summer 25/26 @ arts centre melbourne
/This summer, Arts Centre has an INCREDIBLE line up of shows and installations for us to enjoy!
Beginning mid December and running throughout January, be sure to check out everything that’s on so you don’t miss out!
The main attraction for the series is a breathtaking interactive puppet experience The Whale on at Arts Centre forecourt running in January 17-24 - this is a FREE experience where you can dive into a dreamlike underwater world surrounded by an array of fantastical sea creatures and a hypnotic soundscape.
Designed by Leon Hendroff, and brought to life by Western Australia’s beloved Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, The Whale is a remarkable 10-metre-long immersive puppetry experience.
But thats not all, families will also have the opportunity to choose between the astonishing acrobatic performances staged in Ten Thousand Hours, a cosmic journey through the universe with Patch Theatre’s award-winning immersive show ZOOOM, and more.
The full list of Arts Centre Melbourne activities and events for families this summer
Classic Kids: A Symphonic Christmas | 13 December 2025 | Hamer Hall
Join the MSO for a magical performance perfect for the whole family featuring traditional carols, modern holiday favourites and classically Christmas selections.
Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight | 23 & 24 December 2025 | Sidney Myer Music Bowl
This Christmas Eve, Sidney Myer Music Bowl will light up for another magical evening. A cherished tradition, this joyous event will feature live performances from an incredible line-up of ARIA-winning artists, choirs, musical theatre casts, comedians, children’s entertainers and more.
Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show | 30 December 2025 – 4 January 2026 | Playhouse
From New York’s Madison Square Garden to London’s Royal Festival Hall, Bluey’s Big Play has delighted fans across the globe - and now it returns home to Australia for an encore tour with Bluey as you’ve never seen before, brought to real life.
ZOOOM | 6 – 10 January 2026 | Fairfax Studio
Inspired by Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon, ZOOOM channels the philosophy from the much-loved 1955 children’s picture book – a child making sense of their world through art. Using original music, glowing lasers and vivid projections, this award-winning production takes audience members on a transformational journey with light, where audiences discover that the dark is a magical place. Ages 4-8
Shrek The Musical | 7 – 10 January 2026 | Playhouse
Join your favourite animated characters in this globally-loved epic multi-million-dollar musical. Featuring an ogre, a talkative donkey, a feisty princess and a cohort of unlikely heroes, Shrek The Musical is an action-packed spectacle.
Ten Thousand Hours | 13 – 25 January 2026 | Playhouse
An ode to the countless hours needed to achieve great things. Award-winning Australian company Gravity & Other Myths peel back the curtain to reveal just how intricate and demanding each effortless move is. Eight world-class acrobats compress 10,000 hours of practice into 60 minutes you’ll never forget. Ages 8+
The Whale | 17 – 24 January 2026 | Theatres Building Forecourt
Dive into an extraordinary underwater world with The Whale, an awe-inspiring giant puppet installation from Australia’s beloved Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. This free, immersive outdoor experience invites you to animate a magnificent 10-metre-long whale and its underwater companions, experiencing the scale and majesty of these ocean giants up close. All ages.
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