Though the cold may be giving you the shivers, July in Melbourne is still full of warm, joyful and vibrant family events that will help you and your family embrace the best of winter.
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.
GLOW WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL
Featured Event
Glow Winter Arts Festival celebrates 10 years of illumination in Stonnington from 18-21 July 2024!
Head to Central Park, Malvern East to experience a free program of stunning and immersive outdoor installations to spark curiosity after-dark. The Festival includes innovative works never before presented in Victoria.
Running over 4 nights, Glow is a free event for the whole family and is a ‘must do’ on Melbourne’s cultural calendar. Be immersed in a night-world of colour and light and experience winter in Stonnington like never before at Glow Winter Arts Festival 2024!
What’s On Melbourne July 2024 – Table of Contents
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS
- BEINGS By Universal Everything (Wed 22 May – Sun 29 Sep 2024) – A playful family adventure at ACMI filled with vibrant and playful digital art.
- Winter Night Market (Wed 5 Jun – Wed 28 Aug) – 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.
- 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.
- Lightscape (Fri 16 Jun – Sun 6 Aug) – An immersive, after-dark experience at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne this winter. See iconic tree canopies drenched in colour, vibrant bursts of light from the undergrowth and more!
- 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.
- 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.
- Storytime by State Library Victoria (Wednesdays during school term) – Share the delight of stories, songs, and picture books with your preschooler on Wednesdays at the Library. State Library of Victoria Review.
- 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
- Hop into the boots of SEA LIFE Melbourne’s penguin keepers this winter (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 21 Jul) – Enjoy keeper talks and an interactive trail where guests will dive into the world of penguins, gaining knowledge about feeding, habitat, enrichment and conservation.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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!
- 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.
- NAIDOC Week (Sun 7 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- 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.
- Soft Play (ongoing) – Play with your child and make community connections in a safe and fun indoor environment.
- 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.
- Kids Passport Queen Victoria Market (Every market day) – 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.
- 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.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S NORTH / NORTH-EAST
- The Grandparents Club – South Morang (Sun 21 Jul) – The Grandparents Club, an original Australian Comedy Musical, celebrates the wonderful world of Grandparenting in a show made for Grandparents. Visiting Melbourne in July.
- Treetime with Claire Saxby for 7 – 8 year old nature lovers (Sat 27 Jul) – Create your own tree with multi-award-winning picture book creators Claire Saxby and Jess Raclyeft, as they take you on a journey of wonder and discovery.
- A Mysterious Afternoon for 9-12 year olds (Sat 27 Jul) – Batthew Aromascent and the Missing Corpse Flower is the first dazzling book in an exciting new adventure mystery series about the rich world of fragrance, starring a young Nose named Batthew Aromascent, whose parents disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
- 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.
- Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (Until Sun 31 Jul) – Enjoy thought-provoking documentaries from all over the world. Running from 1 – 31 July Online & 17 – 31 July In-Cinema.
- 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.
- Fitzroy Market (Saturdays) – a one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.
- 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.
- Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery (Daily) – Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery – 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.
- Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs (Daily) – 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.
- Tiny Tours (Fridays during school term) – a 45-minute tour created for early year audiences that will invite them to wonder, discover and be amazed.
- Dinosaur Walk (Daily) – 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!
- Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo (Ongoing) – Educator-led daily activities that promote learning through storytelling, craft, and play at Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo.
- Sensory Tray Sessions (ongoing) – Sensory Tray Session (Various dates) – Pour, scoop, splash and more at our sensory tray sessions!
- Heide Gallery Kids (ongoing) – Join Art Therapist Tanis Douglas, who supports pre-school children and their carers to gain confidence observing artworks in a small group.
- 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.
- Heide Art Babies (Ongoing) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the Heide Art Babies Review.
- Under 5s Art Classes (ongoing) – Sessions will explore the elements of art such as colour, shape, texture and pattern through material exploration and experimentation.
- Diamond Valley Railway (Sundays) – miniature railway with a playground next door. Diamond Valley Railway Review.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE
- Glow Winter Arts Festival (Thu 18 Jul – Su 21 Jul) – Be immersed in a night-world of colour and light and experience winter in Stonnington like never before at Glow Winter Arts Festival 2024!
- Gumbuya World Dreaming (Sat 8 Jun – Sun 21 Jul) – Prepare to be transported to a realm of wonder and awe as Gumbuya World Theme Park proudly presents ‘Gumbuya Dreaming’, a mesmerising digital light experience created by acclaimed Indigenous artist Wayne Quilliam.
- 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.
- The Grandparents Club – Moorabbin (Wed 17 Jul) – The Grandparents Club, an original Australian Comedy Musical, celebrates the wonderful world of Grandparenting in a show made for Grandparents. Visiting Melbourne in July.
- The Grandparents Club – Frankston (Fri 19 Jul – Wed 17 Jul) – The Grandparents Club, an original Australian Comedy Musical, celebrates the wonderful world of Grandparenting in a show made for Grandparents. Visiting Melbourne in July.
- 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.
- Prehistoric Bayside Cartoon workshop with Zev Landes (Sat 27 Jul) – In this awesome cartoon workshop we’ll have fun doing learning to draw bizarre beasts from prehistoric Bayside.
- Advanced Prehistoric Bayside Cartoon workshop with Zev Landes (Sat 27 Jul) – Learn advanced techniques in cartooning and bring incredible prehistoric creatures from Bayside to life with artist Zev Landes.
