Melbourne Kids Events This Weekend February 28th - March 1st 2026

February 28th - March 1st 2026AustraliaLast updated: Recently

Get ready for a massive weekend in Melbourne, running right into March! We've got the huge Greek festival mixing with vibrant Holi celebrations across the city, plus a chance to catch some major exhibitions before they close.

See our top picks
Filter to show only free events17 events this weekend

· February 28

5

FREE : The massive Greek street party is back for its 38th year. Expect a weekend packed with amazing street food, traditional dancing, and performers roaming the crowds.It’s a huge, vibrant, free cultural street festival happening right in the city centre across the whole weekend.

📍Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD ('Little Greece'), Melbourne CBD· 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM · All Ages · Free

🌳outdoor🎪festivalAll ages
FREE

Antipodes Festival

The Antipodes Festival is Melbourne's Great Greek Street Party, offering hours of entertainment, performances, market stalls, and cooking demonstrations for all ages.

When28 Feb + 1 March 2026
WhereLonsdale St, Melbourne
PriceFree

FREE : Celebrate the Festival of Colours with music, dance, and throwing colour powder everywhere! Make sure you grab those limited free tickets fast.A colourful, messy, outdoor celebration that is explicitly free to attend on Saturday.

📍Ron Barassi Snr Park, Docklands· 11:00 AM · All Ages · Free

🌳outdoor🎪festivalAll ages
FREE

Holi Festival Melbourne CBD

The Holi Festival Melbourne is a two-day celebration of unity in diversity featuring culture, colours, food, song, dance, and live performances, making it a fun family day out.

WhenSaturday 28th February & Sunday 1st March 2026 | 11 am till 10 pm
WhereRon Barassi Senior Park West, Docklands
PriceGeneral Entry is Free (limited time), with paid prepaid ticket options including Express Entry and VIP Pass.
BookingRequired — book in advance

WYNDHAM HOLI 2026 - FESTIVAL OF COLOURSFREE : Another huge Holi celebration happening slightly further out, promising electrifying colour and community spirit. This one is confirmed as free entry!It offers a free Holi option on Saturday in the West, giving families another way to join the fun.

📍Presidents Park, Wyndham· 1:00 PM · Not specified · Free

: Catch a performance of treasured works celebrated in this Melbourne-exclusive show. Check times for the Saturday matinee session.It’s a major performing arts show with a confirmed early Saturday session time suitable for families.

📍Regent Theatre, Melbourne· 1:30 PM · Not specified · Buy ticket

🏠indoor🎭theatreAll ages

Signature Works

A thrilling collection of ballet highlights celebrating treasured works from the repertoire, featuring world's greatest pas de deux and modern masterpieces, accompanied by Orchestra Victoria.

When28 February & 1 March 2026
WhereArts Centre Melbourne (Inferred from location, specific venue name missing for the Melbourne dates)
PriceAdults from $89, 30 and under from $73
BookingRequired — book in advance

: Head regional for Victoria's biggest garlic celebration! It’s family-friendly and specifically notes that Bluey will be making an appearance.The specific mention of Bluey makes this an essential stop for younger fans on Saturday.

📍Korumburra Showgrounds, Korumburra· Not specified · Family-friendly · Not specified

🌳outdoor🎪festivalAll ages

South Gippsland Garlic Festival

The South Gippsland Garlic Festival is Victoria's biggest celebration of Australian garlic, offering fun, food, entertainment, and educational activities about garlic that families will enjoy.

WhenSaturday 28 February, 2026, Gates open at 9am until 5pm
WhereKorumburra Show Grounds, Victoria
PriceMust buy tickets (cost/range not specified)
BookingRequired — book in advance

· March 1

3

FREE : Head to Royal Park on Sunday to join the Park Rangers for a BugBlitz session. Great for getting outdoors and learning about local nature.It's a free, outdoor, educational activity led by rangers happening specifically on Sunday.

📍Royal Park, Parkville· Not specified · Not specified · Free

🌳outdoor🎨workshop5-11 yrs
FREE

BugBlitz for Kids

The BugBlitz for kids invites children to join Park Rangers and become insect explorers to discover the hidden world of insects during the Insect BioBlitz.

