CENTRAL GEELONG
SPRING
SCHOOL
HOLIDAY
FUN GUIDE
2026
SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN GUIDE
FOR CENTRAL GEELONG AND THE WATERFRONT
Saturday 19 September – Sunday 4 October 2026
Looking for fun and engaging activities for children aged 4 to 12 these spring school holidays? Central Geelong and the Waterfront will come alive with exciting events, creative workshops and family-friendly entertainment celebrating the arrival of spring. The Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival, presented by Geelong Arts Centre, takes centre stage, transforming central Geelong into the ultimate school holiday destination. During the Big Wonder Weekend (19-20 September), Little Malop Street and surrounding precincts will be buzzing with roving performers, community karaoke, the Geelong Makers Market, live music and plenty of surprises. Check out the complete guide for Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival here Highlights of this School Holiday Fun Guide include: • The North Children’s Choir, roving entertainers and Scottish dancing at Geelong City Market on Saturday 19 September 2026. • Contribute your ideas to a live illustrated map of Central Geelong and the Waterfront with artist and illustrator Elise Motalli. • H ands-on fun at the National Wool Museum’s Machine Makers Lab, where children can build imaginative transport creations from cardboard and recycled materials. • Free creative workshops at The Dome Library, Platform Arts and The Carousel. • The 175th Anniversary Open Day at the beautiful Geelong Botanic Gardens on Saturday 3 October. A perfect family day out, pack a picnic and celebrate.
We Acknowledge the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the Land, Waterways and Skies. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We Acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are part of our Greater Geelong community today.
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Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival event
Getting to Central Geelong and the Waterfront Visiting Central Geelong these school holidays is easy! Whether you’re travelling from nearby, Greater Geelong or from further afield, there are plenty of easy ways to get here. Once you arrive, Central Geelong is easy to explore, with shops, activities, and attractions all close together.
By Train Take the V/Line rail service to Geelong Station. Children travel free with their Youth myki making it an affordable way to visit. From Geelong Railway Station it’s a short walk or quick bus ride into the heart of Central Geelong.
Bus Leave the car at home and travel by bus. A fun and sustainable way to get around Geelong. Check out the transport planner here
By Car There are several parking options around the city centre and waterfront. Check out parking options here
Active Transport Enjoy a sustainable and fun commute by cycling in and around Central Geelong, taking in the beautiful Waterfront. Find safe cycling routes here
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OUTDOOR & NATURE ACTIVITIES
175th Anniversary Open Day of the Botanic Gardens with Children’s Activities Where:
When: Who: Cost:
Geelong Botanic Gardens Corner Podbury & Eastern Park Drives, East Geelong Saturday 3 October 10.00am–3.00pm All Ages Free
Celebrate 175 years of the Geelong Botanic Gardens at their Anniversary Open Day. Enjoy workshops, plant sales, talks, family entertainment, food trucks and interactive displays in the beautiful garden surrounds. Connect with the community, explore the gardens, and celebrate the history, growth and future of this iconic Geelong destination.
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Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival event
Geelong City Market Little Malop Central, Little Malop Street, Geelong When: Saturday 19 September Market: 9.00am–2.00pm North Children’s Choir: 12.00pm Scottish Dance Group: 11.00am Roving performers: 10.00am–1.00pm Who: All Ages Cost: Free As part of a collaboration with the Geelong Arts Centre for the Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival, the Geelong City Market will be welcoming the North Children’s Choir from 12.00pm, bringing their beautiful voices to the heart of the market. You can also enjoy roving performers, “The Gardeners”, between 10.00am and 1.00pm. The Community Market Stall will be hosting the Geelong Scottish Dance Group, who will be putting on a dance display at 11.00am. Where:
Geelong Running Festival Kids & All Abilities Races
Learn to Sail in Geelong (Tackers 1, 2 and 3 courses)
Where: Steampacket Gardens, Eastern Beach Road Finish: Deakes Way When: Saturday 19 September Races run from 8.00am–10.30am Who: All Ages Cost: $20 for the 800m race for children under 5 years $25 for children aged 5–12 years
Where: Royal Geelong Yacht Club 25 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong When: Monday 21 September– Thursday 1 October Who: 7–12 years Cost: $340 for a four-day program
BOOK HERE The Geelong Running Festival 2026 kicks off with the Kids & All Abilities Races from 8.00am to 10.30am. Starting at Steampacket Gardens and finishing at Deakes Way, these fun and inclusive events encourage participation, celebrate achievement and inspire the next generation of runners along Geelong’s iconic waterfront.
