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September school holidays

About

Cardinia Shire Council will host a variety of free and low cost activities for young people throughout the September school holidays from 20 September to 5 October 2025. 

Schedule of events

Find out more about what’s on offer during the September School holidays. All activities are hosted by Council. These activities are family-friendly and designed to cater to all.  

Highlighted events

Sip and See: Victorian State Ballet presents, Aladdin

  • Where: Cardinia Cultural Centre, 40 Lakeside Blvd, Pakenham
  • When: Wednesday, 24 September
  • Times: 
    Morning tea: 10:00am, Lakeview Room Show time: 11:00am, Theatre
    Afternoon tea: 1:00pm, Lakeview Room Show time: 2:00pm, Theatre
  • Cost: $24 per ticket
  • More information: The Sip and See program includes morning tea prior to the show. Aladdin and his adventures come to life here in a brilliant ballet production and splendour of lush costumes, breathtaking music, and beautiful choreography. A wonderful story of intense love, burning passion, and bold expressions full of fantasy and tragedy. Aladdin reminds us of the importance of being who we are and living our lives with truth and honesty to the fullest.
  • Bookings: Please book tickets here

Fishing Clinic 

Come and Try Sports Day

  • Where: James Bathe Reserve, 67 Caversham Dr, Pakenham 
  • When: Thursday, 25 September, 10:30am to 12:30pm
  • Cost: Free
  • More information: Join the fun from 10:30am to 12:30pm and come try a variety of sports, including cricket, hockey, pickleball, 3-on-3 basketball, and multiple games! Young people of all ages and abilities are welcome to attend.

Kids Paint Your Own Ceramics with Robert Gordon

  • Where: Cardinia Cultural Centre, 40 Lakeside Blvd, Pakenham
  • When: Thursday, 25 September, 2pm to 3pm
  • Cost: $15
  • More information: A special school holiday event in celebration of the Eighty Years of Earth, Clay & Fire: The Enduring Story of Robert Gordon Pottery exhibition. Kids aged 7-18 are invited to paint their own piece of Robert Gordon ceramics at CCC these school holidays! During this ticketed event, participants will be guided on their creative journeys by CCC’s very own, Bronwyn Ward with all materials supplied. Participants will be painting an Australian Made Organic Mug, crafted locally in the Robert Gordon pottery. Once complete, the ceramics will be fired and ready for collection from the Robert Gordon Outlet at 114 Mulcahy Rd, Pakenham. Participants under the age of 7 years old may attend but with active assistance from a parent or guardian.
  • Bookings: Please book tickets here

Koo Wee Rup Fun Day Out

  • Where: Cochrane Park, Rossiter Road, Kooweerup 
  • When:  Wednesday 1 October, 11am - 3pm
  • Cost: Free
  • More information: Cardinia Shire Council, in partnership with Kooweerup Regional Health Service is hosting a Fun Day Out in Koo Wee Rup filled with free food and activities for young people and their families to enjoy these school holidays! There’s plenty of fun for everyone, with a range of exciting activities including: free skate lessons, local young performers, delicious free food and activities for everyone. No registration is required to attend the event. If you would like to participate in the free skate lessons please register using one of the booking links below.
  • 11am-12pm under 12's skate lessons - Book here
  • 12:10pm-1:10pm over 12's beginner skate lessons - Book here
  • 1:20pm-2:20pm over 12's some experience skate lessons - Book here

More activities to enjoy

Youth Spring Teenage School Holiday Program 2025 

The Cardinia Shire Council Youth Services team host a range of school holiday activities open to young people aged 12 to 17 years. Most activities are low cost or free. 

Transport to and from some activities from selected locations may be available. Please contact My Place Youth Centre for further information. Bookings for all activities are essential.  

Find out more about the Spring Teenage School Holiday Program and book an activity

Cardinia Cultural Centre (CCC) 

The CCC will be hosting a range of family friendly entertainment throughout the September school holidays including: 

  • 24 September: Victorian State Ballet presents Aladdin 
  • 6 and 29 September: Eighty Years of Earth, Clay & Fire: The Enduring Story of Robert Gordon Pottery 

Please contact the CCC Box Office team for bookings and more information. 

Find out more

Parks, Playgrounds and Reserves 

Cardinia is home to a variety of parks, playgrounds and reserves. The school holidays are a wonderful time to explore the natural wonders around us, participate in outdoor activities, and connect with friends and family. Whether you want to take a scenic walk, enjoy a picnic, or play on one of our fabulous playgrounds, there's something for everyone.  

Have you visited Officer’s new regional park? 

Located on Lansell Avenue in Officer, our new regional 10-hectare adventure and nature park is now open and provides opportunities for the local community to socialise, play, and connect. 

Officer District Park features: 

  • An incredible multi-level playground with a variety of play zones and experiences including two 20m-long embankment slides. This play space caters for a wide variety of ages from the very young to adventurous adults. 
  • Cardinia Shire’s first purpose-built Parkour Zone incorporates a mixture of obstacles of different heights, angles and shapes.  
  • Fitness stairs and equipment, the fitness appeal of this park is also enhanced by the 1km loop track which runs around the hillside incorporating two exercise equipment stations along the way. 
  • A lookout from the top of the hillside showing the amazing views over the southern part of the shire and out to Western Port. 
  • A dedicated dog off leash area, where both people and pooches can enjoy social interaction and experiencing the outdoors together. 
  • Public toilets  
  • A wetland area 

Food trucks are also located on site and will be open throughout the school holidays.  

Find out more about parks, playground and reserves in Cardinia

Scavenger hunt signs in parks  

Scavenger hunt signs have been installed at 20 parks and reserves in Cardinia Shire. Follow the directions on the signs to enjoy hours of fun and exploring!  

Parks where the signs are located:  

  • Beaconsfield: Kath Roberts Reserve, Tantallon Boulevard Detention Basin Reserve, and O'Neil Road Recreation Reserve  
  • Bunyip: Koolangarra Park  
  • Cockatoo: Alma Treloar Reserve  
  • Emerald: Puffing Billy Place Reserve  
  • Garfield: Garfield Recreation Reserve  
  • Gembrook: Gembrook Leisure Park and Redwood Road Reserve  
  • Koo Wee Rup: Cochrane Park  
  • Lang Lang: Dick Jones Park  
  • Nar Nar Goon: Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve  
  • Officer: Harmony Place Park and Kaduna Park playground  
  • Pakenham: Ron Andrews Park, Deep Creek Reserve, PB Ronald Reserve, Lakeside Park (known as Dragon Park), and Don Jackson Reserve  
  • Upper Beaconsfield: Keith Ewenson Park  

Further information can be found here

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