Here’s all the fun in Melbourne and surrounds for families this week!
The weather forecast for the weekend is looking cold but bright, so rug up (maybe in your Merry People gumboots!) and head outdoors – explore one of the best playgrounds in Melbourne, go on a family bike ride or explore one of the best short walks in Melbourne.
Also mark your diary for Thursday 27 May and support Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea to raise money for cancer research.
This week’s What’s On is sponsored by Brimbank City Council’s free Civic Green opening event happening this week! Hampshire Road Sunshine has had a facelift and now features a Civic Green ideal for public events that will be showcased at an official opening on Friday 21 May from 5pm-9pm.
The FREE family-friendly event includes live music, bright neon displays, roving acrobats, an ‘electric meadow’ lighting display and firefly illuminated puppets roaming the area. Other activities include kids crafting and some silent discos (spots going fast and bookings essential).
Civic Green is between Devonshire Road and Bennett Place and is an attractive and shaded area with new feature paving, trees, better seating and lighting and space for larger community events and footpath trading.
Experience the fun this Friday and support local businesses by enjoying a meal from the many great local restaurants dotted around the new Civic Green.
WHAT’S ON in MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS
- QV Cosmic/Nights (Fri 21 May) – Visit QV each Friday for uplifting affirmations, cosmic readings and the chance to win in a share of $10,000 worth of instant win prizes!
- FOMO Fridays at The District (Fri 21 May) – Head to The District for night markets, live music and entertainment and HOYTS movie ticket giveaways each FOMO Friday.
- Chinatown Melbourne Market (Fri 21 May – Sat 22 May) – ultimate hawker-style outdoor laneway dining experience in the heart of Melbourne CBD.
- Turkish Pazar (Sat 22 May – Sun 23 May) – Taste a delicious array of Turkish street food, including gözleme and döner kebabs, as well as delicious vegan and vegetarian snacks, sweets and Turkish coffee.
- Melbourne Book Market (Sat 22 May – Sun 23 May) – a curated collection of more than 5,000 new and pre-loved titles selected and presented by some of Melbourne’s most experienced booksellers as well as authors, illustrators and book creators.
- Arts Centre Sunday Market (Sun 23 May) – find unique, quirky and handmade items at the stalls. There’s always some yummy treats too!
- Flinders Quarter Augmented Art Walk (Fri 21 May – Fri 2 Jul) – Visit Melbourne’s Flinders Quarter and take a self-guided journey through the streets, laneways, heritage buildings and local businesses to unlock a collection of 12 artwork treasures that come to life through augmented reality (AR) and storytelling. Flinders Quarter Augmented Art Walk review
- Winter Igloo Garden Wharf Hotel (Fri 21 – Sep 2021) – get back outside and cosy up beneath a sky of twinkling fairy lights on the banks of the Yarra Feast on a grazing board in your own private winter wonderland.
- RISING (Wed 26 May – Sun 6 Jun) – Over 12 nights, festivity and late-night culture will intersect with huge moments spanning the emerging and iconic, the epic and intimate.
- Wandering Stars (Wed 26 May – Sun 6 Jun) – see an undulating, over 200-metre-long, glowing eel skeleton. As you wander along riverbanks with family and friends – feasting on fire-roasted snacks from Rising’s kitchens in Birrarung Marr – you’ll connect with First Peoples’ knowledge of the land, sea, sky and river on which we all live. Part of RISING.
- The District Prams at the Pix (Wed 26 May) – a freshly cleaned cinema, where they will dim the lights and soften the volume, to ensure a baby friendly cinema experience. Best Melbourne cinemas for kids
- Storytime by State Library Victoria (Wed 26 May) – Share the delight of stories, songs, and picture books with your pre-schooler Wednesdays at the Library. State Library of Victoria review
- The Winter Village (Fri 20 May – Sat 29 Aug) – ice rink, food & drink pop up bars and an Igloo Village of 21 cosy igloos. Winter Village review
- Disney: The Magic of Animation (Fri 20 May – Sun 17 Oct) – Shown in Australia for the very first time, this exhibition contains original sketches and rare artworks from 1928 to the present day, including the latest release Raya and the Last Dragon, exclusive to Melbourne. Disney exhibition review.
- Imaginaria (Fri 20 May – Sun 11 Jul) – 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
- Jurassic World by Brickman (Fri 20 May – Sun 11 Jul) – Australia’s largest LEGO exhibition bringing the film Jurassic World to life with LEGO dinosaurs and more! Jurassic World review
- Escape the Gaol (Fri 20 May – 30 Jun) – At Old Melbourne Gaol Kids can become inmates on a mission to hatch the perfect escape plan. Read my Old Melbourne Gaol review
- 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. ACMI review.
- Shrine Kids (ongoing) – free discovery trail for children at the Shrine of Remembrance. Read my 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. Read my Harry Potter and the Cursed Child review
- Piccoli Artisans Italian Paper Marbling Workshop (ongoing) – Held in a Florentine paper shop, these sessions will guide your child through the techniques, colours and patterns with the use of various traditional tools whilst producing their own masterpiece to take home.
things to do in MELBOURNE – NORTH / NORTH-EAST
- Astronomay Film Festival IMAX (Fri 20 May – Sun 30 May) – See some of the best of the big screen cosmic blockbusters and giant screen documentaries screening daily in May.
- Great Barrier Reef IMAX (Fri 20 May – Sun 3 Jun) – Follow reef guardian Jemma Craig on an expedition to document efforts to protect the reef and swim with giant mantas, sea turtles, sharks and dwarf minke whales as you explore this awe-inspiring natural wonderland in stunning IMAX 3D.
