Geelong Arts Centre is a must-visit destination for families seeking creativity and artistic connection. With a scrumptious onsite cafe and a year-round program of dynamic events, this iconic centre is much more than just a performing arts venue.
Serving as a hub for creativity, education, and community engagement, Geelong Arts Centre is an experience of theatrical activity that families will love.
Geelong Arts Centre
Nestled in the heart of Geelong, the Geelong Arts Centre stands as a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage and its unwavering commitment to the arts. After a major redevelopment, the centre has expanded and become the largest regional arts space in Australia, making it an exciting place to visit for both locals and tourists.
As soon as you walk in, you can’t help but be struck by the beautifully refurbished performance spaces.
We love exploring the dynamic and colourful foyer, which sets the stage for all the amazing shows on offer.
Performances And Events
The Geelong Arts Centre isn’t just for adults – it’s a fantastic place for families too. On our visit, we are impressed by the wide variety of performances designed for kids and families. For example, the Delightful Days & Matinees program offers daytime performances that are perfect for younger audiences.
Keep an eye out as Geelong Arts Centre’s Family Magic program will return in 2025 to provide an exciting range of heartwarming, family-friendly productions throughout the year.
The annual Wonder Children’s Festival, held in Spring, is another highlight on the calendar. Families can experience an array of events, blending free and ticketed performances at this extraordinary festival aimed at ages 0 – 12 years old.
Wonder Children’s Festival
Young attendees at Wonder Children’s Festival can unleash their creativity through interactive workshops and installations, enabling them to dance, sing, play music, and explore their artistic talents.
For events that are specifically aimed at families, children 12 months and under are free when seated on a parent or carer’s lap. Note that you will need a ticket for any child over 12 months whether they occupy the seat or not.
Performance bookings can be made via the website, or by phoning the Box Office on 1300 251 200 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
Building Design
As you approach Geelong Arts Centre, the impressive architecture makes you look twice at the facade, and upon entering the giant curtained building a dynamic and colourful foyer leaves you gazing up and around in awe.
With the goal of promoting a vibrant, clever and imaginative future for Geelong, the building design integrates elements inspired by Geelong’s history – the time-honoured traditions of circus and theatre, and the enduring, profound connection of the First Nations people to their culture and Country.
Throughout the building there are colours and textures of Moonah trees, ochre, and granite stone, honouring the traditional stories of the land.
The innovative Geelong Arts Centre offers an ideal backdrop for a wide variety of performances, including concerts, theatre productions, and dance performances. Additionally, it serves as a premier venue for corporate events like cocktail parties, conferences, and day delegate meetings.
Tutti
We are lucky enough to try Tutti, the Arts Centre’s café, and it is the perfect pre-show stop. The café is named after the Italian word meaning “with all voices,” and it certainly lives up to its name by offering a warm and inviting atmosphere where everyone can enjoy a meal together.
Tutti serves seasonal dishes made from fresh, local produce, and has a kids’ menu, making it an ideal spot for families. High chairs are available, which was really helpful for us with our little ones in tow.
It’s located on the ground floor at the Little Malop Street entrance.
For assistance with tickets or other information during your visit, the Geelong Arts Centre Box Office is located on level one. The spacious foyers are dotted with comfortable seating, with several bars that open for a pre-show drink. For families, there is plenty of pram parking and a parents’ room with baby change facilities.
Little Malop Street Geelong
Little Malop Street weaves through the cultural epicentre of Geelong. Anchoring this vibrant street is the Geelong Arts Centre, opposite which stands the Geelong Gallery, one of the nation’s oldest regional art galleries. Along the same street, the striking ‘Dome,’ officially named Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, is an unmissable landmark.
On the other side at the Ryrie Street entrance to Geelong Arts Centre, you’ll find Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong just across the road, which offers family-friendly accommodation. At the hotel’s restaurant, Maestro, families can savour dishes crafted from premium local ingredients in an open kitchen layout where children delight in observing chefs prepare meals.
Along Little Malop Street, you’ll also find a variety of delicious eateries, making it a worthwhile destination in its own right.
This bustling Geelong precinct often sees multiple events on at one time. Various parking options are available including on-street parking, which can be found at geelongaustralia.com.au/parking.
HOT Tips for visiting Geelong Arts Centre
- Performance bookings can be made via the website, or by phoning the Box Office on 1300 251 200 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday;
- Children 12 months and under are free when seated on a parent or carer’s lap;
- There is a parents room with baby change facilities;
- Keep an eye out for family-friendly performances in 2024 including the Family Magic program and Wonder Children’s Festival;
- Tutti dining offers kid menu options and high chairs;
- Stay a little longer and discover the vibrant Little Malop Street Precinct with family-friendly accommodation at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong;
- Car parking options can be found at geelongaustralia.com.au/parking.
Read more tips for the best places to go and things to do with kids in Geelong here.
We visited as guests of Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine. All opinions are our own.
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