It’s officially the start of Autumn, my favourite season!

Coming up is the Labour Day long weekend in March (Saturday 9 March to Monday 11 March) plus probably the last of the hot weather. Other key dates include:

• Clean Up Australia Day Sunday 3 March;
• Cultural Diversity Week Monday 18 March to Sunday 24 March;
• Harmony Week Monday 18 March to Sunday 24 March; and
• National Ride2School Day Friday 22 March.

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. 

DINOS ALIVE MELBOURNE

Featured Event

Dinos Alive is a dinosaur exhibition featuring life-size animated replicas in an immersive Jurassic venue. Walk alongside the massive creatures that roamed our world millions of years ago!

Dinos Alive highlights include:

• Be transported to the Jurassic era to witness realistic dinosaurs in their natural habitat;
• Stand face to face with over 80 life-sized, moving replicas of dinosaurs including the awe-inspiring T-rex, the graceful Stegosaurus, the armoured Ankylosaurus, swift Velociraptors, and more;
• Dive into a unique virtual aquarium experience and delve into the mysteries of ancient marine life;
• Discover the wonders of the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods through engaging and interactive activities;
• Immerse yourself in a captivating VR adventure (suitable for ages 8 and above); and
• Kids can become paleontologists in the “Budding Experts” interactive space, where they can engage in hands-on activities and learn about iconic dinosaurs while having fun.

Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience, Fever Exhibitions Hall, 62 Dawson Street, Brunswick VIC 3056

Thursday 1 February 2024 – Thursday 29 February 2024

Melbourne Events March

What’s on in Melbourne – CBD / Docklands

• BBC Earth Experience (Mon 1 Jan – Sun 28 Apr) – The BBC Earth Experience at the MCEC is an all-ages interactive journey through the seven continents powered by state-of-the-art technology never before seen in Australia.
• ACMI Preschoolers (Fri 12 Jan – Fri 22 Mar) – Fun for 3 to 5-year-olds to explore “Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature” with parent, grandparent, or carer. Connect art and science through movement and play, engaging young learners with mesmerizing artworks.
• Exhibition: Wild City At ArtPlay (Sat 20 Jan – Sun 16 Jun) – Come and visit a mini city landscape that has been transformed into a wild, thriving, green metropolis – where humans and animals share their habitat.
• The Sound of Music (Sat 2 Mar – Sun 17 Mar) – Rising musical theatre company Theatrical is thrilled to present a new production of The Sound of Music at National Theatre Melbourne.
• Moomba (Sat 9 Mar) – Victoria’s biggest community festival.
• Water Sports at Moomba Festival (Sat 9 Mar) – Watch waterski acrobatics, including pyramids, tricks and more and also see world-class water sports athletes battle it out at the Moomba Masters competition.
• Cirque du Soleil (Sun 24 Mar – Sun 5 May) – Cirque du Soleil is celebrating its 25th anniversary in Australia with critically acclaimed and jaw-dropping production LUZIA, opening in Melbourne on 24th March 2024.
• The Game Expo 2024 (Sat 23 Mar – Sun 24 Mar) – The Game Expo is THE event dedicated to gaming, celebrating its culture and creativity. TGX is all about YOU, and everyone who loves video games.

• Moonlight Cinema Melbourne (Sun 31 Mar) – Australia’s favourite open-air cinema returns to the beautiful green Central Lawn for another season of balmy nights, lush picnics and sizzling silver-screen blockbuster movies and fan-favourite films.
• Sonica Botanica: Stories and Sounds from the Gardens (Tue 31 Dec) – Weaving together interviews, field recordings and a musical score, this evocative listening experience responds to collectors’ passions, botanical knowledge, favourite memories, childhood impressions, historical anecdotes and cultural viewpoints
• The Explorer – Melbourne Gardens (Tue 31 Dec) Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air minibus.
• Aboriginal Heritage Walk (Tue 31 Dec) – Journey into Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation, with a First Peoples guide.
• Seek and Find Nature Cards (Tue 31 Dec) – Set your young ones on an adventure exploring nature with Seek and Find Nature Cards to be used at Melbourne Gardens or download the cards and explore your neighbourhood.

