What’s On in Melbourne: August 2024

We are now officially in the depths of winter! But that doesn’t stop August from shaping up to be a month that is full of wonderfully fun family-friendly events that will warm you up with joy.

Whether you’re into the arts, sports, outdoors, music, or just looking for fun things to do to keep the boredom at bay, these awesome activities and events will help you make the most of the remaining cold winter days! 

This post is updated regularly so check back in to see what’s on in Melbourne today and this weekend, as well as what’s happening for the whole month.

 

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Silver Events

 

 

What’s On in Melbourne – CBD / Docklands

• Groovy Tunes with ArtPlay (Fri 9- Thurs 29 Aug) – Join master drummer and multi-instrumentalist Kofi Kunkpe in a joyful music and movement workshop for preschool aged kids.
• BEINGS By Universal Everything​ (Wed 22 May – Sun 29 Sep 2024) – A playful family adventure at ACMI filled with vibrant and playful digital art.
• The Art of Banksy – Australia: “Without Limits” Exhibition” (Wed 12 Jun – Sat 3 Aug) – The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” is a stunning street art exhibition of museum quality featuring over 150 artworks, such as certified art, prints on different kinds of materials, photos, sculptures, installations, digital installations, murals, mapping shows, and more.
• Lightscape (Thu 4 Jul – Sun 4 Aug) – For the very first time, an immersive, after-dark experience comes to Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne this winter. Iconic tree canopies will be drenched in colour, and vibrant bursts of light will tumble from the undergrowth and run-up trees like fizzing fireworks. Read the Lightscape Review.
• Little Murmur (Thu 25 Jul – Sun 4 Aug) – A new international dance theatre performance featuring ground-breaking projections, an extraordinary soundscape and a blizzard of paper and confetti.
• PAW Patrol Live! (Sat 31 Aug – Sun 1 Sep)- PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” is coming to Melbourne this August. Everybody’s favourite pups on stage for an action-packed, high-energy, musical adventure.

• Storytime by State Library Victoria (Wed 7 Aug) – Share the delight of stories, songs, and picture books with your preschooler on Wednesdays at the Library. Read the State Library of Victoria Review.
• Winter Night Market (Wed 5 Jun – Wed 28 Aug) – this is one of the ultimate ‘whats on Melbourne’ events in winter! Every Wednesday evening enjoy delicious street food, hot bevvies, roaring open fires, great shopping, live music and fun at the silent disco. Read the Winter Night Market review.
• Teeth & Tails – SEA LIFE Melbourne (Sat 19 Aug – Mon 4 Sep) – Explore the fascinating world of marine creatures! Learn about the moray eel’s sharp teeth and hidden jaws, sea stars’ unique digestion, and meet the impressive Mega croc Pinjarra.
• Now or Never Art Trail (Thu 22 Aug – Sun 31 Aug) – Explore the Now or Never Art Trail, a magical journey to the future. Along the Docklands promenade, experience a luminous outdoor gallery merging the physical and digital worlds. Don’t miss this free and wondrous adventure!
• The Story of the Moving Image (ongoing) – Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, digital innovation and captivating stories. Read the Story of the Moving Image ACMI Review.

• The District Makers Market (Last Sunday of every month) – creative and colourful market stalls showcasing a variety of art, craft, jewellery, homewares, gifts and artisanal produce last Sunday of the month. 
• Polly Woodside (First Sunday of the Month) – Come aboard for a tour of the ship and discover what life was like on a tall ship sailing the seven seas. Read the Polly Woodside review.
• Docklands Community Market (2nd & 4th Sunday of each month) – Grab your early morning coffee, enjoy a lovely stroll & support your local producers at this lovely market.
• Melbourne Book Market (Saturdays & Sundays) – curated collection of more than 5,000 new and pre-loved titles selected and presented by 15 of Melbourne’s most experienced booksellers.
• Arts Centre Sunday Market (Sundays) – find unique, quirky and handmade items at the stalls. There are always some yummy treats too!
• Leonardo Da Vinci (Sat 16 Mar – Sun 16 Sept) – Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius promises to be THE LUME Melbourne’s most ambitious, immersive and breathtaking experience yet.

