Welcome to our What’s On Melbourne page for kids, teens and adults! Event information is supplied by organisers and may change at any time. We recommend checking the official event page provided via our More info link before attending. Have fun exploring Melbourne!
Discover the magic behind Adam Elliot's remarkable Claymation style with a display of handmade sets, props and characters from Memoir of a Snail.
Now in its 20th year, Australia’s longest running and most popular book exhibition features more than 300 rare, remarkable and historically significant items from the State Collection. But most of all, it’s a celebration of the unique place books have in our hearts and minds.
DISTRACTION plugs into the streaming torrent of content and the places our brains go when we want to focus on anything but the thing. You know… the thing you’re supposed to be doing right now?
Over the past three decades, Naarm/Melbourne-based artist and educator David Rosetzky has garnered critical acclaim for his lens-based works that explore human relationships and the construction of social identity.
Established in 1887, the National Gallery of Victoria Travelling Scholarship shaped the creative development of generations of Australian artists.
Dean Cross is a Worimi artist and curator whose multidisciplinary practice spans performance, installation, photography, sculpture and painting.
Made to move presents from the NGV’s holdings of Australian jewellery spanning 1960 to 2020
Nipa Doshi is an award-winning designer and co-founder of London-based studio Doshi Levien. Through her work, Nipa explores and celebrates beauty, plurality and diversity, using design to disrupt homogeneity while fostering equal exchange between cultures.
Karen Black reimagines traditional representations of the body and portraiture through abstraction.
Step into a world of creativity, colour and celebration at the NGV’s 2025 children’s summer exhibition!
Party Hard – After The Party is a glittering ode to what survives after the music stops
Sidney Myer Free Concerts have been a Melbourne tradition since 1929, and the MSO has presented this series at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl since 1959.
Rebel Heart: Love letters and other declarations is a tribute to defiant expressions of the heart, celebrating true stories of the rebels of romance from the past to the present.
The Antipodes Greek Festival returns to Melbourne, transforming Lonsdale Street into a vibrant celebration of Greek culture.
Open wide, come inside, ACMI and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation are celebrating 60 years of Play School with a free children’s play exhibition about how an episode of the iconic series is made
Across five magic days Moomba is home to loads of fun events and activities – from epic skate park competitions and thrilling water sports to face painting, crafts, dance workshops, live music and entertainment, kid’s yoga and plenty more that will keep the whole family entertained.
The annual Top Arts exhibition provides a platform for emerging artists from across the state who are completing their VCE studies to showcase their skills, enthusiasm, and creativity.
Prepare for the ultimate cultural supernova at Melbourne's biggest and most vibrant Holi celebration, held over two days. The city skyline becomes the backdrop for a breathtaking explosion of joy, music, colour and unity.
The Country Road + NGV First Nations Commissions is a national, biennial mentorship and exhibition program that supports emerging Australian First Nations artists and designers.
Featuring more than 200+ historical and contemporary works from the NGV Collection, MOTHER is the most comprehensive thematic exhibition exploring motherhood ever mounted in an Australian art institution.
Netflix is hosting a free Bridgerton Masquerade Parlour in Melbourne on 31 January and 1 February and you’re invited!
Get in the right frame of mind with UNIQLO this summer as UNIQLO takes over QV Square on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 January 2026 with a vibrant sunglasses activation bringing summer style (and UV protection) to the heart of the city.
This January school holidays, dive into an extraordinary underwater world on our forecourt with The Whale, an awe-inspiring giant puppet installation from Australia’s beloved Spare Parts Puppet Theatre.
Join our drop-in workshops supported by our partners at NGV. Kids and families will have an introduction to exploring art through hands-on activities, with Nature and Us: Olaf Breuning for Kids.
Every year, our sister venue for 14 to 25 year olds, SIGNAL, hosts a series of creative arts workshops for 12-15 year olds to introduce younger children to SIGNAL
The NGV Kids Summer Festival returns 10–16 January 2026 with a week of free, family-friendly events celebrating colour, creativity and play across NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.
State Library Victoria is THE place for families these summer school holidays.
Right next to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Boxing Day Test Summer Fest is an off-field playground packed with entertainment, activities and the unbeatable vibe of the Ashes.
Over four nights, we screen wholesome Christmas family favourites followed by grown-up cult classics – helping you decide which side of Santa’s list you’re really on.
Enjoy delicious bratwurst with sauerkraut, bretzels, hot waffles, gingerbread and other delicious German sweets as well as authentic German beer, gluehwein and children's punch. Browse through the pretty market stalls and find a selection of handmade gifts, Christmas decorations and other treasures.
The popular annual Christmas-themed queer cabaret returns, curated by Melbourne’s most glittery and gilded performance artists, The Huxleys.
Pasko sa Melbourne is a vibrant celebration that brings the magic of a Filipino Christmas to the heart of the city. It’s a festive, family-friendly event filled with colour, culture, and community spirit – offering something truly special for both locals and visitors alike.
The Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Festival promotes and celebrates physically active lifestyles for people of all abilities on International Day of People with Disability each year.
Get ready for an unforgettable culinary journey at Melbourne's largest Asian Street Food Festival.
Follow the story of five tiny gummy bears as they journey through glowing gardens, swirling candy portals, towering castles and sparkling fountains.
The first Persian community cultural event at Federation Square brings together the rich art, music, and traditions of Persian-speaking communities in Victoria in an inclusive, family-friendly experience.
Get ready for Colours of Malaysia, a vibrant celebration of culture and cuisine at the Queen Victoria Market. Indulge in an array of tantalizing dishes, from the timeless nasi lemak to sizzling satay skewers and the delectable char kuey teow.
The spectacular river show returns to the Birrarung – Yarra River this Christmas!
Experience the magic of Christmas in the city, with an evening of free family-friendly fun and entertainment, and the first lighting of the spectacular 17.5m Christmas Tree.
Christmas comes to life in the city with the iconic 17.5 metre tree at Fed Square. Experience the spectacular light and sound shows, a candy cane wonderland, and soak up the festive atmosphere before discovering everything the city has to offer at Christmas.
The city comes alive at Christmas! Wander the streets and feel the festive cheer.
Experience the vibrant heartbeat of Africa at the African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF) – a three-day celebration of culture, music, food, fashion, art, and community.
Experience the vibrant heartbeat of Africa at the African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF) – a three-day celebration of culture, music, food, fashion, art, and community.
From tiny, delicate bubbles that drift gracefully to gigantic, shimmering orbs that captivate and inspire awe – this enchanting world of wonder and delight connects directly to the hearts of audiences aged 0 to 100, creating unforgettable moments of joy, laughter, and connection for all.
An immersive, light and sound temporary environment, Ephemeral Collection aims to capture the concept of ephemerality and transience as a visual form: the bubble.
In partnership with the LEGO group, Creative and Technical Director John Kerr, in his 32nd year with the project, brings his artistic vision to life this year with A Playful LEGO® Christmas Story.
King of the Court (KOTC) returns for it's eighth event, and promises to fuse music, streetball, and community into a two-day action-packed experience.
Celebrate Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Federation Square. The free, family-friendly event brings to life one of Mexico’s most cherished traditions – a colourful celebration of remembrance, love and joy.
The Queensbridge Square Night Market is a vibrant celebration of Malaysian food and community, transforming Queensbridge Square into a lively hub filled with colours, flavours, and festivities where visitors can indulge in authentic Malaysian street food.
Wear your best pink and green and join in the fun at a singalong screening of Wicked Part 1 at Fed Square.