WhenSunday 1 March 2026, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
WhereTrin Warren Tam-Boore Wetlands, Royal Park, Parkville 3052
PriceFree
BookingRequired — book in advance

: A family-friendly day to celebrate the Melbourne Vixens netball team, community, and players. Keep an eye out for location details closer to the date.A dedicated sports fan event happening on Sunday.

📍Not specified, Not specified· Not specified · Family-friendly · Not specified

🌳outdoor⚽sportAll ages

Melbourne Vixens Fan Day

A family-friendly event where fans can meet the entire 2026 Melbourne Vixens squad, get autographs, see the new dress reveal, and enjoy coaching sessions and kids' activities.

WhenSunday 1 March, 11am – 1pm
WhereFederation Square, Melbourne
PriceFree event. No tickets required

Also On· anytime this weekend

9

: This immersive exhibition lets you play over 30 iconic video games. It's the perfect indoor activity if the weather turns.A fantastic, interactive indoor exhibition perfect for gamers of all ages, running this weekend.

📍ACMI at Fed Square, Fed Square🏛️ Permanent· General opening hours apply · All Ages · Buy ticket

🏠indoor🖼️exhibitionAll ages

Game Worlds

Game Worlds is a playable exhibition spanning over 50 years of video games, featuring iconic titles and hands-on prototypes that families will enjoy for its wide range of interactive moments.

WhenOn until Sun 29 Mar 2026, 10am – 5pm
WhereACMI, Fed Square, Melbourne/Naarm, Australia
PriceAdult $30, Child 4 - 15 $17, Family (2 Adults, 2 Kids) $85, Concession & Student $27, ACMI Member $26. Flexi Tickets $40.
BookingRequired — book in advance

: This is a world-first fashion exhibition showcasing boundary-breaking designs from Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo. Great for older kids interested in design.It's a major cultural exhibition happening this weekend at the NGV.

📍NGV (National Gallery of Victoria), Southbank🏛️ Permanent· General opening hours apply · All Ages · Buy ticket

🏠indoor🖼️exhibitionAll ages

Westwood | Kawakubo

This major international exhibition pairs the work of two visionary fashion designers, Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo, showcasing their shared concerns and contrasting philosophies that have profoundly transformed contemporary fashion.

When7 Dec 25 – 19 Apr 26, Open daily 10am–5pm, Friday Nights 6–10pm
WhereNGV International, Ground Level
PriceTicketed, Adult $40, Child (5–15 years) $18, Family $98, NGV Members have discounted rates, entry is free for children under 5.
BookingRequired — book in advance

: Trace the history of Formula 1 across six huge galleries, including a section dedicated to Australian racing legends. Highly engaging for older kids and teens.It is running all weekend and appeals strongly to teens interested in sports and tech.

📍Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), Southbank🏛️ Permanent· General opening hours apply · Not specified · Buy ticket

🏠indoor🖼️exhibitionAll ages

F1: The Exhibition

An immersive and interactive exhibition that takes families on a journey through the history, technology, and drivers of Formula 1, featuring iconic cars and interactive elements.

WhenNow open until April 2026
WhereMelbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), 1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf, VIC 3006
PriceStarts from $24.90 for Children (ages 5-16) and $49.90 per adult (17+); Children aged 0-4 enter free, and there is a 'Kids Go Free for Feb' promotion mentioned.
BookingRequired — book in advance

: Catch a blockbuster or family favourite under the stars at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Bring picnic blankets and snacks!A classic summer evening activity running on Saturday, perfect for a relaxed family outing.

📍Central Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, South Yarra🔄 Recurring· Screenings kick off at sundown · Not specified · Tickets available

🌳outdoor🎪festivalAll ages

Moonlight Cinema

Moonlight Cinema is an outdoor cinema event where families and friends can enjoy movies under the stars with a picnic.

WhenOpen 3 Dec 2025 - 5 Apr 2026; specific daily times are not provided but a program listing exists, for example, 'Tue, 24 February Pitch Perfect'.
WhereVenue name is Moonlight Cinema Melbourne, but the full address is not available on the main page.
PriceNot explicitly stated on the main page, though 'Buy Tickets' buttons suggest a cost and there is mention of earning 'free movies' via a membership.
BookingRequired — book in advance

FREE : This free evening festival in Narre Warren includes live music and an open-air cinema running on Saturday night. Perfect for dinner and a movie outside.It's a free, family-friendly evening event happening on Saturday in the South East suburbs.