• Soft Play (ongoing) – Play with your child and make community connections in a safe and fun indoor environment.
• Kids Passport Queen Victoria Market (ongoing) – Collect your passport, then journey around the Market collecting stamps from our friendly traders, before making your way to the Queen Victoria Market Visitor Hub to claim your prize.
• Into the Music – Composition Workshop 2024 (ongoing) – Participants in Into the Music – Composition Workshop will explore technology and techniques used to create the music they hear every day.
• Escape the Gaol (Ongoing) – At Old Melbourne Gaol, kids can become inmates on a mission to hatch the perfect escape plan. Read my Old Melbourne Gaol review
• SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium (ongoing) – See some of the world’s most incredible animals, including penguins, a 6-metre-long crocodile and thousands of tropical fish, plus the newly reopened oceanarium.

What’s on in Melbourne – North / North-East

• Cosy Collage Matinée @ Missing Gorilla (Sat 27 Jul and Sat 10 Aug) – Dream of a screen-free, family-friendly winter escape by the fireplace, exploring contemporary collage, sipping drinks, and enjoying nibbles to French Jazz & Cafe music.
• Meet Victoria the T. rex (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 20 Oct) – Victoria the T. rex is a world-class, interactive exhibition starring the real fossil skeleton of a 66-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus named Victoria.
• Hurstbridge Wattle Festival (Sun 25 Aug) – A rural street festival held on the last Sunday in August in Hurstbridge.
• Italian Day Festival (Sun 25 Aug) – Enjoy live entertainment, cooking demos, pop up food stalls, free kids activities, and more!
• T.REX 3D (Fri 21 Jun – Sat 21 Dec) – Narrated by Sam Neill, experience the iconic T. rex come to life on the world’s biggest, best screen in this thrilling IMAX 3D documentary!

• Under 5s Art Classes (Fridays until 15 Sep) – Sessions will explore the elements of art such as colour, shape, texture and pattern through material exploration and experimentation.
• Fitzroy Market (Saturdays) – a one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.
• Abbotsford Farmers Market (Saturday) – Shop local and seasonal produce and visit the Collingwood Children’s Farm which is just next door.
• Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo (Ongoing) – Educator-led daily activities that promote learning through storytelling, craft and play.

• VU Play Coburg pop-up playspaces (Tuesdays – Saturdays) – VU early childhood pre-service teachers create pop-up play spaces for children to play.
• Rose Street Artists’ Market (Saturdays and Sundays) – Shop directly from Melbourne’s best artists, designers, crafters and makers at Fitzroy’s iconic Rose Street Market.
• Heide Art Babies (Tuesdays) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the Heide Art Babies Review.
• Diamond Valley Railway (Sundays) – miniature railway with a playground next door. Read the Diamond Valley Railway Review.

• Heide Gallery Kids  (Fridays) – Join Art Therapist Tanis Douglas, who supports pre-school children and their carers to gain confidence observing artworks in a small group.
• Sensory Tray Sessions (ongoing) – Pour, scoop, splash and more at our sensory tray sessions!
• Tiny Tours (ongoing) – A 45-minute tour created for early year audiences that will invite them to wonder, discover and be amazed.
• Dinosaur Walk (ongoing) – Check out the real dinosaur bones at Melbourne Museum’s permanent exhibition featuring ten dinosaur skeletons, three pterosaurs, and other select megafauna artefacts such as huge teeth!
• Mini Twitchers Heide (Ongoing) – Be a twitcher for a day and spot some beautiful birds in the Heide Sculpture park! Use a map to locate each area where the twelve painted birds are hidden in trees in the sculpture park.
• Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs (ongoing) – An immersive voyage into a lost world, where visitors will explore the landscapes of the Cretaceous and get to know the creatures that thrived there.
• Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery (Ongoing) – A world-class immersive learning and play experience – and a wonderland for little learners! The exhibition combines hands-on exploration and discovery, open-ended play-based learning, extraordinary immersive environments and unique museum collection objects.

