Get ready for curtain-up at the best musicals, theatre shows and live entertainment playing in Melbourne in 2025 and 2026.
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Summer school holiday activity guide in Melbourne and Victoria
A guide to the best and most budget-friendly activities to do over the summer school holidays in Melbourne and Victoria.
Summer school holidays means time for fun adventures, activities, road trips and entertainment. The Victorian school holidays run from 20 December 2025 to 26 January 2026 inclusive.
Here are the best things to do during the Victorian summer school holidays, from the best free activities to ideas for a fun day at home.
Summer school holidays guide: things to do in Melbourne and Victoria
Family-friendly summer holidays activities and attractions
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium : underwater wonderland
Melbourne CBD
Looking to beat the summer heat during summer holidays in Melbourne? SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium features more than 10,000 sea creatures, including sharks, penguins, crocodiles, jellyfish and seahorses.
From 18 December 2025, join SpongeBob, Patrick and the gang on an epic quest beneath the waves as they journey to the ocean's mysterious depths to face the ghostly Flying Dutchman. Inspired by the soon to be released The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: The Search for SquarePants (in cinemas Boxing Day), you're invited to complete seven swashbuckling mini-challenges and earn your very own Swashbuckler Certificate.
RACV Members save on tickets to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium.
Australian Open 2026: a sporty day out
Melbourne CBD
The Australian Open 2026 is set to be a big one, so gab your tickets early to guarantee good seats close to the action. Federation Square also streams the Open live for free, with plenty of seating around.
Catch SpongeBob SquarePants at SEA LIFE Melbourne these school holidays.
Holey Moley: family mini-golf with a twist
Locations across Victoria
Make mini golf fun again at Holey Moley: unique, fun courses inspired by nostalgia, pop culture, and just plain fun. It makes for a great day out with the family on a rainy day - or perhaps a special treat for getting a great report card!
RACV Members save on tickets to Holey Moley.
Funfields Themepark: big rides close to Melbourne
Whittlesea
For thrill-seekers, Funfields delivers thrilling rides, water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and family-friendly activities from water play areas to sky-high, adrenaline-pumping roller coasters. There are seven regions to explore, each with its own distinct theme.
Which rides will you tackle at Funfields Themepark?
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre: indoor creativity
Chadstone
LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre is Australia's first indoor LEGO® playground, specifically designed for kids aged 3 to 10 years old. With more than two million LEGO® bricks, interactive rides, a 4D cinema and much more, your children will get plenty of hands-on time discovering and constructing whatever their imagination desires.
RACV Members save on LEGOLAND Discovery Centre tickets.
Puffing Billy: steam train through the Dandenong Ranges
Belgrave
The Dandenong Ranges make for a day of beautiful exploration in nature – take a hike, walk through the botanical gardens, stay for lunch and have a ride on the historical steam train, Puffing Billy. Heading through mountainous rainforest, kids will love dangling their feet off the carriage as the century-old train takes passengers on a journey on this heritage attraction.
Puffing Billy is a fun day out for the whole family.
See a blockbuster movie: easy, air-conditioned downtime
Around Melbourne and Victoria
Catching a film is cool during hot summer days, and a great filler between bigger outings. The summer break is blockbuster season, with plenty of entertainment on at cinemas this school holidays for the family. Don't miss Zootopia 2, Christmas Karma, The Bad Guys 2, A Paw Patrol Christmas,The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: The Search for SquarePants, Pets on a Train, andThe Pout-Pout Fish - all sure to be hits with the kids.
RACV Members save when pre-purchasing movie tickets.
Luna Park: classic seaside thrills
St Kilda
Luna Park is a classic day out for Melbourne-based families. This traditional carnival park is Australia’s oldest, and its thrilling rides, mini roller coasters, fairy-floss and carnival fun have given millions of visitors lifelong memories. As you walk through the iconic giant mouth (fun fact: his name is Mr Moon) into this amusement park, the kids will be overjoyed at the sight of everything to enjoy.
Luna Park is full of classic carnival rides.
Gumbuya World: wildlife, rides and water fun
Tynong North, Gippsland
Can't decide between going to a water park, theme park or wildlife sanctuary? You don't have to choose at Gumbuya World, which encompasses all these and more just an hour from the CBD. Made up of four distinct 'worlds,' you can visit Oasis Springs for waterslide and lazy river fun, head to Oz Adventure for a mix of thrill rides and rollercoasters, take the little ones for a gentler ride at Outback Explorers, and interact with Australian animals on the Wildlife Trail.
RACV Members save on Gumbuya World tickets.
Arthurs Seat Eagle: scenic views on the Mornington Peninsula
Arthurs Seat
For stunning coastal panoramas without a long drive, the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola delivers sweeping views over Port Phillip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula. The ride offers a relaxed way to reach walking tracks and lookout platforms at the summit.
Fly high on the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola.
Musicals and shows in Melbourne over the summer school holidays
Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital, with plenty of amazing theatre shows and musicals that are great for the family showing over the summer.
RACV Members save on a range of entertainment experiences with Ticketek.
Musicals and stage shows on during the school holidays
Some highlights for families include:
- A Christmas Carol (until 24 December) - a heartwarming interpretation of Charles Dickens' immortal classic that's brimming with music and merriment.
- The Nutcracker (11-31 December) - one of the most iconic ballets in the world and a classic Christmas tale.
- Anastasia (from 20 December) - based off the hit 1997 Disney film by the same name and full of romance and adventure.
- Shrek the Musical (7-10 January) - a topsy-turvy fairytale in a kingdom far, far away.
