Roola Boola Children’s Arts Festival will return to the City of Stonnington from Tuesday 27 June to Friday 7 July.

One of Melbourne’s most successful annual children’s arts festival, on offer will be performances, workshops, free events and a range of unique activities that will ignite children’s imaginations.

Chapel Off Chapel will feature four spectacular and spellbinding performances as well as 11 workshops and two free events.

Suitable for children aged 12 and under, there’s something for everyone with performances from the Victorian State Ballet, That Science Gang, ARC Circus & The Wholesome Hour.

Children and their parents can choose from 11 different workshops at Chapel Off Chapel from See Make Play, NICA, Fizz Kidz, Gumnut Music, Rebel Stepz Arts and much more. Children will be immersed in magic, puppetry, circus, dance, music, theatre, arts, craft and more – there’s something for every child to enjoy.

A group of 9 kids all jump in the air simultaneously during a fun workshop. In the background is the stained glass windows of Chapel off Chapel.


The festival also features free events at Chapel Off Chapel, including the highly tactile art installation Morphology by award winning group The Indirect Object and Face painting at Prahran Market.

This year’s ‘Beyond the Chapel’ satellite activations include more than 10 well-known venues and arts institutions such as Fizz Kidz, The Space Dance Arts Centre, Duldig Studio, Hello Music Studio, Prahran Market, Stonnington libraries and more.

The Snow Queen by Victorian State Ballet is a magical ballet performance that will delight the whole family with the beauty and splendour of stunning sets, costumes, music and icy magic lighting. Based on the well-known classic fairy tale of Hans Christian Andersen, the Snow Queen is a beautiful ballet that portrays the heart-warming story of the young Gerda and her struggle against an evil and icy foe. The Snow Queen is full of magical imagery, intrigue, drama and suspense. This performance is suitable and enjoyable for all ages.

Wednesday 28 June, 10.30am and 1pm.


The Alphabet of Awesome Science by That Science Gang is a tongue-twisting race from A to Z that’s equal parts explosive, messy, hilarious, fascinating and gross. Brace yourself for an hour of carefully crafted alphabetical, scientifical (award-winning!) chaos with Professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge (the Word Nerd and the Science Freak).

Friday 30 June, 10am and 12.30pm


A Bee Story by ARC Circus is a uniquely Australian physical theatre show for children and families that incorporates a kaleidoscope of circus, acrobatics, dance and live music. It tells the story of Queen Bee and Worker Bee who must join forces to rebuild their hive after being destroyed by a bushfire. But things never quite go to plan…

Join the bees on their buzzy adventures and bee enchanted by their pollen-collecting skills, honey-making abilities and super-bee strength.

Wednesday 5 July, 10.30am and 1pm


The four cast members from Polite Mammals by The Wholesome Hour, a a brand-new and award-winning children’s comedy and cabaret show, stand in front of a purple background in quirky animal costumes.


Polite Mammals by The Wholesome Hour is a brand-new and award-winning children’s comedy and cabaret show.

It’s about animals of all kinds: stinky, sparkly, real and imaginary. There’s singing, dancing, puppets, and lots and lots of poo jokes. If you’d like to see a real life Purrmaid, weightlifting Pengui-corns, or a Lemur cooking a chocolate cake, then this is the place to be.

Friday 7 July, 10am and 1pm


City of Stonnington Mayor, Cr Jami Klisaris, said the Roola Boola Children’s Arts Festival is a ”must do” festival for children and families these winter school holidays.

“Our Roola Boola Children’s Arts Festival is back this winter with performances and workshops at our iconic Chapel Off Chapel and across Stonnington. With a range of free and ticketed performances and workshops in magic, circus, dance, music, theatre, immersive art and craft, there is something for everyone in this interactive and dynamic program.”

City of Stonnington Mayor, Cr Jami Klisaris

The Roola Boola Children’s Arts Festival takes place across the City of Stonnington: 27 June – 7 July 2023. For more information and tickets, visit: www.roolaboola.com.au for details.

Roola Boola Children’s Arts Festival 27 June – 7 July 2023 www.roolaboola.com.au

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Stonnington City Council.