Fast 5 Your top weekday events guide + the best posts for under 5s

Hi there Reader

Lunar New Year is almost here 🐎 🏮 — and Melbourne is celebrating in style. From lion dances to dumplings and glowing lanterns, it’s one of the best times to get out with little ones in tow.

​Check out all the Lunar New Year events around Melbourne.

And if you love being first to the best family events, we’re putting the finishing touches on Tot Perks Autumn/Winter — and this season is shaping up beautifully.

Priority access opens Tuesday 24 February at a special $49 rate.

Public pricing moves to $59 on Friday 27 February.

If you’d like first access — and the lower price — join the priority list below.

Joyce xx

JOIN THE PRIORITY LIST

🌟 Featured Event

​Teddy Bears’ Picnic (Sunday 22 Feb) Pack the picnic rug, grab a teddy, and head to the sweeping lawns of Rippon Lea Estate for a much-loved day of family fun, activities, and creativity celebrating the National Trust’s 70th Anniversary.📍 Elsternwick

🗓️ Melbourne CBD ➝ See More

​Lunar New Year at QV (Monday 16 Feb – Sunday 1 Mar) Ring in the Year of the Horse with lion dances, AR-animated dishes, and the Happy Horse Noodle Bar in QV Square.📍 Melbourne CBD

​Lunar New Year at Queen Vic Market (Tuesday 17 Feb) A lion dance through String Bean Alley, glowing red lanterns, and Lucky Cat displays — a festive morning for the whole family.📍 Melbourne CBD

​Undertow (Various sessions Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 Feb) A relaxed ArtPlay workshop for parents and pre-walking babies to play, explore sensory materials, and help shape a brand-new performance.📍 Melbourne CBD

🗓️ Melbourne NORTH ➝ See More ​

​Little Explorers (Wednesdays during term) Free weekly drop-in activities at Brandon Park Shopping Centre — crafts, storytime, music, and an Easter Bunny visit later in term.📍 Greensborough

​Art Babies (Tuesdays + Fridays) Sensory play, storytelling, puppets, and songs in Heide’s beautiful sculpture park and gallery — perfect for babies, new parents, and grandparents.📍 Bulleen

​Lunar New Year at Keon Park (Friday 20 Feb) Welcome the Year of the Horse with storytime, a lion dance, and a fun craft activity in partnership with Darebin Libraries.📍 Reservoir

🗓️ Melbourne SOUTH ➝ See More ​

​Bilingual Mandarin Storytime (Friday 20 Feb) Stories, songs, and rhymes in Mandarin and English with A Little Chinese Adventure — no bookings needed, all welcome.📍 Carnegie

​Nature Playgroup (Tuesdays + Wednesdays during term) Weekly outdoor adventures for ages 0–6, with Tuesday sessions at Cruden Farm and Wednesdays rotating through bush and beach locations.📍 Langwarrin

​Toy Library Drop-In (Wednesdays) Books, play, and a treasure trove of borrowable toys — team up with the Emerald Hill Toy Library for a lovely family morning.📍 Middle Park

🗓️ Melbourne EAST ➝ See More ​

​Lunar New Year in Springvale (Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 Feb) Five vibrant days celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse with live performances, fireworks, food, and public artwork in Springvale.📍 Springvale

​Play & Development Sessions (Tuesdays during term) Playtime for kids paired with practical tips from visiting OTs, Speech Therapists, and Literacy experts — relaxed and welcoming.📍 Mt Evelyn

​Kidworks at Brickworks (Wednesdays during term) Creative, educational workshops for pre-schoolers every Wednesday in ‘The Hollow’ at Brickworks — a perfect blend of play and learning.📍 Burwood East

🗓️ Melbourne WEST ➝ See More ​

​Rhyme Time at the Beach (Mondays during term) A 30-minute session of rhymes, music, and books for ages 0–5, plus the Pop-Up Library Van afterwards — no bookings required.📍 Werribee

​Wiggle & Bloom (Tuesdays during term) Fifty minutes of music, movement, and joyful chaos for ages 0–5 — building confidence and connection in a nurturing space.📍 Cobblebank

​Community Playgroup (Wednesdays during term) Painting, play dough, dress-ups, water play, and gardening — plus a special pampering session for mums and dads too.📍 Maidstone

BROWSE ALL EVENTS

Weekday Cabin Fever? This one’s for you 👇 ​@socialfairofficial play centre in Cranbourne is offering FREE playground entry until the end of Term 1! That means you save $10-15 on the normal Playground entry if you visit Monday to Friday 10am-4pm (not public holidays). If you’re booking a mini golf, high ropes or climbing session, you can use the Playground Area for FREE too! WATCH THE FULL REEL