Plan a family day out in the city during the holiday season!
Here’s a list of fun and festive Christmas-themed events, activities and experiences in Melbourne CBD that will delight young and old alike.
When is Christmas in 2025?
Christmas is on Thursday 25 December 2025.
Christmas in Melbourne FOR KIDS
1. Stop by the Myer Christmas Windows
Enchanting Australian families for 67 years, the Myer Christmas Windows are a Melbourne tradition.
Plus, Santa is back in town! Take a ride on the Santaland express and get a photo of your little ones meeting him.
Myer Christmas Windows, Myer Melbourne, Bourke Street
Sun 17 Nov– Sat 29 Dec, 7:30am – 10:30pm
2. Visit Christmas Square
The home of Melbourne’s Christmas celebrations is at Federation Square. With lights and decorations galore, this square in the heart of the city is the best place to celebrate the season.
The centrepiece of Christmas Square is a stunning 16-metre light-up Christmas tree. This year, the bell swings are a real highlight!
Christmas Square, Fed Square
3. Visit Santa at Queen Vic Market
Bring the kids along during the day to see Santa pull up his sleigh and visit the Market. He will be roaming the market with his trusty elf friend to wish market-goers a happy Christmas and find out what the kids have on their wish lists.
Santa Visits at Queen Victoria Market, Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Thursday 19 December – Tuesday 24 December 2024, 10am – 2pm
4. Santa’s Festival at the Docklands
Celebrate the magic of Christmas at Santa’s Festival! Head to The District Docklands for delightful activities including visits with Santa, creative workshops, and hands-on toy making.
Experience a winter wonderland filled with joy, laughter, and lasting memories. Bring the whole family and embrace the spirit together!
Santa’s Festival at the Docklands, NewQuay Central Park, 429-437 Docklands Dr
29 November 2024 – December 22 2024
5. Check out the Crown Christmas River Show
Get into the Christmas spirit at The Crown Melbourne, where awesome Christmas activities are waiting for you and your family to enjoy.
Experience the magic of the Crown Christmas River Show on the Yarra River! Enjoy a mesmerizing display of water fountains, lasers, and light projections accompanied by festive music.
Running every 15 minutes, this dazzling event is a highlight of the Christmas Festival in partnership with the City of Melbourne.
Crown Christmas River Show, Outside Crown Southbank Promenade, 3006
29 Nov – 25 Dec 2024
6. Christmas Events at Queen Victoria Market
Don’t miss the 2024 series of Christmas markets at Queen Victoria Market.
Explore CRFT* WRK for a special Christmas market on the 7 December, featuring art, ceramics, jewellery, embroidery, macramé, ethical textiles, homewares, artisan perfume, dog accessories and lots more.
Plus celebrate Christmas, Filipino-style, at Pasko sa Melbourne at Queen Victoria Market!
Christmas Markets, Corner of Elizabeth & Victoria Streets, Melbourne
7. Koorie Krismas
Have a very Koorie Krismas filled with fun festivities for the whole family!
Join in with free workshops for kids and families and learn how to make jewellery, badges and bush tukka. Enjoy performances from local First Nations musicians, dancers and poets and a visit from Koorie Klaus himself.
Koorie Krismas, Federation Square, Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne
Sat 14 Dec 10am – 3pm
8. Get your thrills at the Christmas Carnival
Come join the fun on the banks of the Birrarung during the Christmas Carnival!
Take a spin on the ferris wheel, go for a joyride in the dodgems, or get a bird’s eye view of the city lights from 35-metres up in the air on the Sky Flyer.
Christmas Carnival, Birrarung Marr, Melbourne
Friday 6 December to Tuesday 24 December 2024
9. The Nth Pole, Marvel Stadium
The holiday season is landing at The Nth Pole Marvel Stadium! Enjoy a unique 360° cinema experience, a nine-meter Marvel Tree of Heroes, and Santa photography.
Discover delicious food options and walk through a vibrant Christmas wonderland filled with AFL-themed decorations. There are free and ticketed elements available.
Marvel Stadium, 740 Bourke St, Docklands VIC 3008
3 Dec – 23 Dec 2024
10. Visit Ambiance at Queen Victoria Market
Did you know that Melbourne has a year-round Christmas shop at Queen Victoria Market? Ambiance is a family-owned business that has been in the same location on Elizabeth Street for decades. It is renowned for its eye-catching window displays and you can browse through their amazing collection of Christmas decorative items spanning over five rooms (note it’s quite a squishy space so not suitable for prams).
Ambiance now has one of the largest ranges of Christmas ornaments and decorations from all over the world and collectors come from all over for their Mark Roberts and Katherine’s Collection dolls.
