The winter school holidays are here from Friday 28 June to Sunday 14 July 2024!
To make sure you don’t miss out on the fun, we’ve created this mega list of school holiday events and activities in Melbourne CBD for the winter school holidays, including free, affordable low-cost events and family attractions.
If you’re looking for events and activities happening in Melbourne’s suburbs, go to Melbourne Winter School Holidays – Suburbs.
Note that this post is regularly updated so make sure to check back for new events.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS
Featured Event
Taylor Swift Singalong Port Phillip Ferries (Tue 2 Jul + Tue 9 Jul) – Get ready to shake it off with an unforgettable afternoon on the water dedicated to the music of Taylor Swift!
Featured Event
Immigration Museum Winter School Holidays (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Join a guided tour of the Joy exhibition and explore the power of joy, connection, and celebration in this unique and enchanting family-friendly tour.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS
- 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.
- History of the Library Tour (Wed 1 May – Sat 31 Aug) – Discover the fascinating history of State Library Victoria and explore some of the many iconic spaces with a one-hour tour hosted by our friendly and passionate volunteers.
- 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) – Rug up in your winter woollies and head to the Market for Melbourne’s best street food trucks and stalls, local brewers and distillers, shopping and lively entertainment.
- 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.
- Children’s International Film Festival (CHIFF) (Sat 8 Jun – Wed 7 Jul) – The Children’s International Film Festival is back with a month-long celebration of cinema throughout winter school holidays at Classic Cinemas, Lido Cinemas and Cameo Cinemas.
- 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!
- Millie Mak Craft: Paper Dolls (Sat 29 Jun – Tue 2 Jul) – Create your own paper doll in this drop-in craft activity, inspired by Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng’s book, Millie Mak the Maker.
- TEDDY BEAR PICNIC TEA PARTY (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – “Bring your favourite Teddy Bear for a delightful and charming tea party. Set in a cozy room with miniature kids tea party treats and sweets!”
- Care Bears™ Afternoon Tea, The Langham (Mon 8 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – A joy-filled experience for families, during the July school holidays, this heartwarming event will bring the beloved Care Bears to life in a magical setting.
- Firelight Festival (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 30 Jun) – Over three fiery nights, Melbourne’s epic winter festival, Firelight, takes over Docklands with fire pits, mesmerising light shows, live music, pop-up foodie feasts and more.
- School Holidays at MONOPOLY DREAMS Melbourne (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Upon entry, each child will receive a new activity pack, with fun tasks to complete during their visit and to continue the fun at home.
- Fitzroy Gardens Winter Wander: Cottage Detective Quest (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Starting off at Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre, kids can collect their activity booklet and head to Cooks’ Cottage. Once there, they’ll meet eight of Kylie’s animal friends on their search for the missing hat. After answering all the questions, they can head back to the visitor centre to collect a prize.
- Firelight Labyrinth (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – This winter, a subterranean space underneath Melbourne’s iconic Marvel Stadium will be transformed into a mythical labyrinth of light and sound. Interact with state-of-the-art technology, offering an unprecedented experience unlike anything witnessed in Australia before.
- Academy at Arts Centre Melbourne (Mon 1 Jul – Sat 13 Jul) – Unleash your potential at Arts Centre Melbourne’s The Channel, discovering the strengths within you through the captivating stories of successful artists.
- Melbourne Magic Festival (Mon 1 Jul – Sat 13 Jul) – See over 130 performances of 30 different shows including top international guest magicians from all over Australia.
- Millie Mak Workshop: Scrunchies and Bags (Mon 1 Jul – Sat 7 Sep) – Turn old clothes into something new in our DIY workshops with Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng.
- Winter School Holidays at Queen Victoria Market (Tue 2 Jul, Thu 4 Jul, Tue 9 Jul, and Thu 11 Jul) – Get ready for a giant tumble of geometric planks, where little ones can explore their creativity and collaboration as they create giant shapes to craft larger-than-life snowflakes.
- Paper Planet workshops (Thu 4 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Join a unique school holiday activity of paper play and making.
- VCES School Holiday Workshop: LEGO® Robotics – Build Me a Story (Thu 4 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Armed with a passion for LEGO® brick building, your primary schooler (5–8-year-olds) and family members will work together to create and code a LEGO® brick robot while learning about the Library’s collection items.
- Winter Kids Takeover (Wed 3 Jul) – Let your kids take charge at this one-day winter extravaganza, where they get to run the show at the Library. From arts and crafts workshops to hip-hop classes and magical performances, there’s something for every child.
