The Light in Winter Festival
June 4 - July 5, 7am - 11pm
Federation Square, Corner of Flinders St and St Kilda Rd Melbourne
Tickets are Free

During June, thirteen free exhibitions celebrating community life will be lighting up Federation square. Children will probably be most impressed by the ‘Volume’ installation, which blends an electrifying arrangement of sounds and images to stimulate the senses and bring vibrancy and energy to Melbourne’s tired winter mornings. Visiting families will be awoken by a series of interactive LED columns that respond to human movement; where children are encouraged to walk, jump and play their way through the display. This combination of art, music and fun is a must see for any family.

More information on the various events of the Light in Winter Festival program is available at www.federationsquare.com.au or by calling 03) 9655 1900.

MS Walk and Fun Run 2009
June 14, 7am - 2pm
Run begins at 9am and walk begins at 10:30am
Palms Lawn, Albert Park Lake, Aquatic Drive Albert Park

Boasting 225 hectares, with impressive views of Melbourne’s skyline, Albert Park is an exciting and peaceful place for the whole family to explore. During June families can take in the scenery of the Albert Park Lake while raising money and awareness for people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, by participating in the annual MS Walk and Fun Run. The course is 100 percent stroller friendly and participants can choose to walk either five or ten kilometres. If Mum and Dad are feeling brave they may wish to participate in the ten kilometre fun run.

Bookings and registration are essential; for more information please call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 19 63 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.

Winter Solstice Bonfire
June 20, 4pm - 9pm
Collingwood’s Children’s Farm, Stable Paddock, St Heliers Street Abbotsford
Fire performers will begin around 5pm and the fire will be lit at 6pm
$16 per family
$8 per adult
$4 per child
Concessions are available

Children will love celebrating the shortest day of the year at the Collingwood Children’s Farm where they can participate in the lantern festival, see giant lanterns and watch the amazing fire performers and the lighting of the winter solstice bonfire. Mum and Dad will be impressed as well with a food and wine stall operating throughout the night.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.farm.org.au and information is available by calling 03) 9417 5806.

Forever Barbie Exhibition
June 26 - July 12, 10am - 6pm
Federation Square, Corner of Flinders St and St Kilda Rd Melbourne
Tickets are $12.50 - $15.00

Melbourne is bringing every little girl’s dream to life in June, with the largest collection of Barbie Dolls in the Southern Hemisphere being displayed at Federation Square. The collection includes 300 dolls not to mention the cars, clothes and loves that have been in Barbie’s life over the past 50 years. As well as viewing some of the rarest Barbies in the world, guests will have the opportunity to design their own Barbie Doll in the ‘Styled by Me’ suite.

Tickets are available from Target stores or by visiting www.barbie.com.au

Fun 4 Kids Children’s Festival
June 28 - July 5
Warrnambool Town Centre
Single $30
$105 per family of four
$131.25 per family of five
$157.50 per family of six
Children under the age of two are free
Eight day passes are also available

The Warrnambool Fun 4 Kids festival has been voted the best festival in Australia for the past three years and is worth the three hour drive from Melbourne. The festival is centred in a 2.5 acre indoor village in the middle of Warrnambool and boasts brilliant children’s entertainment such as a Dorothy the Dinosaur show, a Parks Victoria rock climb and the famous activities attic which is full of dress ups, crafts and a baby play space.

The ticket price includes all of the entertainment, activities, workshops and performances, as well as a shuttle bus from car parks in Warrnambool to the event. Those families wishing to make a weekend of the trip can travel to Warrnambool by following the Great Ocean Road and will experience spectacular views such as the twelve apostles and the Lakes and Craters region. Please allow six hours to arrive at the festival if choosing to travel to Warrnambool via the Great Ocean Road.

The daily program and ticket bookings are available online by visiting www.fun4kids.com.au

Art Encounters Winter Holiday Program
Art Encounters Garden Studio, 73 Allison Road, Elsternwick
June 29 - July 10, 9:30am - 12:30pm and 1:30pm - 4:30pm or 9:30am - 4:00pm
$40 per Session

The Art Encounters studio offers programs to suit children who are seven to ten years of age, as well as teenagers and adults. The programs are delivered by fully qualified art teachers who have completed a fine arts degree at a leading institute. Classes are staffed at a 1:12 ratio. During the holidays the studio offers classes in drawing, painting and craft, including jewelry making, watercolours and drawing animals. Art Encounters also cater for exciting children’s birthday parties.

Bookings can be made and more information is available by visiting www.artencounters.com.au or by calling 03) 9528 3392.

What’s On - Melbourne by Alecia Pinner