What’s on for teens in November 🍒

Tot Teens

Monthly events and ideas for tweens + teens

Hey Reader

November is shaping up to be a big month for older kids, with street food and lion dances at Colours of Asia, a classic musical night out and cherry picking season about to open.

Halloween is tomorrow, and if you’re still looking for a plan, check out our mega list of Halloween events happening in Melbourne and surrounds.

Our free Spring 2026 Guide has also just been updated, with fresh events running right through to the end of the season.

Hope this one comes in handy.

Joyce xx

Event Picks

🗓️ Melbourne CBD ➝ More CBD picks

​Colours of Asia: Garden of Wonders (Friday 13 – Sunday 15 Nov + Friday 20 – Sunday 22 Nov) More than 200 Asian street food dishes, dragon and lion dances and cultural games fill Alexandra Gardens, with free entry when you register online. 📍CBD

​African Music and Cultural Festival (Friday 20 – Sunday 22 Nov) Music, dance, food and culture from across the African continent make for a free, colourful celebration in the city. 📍CBD

​Mrs Doubtfire the Musical (From Wednesday 25 Nov) The Robin Williams film becomes a feel-good musical about family, suited to ages 6 and up and running about two and a half hours. 📍CBD

🗓️ Melbourne NORTH ➝ More north-side picks ​

​Glenroy Youth Take Over Night: T-Shirt & Bag Decorating (Friday 6 Nov) Young people aged 12 to 18 get Glenroy Library to themselves after hours for free T-shirt and bag decorating, with food on the night. 📍Glenroy

​Malahang Festival (Sunday 29 Nov) A free community day with a stage, circus and art workshops, learn to skate, face painting and food trucks. 📍Heidelberg West

​Barbie: The Exhibition (From Saturday 28 Nov) More than 250 objects – including rare and unusual dolls from 1959 to today – tell Barbie’s story at Melbourne Museum. 📍Carlton

🗓️ Melbourne SOUTH ➝ More south-side picks ​

​Drum Theatre 20th Anniversary Celebrations (Saturday 7 Nov) A free night from 5pm to 9pm with live performances, emerging artists and local DJs marks 20 years of the Drum Theatre. 📍Dandenong

​Youth Crafternoons (Wednesday 18 Nov) Cut, paste, shape and carve at this monthly craft session at Albert Park Library, with room to bring your own project, from 4pm to 5pm. 📍Albert Park

​Young Writers’ Group (Thursday 5 + 19 Nov) Free creative writing sessions with author Melissa Gijsbers for writers aged 11 to 18, with feedback on your work (bookings essential). 📍Mount Waverley

🗓️ Melbourne EAST ➝ More east-side picks ​

​Maroondah Festival (Sunday 8 Nov) A free day of live music, free rides and circus workshops from 10am to 4pm, with more than 70 market stalls. 📍Croydon

​Euneva Youth Space (Mondays + Tuesdays during term) A free weekly drop-in from 3pm to 6pm for ages 12 to 18 to study, game, do art and craft, and access support. 📍Glen Waverley

​Family Weaving: Christmas Wreath (Sunday 29 Nov) A family workshop for Christmas wreath weaving, using natural materials – canes, vines and leaves included ($65 for 1 adult + 1 child). 📍Box Hill

🗓️ Melbourne WEST ➝ More west-side picks ​

​Youth for Nature (Every fortnight from Tuesday 10 Nov) Young people aged 12 to 18 join outdoor recreation and conservation activities that help the environment, from 3.30pm to 6pm. 📍Braybrook

​Queer Social: Dream Catcher Making (Friday 20 Nov) Make your own dream catcher and badges at this free monthly hangout for LGBTQIA+ teens, friends and allies in high school (registrations essential). 📍Footscray

​Weekly Teen Art Classes (Saturdays) Weekly art classes for teens to try new ideas and techniques, held on Saturday mornings at Iramoo Community Centre. 📍Wyndham Vale

New + Noteworthy

​Theatre Night With Teens​

A famous score, plenty of wit and a great story makes this musical a great pick for teens. Opening 14 November at the Ian Potter State Theatre.

National Communications Museum, Hawthorn

​Throwback Tech Trip​

This hands-on tech museum comes complete with a retro cyber café, old phone exchanges and robots.

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​Locked In History​

Explore a heritage-listed gaol that spans the Gold Rush right through to the 1990s.

​Ready, Set, Paddle​

Tennis meets badminton in a quick-to-learn sport, with venues that welcome beginners and older kids.

​Wheels For Every Rider​

From performance upgrades to relaxed weekend cruising, our list covers Melbourne’s best bike shops.

Hot Off The Feed

Pick your own 🍒

CherryHill Orchards’ Coldstream orchard opens for cherry picking from November through to early January, about an hour from Melbourne CBD.

Eat as many as you like while you pick, then head to the picnic lawns for the kids play area, cafe and cherry ice cream.

Book ahead online, as this one often sells out, and pack a picnic!

📍CherryHill Orchards, Coldstream

About 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.

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