22 Best Christmas Activities in Melbourne for Kids

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 that will delight young and old alike.

When is Christmas in 2022?

Christmas is on Sunday 25 December 2022.

Christmas in Melbourne FOR KIDS

1. Myer Christmas Windows

Enchanting Australian families for 67 years, the Myer Christmas Windows are a Melbourne tradition.

This year's windows theme is based on 100 years of Disney classics, from Mary Poppins to Lion King to Peter Pan. 

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 6 Nov– Sat 24 Dec, 7:30am – 10:30pm

2. Visit Santa's Workshop at 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. Plus pop in to visit the big man himself at Santa’s Workshop from 26 November.

Stop by Federation Square's Santa's Workshop for a free photo this Christmas!

Santa is a very busy man at this time of the year, surrounded by workshop tools and machinery, so he can’t invite children to sit down and have a chat. But don’t fret! Santa will happily give a friendly wave and pose for a photo from a distance.

There may be a small wait time during busy periods.

Santa's Workshop, Christmas Square, Fed Square

Sat 26 Nov – Sat 24 Dec
Saturday – Wednesday 10am – 5:30 pm
Thursdays – Fridays 10 am – 7:30pm

Christmas Square open Fri 25 Nov – Sun 25 Dec, all day

3. Spot the Christmas Projections andChristmas Decorations

Don't miss the  Melbourne Town Hall‘s iconic Christmas projections! Four gorgeous colourful treatments light up the building's facade – spot the native floral wreaths, a koala climbing a candy cane and singing reindeer and penguins! 

Other light shows are on display, including Flinders Street Christmas Projections, which is an immersive dazzling projection display that will feature six colourful themes across five buildings on Flinders Street, opposite Fed Square.

Town Hall Christmas Projections, Melbourne Town Hall, 90-130 Swanston St

Fri 25 Nov – Sun 25 Dec, 9pm -11pm daily

Discover how the streets of Melbourne come alive with beautiful decorations. 

Some of our favourites include the Giant Reindeer in Docklands, the Christmas Star on Evan Walker Bridge and the Nutcracker soldiers dotted across the city, plus enjoy the twinkling lights in the city laneways and along Bourke Street Mall. There are 40 locations in total!

Christmas Decorations, Various Locations

Fri 25 Nov – Sun 25 Dec, All day

4. Santa Visits 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, Tue 20 Dec, Wed 21 Dec & Thu 22 Dec, 10am – 2pm 

5. Enter the Docklands Christmas Maze

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in The District Docklands with Santa’s elves on the loose in Docklands Christmas Maze!

Make your way through the giant maze with fun interactive games for a chance to win one of four $500 vouchers from The District Docklands. 

Docklands Christmas Maze, NewQuay Central Park, 429-437 Docklands Dr

Sat 26 Nov – Sat 24 Dec, 11am – 6pm

6. Chanukah – Pillars of Light

In celebration of Chanukah, Pillars of Light is providing Melbournians with an opportunity to focus on what unites us as a city and come together over a multicultural celebration.

Each bespoke program will highlight core precepts of connection and collaboration through artistic performers, cultural groups, and much more to bring our varied communities together through hope, positivity, love and light.

Chanukah – Pillars of Light, Swanston St & Flinders St, Fed Square, Main Square

Sun 18 Dec – Fri 23 Dec 2022

7. Crown Christmas Show 

Get into the Christmas spirit at The Crown Melbourne, where awesome Christmas activities are waiting for you and your family to enjoy.

Bring your family to experience Crown’s Live Christmas Show on the Atrium staircase with Crown’s festive dance troupe or a warm sing-along by their talented carollers. Take a picture with Santa when you book a Santa photo session, or catch him roving around with his friends throughout the area.

Christmas at Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank Melbourne, +61 3 9292 8888

Thu 1 Dec – Sat 24 Dec

8. Fleurs de Villes Noël

Experience a spectacular 10-day Christmas-themed showcase of local floral talent at Fleurs de Villes Noël at Emporium Melbourne. With 15 glamorous couture mannequins and beautifully adorned entryways bursting with holiday blooms created by some of Melbourne’s favourite florists, it’s a truly wonderful way to get into the festive spirit!

Fleurs de Villes Noël, 287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Thu 10 Nov – Sun 20 Nov

Saturday – Wednesday 10 am – 7 pm
Thursdays – Fridays 10 am – 9 pm

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9. Snap an Elfie Selfie

Show the world what they're been missing out on! Take a selfie with an elfie to unlock a magical Christmas world and create an animated augmented-reality Christmas card that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Elves ‘Merry' can be found in Fed Square, ‘Jingles' in Bourke Street Mall, and ‘Jolly' at Queensbridge Square.

