Melbourne Festival of Puppetry 2026 at La Mama
Looking for something a little different to do with the kids these school holidays? The Melbourne Festival of Puppetry returns from 22–27 September 2026, with a fantastic program of puppet shows, creative workshops and family-friendly fun.
At La Mama HQ and La Mama Courthouse, the family program features everything from musical adventures and magical illuminated worlds to underwater stories, classic tales and hilarious shadow puppetry.
Show times are staggered throughout the day, making it easy to combine a performance or two with a wander around Carlton, lunch nearby, the Puppet Treasure Hunt (map and prizes available at La Mama HQ), or one of the puppet-making workshops running at CO.AS.IT.
Puppet Shows for Kids
The Wobbly Wallaby Show
22–24 September
A heartwarming musical adventure celebrating friendship, empathy and kindness, filled with puppetry, songs, dance and interactive fun. Best suited to ages 3–8.
Dreamer in the Deep
22–24 September
Dive beneath the waves on a spectacular deep-sea adventure filled with unusual creatures, music and colourful blacklight puppetry. Best suited to ages 2–6.
Snow on a Summer’s Day
22–24 September
A beautiful mother-and-daughter puppetry work exploring family stories, migration, memories and the places we call home. Recommended for ages 7+.
Sticks Stones Broken Bones
22–26 September
Watch everyday household objects transform into hilarious and unexpected shadow puppets in this clever show from Bunk Puppets. Recommended for ages 4+.
The Boy Who Lost His Light
25–27 September
Follow a young boy through a magical illuminated world of fireflies, stars and unexpected friendships as he searches for his lost light. Best suited to ages 3–10.
Trinket the Robot
25–27 September
Meet Trinket, a little robot who dreams of becoming “real”, in an imaginative story exploring what it means to be alive.
Puss in Boots
25–27 September
This playful take on the classic tale combines handcrafted puppets, humour, music and plenty of audience participation. Recommended for ages 4+.
Puppet-Making Workshops
Kids can also get creative with a series of hands-on puppet workshops at CO.AS.IT, right next door to La Mama HQ.
Workshops include:
- Sock Puppets
- Junk Puppets
- Marionette Puppets
- Cardboard Creatures
- Shadow Puppets
- Robot Puppets
Keep an eye out while exploring Carlton too, with roving puppets appearing around the neighbourhood and a Puppet Treasure Hunt adding even more fun to the festival experience.
With shows and activities suitable for a range of ages and budgets, the Melbourne Festival of Puppetry is a fun way to swap the screens for storytelling and imagination these school holidays.
Details
Event: Melbourne Festival of Puppetry 2026
Dates: Tuesday 22 – Sunday 27 September 2026
Locations: La Mama HQ, 205 Faraday Street, Carlton; La Mama Courthouse, 349
Drummond Street, Carlton; workshops at CO.AS.IT, 189 Faraday Street, Carlton
Website: La Mama Theatre – Melbourne Festival of Puppetry 2026
What’s On Melbourne for Kids
See more family fun below:
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