• Holi Festival Melbourne 2024 (Fri 29 Mar – Sun 31 March) – Play Holi across 3 days (and nights) of Easter Long Weekend as you immerse into Culture, Live Music, DJs, Dancing, Food & Drink and Colours. FREE.
• Punting on the Lake (Until Fri 31 May) – Settle back in an elegant wooden punt to enjoy a unique view of one of the world’s finest gardens as a professional guide tells you about its history and wildlife.
• Queen Victoria Night Market (Until Wed 15 Mar) – Eat and drink your way around the world one dish at a time with more than 50 street food traders cooking up a global feast every Wednesday plus specialty shopping and entertainment. Queen Victoria Night Market review.
• Arts Centre Sunday Market (Sundays until 31 Dec) – find unique, quirky and handmade items at the stalls. There are always some yummy treats too!
• WICKED (Various dates) – Winner of over 100 major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, WICKED is “A COMPLETE TRIUMPH! An original musical that will make you laugh, cry and think.” USA Today.
• 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. 
• Melbourne Book Market (Saturdays & Sundays) – a curated collection of more than 5,000 new and pre-loved titles selected and presented by 15 of Melbourne’s most experienced booksellers..

• Docklands Community Market (2nd Sunday of each month) – Grab your early morning coffee, enjoy a lovely stroll & support your local producers at this lovely market.
• 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.
• Night on the Reef (Ongoing) – A kaleidoscope of tropical fish, sharks, rays, and turtles captivating the beauty and diversity of the world’s coral reefs.
• The LUME (Ongoing) – Immerse yourself in the work of Monet and Friends at Australia’s digital art gallery.
• SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium (Ongoing) – See some of the world’s most incredible animals, including penguins, a 6-metre-long crocodile and thousands of tropical fish, plus the newly reopened oceanarium.
• Soft Play ( Ongoing) – Play with your child and make community connections in a safe and fun indoor environment at Soft Play.
• Kids Passport Queen Victoria Market (Ongoing) – Collect your passport, then journey around the Market collecting stamps from our friendly traders, before making your way to the Queen Victoria Market Visitor Hub to claim your prize.

What’s on in Melbourne – North / North-East

• Family Fridays at Pentridge (Fri 1 Dec – Fri 29 Mar) – Join in every Friday evening at Pentridge for live music, children’s activities and family fun!
• Outdoor movies Banyule (Sat 17 Feb – Sat 9 Mar) – Join us for an afternoon or evening movie outdoors in Banyule. Bring a picnic and watch a screening of the film. BYO blanket or deckchair.
• Work In Progress Exhibition (Fri 1 Mar – Sun 24 Mar) – A collaborative exhibition of child-led photographic artworks exploring the theme of social futures.
• Work In Progress Exhibition opening party (Sat 2 Mar) – Don’t miss our opening party, where children and their grown-ups join us to celebrate and join the excitement of the exhibition.

• Craigieburn Festival (Sat 2 Mar) – Join in for a jam-packed day of activities that the whole family (including your pets) will enjoy!
• Turkish Pazar Festival (Sat 2 Mar – Sun 3 Mar) – See Queen Victoria Market transform into a traditional Turkish bazaar and experience the vibrant tastes, colours and sounds of Turkey through food, music, dance, and cultural displays.
• Brunswick Music Festival (Sun 3 Mar – Mon 11 Mar) – Enjoy live music performances from artists like Adalita, Birdz, Didirri and more.

• Ricotta Festival (Sun 17 Mar) – The first and only Ricotta Festival in Australia is back again, with huge vats of fresh hot ricotta, Italian food and drinks pop-ups, a local producer marketplace, entertainment for the whole family and kids activities.
• Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (Wed 20 Mar – Sun 24 Apr) – See the best landscape and floral talent from Australia and around the world alongside an extensive array of garden retail products.
• Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs (Daily) – An immersive voyage into a lost world, where visitors will explore the landscapes of the Cretaceous and get to know the creatures that thrived there.
• Diamond Valley Railway (Sundays) – miniature railway with a playground next door. Diamond Valley Railway Review

• Heide Art Babies (Tuesdays) – Social connection and communal play is important for new parents, new grandparents and babies.
• Under 5s Art Classes (Fridays) – Sessions will explore the elements of art such as colour, shape, texture and pattern through material exploration and experimentation.
• Tiny Tours (Fridays during school term) – A 45-minute tour created for early year audiences that will invite them to wonder, discover, and be amazed.
• Gandel Gondwana Garden (Ongoing) – Explore Victoria’s ancient landscapes and learn about creatures that once walked this land, from dinosaurs and megafauna to the ancestors of today’s iconic Australian species.
• Heide Gallery Kids (Ongoing) – Join Art Therapist Tanis Douglas, who supports pre-school children and their carers to gain confidence observing artworks in a small group.
• Mini Twitchers Heide (Ongoing) – Be a twitcher for a day and spot some beautiful birds in the Heide Sculpture park! Use a map to locate each area where the twelve painted birds are hidden in trees in the sculpture park.
• Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo (Ongoing) – Educator-led daily activities that promote learning through storytelling, craft, and play at Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo.
• Sensory Tray Session (Ongoing) – Pour, scoop, splash, and more at our sensory tray sessions!
• Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery (Ongoing) – A world-class immersive learning and play experience – and a wonderland for little learners! The exhibition combines hands-on exploration and discovery, open-ended play-based learning, extraordinary immersive environments, and unique museum collection objects at the Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery.
• Dinosaur Walk (Ongoing) – Check out the real dinosaur bones at Melbourne Museum’s permanent exhibition featuring ten dinosaur skeletons, three pterosaurs, and other select megafauna artefacts such as huge teeth!

