What’s On in Melbourne for November 2023

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already thinking about what’s on in Melbourne for November 2023 and with so much to see and do in this fine city of ours, it can be hard to know where to start. So, to help you make the most of this time with your family and friends, we’ve once again put together a list of all the top things to see and do with kids in Melbourne for the month of November!

From the most exciting festivals to the best and most enjoyable family-friendly events and activities, we’ve got you covered. As always, there are a ton of great events happening around the city and we’re dedicated to making sure that this list is as up-to-date as possible by regularly adding new events we’ve found.

Be sure to check back often for updates and to see what’s on in Melbourne today and this weekend, as well as what’s happening for the whole month.

WHAT’S ON MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS

• The Friends™ Experience tickets (Thu 5 Oct – Sun 26 Nov) – FRIENDS™ enthusiasts can relive cherished moments and immerse themselves in iconic scenes from the beloved series through this one-of-a-kind interactive experience, brought to life by Warner Bros.
• Forest (Sun 4 Nov) – Join Polyglot Theatre to explore the connections that children like you have to forests and the creatures and characters within. Artists will guide you to (re)discover the urban forest in the grounds around ArtPlay, while creating and playing using collected natural materials.
• Crafting paper poppies with Louise Seymour (Sat 4 Nov) – Unleash your creativity with this hands-on workshop, where you will be guided through the art of making paper poppies by owner of Paperlab, Louise Seymour.
• Downtown Dumpling Market (Thu 9 Nov – Sun 26 Nov) – Satisfy your dumpling cravings at the Downtown Dumpling Market.
• Groovy Tunes (Thu 9 Nov – Sun 12 Nov) – Join master drummer and multi-instrumentalist Kofi Kunkpe in a joyful music and movement workshop. Originally from Cape Coast, Ghana, Kofi is a keeper of his culture who is passionate about sharing the songs, dances, and rhythms of West Africa.
• Animaga (Sat 11 Nov – Sun 12 Nov): Experience Animaga, a festival celebrating anime and gaming.
• Re-love Festival (Sun 12 Nov) – A second-hand festival with vintage fashion, pre-loved treasures, repair workshops, and free family entertainment.
• Melbourne Gluten-Free Living Expo (Sat 18 Nov – Sun 19 Nov) – The Melbourne Gluten-Free Living Expo presents a great opportunity to discover new products and explore a wide range of Expo specials offered by the exhibitors.
• 2023 African Music and Cultural Festival (Sun 19 Nov) – Experience the vibrant tapestry of African culture at this three-day spring festival. It’s a unique showcase of over 35 African countries and community groups through music, food, fashion, film, dance, art, and more, all in the heart of Melbourne.
• River Riffs (Thu 23 Nov – Fri 25 Nov) – A floating music festival with performances on a floating helipad, roaming buskers, sunset candlelight concerts, and pop-up bars and gourmet food trucks.
• Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature (Thu 23 Nov – Thu 14 Apr) – Explore hidden forces through sensory journeys with digital artworks, works on paper, and interactive experiences by Marshmallow Laser Feast. Evolve from droplets of water to stars, becoming part of the cycle of life and the cosmos.
• Lankan Fest (Sat 25 Nov) – A celebration of Sri Lankan culture at Fed Square with live music, dancers, DJ sets, cooking demonstrations, crafts, tea, spices, and traditional street food.
• 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.
• 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.
• Picture Book and Illustration Workbook with Mark Wilson (Sunday 19 Nov) – Join award-winning author Mark Wilson for a fun workshop at the Shrine of Remembrance. Engage in a drawing activity and attend a Last Post Service.
• Celebrate Australia’s agriculture industry with John Deere (Friday 17th Nov) – See farm equipment up close, enjoy a free coffee and learn more about Australian farming and the special people who grow our food and fibre.
• Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature (Thurs 23rd Nov) – See the world from a new perspective through guided meditation, large-scale screen works and interactive experiences.

