The winter school holidays are almost here! This year Victorian government schools will be on a break from 5 to 20 July before term three kicks off – some private schools have longer. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do. In fact, there’s more than you could possibly fit in your schedule.
From light shows and projections through to unique winter experiences to a range of different arts festivals, there’s something for just about everyone happening across Melbourne and regional Victoria over these holidays.
1. Head along to an art exhibition that you can climb on
Trailblazing international exhibition The Playground Project Melbourne is now open to the public at Incinerator Gallery in Aberfeldie.
This Australian-first exhibition will delight Melbourne audiences by bringing to life the history of the humble playground, from the 1930s until today.Large-scale playground installations, inside and outside the gallery space, will provide an immersive experience for young visitors.
2. See a family movie at the Children’s International Film Festival
Until 20 July, the 2025 edition of the Children’s International Film Festival will explore the best new children’s films from around the globe, a hand-picked selection of stories about cats, monkeys, penguins, bats, goats, tooth fairies and mutant zombie zoo animals, plus a new retelling of the classic Bambi story.
3. Travel to a galaxy far, far away at the Melbourne Museum
Galaxy-first LEGO® Star Wars™: The Exhibition has landed at the Melbourne Museum, offering animmersive journey through the Star Wars galaxy, brick by brick.
This world-first experience, created by Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught, the only LEGO Certified Professional in the Southern Hemisphere, is the largest collection of life-sized LEGO Star Wars models ever assembled.
4. Warm up at the Firelight Festival in Docklands
Docklands will transform into a radiant winter playground when the Firelight Festival ignites Melbourne’s school holidays from 4-6 July, featuring giant glowing sculptures, a floating light display, and fiery performances across three dazzling nights.
5. Experience the magic of the Harry Potter universe
Harry Potter fans in Melbourne are in for a magical experience at Harry Potter: The Exhibition. This immersive showcase brings the beloved Wizarding World to life, featuring authentic props, costumes, and interactive experiences designed to transport visitors straight into the Harry Potter universe.
With exclusive merchandise, photo opportunities, and hands-on activities that engage all the senses, Harry Potter: The Exhibition promises to be an unforgettable journey for witches, wizards, and Muggles alike.
6. Join in the fun at the Roola Boola Children’s Arts Festival
Running over the winter school holidays from 8-18 July at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran, Roola Boola is one of Melbourne’s most successful children’s arts festivals for ages 0-12. This year’s program is jam-packed with performances, workshops, free events, music, theatre, art, craft and more.
7. Try out the Malibu Barbie Cafe that’s popped up at Chaddy
Mattel’s wildly popular Malibu Barbie Café is making its Australian debut at Chadstone Shopping Centre – its first-ever launch outside the United States. Following sold-out seasons in New York, Chicago, and Miami, the immersive dining experience brings a bold blend of 1970s nostalgia and Barbiecore energy to Melbourne.
8. Explore Lightscape at the Royal Botanic Gardens
This winter, Melbourne’s award-winning immersive light experience – Lightscape – returns and transforms Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne into a mesmerising display of more than 20 brand-new illuminations until 10 August.
9. Spark your creativity at Scienceworks’ Tinkertown
Get ready to tinker, build, and innovate! Scienceworks’ newest hands-on exhibition, Tinkertown, is set to inspire the next generation of engineers, designers, and creators.
This vibrant, interactive village is designed to turn the world of engineering and design upside down, offering playful experiences that ignite curiosity and creativity in visitors of all ages.
10. Experience The Titanic in virtual reality
Step back in time and experience the grandeur, opulence, and tragic fate of the RMS Titanic like never before. Titanic: A Voyage Through Time, an extraordinary virtual reality (VR) experience, has arrived in Melbourne, offering an unparalleled journey aboard the world’s most famous ship.
This immersive adventure invites you to relive the Titanic’s iconic voyage, from its grand departure to its final moments, and learn about its history through the stories of real passengers and crew.
11. Encounter dinosaurs at DinoFest
Embark on a thrilling journey into the world of dinosaurs with the ultimate outdoor pre-historic experience – DinoFest at Wantirna South until 20 July. Encounter “real” moving dinosaurs, a Dinosaur Trail with a life-size T. rex, and some awesome Dino activities.
12. Explore sustainability at the NGV
NGV International becomes a vibrant playground of environmental discovery with Plans for the Planet: Olaf Breuning for Kids, a free exhibition. Swiss artist Olaf Breuning invites young visitors and families to explore nature through interactive art, blending playful installations with meaningful conversations about sustainability.
14. Indulge in a Pingu themed afternoon tea
This winter school holidays, The Langham, Melbourne is bringing the beloved charm of Pingu to life with a whimsical themed afternoon tea, running from 10 to 13 July 2025 in the stunning Alto Room.
15. Join in a jungle dance party at the Melbourne Zoo
Put on your dancing shoes, a high energy jungle-themed boogie party event designed specifically for families and young children is will be held at the Melbourne Zoo’s Leopard Lodge each day from 5-16 July.
Hosted by the one and only Mr Fantastico, this interactive celebration is bursting with energy, music and fun. Featuring age-appropriate kid’s favourites and classic dancefloor bangers, interactive dance activities, jungle-themed decor and entertainers.
16. Visit a winter wonderland in Geelong
See Victoria’s largest lights display, with over 3.3 million dazzling lights and 1000+ light installations illuminating the night sky at Adventure Park Geelong’s Winter Glow Festival until 3 August.
17. Can you escape from Prison Island?
A massive interactive game where you and your friends become the players in a real-life adventure has opened in Melbourne for the first time. Prison Island at District Docklands, is part obstacle course, part puzzle challenge, and all fun.
