Breathtaking interactive puppet experience The Whale will see Melbournians and visitors dive into a free dreamlike underwater world on the Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt from 17 – 24 January 2026.
The Whale is part of a spectacular line-up of activities, performances and events set to bring the heart of Melbourne city alive this summer.
Summer Families Program Calendar
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, lasers and projections, the Ruby and Independent Arts Foundation Award-winning production takes audience members on a transformational journey with light, where audiences discover that the dark is a magical place.
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.
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.
artscentremelbourne.com.au
