Here are some of the kid-friendly events across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in November.
Did we miss any? Let us know via [email protected]
Pevan & Sarah
A tiger named Pevan and his human friend Sarah are presenting a show combining songs, audience interaction and learning around literacy, numeracy and social-emotional skills.
When: Thursday November 5, 10:30-11:20am & 12:30-1:20pm
Where: The Round, 379-399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading
Cost: $24
Maroondah Festival
Hosted by Maroondah City Council, the carnival includes live music performances, interactive kids shows, cooking demonstrations, rides and market stalls.
When: Sunday November 8, 10am-4pm
Where: Town Park and Civic Square, Croydon
Cost: Free
Persian Fair & Bazaar
Hosted by the House of Persia Community and Cultural Centre, this event is a celebration of Iranian culture and includes a traditional Persian Bazaar market on the Saturday and live music and performances on Sunday.
When: Saturday November 14 and Sunday November 15, 11am-4:30pm
Where: Box Hill Town Hall, 1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill
Cost: Free
Lilydale & Yarra Valley Show
Image Credit: Neil Follett/Weekend Notes
Running for more than 70 years, the focus of the show is on the agricultural and pastoral awards, with judges looking for the best talents across a range of categories including sheep shearing and dog high jump.
There is a reptile display, talent show, showbags and rides.
When: Saturday November 21, 9am-6pm and 6-9pm and Sunday November 22, 9am-5pm
Where: Lilydale Showgrounds, 27-29 Market Street, Lilydale
Cost: $18 adults, $6 children
5K Foam Fest
Runners aged seven and above take on 25 obstacles, including an inflatable waterslide, mud pits and pools of soapy foam.
Make-A-Wish Australia receives all proceeds from participant fundraising and merchandise sales on site.
When: Saturday November 28, 8am-1pm
Where: Event Central at Caribbean Park, 1280 Ferntree Gully Road, Scoresby
Cost: $139.99 on event day, early bird $94.99
Race against Puffing Billy
Image Credit: Monash Health Foundation
Children from three to 12 years of age can apply to race alongside a steam engine on a stretch of the Dandenong Ranges’ historic Puffing Billy Railway across a number of race lengths.
Proceeds to the Angliss Hospital in Upper Ferntree Gully.
When: Sunday November 29, 9:30am-2pm
Where: Puffing Billy Railway - Gembrook Station, Main Street, Gembrook
Cost: $25 per race registration, with any additional donation welcome. Train ride alongside a race for $5, or $15 for adults and $10 for children for a full ride.
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
Image Credit: Chris Phutully
The Tesselaar Flower Farm in Silvan hosts this annual event, which includes traditional Dutch entertainment and a tractor ride around the site.
When: Every day until Sunday October 11
Where: 357 Monbulk Road, Silvan
Cost: $39.50 adults, children three to 16 free
Bringing Stories to Life: Illustrating and Writing Children's Books with Zeno Sworder
As part of the Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival, children’s author Zeno Sworder will read his latest book, Once I Was a Giant, followed by a presentation on his creative process, a range of art activities and helping children create their own picture book.
When: Friday October 2, 11am-noon
Where: Belgrave Community Rooms, Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10
Run Maroondah
The 10-year anniversary of this running event includes a 1.2-kilometre kids event, a five-kilometre run or walk and a 10 and 15-kilometre run.
When: Sunday October 4, 9am
Where: HE Parker Reserve, 150 Heathmont Road, Heathmont
Cost: $17.50-$40.50
Monash Family Fun Day
Image Credit: Monash City Council
Attractions will include live performances, craft sessions, wildlife displays, a giant inflatable slide, a virtual reality van ride, mini golf, face painting and an outdoor cinema.
When: Sunday October 25, 10am-3pm
Where: Batesford Reserve, 94 Batesford Road, Chadstone
Cost: Free, registration recommended
Touch-a-Truck Community Festival
Knaith Road Child Care Centre’s main fundraising event for the year will host more than 30 vehicles, including vintage cars and big rigs, more than 40 market stalls and food trucks, an animal petting farm, face painting, a jumping castle and pony rides.
When: Sunday October 18, 10am-3pm
Where: Knaith Road Reserve, Laurence Grove, Ringwood East
Cost: $7.50
Melbourne Colour Frenzy
Image Credit: Colour Frenzy
The main event of the morning is three laps around the 1.65-kilometre loop track, including five stations to get covered in colourful paint, one bubble station and a new inflatable crawling section.
The fun run will run from 9:30 to 11am, the event will then finish up by 12pm.
Proceeds from the event will support local animal rescues in Melbourne.
When: Sunday October 18, 8:30am-noon
Where: Jells Park, 975 Ferntree Gully Road Service Road, Wheelers Hill
Cost: $42 for adults, $22.50 for children aged five to 12, $10 for children aged under five
Whitehorse Spring Festival
Image Credit: Creative Whitehorse
The festival will feature live performances, community stalls, food and drink and workshops.
This year, the event will also feature The Big Sing, a community sing-along uniting singers from local choirs, school and community groups for a special mass choir performance at 2pm.
When: Sunday October 18, 10am-4pm
Where: Whitehorse Civic Centre Precinct, 379-399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading
Cost: Free
Manningham Family Festival and Walk for Youth Mental Health
Hosted by Rotary Manningham City, the Manningham Family Festival will include craft and food stalls, children’s rides and an animal farm.
From 10am to noon, the Walk for Youth Mental Health will involve a casual walk around the park for all ages.
When: Sunday October 25, 9am-4pm
Where: Ruffey Lake Park, George Street, Doncaster
Cost: Free