📍Bunjil Place, Narre Warren🔄 Recurring· 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM · Family-friendly fun mentioned. · Free

🌳outdoor🎪festivalAll ages
FREE

Open Space at Bunjil Place

Open Space at Bunjil Place is a free, outdoor summer event series featuring live music, cultural performances, and open-air cinema for families and friends to relax and discover something new.

WhenSix consecutive Saturdays, kicking off Saturday 7 February 2026 from 6pm (Specific dates run from Feb 7 to Mar 21, 2026)
WhereBunjil Place Plaza, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren, Victoria, 3805
PriceFree

FREE : This exhibition showcasing lens-based works by David Rosetzky runs until today! It’s a great free option at the Ian Potter Centre before closing time at 5 PM.It's free, all-ages, and closes on Sunday, making it a last-chance pick.

📍The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square, Fed Square🏛️ Permanent· 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM · All Ages · Free

🏠indoor🖼️exhibitionAll ages
FREE

David Rosetzky - Video works from the NGV Collection

This exhibition features three seminal video works by Naarm/Melbourne-based artist David Rosetzky that explore human relationships and the construction of social identity through visually refined and psychologically charged moving images.

When2 Aug 25 – 22 Mar 26, Open daily 10am–5pm
WhereThe Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square, Level 3, Cinema Screen Room
Pricefree entry

: These 30-minute musical workshops are aimed squarely at your 0-5 year olds. A great way to introduce little ones to live music downtown.Perfectly targeted for the under-5 crowd on Saturday morning.

📍Iwaki Auditorium, Southbank🔄 Recurring· 12:00 PM · Children aged 0-5 and their adults · Not specified

🏠indoor🎨workshop0-3 yrs

2026 Jams for Juniors at 12pm

Jams for Juniors is a series of popular 30-minute musical workshops led by presenter Karen Kyriakou, perfect for introducing babies and toddlers to music.

WhenNot specified for the 2026 series, but the general time is 12pm (and 1pm for relaxed sessions).
WhereHamer Hall, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (Address not specified)
PriceTickets required for all attendees; package not available (cost not specified)
BookingRequired — book in advance

: This is your absolute last chance to wander through this fully immersive world built entirely out of biodegradable balloons! It closes tonight.It is closing tonight (Saturday) and sounds like an amazing, sensory experience for all ages.

📍MCEC, Melbourne's South Wharf, South Wharf🏛️ Permanent· 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM · No age restrictions · Adult tickets from $44.90, free entry for kids under three.

🏠indoor🖼️exhibitionAll ages

Balloon Story

Balloon Story is an immersive, eco-friendly universe built from over 400,000 balloons that delights all ages with whimsical installations, art, and interactive moments.

WhenFrom January 4th (Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday: from 9am to 7pm; Fri-Sat: from 9am to 8pm)
WhereMCEC, 1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf VIC 3006
PriceTickets available via Fever (Kids under 3 enter free)
BookingRequired — book in advance

: Catch the final performance of this MTC musical adaptation set in rural 1890s Australia. This show closes its run tonight.This is the final performance night for this musical on Saturday.

📍Southbank Theatre, Southbank🔄 Recurring· 7:30 PM · Not specified · Buy ticket

🏠indoor🎭theatreAll ages

My Brilliant Career (Musical)

A joyous, award-winning musical reimagining of Miles Franklin's literary heroine as a contemporary singer-songwriter challenging societal expectations in 1890s Australia, featuring a powerhouse score blending contemporary pop, bush ballad, and pub rock.

When23 JAN — 28 FEB
WhereSouthbank Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company
PriceCost not specified, booking required
BookingRequired — book in advance

Frequently Asked Questions

What free kids events are on in Melbourne this weekend?

This weekend (Feb 28-Mar 01) there are several free options: the massive Antipodes Festival, the Holi Festival events on Saturday (Docklands/Wyndham), several free NGV exhibitions at Fed Square, and the evening Open Space festival in Narre Warren on Saturday.

Are there any last-chance family events this weekend?

Yes! Make sure to catch Balloon Story at MCEC before it closes Saturday night, and the final performance of the My Brilliant Career musical on Saturday evening.

What's happening outside the city centre?

If you are happy to drive a bit further out on Saturday, the South Gippsland Garlic Festival in Korumburra is happening and features Bluey!

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