Hey Reader

The winter solstice marks the moment the year turns. From this Sunday, the days start getting longer – slowly at first, then all at once.

That shift makes most of us want to take stock. For families, it tends to mean something very practical: what are we doing in the holidays? Where should we go? What’s the one thing you’ve been meaning to ask someone who knows Melbourne family life well?

That someone is me!

Hit reply this week with whatever’s on your mind — event recommendations, local spots, questions you haven’t known where to send. I’ll answer every one personally.

I’ll also be sharing some of the most popular questions (and answers!) in upcoming newsletters, so stay tuned!

Joyce xx

🌟 Featured Events

​Winter Glow at Adventure Park Geelong (Opens Sat 20 Jun) 300 tonnes of real snow, a new ice toboggan, unlimited rides, an Ice Princess and marshmallow roasting. 📍Wallington

​Bunjil Place School Holiday Program (Fri 26 Jun – Sun 30 Aug) Performances, hands-on sessions and free drop-in experiences across the whole school holidays. 📍Narre Warren

🗓️ Melbourne CBD ➝ More CBD picks

​Philippine Grand Fiesta (Sat 20 – Sun 21 Jun) Live performances, authentic Filipino food and great community energy at Queen Victoria Market. 📍CBD

​RISING: Furby Chorus & Friends (Daily until Sun 21 Jun) A sculptural world of robot companions hibernating at Emporium Melbourne, waiting to stir unexpectedly to life. Free to visit. 📍CBD

🗓️ Melbourne NORTH ➝ More north-side picks ​

​Winter Solstice Campfire & Lantern Making (Sat 20 Jun) Campfire, hot chocolate, lantern making and a night walk to mark the solstice. BYO rug and picnic dinner. 📍South Morang

​EBV Winter Solstice Festival (Sat 20 – Sun 21 Jun) Projections, live music, firepit and chestnuts Saturday night, then a winter wool market Sunday. 📍Brunswick East

🗓️ Melbourne SOUTH ➝ More south-side picks ​

​The Secret World of Food (Sat 20 – Sun 21 Jun) Free, interactive food explorer experience for kids – five stations, a passport to stamp, no booking needed. 📍South Yarra

​Springvale Winter Fest (Sun 21 Jun) World cuisines, rides, live entertainment and a great atmosphere – Greater Dandenong’s biggest community winter event. 📍Springvale

🗓️ Melbourne EAST ➝ More east-side picks ​

​Firefly Winter Solstice (Sat 20 Jun) Light projections, live music, roving performers and a fireworks finale at Boroondara General Cemetery after dark. Tickets from $11.90. 📍Kew

​MDMS: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (closes Sun 21 Jun). Belle, the Beast and all the songs — last weekend for this local production 📍 Ringwood East

🗓️ Melbourne WEST ➝ More west-side picks ​

​Seaworks Winter Solstice Festival (Fri 19 Jun) Circus, live music, DJs and food lighting up the longest night – free entry for the whole family. 📍Williamstown

​Nightide: Creatures of the Deep (Fri 19 – Sun 21 Jun) Three days at Queenscliff – solstice fire, music and fireworks Saturday night, free family event Sunday. 📍Queenscliff