School holiday idea #1: outdoor giggles over the Easter long weekend
Key information
When: Friday 3 April or Saturday 4 April (optional plan for Sunday 5 April and Monday 6 April)
Time: Half a day, afternoon through to evening
Suitable for ages: Pre-school and primary-aged children
Cost: Free – just the price of your lunch and snacks (or BYO)
Schedule
12.30pm – When you arrive at Fed Square, there’s a high probability you’ll have some hungry hunters on your hands.
Head to the undercover outdoor tables at Time Out Café, just opposite Flinders Street Station, to grab some baby chinos, hot choccies, a coffee for the big kids and some lunch.
It’s a great vantage point to see what’s happening in the Square – and just a hop and a skip to the Main Stage to catch the comedy coming up.
1.25pm – It’s time to settle in for some free comedy on the Main Stage as part of The (Very) Big Laugh Out for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Bring a picnic blanket or pull up some deckchairs to enjoy the line-up of world-class comedians and street performers – giggles guaranteed.
- Enjoy free comedy for The (Very) Big Laugh Out as part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Photo: T. J. Garvie
3pm – Kids going stir-crazy and need to run off some energy? Head down to Birrarung Marr Walk by the river to the big playground near the car park for a play.
3.30pm – If it’s time to change things up, there’s more comedy on the Main Stage from 3.30pm, with an all-new line-up of excellent performers. Need a gentler activity? Head upstairs to the top of the car park to check out the Test Garden and see what’s flowering.
4.30pm – Snack time! You could head across to Riverland for pizzas – or BYO snack box to enjoy in the Main Square before the film.
5pm – It’s time to let the chuckles continue with some outdoor cinema on the Big Screen, featuring a nostalgic fave or modern classic family-friendly comedy film.
Pull up a deckchair or unfurl your picnic rug to relax and catch the late Rob Reiner’s endlessly quotable 80s fantasy-comedy The Princess Bride (screening on Friday) or Nancy Meyers’ 1998 remake of The Parent Trap (on Saturday), featuring a young Lindsey Lohan as identical twin sisters separated at birth.
7pm – Hometime! Fine holiday fun!
Optional
Sunday 5 April or Monday 6 April optional program:
If you can’t make it to The (Very) Big Laugh Out on Friday or Saturday, you could come on Sunday or Monday instead to catch a Melbourne International Comedy Festival show at ACMI after lunch, such as Winni Wizard and Her Magical Smells (1.10pm), Mr Snotbottom in P.Gee! (2pm), Science Magic Messy Mayhem (2.30pm). Bookings required, and there is a cost involved.
Family Comedy Faves continues on the Big Screen with Paddington 2 screening on Sunday 5 April and The Mitchells vs The Machines on Monday 6 April.
Indoor screening option at ACMI on Friday:
On Friday 3 April, ACMI is screening animated fantasy The Secret of Kells at 1pm in Cinema 2 (tickets $5 for non-members) – a magical coming-of-age adventure drawing on Celtic history, mythology and art.
Check out more free events on throughout the April school holidays at Fed Square.
Discover more low-cost and free school holiday itineraries
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