Free Events in Melbourne: Spring School Holidays 2024

Looking for free things to do with kids in Melbourne these school holidays?

Here is a round-up of all the best things happening for free in Melbourne for the 2024 Spring School Holidays from Saturday 21 September to Sunday 6 October 2024.

Note that this post is regularly updated so make sure to check back for new events.

Click here for Spring school holiday events in Melbourne CBD and September school holiday events in Melbourne’s suburbs. 

Note that there’s also a separate post for family-friendly September events happening from Friday 6 September to Friday 20 September 2024.

Click for more information on Australian school holidays and public holiday dates 2023.

Free Events in Melbourne Spring School Holidays – CBD/Docklands

• Exhibition: I See You Like This (Thu 10 Aug – Sun 26 Nov) – Explore the “I See You Like This” exhibit at ArtPlay’s gallery. It showcases 30 unique portraits created by children. You can also make your own portrait at the two art stations.
• RESET (Sat 2 Sept – Wed 27 Sept) – This September, Melbourne’s iconic Fed Square is home to RESET – a month-long festival focussing on biodiversity, connecting with nature, and promoting easy and practical ways to live more sustainably.
• Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure (Wed 13 Sep – Tue 19 Sep) – Entertain the kids by taking the outdoor adventure challenge in the heritage-listed Fitzroy Gardens.
• Play Capitol Arcade (Sat 16 Sep – Sun 15 Oct) – Explore a hidden street arcade in Melbourne’s CBD. Follow a trail of five playable arcade machines placed in shops and cafés, beginning at The Capitol.
• Up, Down and All Around: Daniel Emma for Kids (Mon 18 Sep – Sun 10 Oct) – Up, Down and All Around: Daniel Emma for Kids invites budding designers to learn about the role of design in the world we live in. Read NGV Children’s Gallery review.
• Pedal Power Pictures (Tue 19 Sep – Tue 22 Sep) – Experience the excitement of creating and watching a movie you’ve powered on the big screen. Curious about the effort needed to run a film? Visit the Edge, hop on a bike, and try the Pedal Power system, generating 250 watts of continuous power to enjoy a film on a digital screen.
• Butterfly House (Tue 19 Sep – Thu 21 Sep) – Experience the wonder of flight and transformation at Butterfly House. Meet a giant Praying Mantis and befriend a caterpillar.
• Numinous Bloom (Fri 22 Sep – Sun 24 Sep) – A garden of interactive machines suitable for all ages. It comes alive with moving parts, sound, and light. This installation is not just for viewing – you can engage with it. It’s designed using technology that imitates how plants interact with each other using special connections with fungi.
• 2023 Queen Victoria Market Moon Festival – (Sat 23 Sep – Sun 24 Sep) – Dive into a captivating ambiance filled with mesmerizing cultural showcases, vibrant music, and exciting interactive events.
• Chinese Traditional Cultural Festival – (Sat 23 Sep – Sun 24 Sep) – Experience the Chinese Traditional Cultural Festival (CTCF2023) at Federation Square this September. Enjoy diverse activities, captivating performances, and hands-on cultural experiences.
• NGV Teens Drop-by and Make with Collective Closets: Bracelet Beading Workshop (Tue 26 Sep – Wed 27 Sep) – Are you a teenager looking for creative activities these holidays? Join Collective Closets sister duo Fatuma and Laurinda Ndenzako, for a bracelet beading workshop at NGV.
• Family Art Day – Open Glossary (Tue 26 Sep) – Join ACCA Education for a free, drop-in program where kids and families can create art in the galleries, inspired by ACCA’s Open Glossary exhibition.
• Trash Puppets (Tue 26 Sep – Wed 27 Sep) – Join Melbourne’s Trash Puppets for a free show, creative workshop, or both. Discover how to turn everyday trash into home-made puppets.
• Europa Night Market (Wed 27 Sep, Wed 4 Oct, Wed 11 Oct, Wed 18 Oct, and Wed 25 Oct) – The Europa Night Market is back this spring! Indulge in European street food and Euro-inspired Spritz Cocktails, explore traditional wares, art, and entertainment under Melbourne’s iconic sheds.
• Luminous at 206 Bourke Street (Fri 29 Sep – Sun 1 Oct) – Enjoy a weekend of free, family friendly fun as 206 Bourke Street celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival in the heart of Chinatown.
• 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.
• 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.
• Arts Centre Sunday Market (Sundays) – find unique, quirky and handmade items at the stalls. There are always some yummy treats too!
• 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.
• 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.

Free Activities in Melbourne September School Holidays – NORTH / NORTH-EAST

• Farming for our Future – ages 5 to 8 (Tue 26 Sep) – Get hands-on exploring the CERES Honey Lane Organic farm, and discover all the beasts, bugs and plants that make our farming world go round.
• Farm to Fork – ages 3 to 5 (Wed 27 Sep) – Become an urban farmer and uncover the roots of food! With a CERES Community Environment Park expert guide.
• Nature Play at Melbourne Gardens ​(Tues 26 & Wed 27 Sep) – Delight your child’s senses with free nature play experiences on Oak Lawn and the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden this Spring.
• Fitzroy Market (Saturdays) – a one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.
• 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.

