In 2020 Melbourne’s very own Moomba Festival will return for its 66th year! From Friday 6 to Monday 9 March 2020, the city’s largest community festival will be held along the banks of the Yarra River between St Kilda Road and Swan Street Bridge.
You can expect plenty of free entertainment and activities, as well as food and the popular Moomba carnival.
Here is a rundown of my top 13 things to do at Moomba with kids – the festival has something to offer every member of the family!
1. Invisible Light Garden
The Invisible Light Garden is a place of magic, curiosity, playfulness, and beauty. From Saturday 7 to Monday 9 March, kids will be able to take part in an interactive installation inside Artplay featuring light, sound and projections.
We loved Invisible Light Garden when it first appeared at Artplay and since then it has won the most popular children’s arts experience at Beijing Design Week. It’s suitable for kids aged 5–12.
Invisible Light Garden, ArtPlay, Birrarung Marr Melbourne, 03 9658 7880
Saturday 7 March to Monday 9 March
10:15am – 4:30pm in 30 minute sessions with a 15 minute break between sessions
2. Light Pickers
Babies, toddlers, and their families are invited to enjoy this immersive light and art experience aiming to spark curiosity with little minds.
Tiny tots can touch, move and interact with objects, transforming the dark space into ever-changing, glowing scenery. Using their own curiously, kids will explore and play with the ever-changing spaces and shapes creating an experience of magic and wonder. It’s suitable for kids aged 0–5. Light Pickers Review.
Light Pickers, ArtPlay, Birrarung Marr Melbourne, 03 9658 7880
Saturday 9 March and Sunday 8 March
10am – 4:30pm in 30 minute sessions
Monday 9 March
10am – 3:30pm 9 March in 30 minute sessions.
3. The Nylon Zoo on the Teardrop Lawn
The kids are the dancers and performers at this storytime set in the belly of a magical giant fish.
On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, children will be asked to fly like a bird, flutter by like a butterfly, swoop like a bat, hop like a frog, kangaroo or Bilby, twirl in a rainbow cape, bobble like a hoopla mushroom or chill like a koala.
Kids will also get the chance to wear one-of-a-kind costumes bringing even more creativity and imagination to the storytime.
Saturday 7 March – Monday 9 March
11:30am – 6:30pm
4. Visit the Dance Zone
The Dance Zone will host a series of cultural dance workshops and showcases. Everybody will have the chance to learn a new genre of dance including Latin, Jamaican dance hall, Afro-Brazilian, swing, krump, African, hip hop, and more.
Kids Yoga by Sprouts Yoga sessions will also be hosted in the Dance Zone.
Friday 6 March 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Saturday 7 March – Monday 9 March 12pm – 10pm
Sprouts Yoga sessions Saturday 7 March, Sunday 8 March & Monday 9 March
11:15 – 11:45am
5. Moomba Carnival
There are scary rides for big kids and kids at heart at Moomba, but the Carnival also has a zone just for juniors. Little Land in Alexandra Gardens has rides perfect for the youngest Moomba visitors.
Children can enjoy a selection of rides including favourites such as the Auto Racer, Convoy Trucks, Fantasy Cups, Flying Elephants, Go Gator, Happy Kangaroo, Lolly Swing, Mini Ferris Wheel and the Rockin’ Tug.
Enjoy unlimited rides between 6pm – 9pm with Moomba’s opening night Friday Ride Pass. Purchase tickets for the special price of $37.
Moomba Carnival, Little Land, Alexandra Gardens
Friday 6 March
6pm – 11pm
Saturday 7 March – Monday 9
11am – 11pm
6. Design a Moomba Float
Design dreams could be realised at the Design a Float space. All ages are welcome, and all materials are supplied.
The most creative designs will be selected and built for the 2021 Moomba Parade!
Saturday 7 March – Monday 9 March
11am – 7 pm
7. The Green – Face Painting
Face Painting will be available daily from Saturday to Monday!
Saturday 7 March – Monday 9 March
11:30am – 6:30pm
8. The Green – Kids Music Stage
Enjoy a line up sure to get small feet moving and families entertained from bubbles to storytime, hula hoops to music!
You can also catch live sets from some of the city’s most talented artists at Star Lawn and Palm Lawn.
Saturday 7 March – Monday 9 March
12pm – 6:30pm
9. The Palms – Silent Disco
The Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco Walking Tours are back at this year’s Moomba Festival, with five 20-minute tours taking place for the whole festival. Let Guru Dudu guide you on the dance moves via your own silent disco headphones as you groove along to hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Friday 6 March: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Saturday 7 March: 3pm – 9:30pm
Sunday 8 March: 3pm – 9:30pm
Monday 9 March: 3pm – 9:30pm
10. Riverslide Skate Park
There will be loads going on at the skate park this year, with opportunities for families to come and watch pro-skating championships, National scooter finals, and even take part in mini ramp skateboarding clinics to work on your own skating skills!
Moomba’s skating competition will also give competitors the chance to collect qualifying ranking points for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, as this year marks the first year skateboarding will be included as an Olympic sport.
Friday 6 March from 2:30pm – 8:40pm
Saturday 7 March 1:00 – 8:30pm
Sunday 8 March and Monday 8 March 11:00am – 8:00pm
11. Movies on the Big Screen
Families can shake up their movie night with free screenings starting from 6:30pm every night of Moomba on the Big Screen across the river.
Friday: The Secret Life of Pets
Saturday: Sing
Sunday: Trolls
Monday: Shrek
Friday 6 – Monday 9 March from 6:30pm
12. Watch the Birdman Rally
Enjoy watching the serious competitors and those out to ensure a laugh at the Birdman Rally. Entrants, divided into Fly or Flop categories, will don homemade flying contraptions and hurl themselves into the Yarra to raise money for charity and determine who is the winner for 2020!
Birdman Rally action kicks off on Sunday 8 March with an Airforce Roulette’s flyover at 11am.
Saturday 8 March from 11am
13. Get something to eat!
There is food to satisfy every palate at Moomba. It will host 42 different food stalls across the weekend, offering a range of cuisines from across the world. Choose from Mexican burritos, a Brazilian BBQ spread, tasty Vietnamese street food, fresh Italian pizza, Greek souvlaki wraps, Sri Lankan curry and heaps more!
Tips for visiting Moomba:
Before you head to the Moomba Festival, here are my top tips to ensure a pleasant trip.
- Catch public transport! You can cross the road from Flinders Street Station and be right in the action.
- There are water refill stations available along the Birrarung Marr to top up your bottles.
- Events at Moomba Festival can be spread out. It’s best to consult the map and times to ensure you can get to activities on time.
- Set expectations about rides and food prior to visiting. Rides can be expensive so it’s best to negotiate at home!
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