- ARC BY ERTH (Sun 28 Jul – Mon 29 Jul) – A place to keep the most precious of things. A place to embrace the awe and wonder of nature.
- Mornington Railway (Sundays) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
- Bentleigh Sunday Market (Sundays) – plants, clothing, cosmetics, jewellery, books, videos, tools, antiques, crafts, pre-loved goods, and more! Every Sunday.
- 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. Shrine Kids Review.
- The Explorer – Melbourne Gardens (Until Tue 31 Dec) Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air minibus.
- The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (Wednesday – Sunday) – A dedicated, fully fenced space for families featuring plants, water, structures, and pathways that reflect Melbourne’s changing seasons.
- Aboriginal Heritage Walk (Until Tue 31 Dec) – Journey into Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation, with a First Peoples guide.
- 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
- Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Third Saturday of every month until Sun 18 Dec) – On Saturdays soak up the vibrant atmosphere and sample the very best of local Victorian produce, directly from Victorian farmers and specialty makers..
- Prahran Market Mini Marketeers (Ongoing) – Enjoy free, guided activities teaching toddlers the fundamentals of eating well and putting the ‘yum’ in healthy food choices.
- Camberwell Sunday Market (Every Sunday) – second-hand retro, vintage, antique, fashion and collectible goods you just can’t find anywhere else.
- 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.
- 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!
- Nature Play (Ongoing) – Come along to Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve for Nature Play, an outdoor, child-led playgroup session facilitated by a qualified ranger.
- Little Play Times Legoland (Ongoing) – Little Play Times Legoland (Wednesdays) – An interactive parent-child Play & Learn session based on LEGO® DUPLO®.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S EAST
- Circus Royale Wantirna South (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Melbourne’s Favourite Circus Spectacular is coming to the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South with Australia’s #1 action-packed circus event and animatronic zoo.
- Silvers Circus Spectacular (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 21 Jul) – Silvers Circus has returned with a 90-minute spectacular by elite artists from around the globe, including the Walison Muh as seen on Australia’s Got Talent.
- Melbourne Tram Museum (Wed 10 Jul, Sat 13 Jul, & Sat 27 Jul) – historic trams on display. Read the Melbourne Tram Museum Review.
- Belgrave Big Dreams Market (Sun 14 Jul) – discover original and bespoke design pieces, some of the yummiest and freshest produce the area has to offer, live music, a bouncy castle and face painting for the kids.
- Box Hill Miniature Railway (Sun 21 Jul) – Every 3rd Sunday you can ride this wonderful Miniature Railway, the track winds through the picturesque surrounds of Elgar Park. Read the Box Hill Miniature Railway Review.
- Mooroolbark Miniature Railway (Sun 28 Jul) – miniature rail running every 4th Sunday.
- 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.
- Yarra Valley Railway (Every Sun) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read the Yarra Valley 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.
- 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! FREE.
- Spirits of the Sky (Daily) – See the natural behaviours of a variety of native birds 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!
- Lake Mountain (June – September but dates will vary depending on snow season) – toboggan, cross country skiing and snow play 2 hours from Melbourne. Read my tips on visiting Lake Mountain with kids
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S WEST
- Adventure Park – Winter Glow (Fri 22 June – Sun 21 July) – Discover a glowing winter wonderland of snow, lights, fire and ice.
- Winter Wonderland at Grazeland (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 28 Jul) – Farewell the winter blues at Grazeland’s annual Winter Wonderland! Melbourne’s foodie playground is heating up with an array of food, drink and entertainment.
- Winter Wonderlights Sovereign Hill (Mon 27 Jun – Mon 15 Jul) – Christmas in July with snow falls, carols and projections. Read the Winter Wonderlights Review.
- Incy Wincy Babies (Fri 19 Jul) – Barking Spider Creative artist guides carers with their babies through a visual art experience at the Gallery.
- The Grandparents Club – Moonee Ponds (Sat 27 Jul) – The Grandparents Club, an original Australian Comedy Musical, celebrates the wonderful world of Grandparenting in a show made for Grandparents. Visiting Melbourne in July.
- 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.
- 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.
- Kryal Castle (Weekends only) – Experience a captivating and enchanting day for all ages at Kryal Castle’s Festival of Magic this June.
- Art in the garden (Tuesdays) – It’s a combination of nature play, sensory play, process art, and playgroup. Run by ‘The Fun In Art’.
- 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
- Playnastics (Wednesdays + Thursdays) – Casual open play sessions using a selection of Preschool Gymnastics equipment and resources, as well as puzzles, blocks and more. Read our review here.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 (Daily) – 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.
- Bounce Playdates (Ongoing) – Extended toddler sessions offer little adrenaline hunters time to explore and play, while parents can choose to join in, or watch on from nearby.
- 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.
- Clocktower Centre Children’s Space (Daily) – 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.
- Melbourne Planetarium (Daily) – Sit back and enjoy the wonder of the stars regardless of the time of day – or the weather!
- Ground Up: Building Big Ideas, Together (Daily) – An exhibition for babies to five-year-olds where curiosity is rewarded around each bend with surprising and intriguing sights, sounds and touch sensations.
- Air Playground (Daily) – Air Playground has launched at Scienceworks. Levitate objects, engineer paper planes, & learn the physics of airflow.
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