BOOK HERE Get started on an adventure with our range of four-day Learn to Sail programs these school holidays. The Tackers series is a fun, games-based way to learn to sail for kids aged 7 to 12. It is all about building confidence on the water, making friends and learning real skills in a safe and supportive environment. No experience needed.
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ARTS, CRAFTS & CREATIVE ACTIVITIES Holiday Drop-in Craft: Machine Makers Lab Where: When: Who: Cost:
The National Wool Museum 26 Moorabool Street, Geelong Saturday 19 September–Sunday 27 September 10.00am–2.00pm All Ages Program included with museum entry Adult $13, Concession $10 Family $40, Child $8. Free entry on 19 and 20 September as part of Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival
BOOK HERE
Family Collage Workshop Where: When: Who: Cost:
Platform Arts 60 Little Malop Street, Geelong Saturday 26 September 10.00am–12.00pm All Ages Free
BOOK HERE This relaxed space encourages creativity, conversation and connection. Participants are invited to leave their completed artworks behind, contributing to a growing collection that will later form part of a large communal artwork created during a special Geelong Design Week workshop led by The Art Nest.
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Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival event
If you missed us at the Big Wonder Weekend, never fear! The Machine Makers Lab is also open during the first week of school holidays. Come create machines of the future in the renewable energy play space designed by artists from the Indirect Object. This drop-in session is run by our Museum Educators. Children of all ages are welcome but must be supervised by an adult. All materials are provided, bring your imagination!
Pokémon Play Time
Playing with Paint
Where:
Where:
When:
Who: Cost:
Geelong Regional Libraries at The Dome 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong Wednesday 23 September 10.30–11.30am Monday 28 September 2.30–3.30pm 5–8 years Free
When:
Who: Cost:
Geelong Regional Libraries at The Dome 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong Monday 21 September 10.30–11.30am Friday 2 October 2.30–3.30pm 5–8 years Free
BOOK HERE
BOOK HERE
Come and join us as we discuss, craft and try to catch them all in Pokémon Play Time this school holidays! We’ll be creating our own new Pokémon and looking for old favourites.
No brushes allowed! Have fun Playing with Paint by splashing, dripping and printing in this creative session.
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Spring Crafts at The Carousel with Urban Upcycle Where: When:
Who: Cost:
The Carousel 1 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong Tuesday 22 September and Tuesday 29 September 10.00am–12.00pm All Ages Free
Come visit The Carousel for some springinspired crafts with Urban Upcycle! An adult must accompany children. Craft available while stocks last.
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Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival event
Recycled Racers Where:
When:
Who: Cost:
Geelong Regional Libraries at The Dome 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong Monday 21 September 2.30–3.30pm Wednesday 30 September 10.30–11.30am 8–12 years Free
BOOK HERE On your marks, get set, go! Make a racing vehicle using recycled materials, then test your design against other racers.
MOVIES & CINEMA Create a Rainbow Keyring Where:
When: Who:
Geelong Regional Libraries at The Dome 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong Wednesday 23 September 2.30pm–3.30pm 8–12 years
BOOK HERE Join friends new and old as we gather to learn weaving skills. Take home a rainbow keyring and a paper gift box.
Make Your Own Board Games Where:
When:
Who: Cost:
Geelong Regional Libraries at The Dome 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong Thursday 24 September 10.30–11.30am Wednesday 30 September 2.30–3.30pm 8–12 years Free
Pivotonian Cinema Where: When: Who: Cost:
BOOK HERE Spend a fun afternoon at Geelong’s independent movie house this school holidays. Don’t miss these special screenings of Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom.
Vjunior @ Village Cinema Where: When:
BOOK HERE Love board games? Challenge yourself and your friends to make your own! Put your craft skills to the test and design your own board or card game.
1/4 Verner St, Geelong Saturday 19 September–Sunday 4 October All Ages Adult $16, Child/Concession $14 Member $11 (annual memberships $20)
Who: Cost:
194–200 Ryrie Street, Geelong Saturday 19 September–Sunday 4 October 3–10 years $19–$35
BOOK HERE Bring your children to Village Cinemas for a fun day out. At Vjunior sessions children can watch movies on the big screen and join in interactive play.
