AFL Footy Festival – Family Grand Final Celebrations
Celebrate the AFL Grand Final with the whole family these school holidays at the AFL Footy Festival in Melbourne. This fun and FREE family event will showcase some fantastic food, music, and kids activities along with some footy of course.
(See more school holiday activities here)
AFL Footy Fest Activities for Kids
The AFL PLAY Zone is the place to be for families where kids of all ages can get involved in a range of footy themed activities.
The AFL PLAY Clubhouse includes interactive experiences where kids can test their skills, learn more about different ways to play AFL, try umpiring through virtual reality, design a footy T shirt and of course have a kick.
There will also be NAB AFL Auskick and NAB AFL Superkick activities, along with giveaways and opportunities to see AFL and AFLW players throughout the festival.
There is also the AFLW Immersive Zone, featuring interactive games and colourful installations including neon graffiti art, a movement reactive colour experience, brick breaker game and reaction test wall.
Live Family Entertainment
There is plenty happening away from the footy field too.
Popular children’s performers The Mik Maks will perform live on the Bunnings Family Main Stage at 12pm on Thursday 24 September.
Across the four days families can also expect live music, entertainment, food trucks and plenty of Grand Final week atmosphere around Yarra Park.
Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade and The Wiggles
Friday 25 September is set to be one of the biggest days to visit.
The 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade begins at 10.30am, travelling from John Cain Arena through Melbourne Park and Birrarung Marr, across William Barak Bridge and into Yarra Park, where it finishes at Footy Fest.
Even better for families, The Wiggles will perform at Melbourne Park from 9.30am before joining the parade in their Wiggles themed Toyota HiLux Big Red Utes.
Anthony, Lucia, Simon, Caterina, Tsehay, Evie, Lachy and John will be joined by favourites including Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Captain Feathersword and Tree of Wisdom.
Following the parade, the two Grand Final teams and the 2026 AFL Premiership Cup will be presented on the Footy Fest main stage at approximately midday.
There will also be more free entertainment throughout Friday, including a Kids Disco Party on the Bunnings Family Stage.
Details
When:
23rd Sept – 26th Sept (AFL Grand Final Week)
Where:
Yarra Park
More info at https://www.afl.com.au/footy-festival
School Holiday Activities Melbourne
Looking for more fun and exciting things to see and do during the Spring Holidays? Check our full post: School Holiday Activities in Melbourne for a range of ideas or for even more inspiration see Melbourne for Kids.
Make sure to follow Mum’s Little Explorers on Facebook or join our What’s on for Kids Community Group, to always keep updated on things to see and do in Melbourne for kids!