Free Activities in Melbourne Spring School Holidays – SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE

• Dreamweaver at Chadstone (Fri 15 Sep – Sun 1 Oct) – Enjoy a line-up of free entertainment from 15 September to 1 October, and discover an immersive wonderland of digital art, illusion and performance.
• Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator Games (Mon 18 Sep – -Wed 27 Sep) – Showcase your 80s arcade gaming prowess to your loved ones as the games come to life on the Outdoor Screen.
• Art from Nature Workshops (Wed 20 Sep – Thu 28 Sep) – Join in free workshops where families can create nature-inspired art. Get creative with native plants, feathers, and gum nuts to make cards and mobiles. It’s a drop-in event for all ages to enjoy.
• Kids Sports Day (Wed 20 Sep) – Join in the fun dressed in your team’s colours, or as your favourite sports person at our annual Kids Sports Day.
• 360 Allstars: Performance & Workshops (Wed 20 Sep) – Get ready for the international hit sensation 360 ALL STARS! Featuring BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming, and more.
• Drop-In Workshop: Cuddly Creatures (Thu 21 Sep) – Due to high demand, visit Bunjil Place during September school holidays to craft your own adorable stuffed animal.
• Hidden Creatures Gallery Hunt (Sat 23 Sep – Thu 28 Sep) – Embark on an exciting digital treasure hunt with Arena Theatre Company! Join the adventure to find animated creatures using your smart device and Arena’s free app.
• Brave Young Artists (Mon 25 Sep – Fri 29 Sep) – Discover the art world, try being an artist, make your own art, learn about curating, and set up an art show. In five days, you’ll explore different art styles, meet artists and curators, and find out how art galleries work.
• Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Until Fri 15 Dec) – On Saturdays soak up the vibrant atmosphere and sample the very best of local Victorian produce, directly from Victorian farmers and specialty makers.
• Bentleigh Sunday Market (Sundays) – plants, clothing, cosmetics, jewellery, books, videos, tools, antiques, crafts, pre-loved goods, and more! Every Sunday. 
• Camberwell Sunday Market (Every Sunday) – second-hand retro, vintage, antique, fashion and collectible goods you just can’t find anywhere else
• 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.

What’s On Melbourne East – Free Spring School Holiday Activities 

• I’m A Driver! (Sun 16 Sep) – Celebrate the Heritage Week theme of transport at Schwerkolt Museum on weekends this school holidays. Read the history clues and choose your transport to complete the activity sheet!
• September School Holidays: Winged Wonders (Mon 18 Sep – Fri 22 Sep) – Create memorable school holidays with butterfly-themed activities. Enjoy free fun suitable for kids of all ages!
• Family fun at Eastland’s footy finals extravaganza (Mon 18 Sep – Sun 1 Oct) – A free celebration inviting families to explore the wide world of football. Step into the shoes of your favourite sports professionals across the football industry.
• Candlemaking workshop (Tue 19 Sep) – Get ready to unleash your imagination and ignite your creativity by making your own customised candles.
• 2023 AFL Footy Festival (Wed 27 Sep – Sat 30 Sep) – Footy Festival is back this September and bigger than ever before for four days! Free for the whole family and perfect for school holiday adventures!
• Auburn Kids Sunday Funday (Sundays) – Let the kids roam with the barnyard animals at the FREE petting zoo while you enjoy a Sunday Roast! What could be better! 

What’s On Melbourne West – free school holiday events

• Melbourne Water Presents Super Sewage: Choose Your Own Adventure (Sat 16 Sep – Sun 1 Oct) – The ‘Super Sewage’ activation at Scienceworks will provide an educational and entertaining experience for children, allowing them to learn about the importance of sewerage systems.
• Play in the Parklet: Kids Open Mic (Fri 22 Sep – Sat 23 Sep) – Participate in the Artists for Kids Culture artsbus event featuring musician Geoffrey Williams, as you engage in Music Play at Hoppers Junction!
• Youth Fest (Fri 22 Sep) – Get ready for heaps of fun! There’ll be food trucks, live music, stalls, henna, games, crafts and more at our Youth Fest!
• Mt Martha South Beach Market (Fri 29 Sep) – enjoy one of the most stunning market locations in Australia as you shop amongst 60+ makers and food & drink stalls and listen to live music.
• Yarraville Village Farmers Market (3rd Saturday of Each Month) – enjoy a wonderful, relaxed community environment, and sample the freshest products direct from the farmers and producers as you shop in the open.
• Story Time With Amanda Falson (Mondays) – Join in this free event with your little ones every Monday morning for story time with Amanda Falson.

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See the What’s On September 2023

Check out what’s happening in What’s On September 2023 – FREE

Learn more about Spring School Holiday in Melbourne

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