Winter in Melbourne 2026: Best Winter Activities & Events for Families
Winter in Melbourne has never looked better! The weather might be cooling down, but there are plenty of winter activities in and around the city for family fun. So, what are you waiting for? Get rugged up and ready to check out our list of things to do in Melbourne this winter!
Winter in Melbourne
Rug up, grab a hot chocolate, and explore our top picks!
1. Lightscape Melbourne Light Show
This winter in Melbourne, Lightscape is coming to the Royal Botanic Gardens. This one of a kind immersive, after-dark experience features a range of amazing installations you can wander through including a 1.8km long trail with more than 100,000 tiny lights.
Where: Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne
When: Fri 20 June – Sun 10 August 2025
Read More: Lightscape>>>
2. Winter Wonderland at the Melbourne Skyline
A Winter Wonderland is at the Skyline Melbourne Precinct these school holidays that is perfect for families! Bring the kids for a range of FREE activities and festive fun, all set against a backdrop of twinkling lights and wintery magic. Think falling snow, warm s’mores by the fire, mulled wine, and Frozen-inspired fun for the whole family.
Where: South Wharf – outside MCEC
When: 26th June – 12th July
Read More>> Skyline Winter Wonderland
3. Melbourne Winter Festival, Moorabin
Melbourne Winter Festival is coming to Morris Moor in Moorabbin with lots of indoor fun including carnival rides, food trucks, entertainment, ice skating, winter-themed fun and plenty to keep the kids busy.
Location: Morris Moor, 15 Cochranes Road, Moorabbin
Dates/Times:
Thursday 2nd July to Sunday 5th July 2026
Read More>> Winter Festival
4. Disney on Ice
Winter in Melbourne means Disney on Ice!!! Get ready Disney fans, Disney On Ice will be returning to Melbourne for an unforgettable show, Disney On Ice Magic in the Stars. Families will love this brand new show filled with fun, laughter and excitement.
Where: Rod Laver Arena
When: 2 – 6th July 2026
Read More: Disney on Ice>>>
5. Fondu Chalet
Mulled wine, cheese and chocolate fondu, marshmallows on the fire… Winter in Melbourne just got a whole lot cozier! The Fondue Chalets are back again for 2026 at Federation Square. We love this event, very unique, great for a family dinner, date night or outing with friends.
Where: Federation Square Rooftop
When: From May 15th – Mid June
Read More: Fondue Chalets Melbourne>>>
6. Winter Market, Melbourne
The Winter Night Market is back at Queen Victoria Market every Wednesday evening from 1st June to 3st August. You can rug up in your winter woollies and head to the winter Market to enjoy live music while enjoying delicious street food, mulled wine.
Watch out for mid season with Christmas in July when you will be hearing Christmas carols and seeing Christmas trees, snow and of course Santa.
Where: Queen Vic Market
When: Wednesdays 4th June – 27th Aug
Read More: Winter Night Market>>>
7. RISING Festival
This winter, RISING returns to Melbourne with a spectacular city-wide celebration of art, music, theatre, and dance. Spanning 12 nights across two weekends, the festival will feature over 65 events and 327 artists, including 15 brand-new commissions and several exciting world and Australian premieres.
Where: Melbourne CBD
When: 27th May – 8th June
Read More>>> Rising Festival
8. Winter Igloos, Melbourne
Winter in Melbourne wouldn’t be the same without the igloos! The famous winter igloos are popping up around Melbourne and what a wonderful winter experience this is! Warm yourself up inside one of the winter igloos while you sip on some wine or a cocktail and graze on a delicious lunch or dinner.
This year there are Winter Igloos at Skyline Melbourne and Mercure Doncaster with more announcing soon!
Winter Igloos>>>
9. Firelight Festival
Melbourne’s Firelight Festival is a fiery feast for the senses. Held in the Docklands, this free event features live fire shows, flame throwers, fire sculptures, and delicious food trucks. With live music and roving performers, it’s a great way to warm up a winter’s night. Best of all, it’s completely free – just come rugged up and ready for fun!