• 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.
• The District Makers Market (Last Sunday of every month) – creative and colourful market stalls showcasing a variety of art, craft, jewellery, homewares, gifts and artisanal produce last Sunday of the month.
• I See You Like This (Until Sun 26 Nov) – Come and explore this exhibition in ArtPlay’s gallery and create a 3D portrait on your adult’s face. There are 30 weird and wonderful portraits designed by children and two making stations where you can create your very own portrait.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S NORTH / NORTH-EAST

• Segmento Tarantella Festival (Wed 8 Nov – Sun 3 Dec) – Join this festival which brings together Australian and Italian creatives to provide an original and multi-immersive experience of Italian traditional music and dance.
• Roll On at Rubix (Sun 12 Nov) – Join for some retro roller fun as the Malt Shop Rollers bring their pop-up roller rink to Rubix Warehouse every second Sunday of the month. Let’s welcome summer one disco at a time!
• Rosanna Primary School Old School Fair (Sat 18 Nov) – Rides, devonshire tea’s, lucky dips, entertainment, wine bar, face painting, stalls
• Santa’s Magical Wonderland 2023 (Sat 18 Nov – Sun 24 Dec) – A magical Christmas parade will herald the arrival of Santa on Saturday, November 18, and commences five weeks of community festivities at Greensborough Plaza.
• Eaglemont Village Sunday marketplace (Sun 26 Nov & Sun 10 Dec) – Discover the vibrant heart of Eaglemont at their local artisan market, where the spotlight shines on homegrown talent each month.
• Melbourne Italian Festa (Sun 26 Nov) – A foodie wonderland at the Royal Exhibition Building with fine wines, pizza, arancini, cannoli, gelato, Italian singers and performers, and a celebration of Italian art.
• Preschool poetry with Maxine Beneba Clarke (Mon 27 Nov) – Maxine Beneba Clarke, Faculty of Arts poet-in-residence, will host the session, commencing with an exploration of her picture books and poems tailored for preschoolers, covering themes such as wiggling, animals, family, and more.
• Tiny Tour Melbourne Museum (Fridays) – a 45-minute tour created for early-year audiences that will invite them to wonder, discover and be amazed.
• Fitzroy Market (Saturdays) – a one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.
• Abbotsford Farmers Market (Saturday) – Shop local and seasonal produce and visit the Collingwood Children’s Farm which is just next door.
• Rose Street Artists’ Market (Saturdays and Sundays) – Shop directly from Melbourne’s best artists, designers, crafters and makers at Fitzroy’s iconic Rose Street Market.
• Diamond Valley Railway (Sundays) – miniature railway with a playground next door. Diamond Valley Railway Review.
• Mini Mega Model Museum (ongoing) – an exhibition featuring small and big things at Melbourne Museum. Mini Mega Model Museum review. 

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE

• Monster Party takes over LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre this Halloween (Mon 16 Oct – Tue 7 Nov) – Dress up for a Monster Party! Create LEGO® monsters to add to the MINILAND monster takeover and discover a pumpkin patch built entirely of LEGO.
• Global Foodie Fest & Market: Diwali Delights (Sat 4 Nov) – Enjoy Diwali Delights at Morris Moor in Moorabbin. Free event with food and market stalls.
• Mt Martha South Beach Market (Tue 7 Nov) – Visit the market at Mount Martha House Lawn on Melbourne Cup day, featuring 60+ stallholders.
• Diwali in Glen Eira (Fri 10 Nov) – Celebrate the Festival of Lights at Booran Reserve, Glen Huntly. Free family event with various activities and entertainment.
• Hampton East Makers Market (Sun 12 Nov) – With 100+ stalls, local handmade makers, and more at Basterfield Park, Hampton East.
• Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Market (Sun 19 Nov): Shop for baby and children’s items at the Bumble Bee Market.
• East Malvern Food & Wine Festival (Sun 19 Nov) – The 5th annual East Malvern Food & Wine Festival is back, and they’ve got a vast range of exquisite wineries from all across Victoria, artisan provedores & entertainment! The free event is on from 11 am – 5 pm.
• Chelsea Park Dog-a-thon Family Fun Day 2023 (Sun 19 Nov) – Enjoy a fun day with your dog at Chelsea Park Dog-a-thon.
• The 5ifth Makers Market (Sat 25 Nov) – Located at Chelsea Bicentennial Park, featuring stalls, face painting, and family activities.
• Frankston’s Christmas Festival of Lights (Sat 25 Nov) – Celebrate 25 years of the Festival with tree lighting, fireworks, Santa, live music, and more. Located on Davey St, Frankston.
• Little Play Squad Legoland (Ongoing) – An interactive parent-child Play & Learn session based on LEGO® DUPLO®. DUPLO Farm Adventure Review.
• Bentleigh Sunday Market (Sundays) – plants, clothing, cosmetics, jewellery, books, videos, tools, antiques, crafts, pre-loved goods and more! Every Sunday. 
• Mornington Railway (Sundays) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
• Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Third Saturday of every month until Fri 15 Dec) – On Saturdays soak up the vibrant atmosphere and sample the very best of local Victorian produce directly from Victorian farmers and specialty makers.
• Gumbuya World Wildlife Wanderers (Every Wed) – join in every Wednesday for a day full of fun for your little ones with a 30-minute program, which will include storytime, games and Nature Play-based activities.
• Prahran Market Mini Marketeers (Every Tuesday) – Enjoy free, guided activities teaching toddlers the fundamentals of eating well and putting the ‘yum’ in healthy food choices.
• Marg Truck at East Malvern Food & Wine Festival (Sunday 19 Nov) – El Jimador’s Marg Truck is coming to East Malvern Food & Wine Festival with free margs. There’s something for the whole family at this festival!
• Rosanna Primary School Old School Fair (Sat 18 Nov) – Please bring cash as only one eftpos machine
• Meet Trolls at Luna Park (Sat 25 & Sat 26 Nov) – Meet the Trolls characters Poppy & Branch at Luna Park from 12-3pm!

