The best kids’ events across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in December
From Christmas carols and markets to picking your own cherries, there’s plenty to keep young eastern Melburnians entertained this month.
Matthew Sims
November 28, 2025
Here are some of the best family-friendly events and activities over the next few weeks.
Did we forget any upcoming events for kids in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs? Let us know by reaching out via [email protected]
Table of Contents
Family-friendly events in Knox
Knox Carols
Australian actor Bernard Curry will be the MC on the night, with performances including Christmas classics played and sang by members of the Royal Australian Navy Band.
Kids activities at the Knox Carols will run from 4pm to 7pm, including rides and roving Christmas performers.
The main show will begin with Australian actor Bernard Curry as the evening’s MC and other performers including Shannen Wick, Briana Bishop, Harry Targett, Halo Vocal Ensemble, Jack Casslyn and Amelia Reynolds Billing and the Royal Australian Navy Band.
Two free shuttle buses will be running on a regular loop to and from the Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully train stations, as parking on side streets will be limited.
When: Saturday December 13, 4-9.30pm
Where: Wally Tew Reserve, 6 Lyndale Court, Ferntree Gully
Polish House Syrena’s Christmas Market
The smells, flavours and Christmas cheer of Poland will greet all visitors to Polish House Syrena as part of their annual Christmas market.
Try delicacies like bigos – a sauerkraut and sausage stew – or kashanka, a traditional blood sausage.
Or if you have a sweet tooth, try homemade glazed Babkas, poppy cakes or cheesecakes.
Stalls will include Polish handicrafts, Christmas decorations and gifts.
When: Sunday December 14, 11am-5pm
Where: Polish House Syrena, 1325 Stud Road, Rowville
Family-friendly events in Maroondah
Maroondah Carols
This free event will feature pre-show entertainment, food vendors, a kids activities zone and a firework show and a visit from Santa Claus, one of his elf helpers and Frosty the Snowman.
Performers will include Lucy Holmes as MC, the Maroondah Carols Band, Samantha Du Rennes (U’Ren), Jonathan Guthrie-Jones, Lauren Neivandt and Julian Dunham.
When: Saturday December 6, 6-10pm
Where: Town Park, 20 Civic Square, Croydon
Christmas on Croydon’s Main Street
Croydon’s Main Street will be transformed into a summer Christmas wonderland over the coming weekends, with festivities including a craft table, face painting and stallholders.
When: Saturday December 6 and Saturday December 13, 10am-2pm
Where: Croydon Town Square, 97 Main Street, Croydon
Bush Buddies @ Croydon Main Street
Beats from the Soul founder Kathryn Arbuckle reads a story with Kyle the Koala.
Run by music-based social workshop provider Beats from the Soul, the interactive puppet show Bush Buddies welcomes characters like Chloe the Cockatoo and Estelle the Emu in a performance mixing storytelling with drumming.
When: Saturday December 13, two sessions at 11am and noon
Where: Croydon Town Square, 97 Main Street, Croydon
Family-friendly events in Manningham
Manningham Carols by Candlelight
Hosted by performer Lucy Durack and local Carols soloist Richard Thomas, the event will kick off at 6pm with pre-show entertainment from Code One – consisting of former Victoria Police members – and the Veneto Club Choir.
The main show will begin at 7.15pm, with artists including 12-year-old singer-songwriter Leyla Sabo, operatic tenor Stephen Coutts and Manningham local talents Katrina Couroyannis, Bianca Baykara and Catherine Bolzonello.
Weather permitting, an eight-minute fireworks show will be held from 9.30pm.
When: Friday December 12, 6pm to 10pm
Where: Ruffey Lake Park, 99 Victoria Street, Doncaster East
Cost: Free
Family-friendly events in Monash
Monash Carols by Candlelight
Hundreds of people fill out Jells Park every year as part of Monash Council’s Carols by Candlelight event. Image Credit: Victoria Police
While the official entertainment kicks off at 5.30pm, families can rock up from 3pm to enjoy the Christmas market, with more than 30 local artists and food and drink retailers setting up shop throughout the evening.