What’s on in Melbourne – South / South-East / Bayside

• Prehistoric Bayside Exhibition (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 25 Aug) – Prehistoric Bayside is an immersive family-friendly exhibition showcasing the tumultuous lives of bizarre beasts dating back roughly 5-6 million years.
• Teen Digital Photography Project (Wed 24 Jul – Wed 11 Sep) – Engage in a range of hands-on activities, tapping into the realm of camera settings and controlled lighting, as you learn to craft captivating images that resonate with your unique perspective.
• Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ Glow Party™ tickets (Sat 10 Aug – Sun 11 Aug) – Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ Glow Party™ presented by BIG W lets audiences see real-life versions of Hot Wheels monster truck toys, including Mega Wrex™, Tiger Shark™, and the new HW 5-Alarm™ fire truck, in exciting competitions and battles in the dark.
• LINDEN PLAYS > FABRIC + PAPER MACHE BOWLS WORKSHOP (Sat 10 Aug) – Get ready to transform recycled fabric into unique paper mache bowls, bursting with colour and imagination! Under the guidance of facilitator Anna Zobel, children will explore the magic of upcycling while unleashing their artistic flair.
• NGV TEENS: ART PARTY (Sat 10 Aug) – Experience an unforgettable night at NGV International complete with DJs, workshops, performance and inspiring talks exclusively for teens.
• Circus Royale – Pakenham (Sat 29 Jul – Sun 10 Sep) – Step Right Up! Experience a Circus Like Never Before: Circus Royale Brings Australia’s Only 3D Hologram Display & Bonus Animatronic Dinosaur Exhibit to Pakenham!

• Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ Glow Party™ tickets (Sat 10 Aug – Sun 11 Aug) – Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ Glow Party™ presented by BIG W lets audiences see real-life versions of Hot Wheels monster truck toys, including Mega Wrex™, Tiger Shark™, and the new HW 5-Alarm™ fire truck, in exciting competitions and battles in the dark.
• Moorabbin Junction After Dark (Sat 10 Aug) – Station Street’s first-ever street party, celebrating local community. Experience the magic as neon light artist Carla O’Brien transforms the street into an interactive wonderland.
• The Peasant Prince in 2024 (Mon 19 Aug – Tue 20 Aug) – The Peasant Prince tells the remarkable true story of a 10-year-old peasant boy’s journey from impoverished rural China to the international dance scene. This is a story of courage, resilience and unwavering hope.
• Wonderbox by Sensorium Theatre (Wed 21 Aug – Sat 24 Aug) – Sensorium Theatre, Australia’s only theatre company making work specifically designed for young audiences with disability and their friends, invites children to roll the dice and set out along a safe, exhilarating pathway into the unknown.
• Little Play Times (Every Wednesdays Starts Aug 9) – Legoland’s new program that is designed to teach pre-school children new skills through meaningful parent-child play!
• Mini Makers (Wednesdays) – Back for Term 3, Mini Makers provides masterclasses for kids ages 2 – 5, where they can explore science, craft, cooking, music, movement and more!
• Mornington Railway (Sundays) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
• Sonica Botanica: Stories and Sounds from the Gardens (Until 31 Dec 2024) – Weaving together interviews, field recordings and a musical score, this evocative listening experience responds to collectors’ passions, botanical knowledge, favourite memories, childhood impressions, historical anecdotes and cultural viewpoints
• Little Play Times Legoland (ongoing) – An interactive parent-child Play & Learn session based on LEGO® DUPLO®

• Bentleigh Sunday Market (Sundays) – plants, clothing, cosmetics, jewellery, books, videos, tools, antiques, crafts, pre-loved goods, and more! Every Sunday.
• Young At Art (Tuesdays) – With the guidance of an experienced early childhood educator, participants work on a different hands-on creative activity every week, using materials from the take-home art materials box supplied each session.
• Tune in Time Out Music Playgroup (Tuesdays) – A pre-school music group plus time for play and parents to relax. The group runs weekly on Tuesday Mornings from 10:00 – 11:30am during school terms.
• Camberwell Sunday Market (Every Sunday) – second-hand retro, vintage, antique, fashion and collectible goods you just can’t find anywhere else.
• National Steam Centre (Saturdays and Sundays) – A visit to the National Steam Centre will delight a wide audience from the pre-schooler obsessed with Thomas and train rides, to train enthusiasts of any age!
• Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Third Saturday of every month until Sun 21 Dec) – On Saturdays soak up the vibrant atmosphere and sample the very best of local Victorian produce, directly from Victorian farmers and specialty makers.
• Little Play Squad Legoland  (Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays) – An interactive parent-child Play & Learn session based on LEGO® DUPLO®.
• Prahran Market Mini Marketeers (Every Tuesday) – Enjoy free, guided activities teaching toddlers the fundamentals of eating well and putting the ‘yum’ in healthy food choices.
• Aboriginal Heritage Walk (Sundays) – Journey into Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation, with a First Peoples guide.
• The Explorer – Melbourne Gardens (ongoing) – Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air minibus.
• Shrine Kids (Daily) – The Shrine of Remembrance is the National War Memorial of Victoria and it makes for an educational (and sobering) outing for families. Read the Shrine Kids Review.

