Get ready for a massive weekend in Melbourne! The huge St Kilda Festival kicks off, offering free, all-ages fun across the foreshore, and if you need a break from the sun, there are fantastic immersive exhibitions and cool workshops happening across the city.
See our top picks
St Kilda Festival Day 1: First Peoples Programming
St Kilda foreshore
A massive, free, all-ages music and culture celebration kicking off Saturday.
Our Wondrous Planet
Melbourne Museum
An immersive, breathtaking exhibition using large projections inside the museum.
Dino Days
Not specified
A free session specifically curated for dinosaur enthusiasts aged 3 to 5 years.
· February 14
5FREE : The massive free St Kilda Festival starts this weekend! Saturday focuses on First Peoples programming, featuring live music and activities perfect for the whole family right on the foreshore.This is a huge, free, city-wide celebration happening only this weekend.
SUNSET SAFARI : Head out to Werribee Zoo for a magical evening adventure! You get to see animals roaming the savannah and explore trails after hours as the sun goes down.It’s a special evening event only running until late February, perfect for seeing the zoo differently.
: Catch a fast-paced, formidable battle in the Australian Women's Ice Hockey League. It's a cool, fast-moving alternative for Saturday entertainment.It's a specific, high-energy sporting event happening on both Saturday and Sunday.
: This looks amazing—an entire exhibition built from biodegradable balloons on a cinematic scale! It’s pure joy and art combined, and runs all weekend.It is a major, temporary, highly visual exhibition that promises delight for all ages.
: The annual Ice Cream Festival is on! Head to the Yarra Valley venue to sample 30 limited-edition flavours—definitely worth the drive out for dedicated dessert fans.It's a limited-time food festival specifically centred around a kid favourite: ice cream.
· February 15
5THE SUNDAY MARKET AT SOUTHGATEFREE : Head to Southbank on Sunday morning to browse local goods and meet the makers at this relaxed riverside market.A lovely free Sunday morning activity that engages older kids and parents with local crafts.
MOONLIGHT CINEMA : Catch a classic film under the stars at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Bring blankets and snacks for a perfect Sunday evening ending.It’s an iconic Melbourne summer activity happening on Sunday night.
FREE : The fun continues at St Kilda! Sunday features a huge, multi-stage event with major Australian artists—great for older kids and teens to soak up the festival vibe.The second day of the massive free festival, concluding the weekend.
MY BRILLIANT CAREER : Catch this musical adaptation about a young woman chasing her dreams as a writer in rural Australia. It wraps up at the end of the month, so Sunday is a good chance to see it.It’s a major theatre production running this weekend that is generally family-aligned (based on a novel).
F1: THE EXHIBITION : Take the kids (especially those into speed and engineering) through six galleries covering the past, present, and future of Formula 1. It's a huge show at the MCEC.A major, temporary global exhibition running all weekend that appeals strongly to older kids/teens interested in sports/tech.
Also On· anytime this weekend
6FREE : This south-eastern hub is hosting a massive outdoor night event featuring live music and an open-air cinema. Grab a picnic blanket and some takeaway food.It’s a great, free, specific Saturday night outdoor event in the south-east.
FREE : A perfect free activity if you have preschoolers obsessed with dinosaurs. Young enthusiasts aged 3 to 5 are invited to explore everything prehistoric.It's a very specific, free activity targeted exactly at the preschool demographic.
: Check out ACMI's immersive exhibition showcasing over 30 video games spanning from the 70s right up to today. Great for kids who love gaming.It's a major, limited-time exhibition at ACMI that appeals to kids across a wide age span.
: If the weather turns, head to Melbourne Museum for this breathtaking, immersive experience. It uses room-sized projections to celebrate life on Earth across different environments.A major, family-friendly exhibition at a key cultural institution happening this weekend.
FREE : A simple, fun, and free craft session where kids can use colour and collage to decorate their very own kite. Perfect for a Saturday morning activity.A hands-on, free activity ideal for getting creativity flowing this weekend.
: ArtPlay is Melbourne's dedicated creative arts centre for children. Drop in for a hands-on session guided by professional artists this Saturday.A regular attraction that specifically caters to children's arts engagement, making it a reliable weekend choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Melbourne this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 14-15) there are great free options like the first day of the St Kilda Festival, the Open Space event at Bunjil Place on Saturday evening, and the Dino Days activity for preschoolers.
What is the best way to spend a Saturday with younger kids (under 6)?
For toddlers, check out the free Dino Days activity. Alternatively, the free Create a Kite Craft Activity or a session at the dedicated ArtPlay centre are fantastic hands-on options.
Are there any major outdoor events happening Sunday?
Yes, the St Kilda Festival continues with Big Festival Sunday, offering free entertainment on the foreshore, and you could finish the day with a family movie at the Moonlight Cinema in the Botanic Gardens.