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Big Wonder Weekend When: Who: Cost:
Saturday 19 September and Sunday 20 September All Ages Free
Creativity flows throughout Geelong for the Big Wonder Weekend, a free street festival for the whole family, featuring roving performers and fun flavours for little food lovers. Presented by Geelong Arts Centre
The Alphabet of Awesome Science
Emma Memma’s Jungle Picnic Tour
Where:
Where:
When: Who: Cost:
The Story House, Geelong Arts Centre 50 Little Malop Street, Geelong Monday 14 September 5.00pm 5–12 years Full Price $32, Concession $28 Child U/16 $22, Group 4+ $25 Mob Tix $20
BOOK HERE Join professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge — the Word Nerd and the Science Freak — for a thrilling voyage through the alphabet where great big chewy sesquipedalian words inspire mind-blowing scientific surprises.
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Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival event
When: Who: Cost:
Costa Hall, Geelong Arts Centre 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong Saturday 19 September 10.00am All Ages $42.50
BOOK HERE The Jungle Picnic tour brings Emma Memma’s album to life in a joyful live experience for children and families. Inspired by the album, audiences can bring picnic baskets and pet rocks, dance with elephants, sing along and play games with Emma Memma and her mates, celebrating imagination, adventure and play.
Room on the Broom Where:
When:
Who: Cost:
The Story House, Geelong Arts Centre 50 Little Malop Street, Geelong Saturday 19 September 12.00pm and 3.00pm Sunday 20 September 10.00am and 1.00pm 4+ years Full Price $32, Concession $28 Child U/16 $22, Group 4+ $25 Mob Tix $20
BOOK HERE Room on the Broom is a delightful stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved picture book. When a witch’s hat, bow and wand are blown away, helpful animal friends come to the rescue. But when a dragon appears, teamwork saves the day in this fun-filled family adventure with songs and laughter.
Erth’s Dinosaurs Where:
When:
Who: Cost:
The Play House, Geelong Arts Centre 81 Ryrie Street, Geelong Saturday 19 September 11.00am and 2.00pm Sunday 20 September 11.00am and 2.00pm Recommended for 5+ years Full Price $32, Group 10+ $25, Child U/16 $22 Mob Tix $20, Family of 4 $25
BOOK HERE From hatchlings to giants, come face-to-face with prehistoric wonders! Journey back in time to meet a baby Triceratops, the curious Leaellynasaura and Australia’s fearsome Australovenator. Blending storytelling with science, this immersive live experience brings dinosaurs to life, revealing how they moved, lived and cared for one another. This performance may contain use of smoke machines. Photo Yaya Stemple
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DANCE, THEATRE & PERFORMANCE Kids Ballroom Come and Try Class! Where: When: Who: Cost:
Ballroom Baby Geelong 169 Ryrie Street, Geelong Friday 2 October 10.30am–11.15am All Ages Free
BOOK HERE Give your child the opportunity to discover the exciting world of DanceSport through Ballroom Baby’s free school holiday trial. Ballroom dancing helps children build confidence, coordination, fitness, teamwork, musicality and discipline while making new friends. Learn new skills, stay active and experience why kids love DanceSport.
The Snow Fairy Where:
When: Who: Cost:
The Play House, Geelong Arts Centre 81 Ryrie Street, Geelong Thursday 1 October 11.00am All Ages Single Price $34.90–$49.90
BOOK HERE Calling all fairies! Join the Snow Fairy and best friend Zuzu for a magical live adventure filled with bubbles, music, laughter and wonder. Dress in your favourite fairy costume, bring your wings and wand, and help create real magic on stage as wishes come to life before your eyes. This event contains strobe effects and smoke.
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Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival event
What Now? Intergenerational Dance Workshop Where: When: Who: Cost:
Platform Arts 60 Little Malop Street, Geelong Tuesday 22 September 10.30am–11.30am All Ages Family (up to 3 people) $10
BOOK HERE What Now? is an intergenerational dance workshop for children and their caregivers, using movement as a shared language. Through play, movement and storytelling, children and caregivers can dance together, connect, and celebrate their inner child. Grandparents are encouraged to attend.