- The World Is Lava, Please Calm Down (Thu 4 Jul – Sun 7 Jul) – Jump into a physical challenge obstacle course experience followed by a playful investigation of calming techniques
- NAIDOC Week Oration by Uncle Charles Pakana (Mon 8 Jul) – This year Moonee Valley’s NAIDOC Week events will commence with a NAIDOC-themed oration delivered by Uncle Charles Pakana at the Incinerator Gallery.
- NAIDOC Week Children’s Craft Workshops (Tue 9 Jul) – Join for FREE NAIDOC Week children’s craft workshops. Let the kids enjoy painting and colouring during these school holidays.
- NAIDOC Week: Indigenous Cultural Presentation on Fire (Tue 9 Jul) – Discover the importance of fire and smoke in this educational Indigenous presentation.
- Josh Deane: Crackle of the Cockatoos (Wed 10 Jul – Tue 16 Jul) – This intriguing installation by Palawa contemporary artist Josh Deane features a group of paper mache cockatoos, with each sculpture incorporating paper as a tribute to the library environment.
- Inside Out – Dinosaur Dreams (Thu 11 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Explore a different idea and activity each time you visit; make a dinosaur sculpture out of cushions or felt; then turn it into a fabulous home for your fossils. Draw your favourite dinosaur’s food or wrap and weave a nest for them using ribbon and rope.
- NAIDOC Week: The Little Long Walk at EF (Thu 11 Jul) – For the third year, join us this NAIDOC Week for the Little Long Walk at Essendon Fields.
- NAIDOC Exhibition Opening: Keep The Fire Burning (Thu 11 Jul) – Bluethumb is pleased to announce its annual NAIDOC week exhibition, ‘Keep The Fire Burning,’ which is dedicated to supporting the creative endeavours of Indigenous artists.
- BLAKtivism. Build Blak Power. Fight for Change (Thu 11 Jul) – At this reflective and provocative panel event, Bebe Oliver discusses the currency of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activism, guided by Laniyuk, Apryl Day and Iluka Sax-Williams.
- Haus of Dizzy Charm Bracelet Workshop (Thu 11 Jul) – Welcome to the ultimate bling-tastic workshop with self-confessed ‘Queen of Bling’, Wiradjuri designer Kristy Dickinson of Haus of Dizzy. Kristy’s jewellery celebrates and honours Aboriginal culture through bold and statement-making accessories.
- Junior Ranger Bush Food and Bizarre Bugs (Sun 14 Jul) – Kids! Why are bugs important to the world? What is bush food? Discover the answer to these questions and more in these activities led by City of Melbourne Park Rangers and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
- NAIDOC in the City (Fri 12 Jul) – Following the annual NAIDOC march, NAIDOC in the City is an exciting celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, achievements and talents.
- NAIDOC 2024 KHT NAIDOC Market (Fri 12 Jul – Sat 13 Jul) – The 2024 NAIDOC Week theme is “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud, and Proud,” symbolizing the enduring strength, vitality, and traditions of First Peoples cultures.
- Bastille Day French Festival (Sat 13 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Shop from local French stallholders, indulge in mouth-watering delicacies, plus delight in traditional dance and musical performances from French jazz, Mauritian bands and mime artists!
- NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATION 2024 (Sat 13 Jul) – Each year NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia to acknowledge the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Melbourne Zoo Community Day (Sun 14 Jul) – Join us to close out NAIDOC week with a range of First Nations led activities for children, young people and families. A collaboration by Aboriginal Melbourne and Melbourne Zoo.
- SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium (Open daily) – 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Christmas in July Winter Night Market (Every Wednesday) – The Winter Night Market returns to Queen Victoria Market! Indulge in incredible street food, spiced Milo, mulled wine, specialty shopping offering unique and one-of-a-kind treasures, crackling fires and live entertainment.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- NGV TEENS: DROP BY AND MAKE A BUSH FLOWER WITH SOPHIE HONESS (Daily) – This school holidays, join artist Sophie Honess in a free workshop making a bush flower inspired pom-pom to decorate your school bag. Together with the NGV Teen Council, meet like-minded people and develop your skills at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square
- 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.
- Winter Igloo Garden Wharf Hotel (Daily until September 2024) – get back outside and cosy up beneath a sky of twinkling fairy lights on the banks of the Yarra. Feast on a grazing board in your own private winter wonderland. Read the Wharf Hotel igloos review.
- CRFT* WRK (Last Saturday of every month) – one of the best Melbourne June events if you love craft markets, Crft*Wrk celebrates contemporary locally-made crafts under the iconic open-air sheds at Queen Victoria 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!
- 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. 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.
- Melbourne Town Hall Tours (every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) – Take a free guided tour of Melbourne’s historic Melbourne Town Hall, one of the city’s most iconic buildings and the site of many of Melbourne’s proudest moments.
- 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.
What’s on in All Melbourne Suburbs for the Winter School Holidays
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