What’s on in Melbourne – South / South-East / Bayside

• The Explorer (Sun 1 Jan – Tue 31 Dec) – Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air minibus
• Seek and Find Nature Cards (Sat 1 Jan – Tue 31 Dec) – Set your young ones on an adventure exploring the wondrous scenery, plants and creatures of Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne with their Seek and Find Nature Cards.
• Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Sat 20 Jan – Sat 21 Dec) – On Saturdays soak up the vibrant atmosphere and sample the very best of local Victorian produce, directly from Victorian farmers and specialty makers.
• Lights, Camera… Chaos! (Sat 17 Feb – Sat 17 March) – The Scientwits are back! Science Sam is attempting to broadcast a serious science TV show but typically, Captain Chaos has other, bigger & incorrect ideas.
• Hello Sunshine festival (Sat 2 Mar) – Check out the epic 2024 line-up with Grinspoon, The Veronicas, The Temper Trap, Pete Murray, Bliss N Eso, and The Wiggles!
• Elwood Market (Sat 2 Mar) – Experience all the fun, music and community atmosphere of the Elwood Market: vintage goods, second-hand treasures, art, books, a petting zoo, face painting and all sorts of bargains and beautiful items.

• Knox Festival (Sat 2 Mar) – local performers, artists, sports, amusements, culture, food and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
• The Smeds and the Smoos (Mon 4 Mar – Tue 5 Mar) – Soar into space with this exciting adaptation of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler at Bunjil Place live on stage.
• WILD Wednesday (Wed 7 Mar – Wed 27 March) – Embark on an adventure every WILD Wednesday from 11 am to 4 pm!
• Melbourne St Patrick’s Day Festival (Sat 16 Mar – Sun 17 Mar) – Celebrate Irish culture and heritage at this free family event. Enjoy street performers, traditional Irish food and other cuisines, Irish dancing and live music creating
• Skyline Attractions (Sat 2 Dec – Sun 28 Apr) – Take in the breathtaking views of the St Kilda foreshore and pier at the KIIS Eye Ferris Wheel which makes its debut this Summer!
• Melbourne Cable Park Summer Movies (Until Fri 23 Mar) – get down to Melbourne Cable Park to listen to live music from local artists and watch your favourite films.
• Victorian State Ballet: Sleeping Beauty (Sun 24 Mar) – The Victorian State Ballet (VSB) is delighted to present their unique production of Sleeping Beauty in March 2024.
• Punting on the Lake (Until Wed 31 May) – take a serene cruise around the islands of the picturesque Ornamental Lake in Melbourne’s stunning Royal Botanic Gardens.

• The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (Wednesday – Sunday) – A dedicated, fully fenced space for families featuring plants, water, structures, and pathways that reflect Melbourne’s changing seasons.
• Young At Art (Tuesdays) – With the guidance of an experienced early childhood educator, participants work on a different hands-on creative activity every week, using materials from the take-home art materials box supplied each session.
• Nature Play (Tuesdays during school term) – Come along to Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve for Nature Play, an outdoor, child-led playgroup session facilitated by a qualified ranger.
• 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.
• Little Play Squad Legoland (Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays) – An interactive parent-child Play & Learn session based on LEGO® DUPLO®. Read the  DUPLO Farm Adventure Review.
• Stories and Songs in the Square (Mondays & Wednesdays) – Nurture your child’s early literacy skills by joining in to read aloud stories and sing action songs and rhymes. FREE.
• Little Play Times Legoland (Wednesdays) – An interactive parent-child Play & Learn session based on LEGO® DUPLO®.
• Prahran Market Mini Marketeers (Tuesdays) – Enjoy free, guided activities teaching toddlers the fundamentals of eating well and putting the ‘yum’ in healthy food choices.
• LEGO Friends (Ongoing) – Visit LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne to meet your new Friends, receive fun show bags, join in a scavenger hunt activity and more!
• Little Lunies at Luna Park (Ongoing) – Discover a fantastic world of rides, attractions, and games to suit Little and Big Lunies! There’s something for everyone from old favorites like The Great Scenic Railway, Ghost Train, & Carousel to the big thrill rides like the Power Surge, Sky Rider, Twin Dragon, and more!
• St Kilda Breakwater (Ongoing) – Spot the Little Penguin colony just before dusk coming ashore from the promenade. FREE.

