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.
Melbourne Christmas Projections, 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 24 Nov – Mon 25 Dec 2023, All day
2. 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 24 Nov – Mon 25 Dec 2023, All day
3. State Library Victoria Christmas Projections
Let it glow! Watch stunning projections take over State Library Victoria from the Swanston Street forecourt.
The dazzling display lighting up the library’s iconic facade features a range of colourful themes, celebrating everything we love about the holiday season in Australia – enjoying summer and coming together with our nearest and dearest.
Make it a night to remember and visit Christmas Square, Melbourne Town Hall and the Christmas River Show at Southbank for more stunning light shows.
State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston St Melbourne
Fri 24 Nov – Mon 25 Dec 2023, 9pm – 11pm
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!
The gorgeous golden reindeer returns to Victoria Harbour (near Merchant Street) from 25 November 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.
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.
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
7. Christmas River Show, Yarra River
A spectacular river show is coming to the Birrarung – Yarra River this Christmas!
Head to Southbank (near Evan Walker Bridge) to catch this dazzling Christmas show featuring water fountains, lasers, light projections and a festive soundtrack. Shows will run every 15 minutes each night.
Make it a night to remember and visit Christmas Square, Melbourne Town Hall and State Library Victoria for more stunning light shows.
Christmas River Show, Yarra River, Between Princes Bridge and Evan Walker Bridge Southbank
Fri 24 Nov – Mon 25 Dec 2023, 9pm – 11pm
8. 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!
9. 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.
10. Bourke Street Mall
If you’re headed to the Myer windows, take a moment to marvel at giant candy canes and cute koalas. Inspired by the Aussie festive season, these Christmas decorations are simply too cute to not snap a pic.
11. Christmas Roller Rink
Grab the kids and your skates and head to the Christmas Roller Rink, a free Christmas-themed roller skating rink at Argyle Square (or Piazza Italia) in Carlton this festive season!
Christmas Roller Rink, Argyle Square, 153-159 Lygon Street, Carlton
Thu 14 Dec – Sun 24 Dec 2023, 11am – 9pm
12. 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
Thu 14 Dec – Sun 24 Dec 2023, 2pm – 10.30pm
13. 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
14. Christmas at Crown
CHRISTMAS LASER LIGHT SHOW
Crown Melbourne’s exterior façade will be brought to life with a festive-themed laser light show from 11 December until Christmas Day, showcasing Christmas theming and colours onto the side of Crown Towers Melbourne. The 15-minute laser light show will take place daily at 9.00pm and 11.30pm.
CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVERWALK
From 1 December, Crown Melbourne’s Riverwalk will transformed into a Christmas wonderland, with the iconic Crown Gas Brigades being lit in green and red, as well as a neon light installation created by renowned Melbourne artist, Carla O’Brien. The neon light installation will serve as the perfect backdrop for passersby to capture their Christmas Instagram shot in the heart of Melbourne.
Christmas at Crown, Crown PlaySafe Centre, 1800 801 098
Where to get the best Santa photos in Melbourne
Other Free Christmas events in Melbourne
Countdown with a Christmas Advent Calendar
