Each year, the City of Melbourne hosts a free month-long festival in the Melbourne CBD known as the Christmas Festival, which brings a little bit of magic to Melbourne for the Christmas season.
During the festival, many events and activities are planned at Melbourne locations, including Federation Square, the Melbourne Town Hall, and the Docklands.
Christmas Festival Melbourne 2024 Dates, Locations & Santa Schedule
Take the kids along to the Christmas Eve Circus at Town Square, check out the festive-themed maze in the Docklands, or book in for lunch on December 25 and indulge with a mouth-watering spread of all your Christmas favourites at Melbourne’s best restaurants and pubs.
Don’t forget your Christmas shopping. Wander aisles of fresh produce and arts and crafts at seasonal markets, or shop ’til you drop along the Paris end of Collins Street or at Chadstone Shopping Centre in the ‘burbs.
Christmas Square
Feel the joybilation at Melbourne’s home of Christmas!
Christmas comes to life in the city with the iconic 17.5-metre tree. Experience the spectacular light and sound shows, swing on a giant light-up bell and soak up the festive atmosphere before discovering everything the city offers at Christmas.
Crown Christmas River Show
The spectacular river show returns to the Birrarung–Yarra River this Christmas!
Head to Southbank Promenade outside Crown to catch this dazzling Christmas show featuring water fountains, lasers, light projections and a festive soundtrack. Shows will run every 15 minutes each night.
Christmas Carnival
Enjoy festive thrills on the banks of the Birrarung at the Christmas Carnival. Ride the Ferris wheel, drive the dodgems or get the best view of the city lights as you spin 35 meters in the air on top of the Sky Flyer. Try your luck at much-loved carnival games and complete the experience with classic carnival food.
Entry is free. Coupons for each ride can be purchased at the ticket box on-site – $8 for kids’ rides and $12 for adult rides.
Christmas Decorations
The city comes alive at Christmas! Wander the streets and feel the festive cheer. Some of our favourites include the giant reindeer in Docklands, the Christmas star on Evan Walker Bridge and the popular nutcracker soldiers standing guard across the city.
Keep an eye out for giant candy canes and festive koalas. Things start to sparkle at night with twinkling lights in trees and laneways across the city.
Myer Christmas Windows
Visiting the Myer Christmas Windows has always been a much-loved Australian family tradition.
Join Ace the Eagle and experience An Irwin’s Christmas Story this year. From leaping lemurs and grazing giraffes follow Ace across oceans and savannas on his magical adventure.
While visiting the Christmas Windows, why not experience Christmas at the Crocoseum? Visit level 6 at Myer’s Mural Hall for an exciting wildlife show by Terrapin Puppet Theatre. A fun, high-energy and educational performance inspired by the Australia Zoo crocodile show, with shows running from 17 November to 24 December. The show is free, but registration for tickets is required.
Nth Pole
The holiday season is landing at Marvel Stadium.
The Nth Pole is the experience for family and friends to enjoy this December, with Stadium Square at Marvel Stadium transformed into a magical holiday event featuring Melbourne’s only Christmas-themed 360° cinema, a giant 9-metre Christmas tree of Marvel Heroes, 18 AFL club-themed Christmas trees, Santa photography with AFL club colours and much more.
There are free and paid ticketed elements available.
Christmas at Queensbridge Square
Watch the Christmas tree light up as you play on the see-saw in this festive pop-up at Queensbridge Square.
Visit from 19 to 22 December from 11am to 3pm; enter the competition for your chance to win and score a complimentary bubble tea courtesy of Juneyao Air. Stocks are limited; get in quick!
The giant reindeer
The gorgeous golden reindeer returns to Victoria Harbour (near Merchant Street) in all its sparkling glory. Venture further and find more unmissable decorations in Docklands. Spot the iconic ‘Merry Christmas’ letters across Harbour Esplanade. Plus, traditional crackers along New Quay Promenade and Victoria Harbour Promenade. You can also see giant present boxes scattered throughout the entire precinct.
Evan Walker Bridge
This footbridge always offers the best river views, but during the festive season, you’ll see it in a new light. Visit after dark for a spectacular star-studded installation stretching across the river.
Christmas Bells
While waiting for the magnificent Christmas tree to light up Fed Square, explore the giant Christmas bells. The bells are a perfect photo opportunity for your Instagram and a good source of fun for the little ones. Watch the kids swing back and forth amongst all the festive lights of Christmas Square.
Melbourne Town Hall
The Christmas makeover at Melbourne Town Hall is a highly anticipated tradition. See gorgeous colourful treatments lighting up the building’s iconic facade. During the day, there are nutcracker soldiers, the iconic town hall bow and native floral wreaths. After dark, the iconic building will be aglow with dazzling festive colours. Swing by the Melbourne Visitor Hub to see the adorable singing penguins from 2 December.
Hidden laneway decorations
The city’s iconic laneways will be awash during the festival with twinkling streams of Christmas decorations.
Be amazed by the sea of lights in Degraves Street, then dine under glinting overhead lights in Hardware Lane. Have a photo sesh with fairy lights in Manchester Lane and Centre Place. More festive fun awaits in Bank Place, Liverpool Street, Manchester Lane, Crossley Street, Market Lane, Tattersalls Lane and Liverpool Street.
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