What’s on in Melbourne – East

• Junior Chocolatier Yarra Valley Chocolaterie (Tue 10 Jan – Wed 25 Dec) – Children aged 6 – 12 years can learn from Chocolatiers how to make their very own yummy
• Holi Festival of Colour (Fri 29 Feb, Sat 30 Feb, & Sun 31 Mar) – Free Bollywood dance and colour workshops for kids. You can also get a free gift by snapping a photo at the Happy Holi wall.creations. Read the Junior Chocolatier Yarra Valley Chocolaterie review.
• Glenferrie Festival (Sun 3 Mar) – Over 300 individual stalls serving up fine food, street food, live entertainment, fashion, hand-crafted goods, great amusement rides, pop up bars, kids’ Entertainment and activities.
• Summer in the Park (Fri 8 Mar – Sun 10 Mar) – Boroondara Arts’ Summer in the Park series of free outdoor events across February and March. Burgers, sweet treats and coffee are available.

• Asian Cooking with Kids (Sun 10 Mar) – The Kid Cooking Classes are fun and educational – parents, guardians and grandparents can join the class. Menus are designed to introduce your child to some of their new favourite meals together with their loved parents and families.
• Day Out with Thomas (Fri 15 Mar – Sun 17 Mar & Fri 22 Mar – Sun 24 Mar) – The iconic blue engine is back, and this time, he’s bringing a burst of bubbly fun to Puffing Billy Railway with the Day Out With Thomas: Bubble Tour!
• The Herb and Chilli Festival (Sat 16 Mar – Sun 17 Mar) – Two-day celebration of herbs and chillis in food, drinks, sauces, plants and the cultures associated with cuisines that focus on spice and flavour. Read the The Herb and Chilli Festival review
• Celebrate Mooroolbark Festival (Sun 17 Mar) – 8 days of smaller pop-up style events during day and night, around town, on and offline.

• Blue Lotus Water Garden (Until Mon 10 Apr) – explore gardens with lakes, ponds and lagoons and fairy garden. Read Blue Lotus Water Garden Review
• Belgrave Big Dreams Market (2nd Sunday of the Month) – discover original and bespoke design pieces, some of the yummiest and freshest produce the area has to offer, live music, a bouncy castle and face painting for the kids.
• Box Hill Miniature Railway (3rd Sunday of the Month) – Ride this wonderful Miniature Railway, the track winds through the picturesque surrounds of Elgar Park. Read Box Hill Miniature Railway Review
• Mooroolbark Miniature Railway (Runs 4th Sunday each month) – miniature rail running every 4th Sunday.

• Heide Art Babies (Tuesdays) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read Heide Art Babies Review.
• ECOSS Valley Market (Fridays) – Experience the vibrant Valley Markets, connecting local growers, artisans, and musicians in the heart of the Yarra Valley.
• Camberwell Sunday Market (Sundays) – secondhand retro, vintage, antique, fashion and collectible goods you just can’t find anywhere else
• Yarra Valley Railway (Sundays) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read Yarra Valley Railway 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?

• Spirits of the Sky (Ongoing) – See the natural behaviours of a variety of native birds which may include the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Black-breasted Buzzard, Barking Owl, magnificent parrots and more.
• Bounce Playdates (Ongoing) – Extended toddler sessions offer little adrenaline hunters time to explore and play, while parents can choose to join in, or watch on from nearby.
• Eastland (Ongoing) – Sign up to the free mini & me kids club at Eastland (for kids 4 and under) and receive exclusive offers, invites to free events, and $5 valet parking! FREE.

What’s on in Melbourne – West

• FCAC Toddler Jam (Thu 1 Feb – Thu 28 Mar) – Our tutor Razz, a long-time member of the FCAC community, is highly skilled in getting toddlers active and learning through play, with a mixture of percussion, singing, and dancing.
• Steve McCurry. ICONS: An Extraordinary Photography Exhibition (From February 2024) – Steve McCurry. ICONS is an extraordinary exhibition in Melbourne showcasing the work of Steve McCurry, one of the greatest photographers to date. Learn about his career, his photography, and much more.
• Soft Stele: monuments to our favourite things – Wyndham City Arts and Culture (Tue 13 Feb – Sun 3 Mar) – Join the indirect Object to help create a series of large, tactile illuminated pillars celebrating all our favourite things. Foods, activities, animals, friends, games, or places in our community.

