As September dawns, Melbourne sheds its winter cloak and welcomes the vibrant embrace of spring.

Our September guide to what’s on ensures you won’t miss a beat. From captivating art exhibitions to enthralling live music and family-friendly theatre performances, Melbourne caters to all tastes and ages.

Click here if you’re looking for Father’s Day 2024 events in Melbourne. Father’s Day is on Sunday 1 September 2024.

CHAOS LAB MELBOURNE

Featured Event

Unleash your kid’s inner creativity in Chaos Lab, a hands-on experience in Melbourne that collides the joy of imagination with the magic of science!

Chaos Lab highlights include:

• Meet a manic, mad scientist—and step into their world of chaos!
• Explore multiple hands-on rooms designed for children to express themselves and get silly, featuring slime, a ball pit, a mirror maze, neon graffiti… and more surprises!
• Learn about the science involved in each room

Chaos Lab is the perfect experience to create great family memories and it’s open for a limited time at The District Docklands.

Chaos Lab, The District Docklands 18 Wharf St, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia

Friday 6 January – Sunday 1 October 2023

Saturdays and Sundays

CANDLELIGHT CONCERTS MELBOURNE

Featured Event

Candlelight Concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations over the globe. Enjoy a host of concerts – from jazz to pop, classical to movie soundtracks – all illuminated by candlelight and performed by live musicians in some of the most iconic venues in Melbourne.

Get your tickets now to discover an unforgettable concert with your family, under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Candlelight Concerts, Melbourne various locations and dates

WHAT’S ON MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS

• Leonardo Da Vinci (Sat 16 Mar – Sun 16 Sept) – Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius promises to be THE LUME Melbourne’s most ambitious, immersive and breathtaking experience yet.
• BEINGS By Universal Everything​ (Wed 22 May – Sun 29 Sep 2024) – A playful family adventure at ACMI filled with vibrant and playful digital art.
• Teeth & Tails – SEA LIFE Melbourne (Mon 19 Aug – Wed 4 Sep) – Explore the fascinating world of marine creatures! Learn about the moray eel’s sharp teeth and hidden jaws, sea stars’ unique digestion, and meet the impressive Mega croc Pinjarra.
• Affordable Art Fair (Thu 29 Aug – Sun 1 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.
• Grug (Wed 11 Sep – Sun 15 Sep) – Experience the award-winning theatre show based on the iconic character Grug. Based on the much-loved picture book character created by Ted Prior.
• PAW Patrol Live! (Sat 31 Aug – Sun 1 Sep)- PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” is coming to Melbourne this August. Everybody’s favourite pups on stage for an action-packed, high-energy, musical adventure.

• Zero Waste Festival 2024 (Sat 14 Sep) – The Zero Waste Festival goes beyond just an event – it sparks community connections. Join like-minded individuals to share ideas, network, and build lasting relationships.
• Aboriginal Heritage Walk (Until Sun 31 Dec) – Explore the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne with a First Peoples guide, delving into the cultural significance of this site for the local Kulin Nation. Gain profound insights into the history, customs, and enduring bond with Country of Australia’s First Peoples through the identification of native plants and their traditional uses within the Gardens.
• Sonica Botanica: Stories and Sounds from the Gardens (Until 31 Dec 2024) – 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.
• 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.

• 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.
• 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. Read the 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. 
• Polly Woodside (First Sunday of the Month) – Come aboard for a tour of the ship and discover what life was like on a tall ship sailing the seven seas. Read the Polly Woodside review.
• THE LUME Melbourne (Ongoing) – Connection was created to celebrate the beautiful art and music of First Peoples and give back to their communities. This special experience tells the story of our country’s rich cultural history through paintings and music.

• 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.
• Into the Music – Composition Workshop 2024 (Ongoing) – Participants in Into the Music – Composition Workshop will explore technology and techniques used to create the music they hear every day.
• Escape the Gaol (Ongoing) – At Old Melbourne Gaol, kids can become inmates on a mission to hatch the perfect escape plan. Read my Old Melbourne Gaol review
• 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.
• 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. Read the Story of the Moving Image ACMI Review.

WHAT’S ON MELBOURNE – NORTH / NORTH-EAST

• T.REX 3D (Fri 21 Jun – Sat 21 Dec) – Narrated by Sam Neill, experience the iconic T. rex come to life on the world’s biggest, best screen in this thrilling IMAX 3D documentary!
• Meet Victoria the T. rex (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 20 Oct) – Victoria the T. rex is a world-class, interactive exhibition starring the real fossil skeleton of a 66-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus named Victoria.
• One Fine Baby Expo (Sat 7 Sep – Sun 8 Sep) – One Fine Baby is Melbourne’s most stylish FREE to attend baby expo. With over 100 boutique pregnancy, maternity, baby and toddler brands for you to try and buy from, expert advice and hands-on courses, beautiful facilities and plenty of entertainment for the little ones including meet & greets with CoComelon, One Fine Baby Expo has it all!
• Heritage Garden and Grounds (Until Sun 31 Dec) – Experience the breathtaking Heritage Garden and grounds alongside the iconic buildings at Abbotsford Convent. This culturally significant site offers a serene setting for picnics, reading, or leisurely contemplation, welcoming visitors every day of the year.
• Tiny Tour Melbourne Museum (Fridays) – a 45-minute tour created for early year audiences that will invite them to wonder, discover and be amazed.
• Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs (ongoing) – 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.

