As we transition into the vibrant month of September in Melbourne, the chilly grasp of winter begins to loosen its hold. Embrace the upcoming spring with a plethora of exciting events tailored for families, promising to infuse your days with warmth and joy.
Whether you’re into the arts, sports, outdoors, music, or just looking for fun things to do to keep the boredom at bay, you can discover a treasure trove of FREE activities right across Melbourne that you can enjoy!
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.
- Free Weekly Mornings at Westfield Fountain Gate (Tue 29 Aug – Fri 15 Sep) – Bring your kids to Westfield Fountain Gate for twice-weekly Kids Mornings filled with fun. Each week offers new activities, so be prepared to draw, craft, sing, and dance together!
- I See You Like This Exhibition At ArtPlay (Thu 10 Aug – Sun 26 Nov) – Explore 30 weird and wonderful portraits designed by children and 2 making stations where you can create your very own portrait.
- Melbourne Stories NGV Australia (Fri 1 Sep – Sat 30 Sep) – Get to know Melbourne through its art and design. Join an NGV Guide to see Melbourne from different perspectives and to discover stories about people, places and events that have helped shape the city.
- Wyndham Learning Festival (Fri 1 Sep) – Get Ready to be Spellbound at the 2023 Wyndham Learning Festival Launch with acclaimed author and educationalist Mem Fox, reflecting on her career, discover the Magic of Literature and Unleash Your Creativity Across Wyndham!
- Botanic Ridge Baby Pop-up Playgroup (Fri 1 Sep) – Come along and enjoy a range of activities for babies aged 0 to 12 months. With singing, playing and sharing activities that you and your baby could do at home whilst connecting with other families.
- Zero Waste Festival 2023 (Sat 2 Sep) – Explore a realm of knowledge with interactive displays, enlightening talks, and engaging workshops that reveal the secrets of waste reduction.
- Cook it with Dad (Sat 2 Sep) – For fathers and grandfathers to cook with their children. Have fun and eat tasty food!
- RESET (Sat 2 Sep – Wed 27 Sep) Pause and refresh! This spring at Fed Square, RESET is your chance to begin anew. Revisit your plans to plant, compost, or mend. Revive your thinking with sustainable inspiration.
- Chapter Time with Freya! (Wed 6 Sep) – Join in this free event with your little ones every Wednesday afteernoon for story time with Freya Clough Good.
- Electric Kingdom (Thu 7 Sep – Sun 17 Sep) – Get ready to witness a magical world of epic proportions as you step into the fantastical realm of Electric Kingdom. Electric Kingdom is a free event, but you will need to register for a ticket online.
- Vegan Market (Sat 9 Sep) – Discover a diverse range of stalls featuring top-notch vegan food, drinks, fashion, beauty items, and eco-friendly products. The Melbourne Vegan Market caters to all, whether you’re a committed vegan or looking to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.
- Wonders of the Arboretum (Sat 9 Sep) – Experience roving entertainers, children’s workshops, storytelling, acoustic performances, and delicious food trucks in a family-friendly, alcohol-free, and vibrant atmosphere.
- SisterWorks Spectacular- Cultural Festival (Wed 9 Sep) – Turning 10 warrants a special celebration, and this September SisterWorks is holding a Cultural Festival, the SisterWorks Spectacular. The festival is going to be a fun day out featuring entrepreneurial women from migrant, refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds. We have a range of stalls and activities where you can browse, listen, watch, take part, and of course eat!
- One Fine Baby Expo (Wed 9 Sep – Thu 10 Sep) – One Fine Baby is Melbourne’s most stylish FREE to attend baby expo. With over 100 boutique pregnancy, maternity, baby and toddler brands for you to try and buy from, expert advice and hands-on courses, beautiful facilities and plenty of entertainment for the little ones including meet & greets with CoComelon, One Fine Baby Expo has it all!
- Monash Youth Market (Sat 9 Sep) – We are excited to invite you to the Monash Youth Market in partnership with the Notting Hill Neighbourhood House.
- Footscray Community Fun Day (Sun 10 Sep) – It will have a face painter for kids, pies from Pie Thief and various drinks available. Try out some bowls and meet some other local families.
- 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!
- 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.
- VU Play Coburg pop-up playspaces (Tuesdays – Saturdays) – VU early childhood pre-service teachers create pop-up play spaces for children to play.
- 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!
- 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. Station Hotel Review
- 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.
- Kids Mornings (Tuesdays & Fridays, until 15 Sept) – Bring the kids to Westfield Fountain Gate for twice-weekly Kids Mornings filled with free fun! Enjoy various activities like drawing, crafting, singing, and dancing.
- 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.
- Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Third Saturday of every month 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.
- 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 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. Story of the Moving Image ACMI Review.
- Prahran Market Mini Marketeers (Ongoing) – Enjoy free, guided activities teaching toddlers the fundamentals of eating well and putting the ‘yum’ in healthy food choices.
- National Photographic Portrait Prize (Until Sun 3 Sep) – Experience the captivating National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition, showcasing Australia’s finest portrait photographers and their subjects.
- Under the Sea at Karingal Town Square (Until Sun 3 Sep) – Immerse in deep-sea wonders with immersive art, neons, and glowing inflatables. Book & attend this FREE event for a chance to win $10k in vouchers!
- Wild About Babies Docklands (Until Mon Sept 4) – A free exhibit featuring 20 life-sized endangered baby animal statues with the purpose of building awareness for vulnerable species everywhere.
- BUSY BODIES (Until Tue 12 Sept) – Join the fun each Tuesday during the school term for FREE activity sessions tailored for pre-school aged children.
- BUSY BODIES Chirnside Park (Tuesdays until 12 Sept) – Join the fun each Tuesday during the school term for FREE activity sessions tailored for pre-school aged children.
- Up, Down and All Around: Daniel Emma for Kids (until Sun 8 Oct 2023) – NGV’s newest children’s gallery exhibition invites budding designers to learn about the role of creative design in the world we live in.
- Sonica Botanica: Stories and Sounds from the Gardens (Until 31 Dec 2023) – 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.
- Heritage Garden and Grounds (Until Sun 31 Dec) – Experience the breathtaking Heritage Garden and grounds alongside the iconic buildings at Abbotsford Convent. This culturally significant site offers a serene setting for picnics, reading, or leisurely contemplation, welcoming visitors every day of the year.
Also remember that your local library and Melbourne Library Service hold free events plus check out the free ongoing Shrine Kids discovery trail for children at the Shrine of Remembrance. Full review.
Finally check out the following lists for free inspiration:
