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Melbourne / This week

What's on
1–7 October

Worth leaving the house for.

Spring's here and the city fills with kid-friendly workshops, walks and evening jazz — think kids' spring workshops at the Botanic Gardens, free self-guided Aboriginal and architecture walks, and Sondheim on a small stage. Pick a morning walk, an easy kids' program and a jazz or cabaret night and you've got a proper Saturday sorted.

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Updated 2 October 2026 · Next update 7 October

If you only remember three things

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A family strolling through the Royal Botanic Gardens
What’s on

Fantastic Friends: Kids' Spring Workshop

A hands-on workshop at the Royal Botanic Gardens that gets kids making with natural materials and celebrating spring.

Bring a hat.

A family strolling through the Royal Botanic Gardens
Free

Aboriginal Melbourne walk

A 3.9km self-guided council walk that points to Aboriginal histories and visible sites across the city.

Go early. Trust me.

A stand-up comedy room under warm lights
Free

Classic Icons and Architecture walk

A 5.3km self-guided route from the council showing Melbourne’s headline buildings and streetscapes.

Camera ready.

If Saturday were mine…

I'd do this.

Saturday: walk, kids' show, spring workshop

  1. 10:00amAboriginal Melbourne walkA family strolling through the Royal Botanic Gardens10:00am — Aboriginal Melbourne walk: bring water, wear good shoes.
  2. 12:30pmBeneath the Trap Door: Holiday ProgramBrighton bathing boxes at golden hour with the city on the horizon12:30pm — Beneath the Trap Door: Holiday Program: short run time, kid-focused.
  3. 3:00pmFantastic Friends: Kids' Spring WorkshopA narrow Melbourne laneway lit by café windows at night3:00pm — Fantastic Friends: Kids' Spring Workshop: outdoor crafts; check weather.

Start with a council walk, then kids' theatre and a hands-on workshop.

Before you leave home

The stuff you'll be annoyed nobody told you.

  • Check event pages for times and ticketing — some kids' events and talks require pre-booking.
  • Melbourne spring weather shifts fast; pack a rain layer for outdoor plans.

The week, properly

The good stuff, with a reason.

Friends at a rooftop table with the city lights behind

If you want a proper night out

See all 8
  • Family Art Day at ACCAThu 1 Oct · Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Southbank · See listingFamily-friendly art-making and gallery time at ACCA, Southbank.
  • The Francis EffectThu 1 Oct · CO.AS.IT., Carlton · See listingA talk or event at CO.AS.IT. diving into Francis's impact — expect sharp opinions.
  • AFLW Round 8: Carlton v HawthornThu 1 Oct · Ikon Park, Carlton North · See listingAFLW at Ikon Park — local footy with genuine atmosphere.
  • Forever FarnhamFri 2 Oct · Bird's Basement, Melbourne · See listingAn evening at Bird's Basement celebrating the songs and stories of Michael Farnham.
  • Sondheim: UnboundFri 2 Oct · Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne · See listingSondheim selections up close at Paris Cat Jazz Club — small venue, big songs.
A family strolling through the Royal Botanic Gardens

If you're spending nothing

  • Aboriginal Melbourne walkFree3.9km, self-guided, from the council's own set.
  • Classic Icons and Architecture walkFree5.3km, self-guided, from the council's own set.

A short free list this week. Ask me and I will dig up the parks, walks and rooms near you that never make a list.

None of that your thing?

Tell me what you're in the mood for and I'll give you something better.

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