Hi Reader

Melbourne’s been doing its classic can’t-decide thing lately, and the forecast’s got rain moving in for the weekend – so don’t put the umbrella away just yet.

This weekend’s picks are built for exactly that. Markets, museums and shows for the indoor days, plus a few outdoor picks for whenever the sun does peek through – all across every corner of Melbourne, rain or shine.

Quick heads up: I’m off to the Gold Coast today for a conference I’m speaking at, so I’ll be a little quieter than usual for a few days. What’s on your list this weekend?

Hit reply and tell me! I’ll be reading them all first thing next week.

Joyce xx

We’re doing Tot Perks a little differently this season — and it starts the moment you join the waitlist.

​Sign up now and you’re straight into the running for our weekly Friday giveaways, plus you’ll get free trial access to Cliqit – our discount portal covering fuel, groceries, movies, shopping, travel and more – on us, right away.

Spring/Summer members also get access to:
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👉 Exclusive pop-up experiences
👉 Automatic entry into every giveaway we run this season
👉 Everyday savings that can cover your membership in a single outing

Speaking of giveaways 🎁 – this week’s winner just scored a family pass to PAW Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue, and next week’s draw is 4x tickets to MSO’s Carnival of the Animals.

Fancy your kids’ chances? Join the SS26 waitlist now and you’re in the running for every draw from here on – the earlier you join, the more chances you get.

Cart opens Friday 28 August, but waitlist families get access first, including that free Cliqit trial, on us, right now.

Don’t want Tot Perks SS26 emails? Click here to opt out while staying subscribed to everything else.

🌟 Featured Event

​MSO: Carnival of the Animals (Saturday 29 Aug) Tiptoeing tortoises, a roaring lion and four new Australian works bring Saint-Saëns’ classic to life, hosted by ABC’s Dr Ann Jones. 📍CBD

🗓️ Melbourne CBD ➝ More CBD picks

​Family Art Day: Teens Edition (Saturday 8 Aug) A guided gallery tour and drawing workshop for teens and their grown-ups, exploring connection through art. 📍Southbank

​Gimin Taiko (Sunday 9 Aug) Powerful Japanese drumming straight from Nagano, marking 50 years of Japan–Australia friendship. 📍CBD

🗓️ Melbourne NORTH ➝ More north-side picks ​

​Mini Folks Market (Sunday 9 Aug) Browse 80+ stalls of preloved kids’ gear plus messy play and face painting – $3 entry, free under 16s. 📍Macleod

​She Shapes History: The Women of Abbotsford Convent (Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 Aug) A two-hour walking tour uncovering the real stories of the women who lived and worked at the Convent. Ages 13+. 📍Abbotsford

🗓️ Melbourne SOUTH ➝ More south-side picks ​

​Swiss Festival (Saturday 8 Aug) Swiss food, live music and hands-on activities at this bright, feel-good waterside festival. 📍Williamstown

​Potato Party (Saturday 8 Aug) Gnocchi demos, potato printing and Irish tunes make for a fun (and tasty) family morning. 📍Prahran

🗓️ Melbourne EAST ➝ More east-side picks ​

​Aladdin: Victorian State Ballet (Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 Aug) Lush costumes and sweeping music bring this magical tale to life in a family-friendly ballet production. 📍Dandenong

​Family Nature Play Sessions (Sunday 9 Aug) A relaxed 2.5-hour outdoor session for kids and their parents or carers to explore, play and reconnect together. 📍Wheelers Hill

🗓️ Melbourne WEST ➝ More west-side picks ​

​Spartan Race Melbourne (Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 Aug) Big kids and grown-ups can tackle obstacle courses, including a dedicated 1-3K Kids Race. 📍Werribee

​Vintage & Modern Toy Fair (Sunday 9 Aug) Thousands of collectable toys and pop culture treasures from every era, all under one roof. 📍Flemington