From our annual Summer in the Park series to community festivals, a celebratory breakfast, and a fresh program of community classes and workshops, there’s plenty going on in Boroondara.
For a searchable listing of hundreds of events in the City of Boroondara, visit our Events page.
Summer in the Park is back
Our much-loved arts and culture program runs over 5 weekends, with 16 events at 11 parks and gardens. Pack your picnics and settle in for these popular family fun, jazz, opera, and cinema in the park events. There will also be 7 one-hour bite-sized performances, including brass, comedy and magic, throughout the month.
When: Saturday 4 February to Sunday 5 March
Where: At a park near you.
All events are free and everyone is welcome.
Bookings are required for Theatre in the Park, running Friday 3 March until Sunday 5 March at Summerhill Park in Glen Iris. Bookings open at 9 am on Wednesday 1 February on our Theatre in the Park event page. Spaces are limited.
For more details, visit our Summer in the Park page.
Community festivals
There’s plenty more to keep you local this summer... we’re pleased to support a number of local community-run festivals in the summer period through our Community Strengthening Grants program, including:
Band and Burgers in the Park
When: Friday 10 February, from 4:30 pm to 8 pm
Where: Central Gardens, Hawthorn
More information on the Hawthorn Community House website.
Surrey Hills Music Festival
When: Saturday 25 February, from 4 pm to 9 pm
Where: Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre, 157 Union Road, Surrey Hills
More information on the Surrey Hills Music Festival website.
Ashburton Community Festival
When: Sunday 26 February, from 12 pm (noon) to 7 pm
Where: High Street, Ashburton
More information on the Ashburton Village website.
Glenferrie Festival
When: Sunday 5 March, from 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
More information on the Glenferrie Festival website.
Breakfast event for International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day on 8 March is a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments of women of all backgrounds, cultures, religions and abilities. The theme for this year is #EmbraceEquity, focusing on how we can create a fair and equal world and forge positive changes by embracing diversity and inclusion.
We’ll mark this important date with a special breakfast event.
When: Wednesday 8 March, from 7:30 am to 9 am
Where: Hawthorn Arts Centre
What’s happening at Boroondara Arts
Catch cellist Louise Godwin and fiddler Jessica Foot in Big Fiddle Little Fiddle at the Kew Court House on 25 February, where they’ll be joined by harpist and singer Claire Patti and animator Sylvie Le Couteur. Take in a screening of The Lost City of Melbourne, which celebrates our city’s former glory through rare archival video and photography, on 1 March at Hawthorn Arts Centre. And delve into the world of botanical line drawing with a workshop on 21 February.
Look out for the new major exhibition Romancing the Streetscape, which celebrates the streets and buildings of Melbourne and surrounds through highly realistic and evocative paintings. Community exhibition Nowhere to Here by Brian Osborne examines the effect of bushfires on the Australian landscape, communities, and in collective memory. You can explore community exhibition Paintings in Profile until 18 February, and from 22 February Banana by Vanessa Bong explores what it means to be Asian Australian.
Visit our Boroondara Arts page for more about these events and many more.
Neighbourhood house classes and workshops
Will 2023 be the year you take time out for yourself to learn something new or take on a new activity? You can try your hand at Zumba or Middle Eastern cooking, or learn skills to help you work in the aged care sector. Read about these and many more below, or download a copy of our new Live & Learn guide at our Neighbourhood houses and community centres page.
Be ready for aged care work
Build confidence and develop skills through practical and applied learning activities for people wishing to work in aged care.
When: Mondays from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, 20 February to 3 April
Where: Alamein Neighbourhood and Learning
Cost: $120 (6 weeks)
Website: Alamein Neighbourhood and Learning website
Contact: (03) 9885 9401
iPad art using ProCreate
Ideal for beginners or those wanting to explore how to add layers to current paper-based artworks.
When: Tuesdays from 11:45 am to 1:45 pm, 7 February to 4 April
Where: Ashburton Community Centre
Cost: $247.50 (9 weeks)
Website: Ashburton Community Centre website
Contact: (03) 9885 7952
Beginners’ French and Italian
Start your language journey in a small, friendly French or Italian class. No experience necessary.
When:
- Italian on Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 pm, from 8 February
- French on Thursdays from 1 pm to 3 pm, from 9 February
Where: Balwyn Community Centre
Cost: $229 (9 weeks)
Website: Balwyn Community Centre website
Contact: (03) 9836 7942
Gumnut Music
Music education with a strong emphasis on play-based learning, using instruments, puppets, dance and creative props.
When: Mondays 9:30 am to 10 am, or 10 am to 10:30 am, from 13 February
Where: Bowen Street Community Centre
Cost: $64 (8 weeks)
Website: Bowen Street Community Centre website
Contact: (03) 9889 0791
Italian through opera
Gain insight into the Italian language and enjoy the engrossing parts of some of the most popular Italian operas.
When: Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 pm, from 8 February
Where: Camberwell Community Centre
Cost: $170 (8 weeks)
Website: Camberwell Community Centre website
Contact: (03) 9882 2611
Nature in art
Learn how to illustrate the natural world in watercolour with botanical artist Terry Napier.
When: Mondays from 9:30 am to 12 am, or 12:30 pm to 3 pm, from 6 February
Where: Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre
Cost: $225 (8 weeks) or $35 (casual)
Contact: (03) 9830 4214
Craft for toddlers
Enjoy music, drawing, and craft activities with children aged 2 to 5, developing their fine motor skills, language and social confidence.
When: Mondays from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, from 13 February
Where: Craig Family Centre
Cost: $150 (6 weeks) or $30 (casual)
Website: Craig Family Centre website
Contact: (03) 9885 7789
Middle Eastern cooking
In this hands-on class with host Shella, you will explore traditional spices, ingredients and techniques used to make a flavoursome 3-course meal.
When: Tuesday 28 February, from 6 pm to 9 pm
Where: Hawthorn Community House
Cost: $65
Contact: (03) 9819 5758
Tai chi
A traditional Chinese mind-body relaxation exercise enabling harmony in mind and body, improved mobility, suppleness and mental alertness.
When: Thursdays from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, or 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm, from 10 February
Where: Kew Neighbourhood Learning Centre
Cost: $185 (10 weeks)
Website: Kew Neighbourhood Learning Centre website
Contact: (03) 9853 3126
Chair exercise class
A challenging but safe stretch, strength and balance class for women and men.
When: Fridays from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm, 3 February to 31 March
Where: Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre
Cost: $162 (9 weeks)
Contact: (03) 9890 2467
Zumba
Join Paulina to get your heart pumping and dance. Everyone is welcome. Book early to avoid disappointment.
When: last Friday of each month, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, from 24 February
Where: Trentwood at the Hub
Cost: $10 per class
Website: Trentwood at the Hub website
Contact: (03) 9006 6590