• Nature Play (ongoing) – Come along to Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve for Nature Play, an outdoor, child-led playgroup session facilitated by a qualified ranger.
• WIIILD Wednesdays, Gumbuya World (ongoing) – Dive into Wildlife Wanderers, the trail of free-roaming wildlife, savor two interactive shows, and hop on junior rides! Get up close with exotic animals, connect with nature, and enjoy exciting entertainment every week!
• St Kilda Breakwater (ongoing) – Spot the Little Penguin colony just before dusk coming ashore from the promenade.
• The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden (ongoing) – A dedicated, fully fenced space for families featuring plants, water, structures, and pathways that reflect Melbourne’s changing seasons.
• Stories and Songs in the Square (Ongoing) – Nurture your child’s early literacy skills by joining in to read aloud stories and sing action songs and rhymes.
• Little Lunies at Luna Park (Ongoing) – Discover a fantastic world of rides, attractions, and games to suit Little and Big Lunies! There’s something for everyone from old favorites like The Great Scenic Railway, Ghost Train, & Carousel to the big thrill rides like the Power Surge, Sky Rider, Twin Dragon, and more!
• St Kilda Breakwater (Ongoing) – St Kilda Breakwater – Spot the Little Penguin colony just before dusk coming ashore from the promenade.
• Gumbuya World Wildlife Wanderers (ongoing) – join a fun day for your little ones with a 30-minute program, which will include storytime, games and Nature Play-based activities.

What’s on in Melbourne – East

• BUSY BODIES (Tue 6 Aug – Tue 27 Aug) – Join the fun each Tuesday during the school term for FREE activity sessions tailored for pre-school aged children.
• Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Market (Sun 4 Aug and Sun 25 Aug) – high quality pre loved, handmade, and new goods at reasonable prices.
• Creative Kids: Toddler Mornings (Wed 14 Aug) – Join us for our monthly craft sessions at Creative Kids, Burwood One. It’s totally free and open to all!
• Park Orchards Market (Sat 17 Aug) – Enjoy music, kids activities, playgrounds, plenty of parking, coffee, bread, pastries, fresh fruit & veg, local eggs, honey, wholesale meat, artisan deli goods, cheese, wine, plants, gifts, homewares, dogs & cats painter, arts & crafts and jewellery.
• Yarra Valley Railway (Every Sun) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read the Yarra Valley Review.
• Melbourne Tram Museum (Sat 10 Aug, Wed 14 Aug, and Sat 24 Aug) – Visit a Melbourne icon at this quirky museum. Read the Melbourne Tram Museum full review

• ECOSS Valley Market (Fridays) – Experience the vibrant Valley Markets, connecting local growers, artisans, and musicians in the heart of the Yarra Valley.
• Wurundjeri Storytime (Fridays) – Join Rebecca from Wurundjeri Council in an interactive online storytelling session for kinders, early years groups and families aged 0 to 5 years. Children will learn about Wurundjeri culture, Woi-wurrung language and Dreaming stories through storytelling, rhyme and song. Please register each class group attending.
• BUSY BODIES Malvern Central (Every Monday) – Experience FREE activity sessions for pre-school children every Monday during the school term. Play, learn, cook, and have fun with engaging activities tailored by experts to captivate little imaginations.
• Mt Baw Baw (June – September but dates will vary depending on snow season) – Melbourne’s closest downhill ski resort is open for the winter season. Read the tips on visiting Mt Baw Baw with kids
• Lake Mountain (June – September but dates will vary depending on snow season) – toboggan, cross country skiing and snow play, 2 hours from Melbourne. Read the visiting Lake Mountain with kids review

• Eastland (ongoing) – Sign up to the free mini & me kids club at Eastland (for kids 4 and under) and receive exclusive offers, invites to free events and $5 valet parking!
• ​Spirits of the Sky (ongoing) – See the natural behaviours of a variety of native birds at Healesville Sanctuary which may include the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Black-breasted Buzzard, Barking Owl, magnificent parrots and more.
• Afternoons of Awesome at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (ongoing) – Young builders can blast out of the classroom into a world of creativity, hop on electrifying rides, and set off on epic afternoon LEGO adventure!
• Belgrave Big Dreams Market (2nd Sunday of the month) – discover original and bespoke design pieces, some of the yummiest and freshest produce the area has to offer, live music, bouncy castle and face painting for the kids.

