With the days getting colder, the kids may already be feeling the winter blues! Worry not; the city has a magical lineup of exciting winter festivals in Melbourne, full of entertainment, music, delicious food, mulled wine, snow, and snow-filled adventures.

Make your winter extra festive with our list of the best festivals to catch to keep your spirits hot in some of the coldest months of the year — enjoy!

Our Favourite Family-Friendly Winter Festivals in Melbourne

1. Winter Glow at Adventure Park

Light up your winter nights at Adventure Park's Winter Glow, an enchanting winter festival that will dazzle the whole family.

Over three million twinkling lights across a thousand installations will illuminate  Adventure Park as you experience thrilling fire-twirling shows and jaw-dropping ice-sculpting displays. Kids will love building snowmen in the huge Snow Play Zone and taking a twirl on fun carnival rides, including the popular Tea Cups and Air Balloons. Plus, there's mini golf, face-painting and marshmallow roasting over an open fire.

It's the biggest winter festival in Melbourne, combining snow, lights, fire, ice, and fun! 

Where:  Adventure Park, 1249 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington, Victoria
When:   20 June to 29 August 2026
Cost:     General Admission (90 cm and over) $42 pp
              Under 90 cm go FREE

2. Fondue Chalet at Fed Square

Fondue Chalet at Fed Square is bringing big après-ski energy to the middle of Melbourne, minus the snow boots and questionable skiing ability.

From 14 May to 27 June 2026, families can cosy up inside private timber chalets for a winter feast of bubbling fondue or gooey raclette, complete with warm lighting, fire pits, and that gloriously melty-cheese smell doing all the heavy lifting.

The earlier 5 pm sittings are the best bet for families, while weekend lunch sessions are a lovely option if you want the alpine vibes without pushing bedtime into chaos territory.

Prices start from $89 per person, with children under six going free, and each chalet suits groups of six to eight — perfect for bringing the grandparents, another family, or anyone who can be trusted around a pot of molten cheese.

Where:  Fed Square, Melbourne
When:   14 May to 27 June 2026

              Wednesday & Thursday
              Dinner: 5, 7 & 8.30 pm

              Friday, Saturday & Sunday
              Lunch: 12.30 pm
              Dinner: 5, 7 & 8.30 pm

Cost:     From $89 per person, minimum of 6 people and maximum of 8 people per chalet | Children under 6 go FREE

3. Lightscape at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Lightscape 2026 is lighting up the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne once again, and it's more magical than ever!

Step into a sparkling world of light, colour and sound as this breathtaking winter festival returns with a mega illuminated trail featuring over 20 stunning installations. From glowing floral tunnels to the awe-inspiring 'Effervescence', every corner of the gardens will be transformed into an immersive wonderland.

Lightscape is the perfect event to embrace the season. Bundle up, take a twilight stroll beneath the stars, and warm up with mulled wine, hot chocolate and tasty bites along the way.

Whether it's your first visit or a winter tradition, Lightscape is the ultimate night out for families, couples or anyone in need of a little after-dark enchantment. Don't miss this glowing adventure through light, sound and nature!

Where:  Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
When:   12 June to 2 August 2026
Cost:    *From $36 per adult; from $28 per child (4-12 years); under 4s go FREE

*Prices vary by dates selected and day booked. 

4. Electric Wonderland

Electric Wonderland is back to zap some colour into your winter!

Returning to Bendigo's Rosalind Park by popular demand, this after-dark extravaganza is one of the best winter festivals in Melbourne for 2026.

Last year's spectacle set the bar high with its lineup of massive illuminated sculptures, a dazzling laser light show, musical stepping stones, and other immersive installations. This year, expect to step into a glowing playground in the historic surrounds of Rosalind Park, where night-time magic brings the dark to life. Get ready to light up your nights with a whole new adventure that's just as electrifying as it sounds!

Where:  Rosalind Park, 30 Gaol Rd, Bendigo
When:   26 June to 12 July 2026
Cost:     $26 per adult; $18 per child (3-16 years); under 3s go FREE
Duration: 40-60 minutes

5. Winter Wonderlights 

Celebrate Christmas in July by indulging in all things Yule at the Winter Wonderlights at SovereignHill.

During the day, Sovereign Hill will be filled with Christmas trees and colourful decorations lining Main Street with plenty of activities for children, a full theatre program, make-believe snowfalls and delicious treats, bringing the Christmas cheer to all. 

And by night, Sovereign Hill's Victorian-style buildings will come alive with large-scale light projections dancing along the building façades. It's a magical winter experience for the entire family, wandering through the brightly lit streets under gentle snowfall.

Where:  Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw St, Ballarat
When:   26 June to 19 July 2026
Cost:     Evening-only admission from $38.50 per adult, $21.50 per child

6. Knights of Fire at Kryal Castle

Get ready for fire, fantasy and fairytale fun, as Knights of Fire is blazing back to Kryal Castle this June and July. 

From 27 June to 29 July, the castle comes alive with fire shows, sword fights, magical creatures, and medieval adventures for the whole family. Kids can meet dragons, train like knights, explore puppet shows and even try their hand at archery or potion making. With roaming characters, craft stations, hair braiding and epic daily shows, it’s a winter wonderland of action and enchantment.

Whether you're five or fifty, Knights of Fire promises a school holiday escape to remember.

Where:  Kryal Castle, 121 Forbes Rd, Leigh Creek 
When:   27 June to 29 July 2026
Cost:     $44 per adult, $33 per child (3-15 years), under 2s go FREE

7. Mansfield Lantern Festival

Mark your calendars for the darkest night of the year because the Mansfield Lantern Festival is lighting up Victoria's High Country once again!

Nestled at the frosty foot of Mt Buller, this sparkling Winter Solstice celebration has been a crowd-pleaser since 2015 and is gearing up for another unforgettable weekend in June 2026.

The festivities kick off with the Bendigo Bank lantern parade, where glowing lanterns and open fires will pierce the mid-winter darkness, warming up the chilly air in spectacular style. Expect a lineup packed with dazzling light displays, live music, performance artists, and dynamic exhibitions. Get ready for a weekend that promises to light up your senses and chase away the winter blues!

Where:  Erril St, Mansfield
When:   19-21 June 2026
Cost:     FREE entry. $5 tickets for Saturday night parade and lantern making 

8. Springvale Snow Fest 

One of our favourite winter festivals in Melbourne returns this July with Springvale Snow Fest.

The streets will be filled with fun, snow (real and simulated!), moving rides, free kids' activities, family entertainment, market and food stalls, and a grand finale of spectacular fireworks. 

The highlight of the festival will be the real snow straight off the mountain from Mt Buller! 

Where:  Buckingham Avenue, Springvale
When:   21 July 2026 | 11 am to 6 pm
Cost:     FREE entry

More Winter Events in Melbourne

Hop Aboard the Puffing Billy Train of Lights
The Best Spots to See Snow Near Melbourne
PAW Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue Hits Melbourne

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