Wonder Beats! with DJ Andrew McClelland Where: When:
Who: Cost:
Church, Geelong Arts Centre 71 Ryrie Street, Geelong Saturday 19 September 10.30am and 1.30pm Sunday 20 September 10.30am and 1.30pm All Ages $15 per person
BOOK HERE It’s party time! Get ready for a highenergy dance floor made just for kids. Led by DJ Andrew McClelland, this colourful, feel-good experience features pop, rock and hip hop favourites, energetic dancing and interactive fun for the whole family.
The Bubble Spectacular Where:
When: Who: Cost:
The Play House, Geelong Arts Centre 81 Ryrie Street, Geelong Monday 21 September 11.00am All Ages Single Price $34.90–$49.90 Companion Card $0
BOOK HERE Expect to be amazed as the ultimate master of bubbles, Dr Hubble, creates little bubbles, BIG bubbles, volcano bubbles, tornado bubbles, square bubbles and, with a bit of his bubbly magic, you might even end up inside a bubble!
Wolfgang in the Stars Circus Workshop with Circa Where:
When:
Who: Cost:
Limelight, Studio 4, Geelong Arts Centre 81 Ryrie St, Geelong Saturday 19 September 9.30am, 11.30am and 2.30pm 90-minute sessions 5–12 years $20 per person.
BOOK HERE Join Circus performers from Circa ensemble to learn circus skills and creative movement, then work together to create a fun performance sequence to music. No experience needed.
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MUSEUMS & INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES Experts Radio Lab Where:
The Story House, Geelong Arts Centre 50 Little Malop Street, Geelong When: Saturday 19 September and Sunday 20 September 10.30am–12.30pm 1.30pm–3.30pm Who: All Ages Cost: Free Experts Radio Lab is a free, drop-in experience inside our pop-up radio studio. Chat with our magnetic hosts and share your expertise on any topic you’re passionate about!
Slow Star Village Where:
The Open House, Geelong Arts Centre 50 Little Malop Street, Geelong When: Saturday 19 September until Thursday 24 September 10.00am–4.00pm Who: All Ages Cost: Free Step into a world of colour, creativity and imagination where families can come together to build something truly magical. This is a hands-on, sensory space designed for curious kids (and grown-ups too!). Please make sure children are supervised.
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Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival event
Live Illustration Event Where:
The Dome, Geelong Library, 51 Little Malop Street 10.00am–12.00pm Geelong City Market, Little Malop Street Central Geelong 12.30pm–3.00pm
When: Who: Cost:
Saturday 19 September All Ages Free
Join artist and illustrator Elise Motalli to help create a live, illustrated map of Central Geelong, capturing your experiences of the Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival. Share your favourite places, ideas and aspirations, and help shape a colourful community artwork celebrating what makes the city wonderful through children’s eyes. You are welcome to draw with us too!
The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Experience at Kardinia Park Where:
Spring School Holiday Wellbeing Workshops Where:
When:
Who: Cost:
Geelong Wellness Collective (formally Pure Wonder Soul Studio) 2 Powell Place, Geelong Monday 28 September, 5–9 years Tuesday 29 September, 10–12 years). 1.00pm–3.00pm Seeds of Wonder: 5–9 years Inner Connections: 10–12 years $40 per child (includes materials and take-home bag).
BOOK HERE Our Spring School Holiday Wellbeing Workshops offer children a fun, supportive space to create, connect and explore. With nature-inspired activities, planting, movement, creativity and afternoon tea, each workshop is thoughtfully designed for its age group.
When:
Who: Cost:
Geelong Sports Museum 356 Moorabool Street, South Geelong Family activities outside Gate 1, Kardinia Park Wednesday 30 September Family activities: 10.00am–1.00pm Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Experience: 11.00am–12.00pm All Ages Free family activities and Melbourne Cup Trophy experience. Entry fees apply to the Museum. Online registration is required for the 11.00am– 12.00pm trophy experience.
BOOK HERE Get up close to the iconic 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup Trophy at Kardinia Park. Enjoy free family-friendly activities, including meeting retired racehorses and capturing an unforgettable photo with this iconic piece of Australian sporting history. 15
The details in this guide were correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change. Please check details with event organisers. For other school holiday events happening in our region visit eventsgeelong.com.au