Melbourne Fringe Festival 2026

Melbourne Fringe Festival returns from 29 September to 18 October 2026, bringing three weeks of bold performances, creative experiences and opportunities to discover something new across Melbourne.

This year’s theme, Turn Towards the Heat, encourages audiences to embrace curiosity and the unknown, with a huge range of performances and experiences to explore.

Family-Friendly Melbourne Fringe
There’s plenty for families to enjoy, with a selection of family-friendly performances and interactive experiences featuring circus, magic, puppetry, music, dance, comedy, creative workshops and imaginative play.

Kids can get involved through hands-on experiences, audience participation and interactive performances designed for different ages.

Highlights include Fashion Machine, Peter Combe in Newspaper Mama….Every Day!, The Greatest Magic Show, Nicholas Ridiculous – The Puppet Party, Imaginations Aglow, Big Unicorn Dance Party, The Glow Squad and SwashBuckling Circus.

With performances taking place at venues including Bunjil Place Studio, ArtPlay, Studio Nexus and SPIEGEL HAUS MELBOURNE, families can discover different Fringe experiences across the festival.

Dates: 29 September – 18 October 2026
Location: Various venues across Melbourne
Suitable for: Families, kids, teens and adults – check individual event listings for recommended ages
Price: Varies by event, with some free events available