To help you plan a fun-tastic Spring school holiday with kids, here is a round-up of all the best things happening for the 2024 Spring School Holidays in Melbourne’s suburbs from Saturday 21 September to Sunday 6 October 2024.

Note that this post is regularly updated so make sure to check back for new events.

Note that there are separate articles for:

• family-friendly September events in Melbourne happening from Saturday 21 September to Sunday 6 October 2024; and
• September school holiday events in Melbourne CBD/Docklands. 

Click for more information on Australian school holidays and public holiday dates 2024.

What’s On Melbourne – North/North-East

• Melbourne Museum School Holidays (Sat 21 Sep – Sun 6 Oct) – Experience a prehistoric adventure at Melbourne Museum this School Holidays! From September 23 to October 6, 2024, explore the Victoria the T. rex exhibition, engage in interactive activities like mask-making, scavenger hunts, and delicious themed treats at Dino Bites. A must-visit for dino enthusiasts of all ages!
• 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.

• Little Riders Club School Holiday Activities (ongoing) – 3 main pony rides that run during the September school holidays.
• Fitzroy Market (Saturdays) – a one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.
• Diamond Valley Railway (Sundays) – miniature railway with a playground next door. Read the Diamond Valley Railway Review.

• Abbotsford Farmers Market (Daily) – 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.
• 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.

What’s On Melbourne – South / South-east / Bayside

• Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival (Sat 21 Sep – Fri 11 Oct) – A calendar of events to provide an opportunity for children and families to actively engage and participate in activities throughout the municipality.
• Doveton Show (Sun 22 Sep) – Have great family fun with animals, shows, rides and more while supporting local businesses, community groups, performing arts, sporting clubs and arts & crafts.
• Little Day Out (Sun 22 Sep) – Get ready for a soaring adventure as Little Day Out returns with the theme ‘Up in the Sky’!
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre introduces LEGO® DreamZzz and the NEW & EXCLUSIVE 4D Movie ‘Z-Blob Rescue Rush’ (Sun 21 Sep) – Over the school holidays, families will be transported to the captivating Dream World to accompany Mateo, Izzie, and Z-Blob on an exhilarating journey to save the realm from darkness before capturing a magical photo with Mateo, Izzie, and Z-Blob.

• Spring School Holidays – Physical Theatre Week (Mon 18 Sep – Fri 22 Sep) – During an engaging five-day school holiday program, participants will dive into the world of Physical Theatre.
• Super Stars Cricket Camp Pakenham, Frankston, Casey (Mon 23 Sep) – Experience a day filled with excitement as you participate in fully supervised cricket-based activities and games designed to enhance your skills and make you shine like a star!
• 360 Allstars: Performance & Workshops (Fri 4 Oct) – Get ready for the international hit sensation 360 ALL STARS! Featuring BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming, and more.

• Circus Royale (ongoing) – see awe-inspiring acts, and pulse-pounding performances, mystic illusions, breathtaking feats, and moments of wonder! Don’t miss this experience of a lifetime.
• Seek and Find Nature Cards (Until Sun 31 Dec) Set your young ones on an adventure exploring nature with our Seek and Find Nature Cards to be used at Melbourne Gardens or download the cards and go exploring in your own neighbourhood.
• 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.
• Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Third Saturday of every month until Fri15 Dec) – On Saturdays soak up the vibrant atmosphere and sample the very best of local Victorian produce, directly from Victorian farmers and specialty makers.
• Mornington Railway (Sundays) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
• Bentleigh Sunday Market (Sundays) – plants, clothing, cosmetics, jewellery, books, videos, tools, antiques, crafts, pre-loved goods, and more! Every Sunday. 
• Camberwell Sunday Market (Every Sunday) – second-hand retro, vintage, antique, fashion and collectible goods you just can’t find anywhere else
• 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.

What’s On Melbourne – East

• Tesselaar Tulip Festival (Sat 16 Sep –  Sun 15 Oct) – tulip fields, live entertainment, market stalls and tempting foods. Read the Tesselaar Tulip Festival review.
• Blossom Festival (Sat 9 Sep – Sun 6 Oct) – Celebrate spring at one of the most beautiful displays of cherry blossom in Melbourne! Enjoy Live music, yard games, workshops, food trucks and more! Read the Blossom Festival review
• I’m A Driver! (Every Saturday and Sunday during the school holidays) – Celebrate the Heritage Week theme of transport at Schwerkolt Museum on weekends this school holidays. Read the history clues and choose your transport to complete the activity sheet!

• Super Stars Cricket Camp Croydon (Wed 25 Sep) – Experience a day filled with excitement as you participate in fully supervised cricket-based activities and games designed to enhance your skills and make you shine like a star!
• Arts Manningham School Holidays (Mon 23 Sep – Sat 19 Oct) – creative classes including painting, clay work, pottery, comic drawing and more!
• Ninja Parc School Holiday Program (ongoing) – plenty of running, climbing and balancing activities to keep your kids moving and having fun during the holidays.
• Maroondah Leisure School Holidays (ongoing) – Experience a wide variety of holiday programs at The Rings and Maroondah Nets, catering to children aged 5 to 14.

