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Where to See Melbourne Christmas Lights & Decorations

The City of Melbourne really does put on the best Christmas lights in the city! This festive season take the time to visit these must-see Christmas lights and decorations in Melbourne CBD and Docklands. 

Admire beautifully decorated trees from Bourke Street Mall to Chinatown to Queensbridge, snap a photo under bright twinkling lights and see amazing projections and Insta-worthy installations. 

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Melbourne Christmas Lights and Decorations

1. Christmas Square

Federation Square is transformed into Christmas Square, the heart of Melbourne’s Christmas celebrations. 

Take a selfie with the giant 16-metre-tall LED Christmas tree that lights up the night with a joyous festive glow through hundreds of neon lights. 

You’ll also be able to spot other festive decorations, including glittering baubles, Santa’s workshop and more!

Christmas Square, Federation Square, Melbourne
Fri 25 Nov – Sun 25 Dec, All day

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2. Flinders Street Christmas Projections

See your city block shine this holiday season with stunning projections taking over five buildings on Flinders Street opposite Fed Square. The dazzling display features six colourful themes, including Christmas candy, festive decorations, winter wonderland, native flora and more, lighting up the facade.

Afterwards, why not also visit Christmas Square to see the giant tree illuminated during a stunning light show!

Flinders Street Christmas Projections, Flinders Street, Opposite Fed Square, Flinders St, Melbourne
Fri 25 Nov – Thu 1 Dec, 9 pm – 11 pm

3. Melbourne Town Hall

Come over to the and watch Melbourne Town Hall's iconic Christmas projections! See four beautiful, colourful treatments light up the building's facade – spot the native floral wreaths, a koala climbing a candy cane, and singing reindeer and penguins!

Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne Town Hall, 90-130 Swanston St, Melbourne 3000
Fri 25 Nov – Thu 1 Dec, 9 pm – 11 pm

Melbourne Town Hall Christmas projections

4. Unmissable decorations in Docklands, Harbour Esplanade, New Quay Promenade, and Victoria Harbour Promenade 

Go decoration-spotting and hunting for Christmas lights in Melbourne at the Docklands. In fact, why not take your Christmas photos here too!

You’ll find a giant golden reindeer at Victoria Harbour, traditional crackers along New Quay Promenade and Victoria Harbour Promenade and the Merry Christmas giant letters across Harbour Esplanade. 

Docklands Melbourne Reindeer Christmas decorations

5. Degraves Street, Centre Place, Manchester Lane, Hardware Lane, Meyers Place 

Melbourne is famous for its laneways and some of the city’s most iconic lanes are aglow with twinkling Christmas decorations. 

See the lights at Degraves Street, Centre Place and Manchester Lane, dine alfresco under Hardware Lane’s glittering bells and snap a photo under the boughs of green in Meyers Place. 

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6. Evan Walker Bridge, Southbank

This footbridge is a spot that always offers the most breathtaking views, and for Christmas, it hosts a spectacular star-studded installation that will bathe the area in a whole new light. Afterwards, capture a magical animated Elfie Selfie at Southbank Promenade.

Elfie Selfie, Various Locations

COM XMAS HI RES

7. Birrarung Marr, Yarra River

Catch the jolly red man cruising along the Yarra River on a spectacular floating sleigh with his dolphins! For the best view, stay in the area outside of ArtPlay on Birrarung Marr.

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

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8. Queen Victoria Market 

At Queen Victoria Market Santa is more likely to be roaming that sitting – leaving Santa’s Chair empty for a fun photo opportunity!

Santa’s Chair is next to the giant Christmas tree, located in the centre of J-L Sheds.

Santa Chair and Christmas Tree, Queen Victoria Market, Corner of Elizabeth & Victoria Streets

Every Market Day

Queen Victoria Market Christmas 2017

9. Visit the iconic 333 Collins Street tree

Check out the iconic and chicest foyers in the city at 333 Collins Street where you’ll find a Christmas tree beautifully decorated to look like it came out of your favourite Christmas movie!

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10. Walkthrough a white Christmas wonderland

Find unique gifts, ornaments, decorations and even Disney themed items sourced from around the world at Ambience for the holiday season this year. This Christmas wonderland is not one to miss especially if you’re looking for the most exquisite gifts this year.

Ambiance 1

11.Bourke Street Mall

If you’re headed to the Myer windows, take a moment to look up and see the 3000 stars shining overhead in Bourke Street Mall. The stars change colours every night, creating a beautiful and peaceful light show.

12. Christmas Roller Rink

If you’re headed to Argyle Square to join in the pop-up Christmas roller skating rink, be sure to stop by and see the 12-metre-tall purple tree!

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

Sat 10 Dec, 11 am – 10 pm

13. Christmas Carnival

See stunning lights as you 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-metres in the air on top of the Sky Flyer! There will also be lots of carnival games and classic carnival food to complete your Christmas Carnival experience.

The best part about the carnival is that entry is free! Note that tickets for the rides can be purchased at the on-site ticket box.

Christmas Carnival, Birrarung Marr, Melbourne, Victoria 
Wed 14 Dec – Fri 23 Dec, 11 am – 10 pm

Christmas Carnival

14. Pop-up Christmas Playground

Wander over to Queensbridge Square and see the giant Pop-up Christmas Playground in action.

Come and play at the giant kids playground, where they’ve got an illuminated bell, a light-up dancefloor, an interactive canopy of flower petals, and a special installation on the red stairs where you can conduct your own Lightphonic orchestra on 15 – 14 December!

Pop-up Christmas Playground, Queensbridge Square, 3 Queens Bridge St, Southbank
Fri 25 Nov – Sat 24 Dec, All day

Christmas Pop up Playground

15. Bricksmas Tree

Everything is awesome this Christmas, especially this 4m tall Bricksmas Tree installed by The Brickman team right in the heart of Melbourne Central! Snap a pic with the lego Christmas tree over the jolly season as a remembrance of Christmas 2022.

Find the Bricksmas Tree in Shot Tower Square on Level 1 until 28 December.

Bricksmas Tree, Cnr LaTrobe and Swanston Streets
Tue 22 Nov – Wed 28th Dec, 10 am – 7 pm


Where to get the best Santa photos in Melbourne

Other Free Christmas events in Melbourne

Countdown with a Christmas Advent Calendar


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Melbourne Christmas Lights and Decorations – PIN this picture to save this post!
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Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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