- Family Show Lucha Fantastica (Sat 22 May) – Mexican Wrestling show for kids and family! More than 10 masked luchadores in a show with acrobatics, comedy & action!
- The Fitzroy Market (Sat 22 May) – one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.
- Melbourne Museum Auslan tours (Sat 22 May) – An experienced guide will take you around select galleries and point out some of the highlights you might like to revisit.
- The Rose Street Artists’ Market (Sat 22 May – Sun 23 May) – Shop directly from Melbourne’s best artists, designers, crafters and makers at Fitzroy’s iconic Rose Street Market.
- Diamond Valley Railway (Sun 23 May) – miniature railway with playground next door. Diamond Valley Railway review
WHAT’S ON MELBOURNE – SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE
- Prahran Market Kids’ Activities (ongoing) – every market day Prahran Market offers face painting, an animal farm, workshops – most activities are free and no bookings necessary.
- Storytime in the Gallery: Miffy (every Thurs until 10 Jun) – visit Bunjil Place Gallery for Miffy’s favourite adventure surrounded by original illustrations and artworks by Dick Bruna, then join in with Miffy-inspired art making. Free, but book ahead.
- Gruffalo Trail 2 Rippon Lea (Fri 21 May – Sun 1 Jul) – Visitors can explore the expansive paths and gardens of Rippon Lea, while bringing their favourite characters to life in vivid 3D animation using the Gruffalo Spotter 2 app. Gruffalo Trail Review
- Bumblebee Kids Baby Market Hampton (Sun 23 May) – pre loved, handmade, and new goods.
- Gembrook Market (Sun 23 May) – a country market with a sustainable living focus located only 20 minutes from the south eastern suburbs.
- Mirka at the Jewish Museum of Australia (until 19 December 2021) – in depth look into the rich and fascinating life of the late Mirka Mora.
WHAT’S ON in MELBOURNE – EAST
- Forever Fest (Sat 22 May – 30 May) – sustainable living festival. Every activity across the nine days is free and accessible through various online platforms.
- Rocky Road Festival (Fri 20 May – Mon 31 May) – 31 different flavours and, a host of Rocky Road infused temptations.
- Heide Studio Kids (Sat 22 May) – Using assemblage materials, students will explore colour, composition and construction techniques and will create a personal sculpture to take home.
- Melbourne Tram Museum (Sat 22 May) – Visit a Melbourne icon at this quirky museum. Melbourne Tram Museum review
- The Basin Triangle Park (Sat 22 May – Sun 30 May) – Enjoy a unique, cosy, fully undercover picnic and dining area in The Basin Triangle. A series of free family events will also be presented in The Basin Triangle on Saturday 15, 22 and 29 May, featuring children’s stage entertainment and an outdoor cinema screening.
- Auburn Kids Sunday Funday (Sun 23 May) – Petting zoo, Fairies, mermaids, superheroes, face painting and balloon animals galore!
- Yarra Valley Railway (Sun 23 May) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Yarra Valley Railway review
- Winter Igloo Garden Auburn Hotel (Fri 21 May – Sep 2021) – private igloo dining with winter-themed menu, including kids menu. Read the Winter Igloo Garden Auburn Hotel review
WHAT’S ON in MELBOURNE’S WESTern suburbs
- Civic Green opening Sunshine (Fri 21 May) – celebrate the opening of the new Civic Green public space with roving acrobats from NICA, illuminated firefly puppets from the indirect object and electric meadow – an interactive lighting display plus Lissa Dawson and her band and illuminated neon installations.
- Werribee Zoo Cultural Weekends (Sat 22 May – Sun 30 May) – celebrate the rich history and practices of Indigenous Australian and African communities alternating Saturdays and Sundays through May.
- Born or Built? Our Robotic Future Scienceworks (Fri 21 May – ongoing) – Explore some of robotics’ most challenging questions with fun interactive exhibits that the whole family can enjoy. Born or Built Scienceworks review
- Mini Maddern (Fri 21 May – Sat 26 June) – free pop up playground with loose parts play, craft, books and more. Mini Maddern review
- Rocky Road Festival (Fri 21 May – Mon 31 May) – 31 different flavours and, a host of Rocky Road infused temptations.
- Grazeland (Fri 21 May – Sun 16 May) – huge dining precinct with city views and 50 stalls to choose from. Grazeland Review
- Winter Igloo Garden Station Hotel (Fri 21 May – Sep 2021) – Feast on a delicious 3 course meal in your own private winter wonderland.
- Slow Food Farmers Market (Sat 22 May) – local farmer’s market every 4th Saturday of the month.
- Drag Queen Sing-a-long (Sat 22 May) – Join the fabulous drag queens Donna DuTchme and Ellectra Kute for an interactive morning of family-friendly performances in the Clocktower Café & Children’s Space.
- Essendon Traffic School (Sat 22 May) – Essendon Traffic School is a mini road set up for kids aged two to ten years, complete with road signs, railway bells and traffic lights. Essendon Traffic School review
- Family Funday Station Hotel (Sun 23 May) – Every Sunday The Station Hotel have an animal farm and kids entertainment to keep the little ones busy, so you can sit back and relax, Station Hotel review
- FCAC Toddler Jam (Tue 25 May, Wed 26 May) – getting toddlers active and learning through play, with a mixture of percussion, singing, dancing, story-time and mindfulness.
- Mini Makers Highpoint (Wed 26 May ) – free kids activities every Wednesday.