What’s on in Melbourne for September 2022

September is upon us! We have made it through another Melbourne winter, and the first buds of spring are finally here. A new month means plenty of new and exciting events and activities happening around Melbourne to enjoy and look forward to! 

We’re back with our monthly what’s on list and we've got you covered with nothing less than the very best activities, events, festivals and more. From exhibitions to live music and theatre, you’ll find that there's something here for everyone and anyone of all ages to enjoy.

This post is updated regularly, so check back in to see what’s on in Melbourne today and this weekend, as well as what’s happening for the whole month.

Note that there's a separate post for Spring school holiday events and activities in Melbourne happening between Saturday 17 September and Sunday 2 October 2022.

WHAT’S ON MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS

• Affordable Art Fair (Thu 1 Sep – Sun 4 Sep) – Showcasing a selection of galleries from across Australia, the fair will feature a mixture of emerging to established artists and a wide variety of original, contemporary artworks priced up to AUD$10,000.
• Sustainable September (Thu 1 Sep – Fri 30 Sep) – Enjoy green-themed free activities, art, inspiration and activation.
• Wisdom & Light (Thu 1 Sep – Fri 30 Oct) – Discover the Journey of Venerable Master Hsing Yun And his One Stroke Calligraphy in this multi-sensory digital art experience.
• 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.
• Vegan Market of Melbourne (Sat 3 Sep) – Sample delicious food, shop for cruelty-free fashion and learn all about what it’s like to be vegan in an all-inclusive space.
• Sensory Play in a Wondrous Natural World (Sat 3 Sep – Sun 4 Sep) – explore a strange and wondrous natural world, with sound, light, shadow, performance and play – unfolding amongst living foliage.
• Pop-up Chinatown Treats (Fri 9 Sep – Sat 10 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.
• Asian Fun Festival 2022 (Sat 10 Sep) – The Asian Fun Festival is a celebration of all things fun, transporting you to ancient times through food, music and performances.
• Nepal Festival Melbourne (Sat 10 Sep) – a colourful and vibrant display of Nepal's culture, food, music and diversity!
• Malaysia Hawker Festival (Sat 10 Sep – Sun 11 Sep) – Celebrate Malaysia Day and the Mooncake Festival at Queen Victoria Market.
• Melbourne Bike Show (Sat 10 Sep – Sun 11) – A thrill-filled two-day Bike Industry and Consumer Expo that will unveil the latest innovations, technology, and advancements in the biking realm.
• Melbourne Lantern Festival (Sat 10 Sep – Sun 11 Sep) – an epic event stretched across two days featuring exciting performances and food & drinks.
• 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.

• 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!
• 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.
• Wizard’s Den (Until Sat 31 Dec) – an escape room like experience that will take you on adventure into a world of fantasy, magic, riddles, science and boozy potions!
• Potion Putt (Until Tue 31 Jul) – A crazy golf course inspired by famous fantasy and fiction Wizards where you can test your magic & wizarding putt putt skills.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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

• Bricktionary: the ultimate  A–Z of LEGO (Opens Sat 3 Sep) – an exhibit built to inspire LEGO® builders’ imaginations and challenge visitors with six new interactive build zones!
• Andy Griffiths and The 156-Storey Treehouse (Tue 6 Sep) – Andy Griffiths is back to talk about the latest 13 new levels of Andy and Terry’s treehouse!
• Zoovie Night (Fri 9 Sep & Sat 10 Sep) – Join for the epic prehistoric adventure of Scrat and his friends with a screening of Ice Age, under the stars on the lawn at Melbourne Zoo.

• Sesame Street Tickets (Until Sun 9 Oct) – A 90-minute Circus Spectacular, featuring everyone's favourite Sesame Street Characters
• Interspecies and Other Others (Until Sun 2 Oct) – See the gardens and architecture of national heritage-listed Abbotsford Convent be transformed through a dynamic, free program of video and sound art, sculpture, installation and performance.
• Tyama: A multisensory experience of nature (ongoing) – Be transported to Victoria’s nocturnal worlds, immersing you in 360-degree responsive projections, breathtaking effects and exquisite soundscapes. Tyama review

• Story Seekers Melbourne Museum (Mondays and Fridays) – Join in at the Melbourne Gallery to explore stories that bring life to treasures.
• Tiny Tour Melbourne Museum (Mondays and Fridays) – a 45-minute tour created for early year audiences that will invite them to wonder, discover and be amazed.
• Bite-Sized Science Melbourne Museum (First Saturday of the Month) – Discover our natural world and uncover the secret life of the creatures around us and their ecosystems in these monthly Bite-Sized Science sessions.
• 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.