Think of it like this: instead of escaping one room (like in escape rooms), you’ll tackle 34 different challenge “cells” in 90 minutes. You might dodge lasers, solve tricky puzzles, or test your reflexes – every cell is different. It’s perfect for families, friend groups, or even work teams looking for something exciting to do together.
18. Take part in Monash University’s Family Fiesta
Monash University’s annual Family Fiesta will take you on journey to the southernmost continent without leaving Melbourne. From 9-12 July the Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts will transform into an Antarctic wonderland for children aged 0-12 , celebrating the wonders of the world’s largest ice sheet.
19. Overload on cuteness at the Hello Kitty Cafe
Experience a delightful surge of cuteness at the Hello Kitty and Friends Café inside Melbourne Central. Following the success of its 2024 pop-up at Chadstone, this marks Australia’s first permanent Sanrio-themed café, offering an immersive experience that brings the whimsical world of Hello Kitty and her friends to life.
20. Take a playful safari in Berwick
Wilson Goes Wild from 4-15 July at Berwick’s Wilson Botanic Park is a playful safari experience perfect for families with children aged 1-10 years. Discover towering life-like animal sculptures set against the stunning backdrop of Basalt Lake’s extinct volcanic landscape.
21. Visit Sovereign Hill’s Winter Wonderlights
One of Victoria’s most beloved winter events is set to sparkle once again as Sovereign Hill’s spectacular Winter Wonderlights returns from July 4 to 27, promising an even more magical experience with breathtaking new projections and enchanting installations.
22. Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice
The Australian premiere of Beetlejuice The Musical is now playing at the Regent Theatre. Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, Beetlejuice The Musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. The show brings music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect who also stars in the title role as the most mischievous corpse in the history of musicals.
23. Take part in a city-wide festival of play
These winter school holidays, Museums Victoria and partners present Playbound Festival, taking over Melbourne with 16 days of joyful performances from 5-20 July, workshops, exhibitions, crafts, and hands-on activities for kids aged 0-12.
24. Experience the high-stakes arcade thrills of 123BOOM!
123BOOM! is an adrenaline-charged in-real-life arcade experience. This immersive adventure invites thrill seekers of all ages to dive headfirst into a world brimming with challenges, puzzles, and high-stakes fun, propelling Melburnians into a nostalgic yet futuristic playground.
Designed for teams of 4-8 players, 123BOOM! features six distinct rooms where participants can earn points through unique themes and gameplay. Each room preps the team for the ultimate test: THE BOMB! Teams must race against time to disarm a paint-filled explosive or face the messy consequences.
25. Indulge at foodie wonderland Grazeland as it celebrates winter
Melbourne’s favorite winter food festival is back with more sizzle than ever! Grazeland’s Winter Wonderland transforms Spotswood into a glowing winter escape from 4–20 July, featuring neon-lit nights, falling snow, and a mouthwatering lineup of seasonal eats.
26. Take the kids to an AFL game for free
The AFL has announced the return of its successful Kids Go Free program for 2025, giving families the chance to enjoy live footy without breaking the bank. Children aged 14 and under can attend matches for free during Rounds 16-19 (26 June – 20 July), perfectly timed with school holidays across Australia.
27. Take part in a brand new winter festival
The South East Winter Festival is Melbourne’s newest family-favourite winter event, transforming the iconic Caribbean Gardens into a non-stop indoor playground of fun, food, and adventure. Running until 20 July 2025, the festival offers an unforgettable school holiday experience.
28. Head to Phillip Island’s Whale Festival
As winter sets in across the state, it’s time to welcome back whales to the waters off Phillip Island and the Bass Coast as part of their annual migration. Each year between May and October, around 400 humpback whales, southern right whales and orcas pass through the area as they migrate from Antarctica to the warmer waters off Queensland where they give birth to their calves. The Island Whale Festival from 11-13 July celebrates the arrival of these majestic creatures with a range of events across the festival weekend.
29. See a film at a cozy bean bag cinema
This winter, Melbourne’s historic Abbotsford Convent transforms into a warm and whimsical pop-up cinema as the Cozy Cinema Club returns until 2 August, 2025. Running Wednesday to Saturday evenings, this immersive experience invites guests to sink into plush bean bags, wrap
30. Enjoy snow, iceskating and more in Elwood
This winter, Elwood’s iconic Riviera Beach Club will undergo a spectacular transformation into Riviera Winter Wonderland – a frosty paradise complete with real ice skating, snow blizzards and private igloos until 3 August 2025.
31. Explore giant botanical artworks at Bunjil Place
This winter, prepare to be transported into a world of glowing wonder as Lost, the breathtaking art installation by celebrated Australian artist Amanda Parer, lights up Bunjil Place in Narre Warren. A free, family-friendly experience from 11-27 July, Lost transforms the familiar into the extraordinary with towering, illuminated sculptures of endangered and extinct botanical species from around the globe.
32. Attend a show at the Melbourne Magic Festival
The Melbourne Magic Festival casts its spell across Melbourne with over 130 performances of 30 different shows including top international guest magicians from all over Australia. Be amazed as Melbourne becomes a magical hub in winter for 14 days only from 7-19 July with special events, workshops and live shows for everyone from child-friendly to adults-only.
33. See thrilling jousting matches and knights clashing with flaming swords
Knights clashing with flaming swords, snow queens and winter magic – Knights of Fire returns to Kyral Castle during the July school holidays. This icy spectacular is part of the annual Ballarat Winter Festival and offers an epic program of winter wonders and medieval action.
