What’s on in CBD/Docklands Melbourne for Spring School Holidays 2022

Once again, the school term is drawing to a close, and that gives families all over Melbourne time once again to go all out exploring and enjoying everything the CBD and the Docklands has to offer during these September school holidays.

The Spring school holidays are from Sat 17 Sep – Sun 2 Oct 2022, and there are plenty of things to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays, from free family-friendly events and workshops to outdoor activities and cultural festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

To help you plan another fun-tastic school holiday with the kids, here is my round-up of all the best things happening all throughout Melbourne's CBD/Docklands areas for the 2022 Spring School Holidays.

This post is updated regularly, so make sure you keep checking back in to see what’s on in Melbourne these school holidays.

WHAT’S ON MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS

Wisdom & Light (Thu 1 Sep – Sun 2 Oct) – Discover the Journey of Venerable Master Hsing Yun And his One Stroke Calligraphy in this multi-sensory digital art experience.
Sustainable September (Thu 1 Sep – Fri 30 Sep) – Enjoy green-themed free activities, art, inspiration and activation.
Neverland Melbourne (Fri 2 Sep – Mon 31 Oct) – Experience the wonder of the Blue Lagoon, climb aboard the Jolly Roger, and hang out at the Lost Boys Hideout. Keep an eye out for family sessions as normal sessions are 18+ years.

Alter State (Mon 12 Sep – Sun 8 Oct) – Families are invited to enjoy the upcoming and inaugural disability arts festival
CheckPoint (Wed 14 Sep – Sun 8 Oct) – Meet the creatives behind Alter State, Move to the beat of live music or check out live performances, and more.
Momentum (Thu 15 Sep – Sat 17 Sep) – A public, site-specific circus performance, Momentum invites the audience to take a journey, experiencing moments of connectedness, change and possibility.
Zero Waste Festival (Sat 17 Sep) – Head on over to at Federation Square to enjoy activities such as shows, clothing swaps, mending circles, making trash puppets and more.
When the World Turns (sat 17 Sep – Sun 18 Sep) – a fantastical experience for young people with complex disabilities and their families, leading them into a sensory state of mind and body.
School Holidays – Mood Maze Silent Disco Experience (Sat 17 Sep – Sun 2 Oct) – Discover a different mood experience as you move through the colourful maze.
Girls with Altitude (Fri 16 Sep – Sat 17 Sep) – Performed by the world-famous Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Girls With Altitude combines projections of works by celebrated Australian cartoonist Judy Horacek with the world-class skills of an all-female cast of performers.
LEGO® Robotics Workshop: Lost Books (Mon 19 Sep – Tues 20 Sep, Tue 27 Sep & Fri 30 Sep) – Join Annie O’Reilly from LEGO® Masters Australia and Building Mindfulness in this interactive, hands-on SPIKE Prime workshop exploring problem-solving and coding through the world of LEGO® robotics.
Minions: The Rise of Gru Children's Tea (Mon 19 Sep – Thu 29 Sep) – don your denim overalls, grab your goggles & head back into the 70s at the Minions: The Rise of Gru themed children’s high tea at Melba Restaurant.
School Holiday Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor (Mon 19 Sept – Sun 2 Oct) – join in for the cherished Melbourne tradition of Afternoon Tea with the family. Make the most of children's prices and weekday discounts for grandparents.
Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox (Tue 20 Sep – Sat 24 Sep) – Packed with Dahlicious mischief, hilarious mayhem and humongous belly laughs, this mind-blowing stage adaptation is a jaw-dropping visual spectacular for the whole family.
Healthy Planet, Healthy People: Building Healthier Cities (Tue 20 Sep) – Explore a sustainable future as you have a family fun day enjoying a range of fun, interactive activities.
QVM Spring School Holiday Workshops (Tue 20 Sep, Thu 22 Sep, Tue 27 Sep & Thu 29 Sep) – This spring school holidays, bring the kids along to Queen Vic Market for some FREE interactive and fun workshops.
Crafting the Night Sky (Thu 22 Sep, Mon 26 Sep, Thu 29 Sep) – Ignite your child’s wonder with the sun, stars and the moon in this school holiday workshop at State Library Victoria.
Pop-up Chinatown Treats (Fri 23 Sep – Sun 24 Sep) – Come and enjoy the hawker-style eateries, Asian stalls and memorabilia Melbourne’s Chinatown has to offer. Plus, be entertained by the Lion Troupe Performance.
Mellow Art Market (Sat 24 Sep – Sun 25 Sep) – a cosy stationery, sticker-filled, arty market full of cuteness and paper goods!
CRFT* WRK (Sat 24 Sep) – Shop, source, commission and explore a variety of art, craft, jewellery, homewares, gifts and artisanal produce stalls.
School Holidays at NGV (Mon 26 Sep – Wed 28 Sep) – Drop by the Ground Level of NGV Australia and join a free making activity led by local artist and illustrator Ashley Ronning.
Neighbourhood Earth: The Ultimate Space Experience (daily until 1 October) – Enjoy many fun learning activities at this award-winning exhibition that creatively tells the story of space exploration.
The Children’s Sensorium (Until Thu 8 Oct) – an interactive exhibition featuring light, colour, touch, sound, smell and taste
A Wizardry High Tea (Until Sun 27 Nov) – An enchanting high tea event, with interactive roaming characters for the whole family to enjoy. Plus, twilight guests will be treated to wicked Cursed Cocktails!
Docklands Community Market (2nd & 4th Sunday of Each Month) – Grab your early morning coffee, enjoy a lovely stroll & support your local producers at this lovely market.
The District Makers Market (Until Sun 27 Nov) – creative and colourful market stalls showcasing a variety of art, craft, jewellery, homewares, gifts and artisanal produce last Sunday of the month.
Imaginaria (Until Sun 6 Nov 2022) – Fully interactive bespoke sounds, scents and lights activate in response to your movement as you walk, slide and glide through the dreamlike landscapes. Walk into a giant inflatable bubble, navigate a futuristic light maze or jump into a cosmic abyss. Imaginaria Review

Islands (Until Sun 27 Nov) – Escape to a surreal desert island in this interactive exhibition.
Seeing the Invisible (Until Fri 30 Sep) – contemporary artworks created with augmented reality (AR) technology, is presented in six countries simultaneously with Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Cranbourne as the exclusive Australian locations. Seeing The Invisible Review
Making Art: Imagine Everything is Real (Until Oct 9) – Enjoy a range of hands-on activities and multimedia experiences inspired by methods of working invented by some of the leading European artists included in the exhibition. Making Art: Imagine Everything is Real Review
Wild About Babies Docklands (Until November 2022) – A free exhibit featuring 20 life-sized endangered baby animal statues with the purpose of building awareness for vulnerable species everywhere.

Arts Centre Sunday Market (Sundays) – find unique, quirky and handmade items at the stalls. There are always some yummy treats too!
The Story of the Moving Image (ongoing) – Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, digital innovation and captivating stories. Story of the Moving Image ACMI Review.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (ongoing) – see the award-winning production of the sequel to the Harry Potter series playing exclusively in Melbourne. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Review.
Storytime by State Library Victoria (Mondays) – Share the delight of stories, songs and picture books with your preschooler on Wednesdays at the Library. State Library of Victoria Review.

State Library Of Victoria Children's Quarter

Queen Street Plaza (Sundays) – find a rotating line-up of delicious street food, live music and entertainment, every Sunday from 9 am.
Shrine Kids (Daily) – The Shrine of Remembrance is the National War Memorial of Victoria and it makes for an educational (and sobering) outing for families. Shrine Kids Review.
Melbourne Book Market (Saturdays & Sundays) – curated collection of more than 5,000 new and pre-loved titles selected and presented by 15 of Melbourne’s most experienced booksellers.
Immigration Museum's What Makes Me Shine (Sat 17 Sep – Sun 2 Oct) – Learn about the different festivals of light around the world through their symbols: divas, moons, candles, and more.
Immigration Museum's Becoming You (Daily) –

Check out Free Events for Spring School Holiday in Melbourne

Activities & Events, What's On

Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.