• Fitzroy Market (Saturdays) – a one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.
• 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.
• Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo (Ongoing) – Educator-led daily activities that promote learning through storytelling, craft and play.
• 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.

• Abbotsford Farmers Market (Ongoing) – Shop local and seasonal produce and visit the Collingwood Children’s Farm which is just next door.
• Tiny Tours (Ongoing) – A 45-minute tour created for early year audiences that will invite them to wonder, discover and be amazed.
• 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!
• Sensory Tray Sessions (Ongoing) – Pour, scoop, splash and more at our sensory tray sessions!
• Diamond Valley Railway (Sundays) – miniature railway with a playground next door. Read the Diamond Valley Railway Review.

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

• Free Weekly Mornings at Westfield Fountain Gate (Tue 16 Jul – Fri 20 Sep) – Bring your kids to Westfield Fountain Gate for twice-weekly Kids Mornings filled with fun. Each week offers new activities, so be prepared to draw, craft, sing, and dance together!
• Teen Digital Photography Project (Wed 24 Jul – Wed 11 Sep) – Engage in a range of hands-on activities, tapping into the realm of camera settings and controlled lighting, as you learn to craft captivating images that resonate with your unique perspective.
• Circus Royale – Pakenham (Sat 29 Jul – Sun 10 Sep) – Step Right Up! Experience a Circus Like Never Before: Circus Royale Brings Australia’s Only 3D Hologram Display & Bonus Animatronic Dinosaur Exhibit to Pakenham!
• Jams For Juniors: Grieg’s Peer Gynt (Sat 14 Sep) – Jams for Juniors is the perfect way to introduce babies and toddlers to the magic of music!
• Tune in Time Out Music Playgroup (Tuesdays) – A pre-school music group plus time for play and parents to relax. The group runs weekly on Tuesday Mornings from 10:00 – 11:30am during school terms.
• Botanic Ridge Baby Pop-up Playgroup (Fridays) – Come along and enjoy a range of activities for babies aged 0 to 12 months. With singing, playing and sharing activities that you and your baby could do at home whilst connecting with other families.
• Cook it with Dad (Saturdays during school term) – For fathers and grandfathers to cook with their children. Have fun and eat tasty food!
• National Steam Centre (Saturdays and Sundays) – A visit to the National Steam Centre will delight a wide audience from the pre-schooler obsessed with Thomas and train rides, to train enthusiasts of any age!
• Australian Landscape Walk (Until Sun 31 Dec) – Join a Garden Ambassador as they guide you on a walking tour to showcase the features and highlights of the Australian Garden.

• Mini Makers (Ongoing) – Back for Term 3, Mini Makers provides masterclasses for kids ages 2 – 5, where they can explore science, craft, cooking, music, movement and more!
• The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden (Ongoing) – A dedicated, fully fenced space for families featuring plants, water, structures, and pathways that reflect Melbourne’s changing seasons.
• Mornington Railway (Sundays) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
• Little Play Times Legoland (Every Wed) – An interactive parent-child Play & Learn session based on LEGO® DUPLO®. Read the DUPLO Farm Adventure Review.

• Bentleigh Sunday Market (Sundays) – plants, clothing, cosmetics, jewellery, books, videos, tools, antiques, crafts, pre-loved goods, and more! Every Sunday. 
• Prahran Market Mini Marketeers (Tuesdays – Sundays) – Enjoy free, guided activities teaching toddlers the fundamentals of eating well and putting the ‘yum’ in healthy food choices.
• Camberwell Sunday Market (Every Sunday) – second-hand retro, vintage, antique, fashion and collectible goods you just can’t find anywhere else
• 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.
• 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.
• Aboriginal Heritage Walk (Sundays) – Journey into Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation, with a First Peoples guide.
• Nature Play (Ongoing) – Come along to Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve for Nature Play, an outdoor, child-led playgroup session facilitated by a qualified ranger.
• Stories and Songs in the Square (Ongoing) – Nurture your child’s early literacy skills by joining in to read aloud stories and sing action songs and rhymes.

• Gumbuya World Wildlife Wanderers (Ongoing) – 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.
• The Explorer – Melbourne Gardens (Ongoing) – Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air minibus.
• WIIILD Wednesdays, Gumbuya World (Ongoing) – Dive into Wildlife Wanderers, the trail of free-roaming wildlife, savor two interactive shows, and hop on junior rides! Get up close with exotic animals, connect with nature, and enjoy exciting entertainment every week!
• 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.
• Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Third Saturday of every month until 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.

