Every winter I face a temptation – hibernate for as much of it as is humanly possible – or embrace the cold, get amongst it and enjoy. With the sun setting at 5 pm and running the risk of all developing cabin fever we’ve decided to embrace Melbourne’s winter nights, bundling our three munchkins up in their woolies and hitting the town. Thankfully, Melbourne is pulling out the stops – there are some great night time offerings on these winter school holidays for families. Admittedly many of them have daylight options too, but that wouldn’t be as fun! So, who’s with me? Let’s head out into the chilly nights together!
Food trucks galore.
The Food Truck Park’s nighttime set up is magical
Over two weekends this winter school holidays in Preston The Food Truck Park Winter Carnival is a reason to take the kids out after dark. We are big fans of the Food Truck Park – recently we followed them to the Coburg Drive in for a Food Truck Festival – Finding Dory combo family movie night. Expect outdoor heaters to keep you warm and all your childhood food favourites like fairy floss, burgers, hotdogs, ice-cream plus rides, markets and much more.
Over two weekends; 1-3 and 8-10 of July.
FRI 5 -10 pm
SAT 12 – 10 pm
SUN 12 – 9 pm
518 High Street, Preston (Opposite Nissan)
Federation Square
Two friends bonding over the spectacle of men doing interpretive dance inside a bubble at Federation Squares Light in Winter.
Until July 17th Federation Square’s Light in Winter celebration will celebrate cultural diversity and art from dusk till late. We bundled up the kids for the Winter Solstice celebration where the kids were entranced and slightly confused by the art installations. We can’t wait to try out River Rink which is open for ice skating at Fed Square until July 17th. The ice rink may be open in daylight hours (from 10am to 10pm) but somehow the idea of night skating is a little more enchanting we think…
Musical Theatre
You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown is showing at St Kilda’s Alex Theatre until July 2nd
Our family love’s Melbourne’s musical theatre productions but they can be pricey. Fortunately Saint Kilda’s Alex Theatre has come to the rescue with their current production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. The production, featuring a stellar cast of musical theatre stars is an affordable family outing. The Tony Award nominated musical is a hilarious comedy for the whole family. Our own kid musical theatre buff gave it the big thumbs up after attending last week. You will have to be quick though – You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown is only playing for one more week until Saturday July 7th. Tickets are available through Ticketek.
Wild Nights at the Werribee Zoo
Ever wonder what goes on in the Zoo after dark? Do lions roar? Do hippos snore? Do cheetah cat-nap or play?
These winter holidays from 25 June to 9 July you can find out at Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Wild Nights.
This is one of the activities I’m putting on our own winter school holidays to do list. Wild Nights offers a range of awesome activities for all night owls, including dazzling fire shows, marshmallow toasting, late night animal spotting and a Secret Garden to discover.
Just Explore….
There’s something magical for a child about hitting the streets at night. Just the spectacle of the light against dark creates a holiday feel for my own kids. Around Melbourne’s CBD the fountains are illuminated, the horse and carriages are on the trot and the trams are running. Without spending much money an evening in town, seeing the sites will create family memories.
Just chilling in Melbourne’s CBD
