Summer School Holidays at the MCA

  • Sat Dec 21 2024 - Thu Jan 30 2025
  • Preschoolers
    Kids
    Teens
    Family
    All Ages
  • General admission is FREE

This summer, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is the ultimate spot for creative family adventures during the school holidays. Whether your kiddos are budding Picassos or just love a splash of colour, there's something to ignite everyone's imagination—and the best part? It's FREE for kids under 18!

Summer School Holidays at the MCA

MCA's dedicated family space is where creative pursuits and family fun collide this December and January. From blockbuster exhibitions to creative art-making, poetry workshops and more, there's no reason to be bored these summer holidays!  

Family Space: Drawn Together

School holiday activities MCA
Julie Mehretu, drawings (new constructions)#8, 2003, graphite, colouredpencil, acrylicand ink on paper.
Image courtesy and © JulieMehretu, photograph: Stefan Maria Rother


Get ready to spark creativity at MCA's blockbuster summer exhibition, Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory. Families can explore Mehretu's breathtaking works (free entry for children and youth aged 17 and under), dive into her world of large-scale layering and paper-based artistry, and experiment with a variety of materials, from canvas and crayons to collage, with all supplies provided to help you unleash your inner artist.

Drawn Together is open to all ages and runs every weekend and daily during the school holidays (21 December 2024 – 30 January 2025), excluding Tuesdays.

School Holidays: City Soundscapes

Ever wondered what Circular Quay sounds like? Dive into the urban symphony and bring it to life through art!

Also inspired by Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory, City Soundscapes invites families to explore the city's rhythms and structures in new and exciting ways. Kids aged 5-12 can experiment with photocopying, tracing, and collage using a variety of materials to craft their very own city-inspired soundscape masterpiece. It's the perfect opportunity to combine imagination, art, and the bustling urban environment into a fun and engaging school holiday activity.

City Soundscapes is free and runs from 10 am to 4 pm on 15 - 18 January 2025.

School Holidays: Poetry Workshops

School holiday activities MCA
GENEXTxPRIDE 2023 program, photograph:Ash Penin.


Students aged 12-17 are invited to unleash their inner poet at MCA's school holiday poetry workshops

Led by talented artist educators, these workshops offer the chance to craft powerful poems inspired by the headlines of the day and the issues that matter most to you. Drawing from the themes of Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory, kids will explore how art and words collide to express complex ideas and emotions.

All materials are provided, so all you need to bring is your imagination and a passion for storytelling. Spots are limited so book now! Tickets are $20 for 15 and 17 January 2025 from 1-3 pm.

Complete Your Visit

MCA Cafe at Tallawoladah
MCA Cafe at Tallawoladah


With an array of inspired artful gifts for young people, don't forget to drop into the MCA Store to find a treasure trove of quality toys, books, and more for budding creatives. Enjoy the new MCA Cafe at Tallawoladah located on the Ground Floor with scenic views of Sydney Harbour.

MCA Australia's  family school holiday programs are kindly supported by The Balnaves Foundation.

Where:    Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George St, The Rocks
When:     21 December to 30 January, 10 am to 5 pm (closed Tuesdays and 25 December)
Cost:       FREE*

*Excludes exhibition entry to Julie Mehretu (free for under-18s and members) and youth poetry workshops.

For more information, visit the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

More Summer Events in Sydney

Pixar Putt is Back These School Holidays
Don't Miss Jurassic Zoo at the Australian Reptile Park
School Holiday Fun at the Australian National Maritime Museum


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