm
Location: Festival Hall Melbourne
Price: $35.97 + bf
Frosted – A Winter Spectacular
Date: 19 June to 19 July 2026
Location: Big Top opposite Westfield Fountain Gate in Narre Warren
Price: from $29.50 + BF
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Family Fiesta
Date: 1 – 4 July 2026
Location: Monash University Performing Arts Centres, The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, 48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton
Price: $0 – $20
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More School Holiday Activies to Explore
• Dino’s at the zoo
• Firelight Festival
• Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final
• Body Worlds: The Anatomy of Happiness
• Play School: Come and Play
• Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City
• Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience in Melbourne
• Eonarium Enlightenment: An Immersive Light Show
• Melbourne Magic Festival
• Imaginator
Please note: When you purchase a ticket/s through some of these links, Kiddiehood will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us continue sharing the best events, activities, and experiences for families around 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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