Ambiance, 509-511 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Sun – Fri: 9 am – 5 pm
Sat: 8:30 am – 4 pm
11. IMAX – The Polar Express 3D
See the iconic 3D Christmas film, The Polar Express, presented in IMAX 4K laser digital at IMAX Melbourne from Saturday, 14 December. It will be the final screening, so don’t miss out!
IMAX – The Polar Express 3D, Melbourne Museum Precinct, Rathdowne Street, Carlton Gardens
11 – 24 Dec 2024
12. Christmas Ice Skating At O’Brien Icehouse
Escape the summer heat and dive into some festive fun at O’Brien Icehouse at The District Docklands!
Melbourne’s coolest spot transforms into a Christmas winter wonderland, and you’re invited to join in the icy excitement.
Christmas Ice Skating At O’Brien Icehouse, 105 Pearl River Road, Docklands
13. Bubble Show For Christmas
See stunning bubble displays executed by expert bubble artists in this Christmas adventure that is fun for the whole family. Suitable for ages 3–12. Bookings required.
Bubble Show for Christmas, 113 Swanston Street
23 Dec – 24 Dec 2024
14. Christmas Cinema, Capitol Theatre
Discover a series of festive films at the stunning Capitol Theatre, with a mix of family favourites and cult classics. Tickets are only $5, with proceeds going to support local food relief initiatives by OzHarvest, The Big Umbrella and West Melbourne Baptist Church.
Christmas Cinema, The Capitol Theatre, Swanston St,
Sat 14 Dec, Sat 21 Dec, Sun 22 Dec 2024
15. Make a Free Phonecall to Santa
Telstra has switched on their direct line to the North Pole, connecting kids to Santa until December 24.
Children can dial # HO HO HO (#464646) for free from any of Telstra’s 14,500 payphones around Australia and enjoy the magical experience of speaking directly with the jolly man in red.
Phone Santa from any payphone up until 24 December 2024
16. Christmas Outdoor Cinema
Experience the magic of Christmas at Fed Square’s Outdoor Cinema! Enjoy free screenings of beloved holiday classics including:
Christmas Outdoor Cinema, Federation Square
16 Dec – 23 Dec 2024
17. Classic Kids: A Symphonic Christmas at Hamer Hall
Celebrate Christmas with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Hamer Hall.
Enjoy a magical performance filled with timeless holiday classics and joyful tunes like “Joy to the World” and “Sleigh Ride.” This family-friendly concert promises a delightful experience, perfect for sharing the holiday spirit together.
The relaxed session at 12.30pm offers a blend of classic carols and modern holiday tunes in a relaxed setting, catering to children of all ages, including those with autism or sensory challenges. A joyful, inclusive festive experience awaits!
Classic Kids Relaxed: A Symphonic Christmas at Hamer Hall, 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank 3004
Saturday 14 December 2024, 10.30 am and 12.30pm
18. Glee Club Choir
Glee Club are a community of choirs across Melbourne and Tasmania who love nothing better than coming together to spread Gleeful Christmas cheer at Fed Square! They know that singing makes you feel good and believe that everyone has a beautiful voice, so encourage you to come along and join in the singing.
Glee Club Choir, The Atrium, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Friday 20 December, 6.30–8.30pm (3 x 30min sets)
19. 2024 Melbourne Christmas Treasure Hunt
Calling all students of the Midwatch! Your help is needed to break the secret code. Collect a free treasure map from Mary Martin Bookshop in Southbank and embark on a quest to discover the secret clues around Melbourne’s city centre.
This year’s treasure hunt is based on The Midwatch, a brilliant middle-grade mystery adventure novel by Judith Rossell, who drew the stunning treasure map. Set in a big city in the 1920s at a spy school called the Midwatch Institute, this exciting illustrated chapter book is the perfect setting for this year’s adventure.
2024 Melbourne Christmas Treasure Hunt, Mary Martin Bookshop, Shop G17, Southgate Shopping CentreVIC, 3006, Australia
Sunday, December 1, 2024 10:30 AM – Tuesday, December 31, 2024 6:30 PM
20. The Australian Boys Choral Institute – A Mighty Wonder
Experience the magic of Christmas with the Australian Boys Choral Institute at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Conducted by Nicholas Dinopoulos, this gala event features nearly 200 young voices delivering beloved seasonal songs, creating an enchanting atmosphere for all attendees to enjoy during this festive time of year.
The Australian Boys Choral Institute – A Mighty Wonder, Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt St, Southbank
Saturday 14 December 5pm, from $35
21. The Nutcracker
The traditional Christmas ballet performance, The Nutcracker, will feature new sets and world-class dancers. This production promises to fill your heart with Christmas spirit.
The Nutcracker, Hamer Hall, 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank
Wed 18 Dec – Fri 20 Dec 2024
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