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S EAST

• Christmas Under the Big Top (Fri 24 Nov – Sun 24 Dec) – A magical event like no other coming to Burnley Oval. Filled with tons of entertainment, activities, interactive experiences, carnival games, delicious treats and more! Read our review here
• Maroondah Festival (Sun 12 Nov) – Enjoy the Maroondah Festival featuring various entertainment and fun.
• Tecoma Twilight Ethical Market (Sun 19 Nov) – Ethical shopping can be challenging and time-consuming, so allow the Tecoma Twilight Ethical Market to make things much simpler.
• Camberwell Sunday Market (Every Sunday) – second-hand retro, vintage, antique, fashion and collectible goods you just can’t find anywhere else
• Mini Explorers (Every Sunday) – Unlock the wonders of the world with Mini Explorers, a program built to help children develop through place-based learning and nature-based crafts
• Yarra Valley Railway (Every Sun) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Yarra Valley Review.
• Murrundindi (Sundays and every day except Saturdays) – Join Murrundindi every Sunday for cultural stories and insights. Discover Indigenous plant secrets, learn about Boomerangs, hear Dreaming Stories, and experience the magic of the didgeridoo.

• Heide Art Babies (Tuesdays) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Heide Art Babies Review.
• Mooroolbark Miniature Railway (Runs 4th Sunday each month) – miniature rail running every 4th Sunday.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S WEST