What’s on in Melbourne – West

• Australian Model Railway Association 2024 Exhibition (Sat 3 Aug – Sun 4 Aug) – Experience the Australian Model Railway Association (AMRA) 2023 Exhibition, a captivating showcase of model trains.
• Kryal Castle’s: Highland Spectacular (Sat 17 Aug – Sun 18 Aug) – Step into Scotland this August. For two days only, August 17 and 18, Ballarat’s iconic medieval castle will welcome visitors to the world of pipe bands, highland dancing and clan tents, all paired with an array of decedent Scottish food and drink.
• Bulla Railway (3rd Sunday of each month) – Ride the dinosaur trail on the miniature railway. Read the Bulla Railway Review.
• Altona Miniature Railway (3rd Sunday of the month) – between 10am and 3pm ride this wonderful Miniature Railway.Read the Altona Miniature Railway review.
• Grazeland (Fridays – Sundays) – huge dining precinct with city views and 50 stalls to choose from. Read the Grazeland Review

• Essendon Traffic School (Saturdays) – Essendon Traffic School is a mini road set up for kids aged two to ten years, complete with road signs, railway bells and traffic lights. Read the Essendon Traffic School review.
• Altona Homestead (recurring 1st Sunday of the month) – Experience the renowned Devonshire Tea at Altona Homestead on the first Sunday of every month. Reserve your spot in advance for a delightful time.
• Altona Beach Market (recurring weekly every Tuesdays) – Experience Melbourne’s popular Altona Beach market, a weekly street market held on Pier Street, featuring fresh food stalls, unique crafts, and a scenic seaside backdrop, attracting both local residents and visitors from all over the city.
• Art in the garden (Tuesdays) – It’s a combination of nature play, sensory play, process art, and playgroup. Run by ‘The Fun In Art’.
• 2024 Spartan Urban Event Weekend (Sat 3 Aug – Sun 4 Aug) – Conquer thrilling obstacles and overcome rugged terrain with the Spartan Kids Race! Prepare for smiles, medals and a whole lot of mud!

• Toddler and Kids Art Classes (Thurs + Fridays) – The Fun In Art’ provides art classes for toddlers and kids where they’re more about the fun of creation and less about the outcome of the artwork.
• Ground Up: Building Big Ideas, Together (Ongoing) – An exhibition for babies to five-year-olds where curiosity is rewarded around each bend with surprising and intriguing sights, sounds and touch sensations.
• Robotics and coding kit – Discover the power of mBot robots in this fun introductory workshop that explores how simple programs can control complex machines.
• Animal Land  (Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays) – Children’s Farm in Diggers Rest offering an authentic farm experience for children and families.
• Playnastics (Wednesdays & Thursdays) – Casual open play sessions using a selection of Preschool Gymnastics equipment and resources, as well as puzzles, blocks and more.
• Melbourne Planetarium (Ongoing) – Sit back and enjoy the wonder of the stars regardless of the time of day – or the weather!

• Sunday Funday Station Hotel (Sundays) – Every Sunday The Station Hotel prepares an animal farm and other entertaining activities to keep the little ones busy, while you sit back and relax. Read the Station Hotel Review
• Bells and Beats (Thursdays during school term) – Come along on a musical adventure with plenty of fun and dancing for 0 – 5 year old’s.
• Enterprize Sail Williamstown (usually sails the third Sunday of every month) – go for a one hour sail on tall ship Enterprize in Williamstown
• Werribee Open Range Zoo (ongoing) – Stroll through the Zoo spotting lions, hippos, cheetahs, monkeys, gorillas and more, catch the safari bus tour or explore the Ranger Kids indoor play space and Village Kids outdoor playground.
• Air Playground (ongoing) – Air Playground has launched at Scienceworks. Levitate objects, engineer paper planes, & learn the physics of airflow.
• ​Clocktower Centre Children’s Space (ongoing) – Parents and carers can sit back and relax with a coffee and a snack from the Clocktower Café while the kids explore the space, watch the trams go by or listen to their favourite book with the interactive Storytime Pod.
• Incy Wincy Babies (ongoing) – Barking Spider Creative artist guides carers with their babies through a visual art experience at the Gallery.
• Bounce Play Dates Essendon Fields (ongoing) – It’s not just jumping and rock climbing for kids, enjoy a minibouncer zone exclusive for toddlers (for kids <110 cm in height).

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