Giant interactive puppet installation The Whale adds to an unforgettable summer for families at Arts Centre Melbourne

Breathtaking interactive puppet experience The Whale will see Melbournians and visitors dive into a free dreamlike underwater world on the Arts Centre Melbourne Fore court from 17 – 24 January 2026.

The Whale is part of a spectacular line-up of activities, performances and events set to bring the heart of Melbourne city alive this summer. Families will have the opportunity to choose between the astonishing acrobatic performances staged in Ten Thousand Hours, journey through the universe with Patch Theatre’s award-winning immersive show ZOOOM, travel far, far away with the West End sensation Shrek The Musical or experience the Emmy award winning children’s television series Bluey brought to real life with Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show.

Arts Centre Melbourne Creative Producer, Families & Children Mary Harvey:

She is delighted The Whale will be bringing free outdoor entertainment to Arts Centre Melbourne’s forecourt in January.

Arts Centre Melbourne is shaping up to be the essential destination for families this summer. The marvellous team at Spare Parts Puppet Theatre previously enchanted visitors to our forecourt in 2019 with their giant illuminated puppet String Symphony. The impressive craftsmanship and limitless imagination presented in their latest immersive installation The Whale is sure to create magical memories for all ages.

The Whale is the definitive ‘cherry on top’ for our families summer program. From incredible performances, jaw-dropping talents and marvellous adventures, visitors of all ages to Arts Centre Melbourne will be able to engage and connect with the performing arts in new and exciting ways.

Designed by Leon Hendroff, and brought to life by Western Australia’s beloved Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, The Whale is a remarkable 10-metre-long immersive puppetry experience. Visitors to the Arts Centre Melbourne forecourt will be invited to join a deep-sea journey, animating the creature as it migrates through the space, surrounded by an array of fantastical sea creatures and a hypnotic soundscape.

Spare Parts Puppet Theatre Artistic Director Philip Mitchell said the giant puppet installation captured the essence of the ocean’s largest creatures and invites reflection on their majesty and importance.

In many cultures, whales are a symbol of mystery and magnificence, stirring a profound connection within us. The Whale allows families to imagine the whale’s world up close, inspiring wonder and respect for the natural world through puppetry and storytelling. It’s a beautiful opportunity to connect, learn and create shared memories.

Through imaginative storytelling and a captivating original score, the installation immerses participants in themes of migration, myth and mystery. With free admission, The Whale offers an engaging and accessible experience for all.

Audiences of all ages can join the puppeteers to bring these magnificent creatures to life, while discovering the vital role whales play in our ecosystem, why they matter to the community, and how they can be protected for future generations.

Throughout the summer months, a variety of workshops designed for children and their parents to learn and develop skills in music production, magic, dance, magic and performance will be available to participate in at Arts Centre Melbourne. Keep an eye on the PLAY program webpage at artscentremelbourne.com.au for dates and times.

Summer Families Program Calendar

Classic Kids: A Symphonic Christmas | 13 December 2025 | Hamer Hall

 

 

Join the MSO for a magical performance perfect for the whole family featuring traditional carols, modern holiday favourites and classically Christmas selections.

Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight | 23 & 24 December 2025 | Sidney Myer Music Bowl

 

 

This Christmas Eve, Sidney Myer Music Bowl will light up for another magical evening. A cherished tradition, this joyous event will feature live performances from an incredible line-up of ARIA-winning artists, choirs, musical theatre casts, comedians, children’s entertainers and more.

Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show | 30 December 2025 – 4 January 2026 | Playhouse

 

 

From New York’s Madison Square Garden to London’s Royal Festival Hall, Bluey’s Big Play has delighted fans across the globe, and now it returns home to Australia for an encore tour with Bluey as you’ve never seen before, brought to real life.

ZOOOM | 6 – 10 January 2026 | Fairfax Studio

 

 

Inspired by Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon, ZOOOMchannels the philosophy from the much-loved 1955 children’s picture book – a child making sense of their world through art. Using original music, lasers and projections, the Ruby and Independent Arts Foundation Award-winning production takes audience members on a transformational journey with light, where audiences discover that the dark is a magical place.

Shrek The Musical | 7 – 10 January 2026 | Playhouse

 

 

Join your favourite animated characters in this globally loved epic multi-million-dollar musical. Featuring an ogre, a talkative donkey, a feisty princess and a cohort of unlikely heroes, Shrek The Musical is an action-packed spectacle.

Ten Thousand Hours | 13 – 25 January 2026 | Playhouse

 

 

An ode to the countless hours needed to achieve great things. Award-winning Australian company Gravity & Other Myths peel back the curtain to reveal just how intricate and demanding each effortless move is. Eight world-class acrobats compress 10,000 hours of practice into 60 minutes you’ll never forget.

The Whale | 17 – 24 January 2026 | Theatres Building Forecourt

 

 

Dive into an extraordinary underwater world with The Whale, an awe-inspiring giant puppet installation from Australia’s beloved Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. This free, immersive outdoor experience invites you to animate a magnificent 10-metre-long whale and its underwater companions, experiencing the scale and majesty of these ocean giants up close.

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For more information click HERE