Family-friendly events in Gippsland this January
Keeping the kids entertained over the school holiday break can require some creative thinking and some hunting for affordable options.
Jacob Wallace
December 31, 2025
It’s a new year, kids are still on holidays and parents and carers are wondering how they can possibly keep the young ones amused until school returns.
The Gippsland Monitor has compiled a collection of family-friendly events across the region in the first weeks of 2026.
🙌 We will update this list as the month progresses, so if you have any suggestions for child-friendly events or activities for the whole family then send an email to [email protected].
Marketta
Fresh produce at local Gippsland markets.
Marketta is an annual fundraising event for Venus Bay Surf Life Saving Club. There will be food trucks, market stalls, live music and a pop-up gin bar, all on the shores of the beautiful Venus Bay beach.
Marketta is free entry.
When: Friday January 2.
Where: Venus Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, Surf Drive, Venus Bay.
School holiday activities at the Berninneit
The Berninneit Library is offering a range of school holiday activities.
The Berninneit Library in Cowes has arts and crafts events for local kids.
On January 3 they can make dreamcatchers and on January 10 nature chimes.
Entry is $5 per family, make sure to book in advance.
When: Saturday January 3 and Saturday January 10.
Where: Berninneit, 91-97 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.
Splash Test Dummies
The Splash Test Dummies.
The Splash Test Dummies combine stunt work, acrobatics, juggling and slapstick comedy into a show aimed at entertaining the whole family.
Tickets are $24.
When: Monday January 5.
Where: Berninneit, 91-97 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.
School Holiday Activities at the Inverloch Hub
Arts and crafts at the Inverloch community hub.
An arts and crafts event at Inverloch community hub where kids can make nature chimes and dreamcatchers or paint magnets and decorate pots.
Booking is not required but children must be accompanied by an adult.
When: Friday January 9 and Friday January 16.
Where: Inverloch Community Hub, 16 Abeckett Street, Inverloch.
Bass Coast Agricultural Show
There’s plenty of carnival games at the Bass Coast Agricultural Show.
The Bass Coast summer agricultural show has carnival games, show bags, a hands-on animal nursery, street theatre and live music.
Entry $5 (11 and under free).
When: Saturday January 10.
Where: 64 Korumburra Road, Wonthaggi.
Big Summer Read
Poster for the Big Summer Read.
Latrobe City Libraries’ Big Summer Read promotes reading and library use for primary-school aged children. Participants are invited to read as many books as they can during the summer holidays, and record them in a log.
When: December 1 to January 31.
Where: Any Latrobe City library.