• Flavour Fest 2024 (Sat 2 March) – The return of Flavour Fest 2024 is back! Featuring epic food trucks, kid’s activities, carnival rides, beer garden, and firework entertainment, alongside Australia’s hottest bands! FREE.
• Lincoln Park Twilight Concert (Sat 2 Mar) – Grab your family and friends, pack a picnic, and sit back to enjoy a twilight concert, activities, interactive neon lights, and so much more! FREE.
• LIT (Fri 8 Mar – Wed 24 Mar) – See Wyndham Park in Werribee City Centre become a glowing wonderland at this free immersive experience presented by Wyndham City.
• Ballarat Begonia Festival (Sat 9 Mar – Mon 11 Mar) – Ballarat will be in full bloom once again as the Ballarat Begonia Festival returns and celebrates its 70th year.
• Yarraville Festival (Sun10 Mar) – a family experience filled with delicious food, entertainment and stalls offering quality products and produce.
• Incy Wincy Babies (Fri 15 Mar) – Barking Spider Creative artist guides carers with their babies through a visual art experience at the Gallery.
• Jams for Juniors (Sat 16 Mar) – Children aged 0-5 and their adults can explore, play and join in at these popular 30-minute musical workshops.

• Yarraville Village Farmers Market (Sat 16 Mar) – enjoy a wonderful, relaxed community environment and sample the freshest products direct from the farmers and producers as you shop in the open.
• 2024 Get Active! Expo Launch (Sun 17 Mar – Sun 14 Apr) – Enjoy an interactive kids’ corner and activities from Western Bulldogs, Melbourne Victory, Cricket Victoria and Reclink Australia.
• Fairytales on Skates (Sat 18 Mar & Sun 26 Mar) – Meet your favourite fairytale characters as they zoom, twirl and roll around your neighbourhood!
• Mediterranean Fiesta (Sat 23 March) – Enjoy live music, dancing, and free kids’ activities that you won’t want to miss. FREE.

• Eynesbury Market (Last Sunday of the month) – monthly community market in Eynesbury
• Art in the garden (Last Friday of the month) – It’s a combination of nature play, sensory play, process art, and playgroup. Run by ‘The Fun In Art’.
• Musical Minds Workshop (Mondays Until 25 Mar) – learn the fundamentals of music together in a fun & educational environment. Sing songs, play various instruments, move to music & learn how actions & Auslan can help in song memory retention & learning.
• Sunset Safari Werribee Open Range Zoo (Saturdays until Sat 9 Mar) – live music, African-inspired food, dancing, drumming and sunset safari tour. Read the Sunset Safari Werribee Zoo review
• Bulla Railway (3rd Sunday of each month) – Ride the dinosaur trail on the miniature railway. Bulla Railway Review.

• 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. Read the 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. Read the Station Hotel Review
• Altona Miniature Railway (3rd Sunday of the month) – between 10 am and 3 pm, ride this wonderful Miniature Railway. Read the Altona Miniature Railway review.
• Enterprize One Hour Day Sails (Ongoing) – sail from five locations in Port Phillip Bay and occasionally in other ports along the southeastern coast of Australia.

• Werribee Open Range Zoo (Ongoing) – Stroll through the Zoo spotting lions, hippos, cheetahs, monkeys, gorillas and more, catch the safari bus tour or explore the Ranger Kids indoor play space and Village Kids outdoor playground.
• Air Playground (Ongoing) – Air Playground has launched at Scienceworks. Levitate objects, engineer paper planes, & learn the physics of airflow.
• Melbourne Planetarium (Ongoing) – Sit back and enjoy the wonder of the stars regardless of the time of day – or the weather!
• Ground Up: Building Big Ideas, Together (Ongoing) – An exhibition for babies to five-year-olds where curiosity is rewarded around each bend with surprising and intriguing sights, sounds and touch sensations.

• Playnastics (Ongoing) – Casual open play sessions using a selection of Preschool Gymnastics equipment and resources, as well as puzzles, blocks and more. ​Read our review here.
• Toddler and Kids Art Classes (Ongoing) – The Fun In Art’ provides art classes for toddlers and kids where they’re more about the fun of creation and less about the outcome of the artwork.
• ​Clocktower Centre Children’s Space (Ongoing) – Parents and carers can sit back and relax with a coffee and a snack from the Clocktower Café while the kids explore the space, watch the trams go by or listen to their favourite book with the interactive Storytime Pod.

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