Elfie Selfie, Various Locations

Fri 25 Nov – Sun 25 Dec, All day

10. Look out for the Row Ho Ho Christmas Installation

During December visitors to Melbourne will be able to marvel at the sight of a 27-metre waterborne sleigh on the river.

The horses and reindeer may be gone, but Santa and some of his dolphin helpers will be on board cruising the Yarra River!

Row Ho Ho Christmas Installation, Northbank between Evan Walker Bridge and Sandridge Bridge, Melbourne
Fri 25 Nov – Sun 25 Dec, All Day

11. Blender Studios Christmas Lights and Art Festival

Come on down to Blender Studios' Christmas Lights and Art Festival, where you can stroll down a fairy-lit lane and take in some amazing festive decorations! 

See what this creative collective which is famous for their street art, has done for this year’s holiday season as they put their own spin on a winter wonderland.

Blender Studios Christmas Lights and Art Festival, 33-35 Dudley St, West Melbourne

Fri 25 Nov – Sun 25 Dec, 6pm – 10pm

12. Get crafty at Laneway Learning Crafty Christmas

Looking for some fun and festive ideas for handmade Christmas gifts and decorations? 

Join Laneway Learning for a fun-filled afternoon of crafting where they’ll show you how to make beautiful things out of everyday materials, with minimal waste. It'll be a great way to get into the holiday spirit – and you might even pick up a few new skills along the way!

Laneway Learning Crafty Christmas, Laneway Learning, 15/37 Swanston St, Melbourne, melbourne@lanewaylearning.com

Sun 4 Dec, 11am – 3pm and 11:00am – 3:00pm

13. Christmas Roller Rink

Carlton's Argyle Square / Piazza Italia is hosting a pop-up roller skating rink, a giant purple Christmas tree and festive decorations. 

It's the perfect place for a festive picnic stocked from Lygon Street's famous eateries. Plus enjoy free Italian treats and gift voucher giveaways thanks to the Carlton traders association, Carlton Inc.

Christmas Roller Rink, Argyle Square, 153-159 Lygon Street, Carlton 3053

Sat 10 Dec – Sat 24 Dec, 11 am – 9 pm

14. String Bean Alley Christmas Night Market 

Don't miss the 2022 series of Christmas Night Markets at Queen Victoria Market. It will be festive fun for everyone with Christmas carollers, fake snow, a giant gingerbread man to snap a picture with and a special visit from Santa.

Christmas Night Market, Corner of Elizabeth & Victoria Streets, Mon 5 Dec, Mon 12 Dec & Mon 19 Dec, 5pm – 10pm

15. Christmas in the Wizarding World

Grab your wands and dress up in your favourite Wizard-inspired costumes and celebrate Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

The special events include Wizarding World trivia and costume competitions hosted by Aussie creator, writer and commentator Dave Lee Down Under; a virtual wand workshop with Paul Harris, the wand combat choreographer who worked on the Harry Potter films; and a free film screening of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets up on the Big Screen.

Christmas in the Wizarding World, Swanston St & Flinders St, Fed Square, Melbourne

Fri 16 Dec, 4 pm – 9 pm

16. Family Christmas Evening on South Wharf

Enjoy a lovely Christmas afternoon and evening by the river at South Wharf

Come and enjoy a 60-minute outdoor carol concert by the Australian Girls Choir on the Dukes Walk stage, followed by a family Christmas movie on the big screen on the Common Lawn by the riverfront. 

Plenty of family-friendly Christmas food and drinks will also be available for purchase from South Wharf’s many eateries

Family Christmas Evening on South Wharf, South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf

Sun 18 Dec, 5 pm – 8 pm

17. 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 10 Dec 10am – 3pm

18. Japan Christmas Festival

Explore Japanese traditions through creative workshops, market stalls and live music. 

Free activities include how to make traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi), decorations with origami paper, Christmas calligraphy and paper art, delicious matcha and more. There will also be a mini market for unique Japanese gifts.

Japan Christmas Festival, Japaneasy Language & Culture School, L1/152 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Sun 11 Dec, 11am – 5pm

19. 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

Wed 14 Dec – Tue 20 Dec, 11 am – 10 pm

20. Christmas in Chinatown Melbourne

Christmas is coming to Chinatown! Singing, dancing, giveaways, and complimentary bún and dumplings await.

Don't forget to take a photo of the stunning Chinatown Christmas tree!

Christmas in Chinatown Melbourne, Chinatown Square Cohen Place, 104 Little Bourke St

Sun 19 Dec, 11am – 10pm

21. Christmas Pop-Up Playground

Southbank has something special in store for families this Christmas – an enchanting playground that will have kids swinging on giant illuminated bells, playing with interactive flower petals and conducting their own Lightphonic orchestra.

Christmas Pop-Up Playground, Queensbridge Square, 3 Queens Bridge St, Southbank 

Fri 25 Nov – Sat 24 Dec, All Day

22. 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

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