Summer is an amazing time in cosmopolitan Melbourne. One of the reasons summer is awesome in Melbourne are the events. This year is no exception with the return of a few summer event favourites and some new blood bringing fun to the summer calendar. This list showcases some of the best Melbourne summer events that are perfect for families.
Santa’s Magical Kingdom
Santa’s Magical Kingdom
Santa’s Magical Kingdom is a highlight of my kid’s calendar year. This multi-featured Christmas extravaganza is in location at the Caufield Racecourse until Friday December 23rd. With carnival rides, a circus performance (by the fabulous Silver’s circus), gingerbread decorating, Christmas characters and a whole lot of beautiful Christmas lights families should expect an exciting three hour session. To purchase tickets to Santa’s Magical Kingdom click here.
Santa’s Break Downunder
Santa’s Break Downunder
Melbourne’s north is set to host Santa’s Break Downunder over two weekends (December 9-12 and December 16-18). An outdoor circus, dance and comedy Christmas performance with an Australian twist Santa’s Break Downunder will be held at the Coburg Velodrome. Families should expect a fantastic outdoor evening of performance with added extras of Zorb balls, a kids velodrome and food trucks. We will definitely be at this one. Tickets to Santa’s Break Downunder can be purchased online. For the chance to win a family pass to Santa’s Break Downunder enter the giveaway on my Facebook page.
Splashland
Is it true – is Melbourne getting an inflatable waterpark over summer? It completely is true – Splashland is coming to the Mornington Racecourse from December 27-January 8th and is then moving to the Caufield Racecourse from 11th of January to the 24th of January. Splashland will feature slides just for the tiny tots as well as the world’s largest inflatable waterslide, the Trippo which is suitable for ages 5 to adults. Purchase your tickets (two for the price of one before December 1) via the Splashland website.
Rhythm of Africa at Werribee Open Range Zoo
This is a great family program running every Saturday night from 7 January – 25 February. The program features live African music from the likes of Lamine Sonko and the African Intelligence, Musiki Manjaro, Akoma Beat and King Bell and Soukous Ba Congo. There are also Ethiopian Coffee Ceremonies and special activities for kids including African drumming workshops and performances.
The Australian DanceSport Championship
I can’t be the only one with dance mad kids. I’m taking my own tiny dancers to the Australian DanceSport Championship which are being held from the 9th to 11th December at Hisense Arena, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne. Over three days spectators will be treated to dancers from over twenty countries. The costumes, the music, the flamboyance. We can’t wait! Tickets are on sale through Ticketek
Australia’s First Kids Cinema at Village Southland
Going to the cinema is always a summer family event however family movie days are set to take on a whole new meaning thanks to V Junior – a cinema dedicated to families with kids at Village Southland. The cinema combines both movies and play with guests invited to extend the cinema experience up to an hour before their session begins to enjoy an interactive play area. Activities include building blockwalls, light projection games, Hot Wheels activity tables and more. Also, children’s artwork creations will come to life on the big screen through custom built interactive scan and see technology. Families with active kids will know just how amazing the idea of a slide in a cinema is – Cinema V has exactly that. Vjunior will open its door on Thursday, December 1.
Sand Sculpting Australia World of Imagination
Sand sculpting Frankston
I’m completely in awe of the sand artists that create Sandsculpting Australia’s annual display down at the Frankston Waterfront. I’m sure this summer’s theme -the World of Imagination will not disappoint. The World of Imagination captures in giant sand sculpture the fantasies of kids – dinosaurs and dragons, sea creatures and spaceships, pirates and princesses – all brought to life with over 3,500 tonnes of sand. I know the giant Candy Land into Gingerbread Village will be my kid’s favourite…Visitors will be able to up the fun with integrated childrens activities including sand sculpting workshops, sand art and bottles, an interactive sand sculpture, sandsational play pit, facepainting and more! Sand sculpting Australia World of Imagination opens on boxing day. Tickets can be purchased online.
Circus 1903 the Golden Age of Circus
From the 3rd-12th of January at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre CIRCUS 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus will be putting elephants back in the circus ring by introducing the largest ever performing African elephant and her baby to international stages. These elephants are being brought to life by an award-winning team of puppeteers and model makers (creators of the UK National Theatre’s War Horse). Personally, I can’t wait to attend this event. Tickets to CIRCUS 1903 – The Golden Age of Circus are available online.
Have an event that you think should be added to this list? Email me at danielle@bubsonthemove.com
Love the idea of Santa in the summer (I know that’s usual for you!) – but it’s the sand sculptures that do it for me – fantastic.
Would love to experience a white Christmas sometime Sarah. For the moment happy with our summer fun.
It is so strange for me, European person, to discover all these “summer activities” for Christmas! Seems a very ice alternative to our snowy celebrations 🙂
The crazy thing is that we still have lots of the winter imagery associated with our summer Christmases.
Oh how I love Melbourne! We spent three years living in Sydney but we always said that if we were to move back to Australia we’d choose Melbourne. The one thing I could never quite get over were the hot Christmas holidays! Still, it sounds like there are a lot of fun events happening – I would particularly like to see the sand sculpting.
Iove both Sydney and Melbourne and agree thes sand sculptures are spectacular.
Danielle, hank you for sharing! What a lovely article and the photos are amazing too! I love how you put together these information on these events. Easy to read, very relatable and great tips! Can’t wait to read more!