The big man himself will be available for photos with children from 5.30 to 6.30pm, with workshops open for kids to make Christmas cards, wrap presents or write their letters to Santa.
The main concert will begin from 7.30pm, with Lucy Durack and Mark Wilson leading the show alongside the Monash Carols by Candlelight Band – a collaboration between the Monash Concert Band and Oakleigh Brass and the All Star Carols Band.
If the young ones can keep their eyes open long enough and weather is suitable, the fireworks are scheduled to launch into the air from 9pm.
Attendees are encouraged to register online.
When: Saturday December 6, 5.30-9.15pm
Where: Jells Park, Jells Road, Wheelers Hill
Family-friendly events in Whitehorse
Season of Sparkle @ Burwood Brickworks
Christmas activities for Burwood locals kick off on next Thursday with afternoon Christmas workshops running from 3-5pm.
Young holiday lovers can make their own Chirstmas ornaments, Christmas-themed bracelets and Christmas felt wreaths.
You can also drop in your letter to Santa or enter a colouring competition until Monday December 23.
On top of free photo sessions with Santa running from noon to 4pm next Saturday and
1 to 5pm next Sunday, there will also be a chance to have breakfast with Santa across a 9 to 10am and 11am to noon session.
When: Thursday December 4 to Sunday December 7
Where: Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre, 70 Middleborough Road, Burwood East
Cost: $20 for Santa’s Breakfast
Whitehorse Carols
Rhonda Burchmore and David Hobson will be among the performers at the Whitehorse Carols event.
Grab a pic with Santa, complete your festive look at the face painting booth or jump on a ride or two from 5.30pm, with the main event getting underway from 6.30pm.
Highlights on the night will include Matt Hetherington as MC and carols from Rhonda Burchmore, Johanna Allen, David Hobson and Dale Burridge.
When: Saturday December 13, 6.30-9.30pm
Where: Whitehorse Civic Centre Precinct, 379-399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading
Family-friendly events in Yarra Ranges
Lilydale Melba Festival & Street Fair
A marching band and kids entertainers will be among the entertainment on show as part of this year’s Lilydale Melba Festival & Street Fair. Image Credit: Yarra Ranges Council
All the familiar faces of Lilydale will be part of the street parade running from 10am, including fire trucks, classic cars, local school representatives, a marching band and a canine fashion show.
The event will also feature more than 100 market stalls from local producers and artists, with wares on offer including hand-made craft, artwork, jewellery, clothing and food.
Or for $5, you can join a guided walking heritage tour of Melba Park and surrounds, with tours leaving from the Lilydale Historical Society booth at 10.45 am, 12.45 pm and 2.45pm and concluding with a ringing of the historical Lilydale Fire Bell.
When: Sunday December 7, 9am-3pm
Where: Main Street Service Road, Lilydale
Cost: Free
Lilydale Township Action Group’s “Carols in the Park”
Free sausages and soft drinks and other snacks will be available throughout the evening, or you can bring along your own salads or picnic food.
Bring along your favourite picnic rug or chairs and sing along with the band as they sing all of the classic and modern Christmas carols.
Santa will be visiting and handing out some special treats for children towards the end of the evening.
When: Saturday December 13, 5-8.30pm
Where: Melba Park, Market Street, Lilydale
Cherry Picking @ Cherry Hill Orchards
As the old proverb goes, “the fruit you pick often tastes the sweetest”.
Cherry Hill Orchards will open up its gardens to the public this month to come grab cherries for two hours and munch away while you work.
When: Every day to December 24 in Coldstream and every day from to January 4 – excluding Christmas Day – in Wandin East
Where: 474 Queens Road, Wandin East and 739 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream
Cost: $25 for adults, $15 for children aged four to 13 on weekends and $22.50 for adults and $13 for children on weekdays