WHAT’S ON MELBOURNE – EAST

• 2024 ITTF-Oceania Youth Championships (Sat 7 Sep – Sun 8 Sep) – set to create an exciting buzz and shine a light on the Region’s best table tennis players at Eastland Shopping Centre.
• Belgrave Big Dreams Market (Sun 8 Dec) – 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.
• Heide Art Babies (Tuesdays) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the Heide Art Babies Review.
• Heide Gallery Kids  (Fridays during school term) – Join Art Therapist Tanis Douglas, who supports pre-school children and their carers to gain confidence observing artworks in a small group.
• Busy Bodies (Every Tue until 17 Sep) – Join each Tuesday during the school term to play, learn, cook and so much more in our FREE activity sessions for pre-school aged children.
• BUSY BODIES Malvern Central (Every Monday) – Experience FREE activity sessions for pre-school children every Monday during the school term. Play, learn, cook, and have fun with engaging activities tailored by experts to captivate little imaginations.
• 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! 
• Yarra Valley Railway (Every Sun) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read Yarra Valley Railway Review.

• ECOSS Valley Market (Every Friday) – Experience the vibrant Valley Markets, connecting local growers, artisans, and musicians in the heart of the Yarra Valley.
• Wurundjeri Storytime (Fridays) – Join Rebecca from Wurundjeri Council in an interactive online storytelling session for kinders, early years groups and families aged 0 to 5 years. Children will learn about Wurundjeri culture, Woi-wurrung language and Dreaming stories through storytelling, rhyme and song. Please register each class group attending.
• 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.
• 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!
• Spirits of the Sky (Ongoing) – See the natural behaviours of a variety of native birds at Healesville Sanctuary which may include the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Black-breasted Buzzard, Barking Owl, magnificent parrots and more.
• 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

WHAT’S ON MELBOURNE – WEST

• Toddler Jam (Thu 18 Jul & Fri 20 Sep) – getting toddlers active and learning through play, with a mixture of percussion, singing, dancing, story-time and mindfulness. 
• OOey gOOey Messy Play (Wed 24 Jul, Wed Aug 7, Wed 21 Aug, Wed 4 Sep & Wed 18 Sep) – Come along and get messy with different sensory craft, for any age.
• Wonder Children’s Festival (Thu 12 Sep – Thu 26 Sep) – “Experience joy and boundless curiosity with Geelong Arts Centre’s Wonder Children’s Festival from the 12-26 September. A stacked line up of unmissable performances and activities!”
• Toddler and Kids Art Classes (Various dates) – ‘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.
• Story Time with JoJo (Tuesdays during school term) – Bring the kids along to a fun, inclusive, interactive and educational story time. Books are read by QB’s very own Creative Artist and Author in Residence JoJo.
• Art in the garden (Tuesdays) – It’s a combination of nature play, sensory play, process art, and playgroup. Run by ‘The Fun In Art’.
• 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. Read the Bulla Railway Review. 
• Grazeland BBQ and Beer Festival (Every Fri, Sat & Sun) – Discover the best of Melbourne’s food scene at this unique outdoor experience for Father’s Day. Read the Grazeland Review.

• Altona Miniature Railway (3rd Sunday of the month) – between 10am and 3pm ride this wonderful Miniature Railway. Read the Altona Miniature Railway review.
• Altona Homestead (recurring 1st Sunday of the month) – Experience the renowned Devonshire Tea at Altona Homestead on the first Sunday of every month. Reserve your spot in advance for a delightful time.
• Altona Beach Market (recurring weekly every Tuesdays) – Experience Melbourne’s popular Altona Beach market, a weekly street market held on Pier Street, featuring fresh food stalls, unique crafts, and a scenic seaside backdrop, attracting both local residents and visitors from all over the city.
• Enterprize Sail Williamstown (usually sails the third Sunday of every month) – go for a one hour sail on tall ship Enterprize in Williamstown.
• Playnastics (Wednesdays & Thursdays) – Casual open play sessions using a selection of Preschool Gymnastics equipment and resources, as well as puzzles, blocks and more.
• Essendon Traffic School (Monday to Friday) – 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.

• Animal Land  (Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays) – Children’s Farm in Diggers Rest offering an authentic farm experience for children and families.
• Bells and Beats (Thursdays during school term) – Come along on a musical adventure with plenty of fun and dancing for 0 – 5 year old’s.
• 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.
• Air Playground (Ongoing) – Air Playground has launched at Scienceworks. Levitate objects, engineer paper planes, & learn the physics of airflow.
• Robotics and coding kit  (Ongoing) – Discover the power of mBot robots in this fun introductory workshop that explores how simple programs can control complex machines.
• Melbourne Planetarium (Ongoing) – Sit back and enjoy the wonder of the stars regardless of the time of day – or the weather!
• Bounce Play Dates Essendon Fields (Ongoing) – It’s not just jumping and rock climbing for kids, enjoy a minibouncer zone exclusive for toddlers (for kids <110 cm in height).

• 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.
• ​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.
• Incy Wincy Babies (Ongoing) – Barking Spider Creative artist guides carers with their babies through a visual art experience at the Gallery.
• Afternoons of Awesome at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Ongoing) – Young builders can blast out of the classroom into a world of creativity, hop on electrifying rides, and set off on epic afternoon LEGO adventure!
• 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.

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