Orchestra shows to see over summer
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is playing several family-friendly concerts, including:
- Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas Live in Concert (5-6 December) - follow the grouchy Grinch as he learns the true meaning of Chrismas with little Cindy Lou Who, with the MSO performing the score live as the movie plays.
- Classic Kids: A Symphonic Christmas (13-14 December) - a magical performance with traditional carols, modern holiday favourites and a selection from The Nutcracker.
Shrek the Musical is sure to delight the kids.
Summer holiday and day trip ideas for families in Victoria
Wherever you go, stay bushfire-safe, have an emergency kit in the car, and make sure your emergency roadside assistance policy is up-to-date.
Go back in time to Ballarat
Ballarat in Victoria's Goldfields region is a great holiday hotspot full of activities for the kids. Travel back to the 1800s gold rush at Sovereign Hill, enter a fantasy world full of dragons and knights at Kryal Castle, or visit native animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park.
Book a stay at RACV Goldfields Resort so that you're nice and close to the action.
RACV Members save on Ballarat's top attractions.
Take a walk on the wild side on Phillip Island
Full of nature parks, animals, beaches and activities, there's a reason why Phillip Island and nearby Inverloch are popular Victorian holiday destinations.
Take the family around the Phillip Island Adventure Parks, where you can see marsupials up close at the Koala Conservation Reserve, head on a virtual trip to Antarctica at the Nobbies Centre, interact with farm animals on Churchill Island, and make a stop at the iconic penguin parade, where you'll see the largest fairy penguin colony on Earth waddling up to say hello. Make a weekend of it at the nearby RACV Inverloch Resort.
RACV Members save on Phillip Island's top attractions.
Relax by the river in Cobram
A family road trip to the Murray River region is the perfect way to while away those long summer days. Swim or fish in the mighty Murray, play a game of mini golf with the family, or visit Cactus Country to see Australia's largest collection of cacti in a beautifully presented garden.
Stay in a cabin, apartment or the caravan park at the RACV Cobram Resort for easy access to the Cobram area.
Get adventurous on the Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, while not having to travel too far to feel like you're truly on holiday. With glittering beaches from Canadian Bay to Cape Schanck, spend those dreamy summer days enjoying the great outdoors.
There's plenty for families to do just an hour out of Melbourne. Spend a whimsical day getting lost in the Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens, ride the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola for breathtaking views across Port Phillip Bay to Melbourne city skyline, or visit nocturnal Aussie animals at Moonlit Sanctuary.
Book a stay at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort to make the most of your adventure.
RACV Members save on Mornington Peninsula's top attractions.
Go on a day trip like the Great Ocean Road
If you'd prefer to just head on a one-off road trip, there's plenty of places around Victoria that make for a great day trip on a summer's day.
For example, you can cruise down the Great Ocean Road to the iconic Bells Beach in Torquay. If you prefer to stay dry, head on a tour to see the dolphins and seals as they dance across the sea.
See knights jousting at Kryal Castle.
Free summer school holidays activities in Melbourne and Victoria
Hit the beach or a swimming hole
While summer (hopefully) brings on swimming weather, it's the season for exploring the magnificent swimming spots and beaches of the state.
Take the family to an adventure to a natural swimming hole, hit up one of the best beaches in Melbourne, run around with your dog at an off-leash beach, or go on a fun coastal walk.
Remember to always stay safe around water, including sunscreen, parental supervision for children, and swimming between the flags.
Explore a new playground
We've rounded up the best playgrounds in regional Victoria and around Melbourne so you don’t have to!
Whether your kids love playgrounds shaped like a pirate ship, exploring musical play equipment, challenging obstacles or just a fun play on the good old swing and slide, a playground is the perfect place for some free outdoor fun in the sun.
Have a family bake day
Got a budding sous chef in your mist? Get the kids together for a play in the kitchen and let budding hands make some of their very own marvellous creations.
Give them a go at some child friendly recipes from the RACV Club Kitchen, like this salted caramel choc-chip cookie recipe, the popular mini pancake cereal, or this easy chocolate mousse cake recipe.
Go on a scenic hike
Make the most of the better weather by exploring the best of the scenic walks and hikes around Melbourne and Victoria. Whether you want to go chasing waterfalls, you're looking for family-friendly walks, fun dog trails or nature hikes around the state, there’s always somewhere new to explore on foot.
Two of our favourite family-friendly walks are the 1000 Steps (Kokokda Track Memorial Walk) in the Dandenongs and a stroll around the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne.
Get on your bikes and ride
Dust off the bikes and head on a family ride around your suburb. It's free, fun, and a healthy way to explore the great outdoors.
If you're looking to explore a new region, you can head on one of these family-friendly bike routes, from a trip taking in the solar system along Port Phillip Bay, to a trip past the zoo and parklands on the Capital City Trail.
Don’t forget to brush up on the latest cycling road rules here.
Visit the libraries, galleries and museum
Did you know that many of Victoria's best libraries, galleries and museums have free entry and activities over the school holidays?
The NGV, ACMI, Australian Music Vault, Immigration Museum and Australian Sports Museum all have free entry, while kids under 12 are also free to visit The Heide Museum of Modern Art, Scienceworks, and The Melbourne Museum.
Here's our list of the best modern art galleries in Melbourne, as well as regional Victoria.
Many of these attractions are accessible by public transport. You can plan your route with the journey planning app Arevo.
Free day trip guides
Explore greater Victoria without breaking the budget. Check out our guides for how to have a fun, free day out in the Yarra Valley, Ballarat, Mornington Peninsula, and even right here in Melbourne.