• Musical Minds Workshop 2023 (Mon 2 Oct – Mon 4 Dec) – Musical Minds is a fun, educational experience for kids and their caregivers to explore music together. Sing songs, play instruments, dance, and learn how actions and Auslan enhance song memory. It’s a playful way for kids to learn music while developing skills for home and school.
• BBQ & Blues at Bellarine Estate (Sat 4 Nov) – BBQ & Blues returns to Bellarine Estate winery on Saturday November 4. Soulful tunes and BBQ aromas will fill the air across the Bellarine Peninsula.
• Diwali Pacific Werribee (Sat 4 Nov – Sat 11 Nov) – Join the week-long celebration with live performances, traditional art, Bollywood dancing, henna artists, Indian cooking demos, and engaging Diwali craft activities for kids.
• Spring into STEAM Festival (Thu 9 Nov – Thu 23 Nov) Altona Meadows STEAM Centre is specialist hub for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics collections and technologies. To help celebrate these new technologies the STEAM Centre is holding free workshops for kids, teens and adults.
• Werribee Craft Festival (Fri 10 Nov – Sat 11 Nov) – Werribee Craft Festival 2023, an annual event occurring the weekend after Melbourne Cup Day, showcases high-quality, handmade crafts
• Santas Street Party (Sat 11 Nov) – Everyone’s invited to join in on the festive family fun
• The Makers and Shakers Market (Sat 11 Nov – Sun 12 Nov) – Come be a part of the Makers and Shakers Market at Williamstown’s Seaworks Maritime Precinct on November 11 and 12, where you can discover one-of-a-kind treasures and back local artists and creatives
• Djerriwarrh Festival, Melton (Sat 11 Nov) – Headlined by Regurgitator and Pseudo Echo. A spectacular day of live music, a street parade, free kids’ activities and performances, local artists and designers market, food trucks, a pet expo, and intercultural acts.
• Summer Nights Eynesbury (Sat 11 Nov) – Featuring Elvis Tribute by Andrew Portelli and food trucks for delicious eats. Doors open at 4:30pm, entertainment from 5pm – 9:30pm. FREE
• State Rose & Garden Show (Sat 11 Nov – Sun 12 Nov) – Attend the State Rose & Garden Show to admire beautiful roses and gardens.
• Spring into Music at Williamstown Botanic Gardens (Sun 12 Nov) – Enjoy live music performances by various groups in the beautiful Botanic Gardens, and participate in nature-related activities.
• Spring Festival 2023 (Fri 17 Nov – Sun 19 Nov) – Join the Spring Festival with exciting activities and events in Beckley Park Geelong.
• Victorian Medieval Festival (Sat 18 Nov – Sun 19 Nov) – A celebration of the 50th anniversary of jousting in Australia, the inaugural Victorian Medieval Festival will be the perfect weekend getaway for families.
• That’s Mine Makers & Farmers Christmas Market (Sun 19 Nov) – Get your Christmas shopping done at ‘That’s Mine’ Makers & Farmers Christmas Market at Werribee Racecourse.
• Inner West Art Fair (Fri 24 Nov – Sun 26 Nov) – Explore original artworks and meet artists at this three-day art event featuring a range of art forms.
• Seddon Fun n’ Games Fair (Sat 25 Nov) – Head down to Harris Reserve, Seddon on Saturday, November 25, for a day packed with entertainment. Enjoy a dunk tank, dog parade, Santa’s visit, great waiters race, music by Brass Band, Tongan Choir, Glee West Choir, Colombian Dancing, and more!
• Diwali Festival (Sat 25 Nov) – Celebrate Diwali at Footscray Park’s Eastern Lawn with music, food, market stalls, rides, dance, cultural performances, and a fireworks display at 9.30pm.
• STEM Workshop: Calmness is a Superpower (Sat 25 Nov) – A STEM workshop exploring the impact of technology and social media on our brains and techniques to stay calm. For girls and non-binary people aged 10 to 12.
• Scottish Festival Overnewton Castle (Sun 26 Nov) – Annual Scottish festival and market day at Overnewton Castle, celebrating St. Andrew’s Day and the rich Scottish heritage of the Castle.
• Eynesbury Market (Sun 26 Nov) – Discover fresh pastries, honey, bread, fresh produce stalls, handmade arts & crafts, food trucks, live music, and kids’ activities.
• FestAble (Sun 26 Nov) – FestAble is a free event for everyone, to recognise and celebrate the 15% of Moonee Valley’s residents living with disability*, along with their families, carers and friends, in a day of music, dance, art, sport, inspiration and inclusion.
• Museums Victoria Members’ Annual Party — Introducing Air Playground (Sat 9 Dec): Join the Annual Members’ Party at Scienceworks to celebrate the opening of Air Playground. Exclusive entry, family-friendly entertainment, and private access to Scienceworks galleries.
• Yarraville Village Farmers Market (3rd Saturday of Each Month) – enjoy a wonderful, relaxed community environment, and sample the freshest products direct from the farmers and producers as you shop in the open.
• Bulla Railway (3rd Sunday of each month) – Ride the dinosaur trail on the miniature railway. Bulla Railway Review.
• Altona Miniature Railway (3rd Sunday of the month) – between 10 am and 3 pm ride this wonderful Miniature Railway. Altona Miniature Railway review.
• Outdoor play day at Moonee Valley Toy Library – (Sat 25 Nov) Join us for a morning in the (hopefully) sun engaging in messy sensory play. Come explore different textures, colours and smells. There will be coffee!

• Grazeland (Fridays – Sundays) – huge dining precinct with city views and 50 stalls to choose from. Read the Grazeland Review
• Essendon Traffic School (Saturdays) – 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.
• Sunday Funday Station Hotel (Sundays) – Every Sunday The Station Hotel prepares an animal farm and other entertaining activities to keep the little ones busy while you sit back and relax. Station Hotel Review
• Enterprize Sail Williamstown (usually sails the third Sunday of every month) – go for a one-hour sail on the tall ship Enterprize in Williamstown

The Station Hotel

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