If you’re looking for a free family night out before Christmas, Queen Victoria Market is running its first ever Christmas Night Market. It’s happening only for a limited time, on four Wednesday nights this November and December.
The market takes its cue from European Christmas markets, with one big difference. Here you’ll be wandering the heritage sheds on a warm summer evening, not rugged up against the cold.
Expect falling snow, festive choirs, roaming stilt walkers and a free reindeer petting zoo. Entry is free and you don’t need to book.
Christmas Night Market dates and times
The Christmas Night Market runs from 5pm to 10pm on these Wednesdays:
- Wednesday 25 November 2026
- Wednesday 2 December 2026
- Wednesday 9 December 2026
- Wednesday 16 December 2026
Cost: Free entry. No booking needed.
Where: Queen Victoria Market, Queen Street, Melbourne
Things for kids to do at the Christmas Night Market
Reindeer petting zoo. Little ones can meet the reindeer at the free petting zoo. Head there first, before the queue builds.
Free family Christmas photo. Grab a free professional photo in front of the market’s heritage sheds and a nine-metre Christmas tree. It’s a handy option if you’re skipping paid Santa photos this year. If you want to book paid Santa photos in Melbourne, here are the best places for Santa photos in Melbourne.
Snow, stilt walkers and choirs. Expect softly falling snow, festive choirs and stilt walkers roaming through the crowd. There’s live entertainment on the main stage too.
Food, drinks and Christmas shopping
Food traders will be serving ready-to-eat meals and festive treats, so dinner’s sorted. Grown-ups can try a Christmas-themed drink, and there are non-alcoholic options too.
Local traders are selling gifts, handmade pieces and stocking fillers. There’s also free sustainable Christmas gift wrapping, so you can tick a few presents off the list and have them wrapped before you head home.
Call Santa from the family-sized payphone
Telstra has put a family-sized payphone at Queen Victoria Market this Christmas, and calls it the first in Australia. Overhead speakers let the whole family hear Santa’s replies, and for the first time more than one child can join the same call.
Calls are free from Tuesday 10 November until midnight on Christmas Eve. Dial #HOHOHO (#464646). From 10 to 17 November, Telstra donates $1 to Kids Helpline for every call made from a payphone, up to a set cap.
Tips for visiting with kids
- Get there early. Arriving close to 5pm means smaller crowds and kids who still have energy to burn. When I go to the QVM night markets with kids, I aim to arrive by 4:45pm to get a close street park. The underground parking has EV chargers too.
- Stay for the lights. The sun doesn’t set until after 8:30pm in December, so the tree and lights look their best on the later side.
- Take the tram or train. Elizabeth Street trams stop right at the market, and Flagstaff, Melbourne Central and Town Hall stations are a short walk away.
- Pack for summer. Bring hats, sunscreen and water bottles for the early evening heat.
- Accessible toilets are available on site.
More Christmas fun in Melbourne
- Christmas markets and fairs in Melbourne
- Best places for Santa photos in Melbourne
- Christmas activities for kids in Melbourne city
- Free Christmas events in Melbourne
- Melbourne Christmas lights
FAQs
Is the Christmas Night Market at Queen Victoria Market free?
Yes. Entry is free and you don’t need to book. Food, drinks and gifts are paid.
When is the Christmas Night Market on?
It’s on Wednesdays 25 November, 2 December, 9 December and 16 December 2026, from 5pm to 10pm.
What activities are happening at the Christmas Night Market?
There’s a free reindeer petting zoo, plus a free professional Christmas photo in front of the nine-metre Christmas tree.
Where is the Christmas Night Market?
It’s at Queen Victoria Market on Queen Street in the Melbourne CBD.