Where: District Docklands
When: 4th – 6th July 2025
Read More>>> Firelight Festival
10. Collingwood Children’s Farm Winter Solstice Bonfire
The Collingwood Children’s Farm Winter Solstice Bonfire is one of the most famous winter events in Melbourne and is on again. Watch the live flames leaping into the night sky from a massive bonfire while surrounded by the sound of live music and fire lanterns. Street food and drinks will be available, this is a great winter activity for all ages.
Where: Collingwood Childrens Farm
When: 27th June 2026
Read More: Collingwood Farm Bonfire>>>
11. Winter Wonderlights, Sovereign Hill
One of our favourite annual winter events in Melbourne is the Christmas in July, winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill. It is actually about an hour and half out of the city, but well worth the visit. Sovereign hill will light up with building facades and over 15km of fairy lights throughout the garden. There will be faux snow and appearances from Santa, Mrs Clause and more!
Where: Sovereign Hill
When: 26th June – 19th July
Read More: Winter Wonderlights>>>
12. Train of Lights Puffing Billy
Rug up in your warmest winter woollies and experience the magic of Puffing Billy Railway at night with the Train of Lights. This mesmerising train travelling light show is the first of its kind in Australia. It will take you on a journey immersing guests in bright colours, hypnotic patterns, and native wild animal projections that leap from open-side carriages.
Where: Puffing Billy, Emerald
When: 26th June – 19th July
Read More: Puffing Billy Train of Lights>>>
13. Ice Skating, Melbourne
One of the best things to do in Melbourne this winter is go Ice skating, there are a few different places to try it out. O’brien Ice House is at the District Docklands, and Ice HQ is in Melbourne’s North.
Read More: Obrien Ice House, Ice HQ
14. Island Whale Festival
The annual Phillip Island Whale Festival is back again this year. There is a range of activities on offer that will not only entertain but also allow you to appreciate the wildlife and natural habitats of Phillip Island and the Bass Coast region.
Whale watching is generally from May – October and the Island festival happens in between.
Read more>>> Phillip Island Whale Festival>>>
15. Winter Glow, Adventure Park
Discover a glowing winter wonderland of snow, lights, fire and ice these Winter school holidays at Adventure Park! The massive snow play zone will allow kids to touch and play with real snow, make snow angels and build snowman. Every day there will be live ice-carving displays by local artists and spectacular live fire-twirling displays.
Read More: Winter Glow>>>
16. Hot Springs
The Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs are your luxury escape where you can relax and unwind. Just 90mins from Melbourne there are over 30 experiences, a day spa and various wellness retreats that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most relaxing things to do in Melbourne in Winter or when the weather is cool.
Read More: Peninsula Hot Springs>>>
17. Snow Day, Lake Mountain
If you aren’t keen on heading away for a holiday to the snow, why not take a day trip. Lake Mountain is only a couple of hours away from Melbourne and makes a great day out for the whole family. Such a great thing to do in Melbourne in Winter. There are toboggan runs, and even ski or snow lessons for the kids too. Otherwise just play in the snow and make a snow man!
Where: Lake Mountain
When: Season usually kicks off Kings Birthday Weekend
Read More: Lake Mountain>>>
18. AFL Games
One of the best winter activities in Melbourne for footy lovers is to head to an AFL match. Melbourne is the home of football and everyone here goes crazy for AFL during the winter season. Catch a game at the MCG or Marvel Stadium, the atmosphere is fantastic.
19. Indoor Activities
If you aren’t keen on any outdoor Winter activities, and you prefer to keep indoors, there are plenty of indoor activities for kids in Melbourne where you can keep the kids warm. From playcentres, to museums, the cinema, and much more.
Read More: Indoor Activities in Melbourne>>>>
What’s On Melbourne for Winter
Winter in Melbourne can be awesome fun if you know how to do it right. There are so many fantastic Winter activities and events in and around the city that you have plenty to choose from. So rug up with your hats, scarves, and boots, and head out for some Winter fun in Melbourne!
Check out our post on School Holiday Activities Melbourne for more kids activity ideas. Follow Mum’s Little Explorers on Facebook for more inspiration and join the Melbourne for Kids Facebook Group.