• VU Play Coburg pop-up playspaces (Tuesdays – Saturdays) – VU early childhood pre-service teachers create pop-up play spaces for children to play.
• 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

• Casey Pet Expo (Sat 3 Sep) – wolf down on some tasty treats, roar in laughter at the exciting roving entertainment, shop the latest in pet products and more!
• Food Yard Winter Night Market (Sat 3 Sep) – Food Yard has transformed the disused end of the old Mornington Railway Line into a vibrant and edgy Pop Up Street Food, Live Entertainment & Market Shopping Destination.
• Archibald Prize (Sat 3 Sep – Sun 16 Oct) – The Archibald Prize represents Australia’s oldest and most prestigious art award and will be shown exclusively in Victoria at Bunjil Place.
• Dandenong Market Curry Festival (Sun 4 Sep) – a FREE, family-friendly foodie festival that curry lovers of all ages are set to enjoy.
• The Monash Moon Festival (Sat 10 Sep) – a free community celebration that includes roving entertainers, traditional performers, fire twirlers, musical acts, craft activities, Mooncakes and more!
• Soul Night Market Moorabbin (Fri 16 Sep) – a festive, foodie and makers market held in Melbourne’s South East Suburbs, giving people the opportunity to experience a taste of the vibe and culture of City Night Markets, in their own neighbourhood.
• Dig it with Dad (Weekly until Wed 14 Sep) – Grow veggies and flowers, meet the chickens and discover the beehive. Teach your children about nature and then jump into some active play with toys and activities provided.
• 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.
• Mini Makers (Wednesdays) – Back for Term 3, Mini Makers provides masterclasses for kids ages 2 – 5, where they can explore science, craft, cooking, music, movement and more!
• Mornington Railway (Sundays) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.

• Little Play Squad Legoland (Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays) – 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. 
• Frankston Community Market (Sundays) – a weekly community market located in the very heart of Frankston, featuring an ever-changing variety of stalls.
• Camberwell Sunday Market (Every Sunday) – second-hand retro, vintage, antique, fashion and collectible goods you just can't find anywhere else
• Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Third Saturday of every month until Sun 18 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.
• Camelot Traffic School (Weekends and School Holidays) Ride or scoot in this miniature city and get practical experience riding and learning some road rules. Located in Bentleigh East. Check their hours on their website before you go as they are subject to change. Read my review.
• Young at Art Mornington Peninsula Art Gallery (Tuesdays) – program for 0-5 year olds. Sing, dance, clap and stomp your feet with Matteo! Do an exciting activity with the Education Coordinator afterwards.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S EAST

• Baby Bunting Store Opening (Sat 3 Sep) – celebrate Baby Bunting's Grand Opening with lots of free family fun such as face painting, Free balloon twisters, Baby Bunting Showbags and more!
• The Eastland 2022 ITTF-Oceania Senior & Youth Championships (Mon 5 Sep – Sun 10 Sep) – set to create an exciting buzz and shine a light on the Region's best table tennis players at Eastland Shopping Centre.
• Heide Art Babies (Tue 6 Sep, Tue 13 Sep) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Heide Art Babies Review.
• Tesselaar Tulip Festival (Sat 10 Sep –  Sun 9 Oct) – tulip fields, live entertainment, market stalls and tempting foods. Read my review.

• Belgrave Big Dreams Market (Sun 11 Sep) – discover original and bespoke design pieces, some of the yummiest and freshest produce the area has to offer, live music, bouncy castle and face painting  for the kids.
• Wild City (Mon 19 Sep – Sat 29 Oct) – Discover Wild City, a special community artwork developed by artist Kathy Holowko and the children of Boroondara.
• Winter Igloo Garden (Until Thu 15 Sep) – Hire a private igloo and enjoy wintery food and beverages. Auburn Hotel Winter Igloo Review.

• Auburn Kids Sunday Funday (Sundays) – Let the kids roam with the barnyard animals at the FREE petting zoo while you enjoy a Sunday Roast! What could be better! 
• Lake Mountain (June – September but dates will vary depending on snow season) – toboggan, cross country skiing and snow play, 2 hours from Melbourne. Read my tips on visiting Lake Mountain with kids
• Mt Baw Baw (June – September but dates will vary depending on snow season) – Melbourne’s closest downhill ski resort is open for the winter season. Read my tips on visiting Mt Baw Baw with kids

• Yarra Valley Railway (Every Sun) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Yarra Valley Review.
• 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

• Grazeland BBQ and Beer Festival (Fri 2 Sep – Sun 4 Sep) – Discover the best of Melbourne’s food scene at this unique outdoor experience.
• Robotics and coding workshop (Sat 3 Sep) – Discover the power of mBot robots in this fun introductory workshop that explores how simple programs can control complex machines.
• Ethiopian New Year Festival (Sat 3 Sep) – Join the colourful celebration of the Ethiopian New Year with the incredible sounds and smells of Ethiopian culture.
• Jurassic Creatures (Wed 7 Sep – Sun 2 Oct) – a realistic animatronics exhibition like no other, will capture the imagination of children and parents alike with over 30 Dinosaurs and spectacular activities that immerse you in a prehistoric time.
• Resonate (Until Dec 2022) – a series of unique local and family-friendly live music events happening throughout the Moreland area.
• FCAC Toddler Jam (Until Fri 16 Sep) – getting toddlers active and learning through play, with a mixture of percussion, singing, dancing, story-time and mindfulness. 

• Yarraville Village Farmers Market (1st & 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 10am and 3pm ride this wonderful Miniature Railway. Altona Miniature Railway review.
• Story Time With Amanda Falson (Mondays) – Join in this free event with your little ones every Monday morning for story time with Amanda Falson.
• 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 tall ship Enterprize in Williamstown

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