For those lucky enough to be spending part or all of the holidays in the best city in the world here is a list of things to check out – it’s possible that you’ve done some before…  what’s your favourite?

Events and shows happening around Melbourne

Paper Threads is a fun workshop happening at NGV International as part of the Summer Children’s Festival from 23-26 January.  It’s FREE and one of many great Children’s Festival events.

Grease the musical is back in Melbourne until 25 January 2015.  It’s loads of musical fun for all ages and located in the beautiful Regent Theatre.

The Arts Centre has a number of productions and events on this summer including The Tiger Who Came To Tea (check out our review), The Future Postal Service (FREE, 6+),  upsidedowninsideout (7+), Home (FREE), and Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain (6+), The Illusionists 2.0 (8+).

Paper Planet is back and this time it’s happening at the MPavilion (in the gardens opposite the NGV on St Kilda Road).  From 6 – 11 January 2015, and two sessions daily (10am – noon, 2 – 4pm), this FREE event is fun for all ages.

ArtPlay have loads of family friendly events on this summer for children aged 5+ including: MEGA Bubbles, Super Box Friends, Polymonsters, Flight Path, The Boy Who Loved Tiny Things, Tracking With Pitcha Makin Fellaz, Playground Beasties and Dramatic Lines, plus Co-Evolution for children aged 9+.

Disney Live! is coming to Melbourne from the 9 – 11 January 2015.  See your favourite Disney princesses along with Mickey, Donald and friends.  Check our review of a Disney Live! production from a previous year.

The Recital Centre has an amazing music festival for children called MusicPlay – now in its third year and a highlight of our calendar!  Check our review from previous years.  Suitable for toddlers and above, mix of free and ticketed events.  15 – 17 January 2015.

The Australian Open kicks off on January 19, but before the Open is the Kids Tennis Day with loads of VIP tennis stars and plenty of fun on and off court action.  Due to popular demand tickets now include a charge (so no longer free) for adults of $15.29.  Happening on Saturday 17 January 2015 and a great morning out with the kids, book tickets here.
We love going to the Open and you can read about our experience in 2013 here.

Brickvention is the biggest LEGO event of the year and a must see for LEGO fans of any age.  17 & 18 January 2015.  Tickets sell out FAST.  Read our review from 2013.  (SOLD OUT)

Wind in The Willows is on in the Botanical Gardens until 24 January 2015.  Performances are at 10.30am and 6pm Tuesdays to Saturdays (except 01 January) and tickets are $25 or a group of four $90.  Check our review and tips.

Alice in Never Neverland will be appearing at Rippon Lea Gardens this January.  Pack a picnic and enjoy the madcap adventures of Alice, Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and friends until 24 January 2015 (yes two of our favourite stories collide).  Check website for times.  Tickets are $25 or for a group of four $90.

The Caribbean Pirates are taking over Polly Woodside until 24 January 2015.  This exciting hour-long interactive theatre production is performed on shore and on the decks of the Polly Woodside itself with lots of sword-fights and songs and plenty of hearty pirate action.  Tickets are $25 or for a group of four $90.

The National Trust is running the Trust Kids! Polly Pirate Day from 12 – 16 January and it is a fun half day (choose a morning or afternoon session) of pirate activities, games and treasure hunts on board Polly Woodside.  Tickets $15-25.

Rhythm of Africa is on again at Werribee Open Range Zoo on Saturdays during January and February.  Festivities run from 4.30 – 8.30pm and are included with your entry.  Check out our review.

La Mama has a production perfect for audiences aged 5-105, Anton & Olaf, a fruity fairytale.  At 2pm from 21 January to 1 February 2015 at La Mama Courtyard in Faraday St.  Tickets are $15.  Part of the Midsummer Festival.

Strictly Ballroom the musical premieres at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday January 17 and runs until May 2015.  Tickets start at $56.

Late Jan and early Feb there are loads of family friendly events and activities to experience at the Summersalt Festival.

Favourite places to visit (and re-visit)

• National Gallery of Victoria so much on at the NGV this summer!  Don’t miss the NGV’s Children’s Festival from 18 – 26 January 2014, including Meetoo and tiny & little‘s Paper Threads.  We love Express Yourself!, Golden Mirror Carousel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Emily Floyd and Mambo.
• Zoos Victoria has lots of fun holiday activities planned this summer across Melbourne, Werribee and Healesville.
• Melbourne Museum has dinosaur inspired activities happening these holidays – perfect for 12 and under crowd.
• Scienceworks has loads on these holidays with a focus on deep oceans and outer-space. 
• The National Sports Museum has some holiday program activities on this summer as well as its regular displays.
• Collingwood Children’s Farm is always a fun place to visit.
• Junior Rangers (Parks Victoria) run a series of activities and workshops happening these holidays. For events that need registrations get in quick as they book out fast.  Read our review from previous holidays.
• Gas Works (recommended by friends) has loads of workshops on these holidays, suit ages 4 – 14.
• State Library is holding a few different events this summer for families.

Some excellent resources for event listings are:

• That’s Melbourne school holiday events for kids
• Check our lists of holiday programs:  Active and Creative

For more ideas and inspiration, make sure you are a Meetoo subscriber – we send out emails when we have a new review to share. Also check out our side-bar menu, there are lots of other reviews to explore: events, parks, free things and much more.

No doubt there are other activities and destinations which have been overlooked – feel free to share in the comments section any other great tips for things to do these school holidays! Or send an email to info{at}clients.spicycat.com.au.au

THIS LIST CONTINUES TO GROW SO PLEASE COME BACK AND VISIT!