The best 10 things to do in Brisbane over the winter school holidays
Find the best winter school holiday activities in Brisbane for 2024! From snow festivals to circus fun houses, explore a variety of exciting and engaging options for your family.
It might be brrrrr cold, but we have a bunch of winter school holiday ideas that will warm you up and keep the kids busy too! Even though Brisbane is not known for being terribly cold, June and July are the perfect time to take advantage of the cooler weather and get out amongst it. Whether you are chasing snow (Yes! There is some snow in Brisbane!) or want to keep toasty warm, we’ve got you covered!
Here are 10 things you didn’t know you needed to do with the kids this winter!
Australian winter school holiday dates 2024
NSW: 8 Jul 2024 (Mon) – 19 Jul 2024 (Fri) Your guide to fun in NSW during the winter school holidays
Victoria: 29 Jun 2024 (Sat) – 14 Jul 2024 (Sun)
ACT: 6 Jul 2024 (Sat) – 22 Jul 2024 (Mon) See what’s on in the ACT these winter holidays
Tasmania: 6 Jul 2024 (Sat) – 22 Jul 2024 (Mon)
South Australia: 6 Jul 2024 (Sat) – 21 Jul 2024 (Sun)
Western Australia: 29 Jun 2024 (Sat) – 14 Jul 2024 (Sun)
Northern Territory: 22 Jun 2024 (Sat) – 15 Jul 2024 (Mon)
Queensland: 22 Jun 2024 (Sat) – 7 Jul 2024 (Sun)
Winter school holiday ideas for Brisbane kids
Get inspired with our comprehensive guide to the best winter school holiday activities in Brisbane. Featuring interactive shows, snow play, and creative workshops to keep your kids busy!
1. Scaredy House Interactive Theatre Show
Something is going bump in the night – but this time it could be us?! Step inside the Scaredy House and bring your shadows with you. Together, we’ll illuminate our worries in this game of slight frights and night lights.
This winter, Counterpilot invites families to take part in an interactive theatrical haunting. Think Goosebumps meets Minecraft with an existential twist. You’ve never heard a ghost story like this one…
2. Take a Trip to the Circus Fun House
Join Ringmaster Francois and his talented international circus performers for an unforgettable adventure filled with music, comedy, dance, and jaw-dropping circus acts. Perfect for children of all ages, this reimagined circus experience promises to captivate and delight. They have nine Circus Fun House shows over the QLD school holiday period.
School holiday show dates:
- Saturday 22nd June
- Thursday 27th June
- Friday 28th June (2 Shows – Matinee & Evening)
- Saturday 29th June
- Thursday 4th July
- Friday 5th July (2 Shows – Matinee & Evening)
- Saturday 6th July
Don’t miss out on this magical school holiday experience!
3. Head to One of Two Snow Festivals This Winter!
There are not one but two snow festivals on this winter in Brisbane. The only trouble will be choosing the one to visit!
- Snow 4 Kids at North Lakes: Experience Brisbane snow play and cool snow activities with Snow4kids!
- Date: June 1 to July 28, 2024
- Operating hours: 9am to 6pm (last session starting at 4.30pm)
- Location: Westfield North Lakes (outside car park next to Ikea)
- Ticket Cost: $29 per person or $99 for a family of 4 pass.
2. Winter Wonderland at Victoria Point: Winter Wonderland is returning for another year, and will be a fire and ice spectacular.
- Date: Sunday 30 June
- Operating hours: 3:00pm -8:00pm
- Location: Victoria Point Lakeside
- Ticket Cost: Free entry
There will be entertainment for the whole family with a fire show, market stalls, food trucks and fireworks at 7:30pm.
4. Dopamine Land Brings the Happy Vibes in Winter
Dopamine Land is a multisensory experience in Brisbane that combines media, technology and play in one place. It’s an interactive museum made up of colourful installations that channel the limitless imagination of your inner child into reality. Take a break from your everyday life, have some fun, take some photos and boost your happy emotions!
5. Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program: FREE kids shows
Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program presents The Singing Chefs and the Tub-thumping Orchestra designed for children ages 5-12 years old.
Follow the action packed musical adventure as Mollie, played by Alessia Lily Monteverde, a 10-year-old who wants to be on kids’ Master Chef, Grandad Oski played by Roger Davy, who collects and keeps everything, and Chef Luigi, played by Michael Balk, a dynamo in the kitchen who all create their own fabulous Orchestra out of everyday objects in the kitchen!
Mollie and Chef Luigi are preparing a surprise 70th birthday celebration for Grandad Oski at their famous Italian restaurant. The guests arrive, scrumptious food is prepared and musicians are booked when disaster strikes. Mollie and her friends save the day with the invention of The Tub-thumping Orchestra.
Featuring all recycled materials and original music composed by Tsoof Baras and Rhonda Davidson-Irwin alongside percussion group Sound Struck featuring musicians Lachlan Hawkins, Thomas Sweeper and Zachary Brankovich. Go and join all the fabulous fun, with this loud, tub thumping, musical adventure.
6. Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium Cosmic Shows
If your little ones are interested in all things astronomical, then this is our pick for fun things to do in the school holidays with them. You can view regular shows in the Cosmic Skydome which are projected onto the dome. These shows are recommended for different age groups, so check that detail when deciding which show to go to. There is also the Galaxy Gift Shop where you can buy all things cosmic.
Opening hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, 10am-4pm
- Friday, 10am-8pm
- Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm
7. Strawberry Picking Deliciousness
‘Tis the season for strawberry picking fun! We’re lucky to have so many local strawberry picking farms right on our doorstep. Prepare yourself for juicy, ripe, sun-kissed strawberries just begging to be dipped in cream or chocolate. Plus, the kids just love the concept of *pick your own strawberries* in Brisbane.
8. Grab the Popcorn and Warm Up at the Cinema
There are a bunch of cool movies out this winter. Our picks of kid friendly options are:
- IF (Imaginary Friends)
- The Garfield Movie
- Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle
- Unsung Hero
- Inside Out 2
- Despicable Me 4
Watch the trailers and choose your favourite here.
9. Hit Up a Heated Pool
Brisbane kids are swimming kids and that doesn’t have to stop during winter. There are a bunch of pools all across the city that are heated to ensure you and the kids can enjoy a splashing good time any time of the year! With temperatures listed at all the heated pools, we found this list of heated pools across Brisbane to be the most comprehensive!
10. Kids Takeover at RPAC
Spark your children’s curiosity and ignite their imaginations through ‘edu-taining’ experiences, creative expression, learning and, most importantly, fun, at the Kids Takeover!
Embark on a thrilling school holiday adventure like no other at RPAC, where four days of festival fun await you in the June/July school holidays. With hands-on workshops, breathtaking performances, and free drop-in sessions, this school holiday promises to be an unforgettable one.
- Date: 26th – 29th June 2024
- Location: Redland Performing Arts Centre
The best places to top up your coffee or hot chocolate intake in Brisbane these school holidays
It’s no secret coffee plays an important role in many parents’ lives, especially over the school holidays. So, after you have tried out all the above options, why not chill with the kids at one of these awesome cafes across Brisbane that have some of the best playgrounds. Wear them out, get them a hot chocolate and let them nap the afternoon away!
Our picks?
- Victoria Park & Bistro in Herston
- Frew Park Café in Milton
- The Secret Garden in Ferny Hills
- Table 26 Chermside (also pet friendly – take the dog!)
- The Rabbit Hole Café Wynnum
Find a full list of child friendly cafes in Brisbane here.
No matter what you plan to do these school holidays, there is something for everyone and every budget. Have a great time and remember the hot chocolate!