• Cherry Blossom Show (Sat 23 Sep – Sun 1 Oct) – Spend a spring day surrounded by spectacular cherry blossoms. Cherry blossom only lasts a short time, so make sure you don’t miss this stunning show of flowers.
• Create Your Own Stuffem (Mon 23 Sep – Fri 27 Sep) – Create and design your own magical pal! Assemble and accessorise your new cuddly creature. Enjoy free fun suitable for kids of all ages!
• Roaring Rainbows (Tues 1 Oct – Thurs 3 Oct) – Join in on the fun with a different rainbow-themed craft or activity every day.
• 2024 AFL Footy Festival (Wed 25 Sep – Sat 28 Sep) – Footy Festival is back this September and bigger than ever before for four days! Free for the whole family and perfect for school holiday adventures!
• Yarra Valley Railway (Every Sun) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read the Yarra Valley 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! 
• Mooroolbark Miniature Railway (Runs 4th Sunday each month) – miniature rail running every 4th Sunday.
• Belgrave Big Dreams Market (Until Thu 21 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.

What’s on Melbourne – West

Featured Events

• Scienceworks School Holiday Program (Sat 21 Sep – Sun 6 Oct) – Discover hands-on fun at Scienceworks these Spring school holidays with exciting activities like Air Playground and the Science is a Superpower Festival. Kids aged 10 to 12 can engage in STEM workshops, explore interactive exhibits, and enjoy live shows that spark curiosity and inspire young minds. Don’t miss out!

• Active Holidays – active fun for kids (Sat 21 Sep – Wed 22 Sep) – Wyndham City collaborates with community groups to offer a free and exciting Active Holidays program during every school break for children and teenagers aged 4 to 18.

• Great Kids Gymnastics Holiday Fun (Mon 23 Sep, Wed 25 Sep, Mon 30 Sep & Fri 4 Oct) – Full-day clinics featuring trampolining, tumbling, circus, games, arts, and crafts. Led by qualified acrobatic coaches for a structured experience.
• Play in the Parklet: Kids Open Mic (Fri 22 Sep – Sat 23 Sep) – Participate in the Artists for Kids Culture artsbus event featuring musician Geoffrey Williams, as you engage in Music Play at Hoppers Junction!
• High Tea Under the Sea at Overnewton Castle (Tue 24 Sep) – Enjoy an ‘Under the Sea’ themed High Tea at the heritage listed Overnewton Castle estate, with games and activities led by Mermaid Tarielle!

• Princess Party High Tea at Overnewton Castle (Tue 1 Oct) – A magical High Tea lunch awaits every princess at Overnewton Castle with games, activities and story time, led by Overnewton’s very own Princess!

• RecWest Braybrook’s School Holiday Sport Program (Mon – Fri until mid-September) – School holiday sports program for primary school children, packed with activities to spark curiosity, boost physical activity, and explore new interests with friends and energetic leaders.
• 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. Read the Bulla Railway Review.

• Altona Miniature Railway (3rd Sunday of the month) – between 10am and 3pm ride this wonderful Miniature Railway. Read the Altona Miniature Railway review.
• Grazeland (Fridays – Sundays) – huge dining precinct with city views and 50 stalls to choose from. Read the Grazeland Review
• Essendon Traffic School (Ongoing) – 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

• The Funderdome (daily) – This awesome arcade venue is now open at Highpoint and its the perfect place to enjoy mini golf, arcade games, karaoke and more during the spring school holiday! Read the Funderdome review.
• Little Big Art (Mon 18 Sep – Fri 29 Sep) – keep your child entertained with fun, colourful and creative art classes, parties, events and much more for little to big artists.
• Enterprize Sail Williamstown (usually sails the first & third Sunday of every month) – go for a one-hour sail on tall ship Enterprize in Williamstown.

What’s On Melbourne – Various Locations

Here are some programs which are happening in various places throughout Melbourne and Victoria – search for your nearest location.

Also check out what’s happening at your local library and/or community centre, as they often run free or low-cost events and activities during school holidays.

• Bunnings D.I.Y Kids Workshop (Various dates) – Get your kids to build their own crate for free in stores where they’ll be rewarded with a ‘License To D.I.Y’ certificate once their masterpiece is complete!
• YMCA School Holiday Programs (Sat 21 Sep – Sun 6 Oct) – Explore YMCA’s school holiday programs for kids with fun-filled activities for children.

What’s On September 2024

What’s On September 2024 – FREE

Free Events for Spring School Holiday in Melbourne

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase using the links there is no extra cost to you and we earn a small commission that helps us to continue to provide valuable and useful information for you.

The post What’s On In Melbourne: Spring School Holidays 2024 appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT