The popular NGV Kids Summer Festival is back with a packed schedule of entirely FREE events for families from Saturday 10 January to Friday 16 January 2026, across NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre!
this week-long festival transforms both NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia into colourful, high-energy spaces designed especially for kids. Expect dancing, drawing, storytelling, hands-on workshops and plenty of opportunities to move, make and imagine.
Best of all? Every activity is free.
When is the NGV Kids Summer Festival 2026?
NGV Kids Summer Festival runs from Saturday 10 January to Friday 16 January 2026.
NGV for Kids – Activities & Events Inspired by NGV Exhibitions
The NGV Kids Summer Festival is an annual celebration of creativity created especially for children and families. For one full week, the galleries host drop-in activities, performances and workshops that encourage kids to explore art through play.
Events are spread across both NGV sites, making it easy to tailor your visit depending on your child’s age, interests and energy levels.
You can pop in for an hour or make a full day of it.
Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids – A Must-See Exhibition
Running throughout the festival and across the summer months, the NGV Children’s Gallery is home to Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids: Designed by Danielle Brustman.
If you’ve read our full review, you’ll know this exhibition is a standout for families.
It’s an immersive fashion playground filled with bold colours, movement and hands-on elements. Kids can dress up, dance, explore playful fashion designs and really get involved, rather than just look from a distance.
During the festival week, many of the drop-in art activities are inspired by the Let’s Party! exhibition, giving kids the chance to design their own outfits using drawing and collage.
It’s ideal for preschoolers through to upper primary-aged kids.
Read our review of Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids.
Dance, Laugh and Get Moving at NGV International
NGV International is where the party atmosphere really comes alive.
Kids Disco Parties take over the Great Hall, inviting children to dance under the iconic stained-glass ceiling. The music mixes classic dance favourites with kid-approved hits, creating a joyful, inclusive space where everyone is welcome to join in.
Comedy fans will also want to catch Rich Higgins from The Listies, who brings his high-energy joke-making workshop to the festival for plenty of laughs and silly creativity.
There’s also a fun photobooth, so families can capture the moment and take home a keepsake from the day.
Art and Craft Drop-in Sessions
Families can also drop in for daily craft activities at NGV International, perfect for kids who love making and designing.
Make a Hat invites children to use collage materials to design their very own headpiece. Silly or sparkly? Fancy or fun? It’s completely up to them.
Right alongside it, Be a Fashion Designer for a Day encourages kids to take inspiration from famous designers and draw stylish outfits for a teddy bear or doll.
Both activities run each day of the festival from 9am to 5pm, are free, require no bookings, and are easy to fit in between exhibitions and performances. A great option for creative kids who prefer hands-on, take-your-time activities.
Creative Workshops and Family Tours
Looking for something a little calmer between dance sessions?
Artist and educator Bushra Hasan leads engaging family tours through the NGV Collection, sharing surprising stories and helping kids see artworks in new ways. These tours are a great option if you’re visiting with primary school-aged children who enjoy asking questions and learning through conversation.
Teenagers aren’t forgotten either. Older kids can join a behind-the-scenes tour of the NGV Conservation Lab, offering a fascinating look at how artworks are cared for and prepared for exhibitions.
First Nations Activities at NGV Australia
Over at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, families can take part in a rich program of First Nations–led activities.
Ngarrindjeri artist and educator Emma Stenhouse hosts drawing and weaving workshops while sharing the Ngarrindjeri story of Pondi, the ancestral river cod who shaped the curves of the Murray River. Children can also create their own fish puppet inspired by this powerful story.
Kids can explore artworks by the Hermannsburg Potters on Level 2, learning how these terracotta pots tell stories of Country, culture, bush tucker and football. From there, children are encouraged to draw their own sporting moment.
Story time sessions with Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri artist and educator Tania Rossi connect families with First Nations artworks through picture books and shared storytelling.
Relaxed Sessions for Sensory-Friendly Visits
For families who need a quieter experience, Relaxed Sessions are scheduled for 14 and 15 January.
These sessions offer early access to the Let’s Party! exhibition and Great Hall activities, with fewer people and reduced sensory stimulation. They’re thoughtfully designed for children who benefit from a calmer environment.
The NGV Kids Summer Festival 2026 promises to be an unforgettable journey through art, storytelling, and fun. It’s a perfect opportunity for families to bond, explore creativity, and make lasting memories together.
Don’t miss out on this incredible event that celebrates the joy of learning and imagination!
Attending NGV Kids Summer Festival 2026
- Dates: 10–16 January 2026
- Locations:
- NGV International
- The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
- Cost: Free
- Best for: Preschoolers, primary school kids and teens
You don’t need to book for most activities, but it’s worth arriving early for popular sessions like discos and workshops.
Why Parents Love It
The NGV Kids Summer Festival ticks a lot of boxes.
It’s free.
It’s air-conditioned.
It’s genuinely creative rather than overstimulating.
Whether your child loves dancing, making art, listening to stories or dressing up, there’s something here that will spark their imagination.
If you’re looking for a school holiday activity that feels special without costing a fortune, this is one to put straight on your calendar.
Enjoy Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids at NGV International — A Free Summer Exhibition for Families
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