Christmas-themed events, pop-up shops, and storewide discounts will be happening all throughout Melbourne from November 12th to December 25th.
Rooftop bars and dinners beneath the Christmas lights are the ideal ways to celebrate the season. It's easy to locate the greatest Christmas gifts if you just follow the lights and decorations along the maze of streets and arcades. Get to Fed Square early and wait near the big tree for Santa to arrive.
Bring the kids to Myer's Christmas Windows and relive your own youth as you watch projections illuminate the city streets.
The city of Melbourne is still not exactly a winter paradise, but we try to compensate for it with our delicious barbeque, fresh seafood, leisurely meals, and festive city lights throughout the holiday season. Find out where you can obtain a real tree for the holidays, where the greatest Christmas decorations are, and where you can get one-of-a-kind gifts.
Ways To Enjoy Christmas In Melbourne
Christmas Lights
Most of Melbourne's most recognisable monuments, such as the Melbourne Star, State Library, Arts Centre, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Royal Exhibition Building, will be decked up for the holidays during the month of December. The Melbourne Town Hall's Christmas Projections are a strong candidate for "most stunning" as they are on show nightly from 9 to 10:30 p.m. until the conclusion of the holiday season, timed to the melody of "The 12 Days of Christmas." To witness the building's lights come to life with animations created just for it is a sight to see.
Atrium Spectacular At Crown
Southgate and the Atrium at Crown have a Christmas Spectacular lighting and song show that will fill you with holiday happiness in no time. The performance runs from 10:00 am till midnight, and it has dancing fountains, animatronics, and a ceiling studded with crystals that is put to good use.
This year's instalment of the Christmas Spectacular, which has been running for almost a decade, is on view from now until January 3, 2016. Just inside the main door on Queensbridge Street is the Atrium.
Giant Theremin
Look for the enigmatic orange metal pyramid on the north bank of the Yarra River, just beyond Flinders Street Station, and you'll find a place where you can hear music of a totally different kind. The Giant Theremin is both a work of art and a novel musical device. It can be played without really touching it. Nothing but action is required.
Curious symphonies are created when the Theremin is activated by nearby jogging, dancing, leaping, or even plain arm-waving. The Giant Theremin has returned for the holidays, only to be taken down again at the end of the month of January.
The Myer Windows
Since 1958, Myer has celebrated the Christmas season with extravagant window displays. Long lines form every year on Bourke St Mall as Melburnians prepare to watch their favourite holiday and fairy tales given to life by puppeteers and moving sets.
The Christmas displays this year are inspired by the Australian children's book, Christmas Wish and the Little Dog. In this project, the artists spent a whole year painstakingly recreating 1950s Melbourne as the setting for the story of a missing dog.
Gingerbread Village
For the seventh year in a row, Epicure's chefs have constructed a gingerbread village, this time filled with subtle allusions to Melbourne and tasty sweet delights. This year's Melbourne Grand Prix is focused on culinary delights. From December 1st to the 24th, you may check it out at Melbourne's Town Hall. At the entrance, we'll be collecting gold coins for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Christmas Carols
The Christmas season isn't complete without carols. You can catch them performed live all throughout town, which is good news. On December 18 they will be performing carols with special guests in Christmas Square, and from December 21st to 23rd they will be strolling up and down Collins Street, singing their hearts out. Every Saturday in December, a group of Salvation Army carolers will perform on the Southgate stage.
Outdoor QV Cinema
Christmas in Melbourne is more enjoyable when it's warm out, which is one of the many advantages of having a warm Christmas. Throughout the summer, patrons of the QV shopping centre may enjoy a pop-up cinema in the mall's outdoor area, where they can see excellent holiday-themed films. In order for moviegoers to relax and enjoy themselves without being disturbed by the merriment going on around them, we provide them with a deck chair and a pair of headphones.
The Lego Christmas Tree
This year, Melbourne is hosting the Southern Hemisphere's biggest Lego Christmas Tree. This tree looms large above a residence with two stories.It has some very Australian touches, such as a koala and a kookaburra perched on the tallest branches and a Lego Santa holding a surfboard at the base. The tree is beautiful either during the day or night, but its illumination at night is more impressive. It may be shown in Federation Square till the 27th of December.
Melbourne Central's The Art of Christmas
Melbourne Central Shopping Centre will be open later and hosting seasonal festivities to mark the occasion. Among the many subjects discussed in these classes include the art of gift wrapping, brewing the perfect cup of iced tea, icing and decorating cupcakes, and even creating your own Kit Kats.
On the other hand, you may get in the Christmas spirit without engaging in any form of retail therapy at all. Until December 23rd, between 8 and 10 p.m. nightly, the shooting tower and centre cone will be lit up in a holiday light show. Additionally, you and your loved ones may wear horrible ugly sweaters and other satirical accessories to pose for some delightfully humiliating Christmas shots.
FAQs About Christmas In Melbourne
Carols by Candlelight is an annual Australian Christmas tradition that originated in southeastern Australia in the 19th century and was popularised in Melbourne in 1938. The tradition has since spread around the world. It involves people gathering, usually outdoors in a park, to sing carols by candlelight, featuring live performances by national and international celebrities accompanied by a symphony orchestra.
Carols by Candlelight, held in Melbourne, Victoria, was introduced in 1938 by radio announcer Norman Banks of Melbourne radio station 3KZ. Whilst walking home from his night-time radio shift on Christmas Eve in 1937, he passed a window. He saw an older adult sitting up in bed inside listening to Away in a Manger being played on the radio and singing along with her face lit by candlelight.
Wondering how many others spent Christmas alone, he had the idea to gather a large group of people to sing Christmas carols together by candlelight. The first-ever event was held in Alexandra Gardens the following Christmas in 1938 and was attended by around 10,000 people.
The average high-temperature, in December, in Melbourne, Australia, is 23.7°C (74.7°F), while the average low-temperature is 12.7°C (54.9°F).
On December 24 each year, Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl lights up as families and friends gather to celebrate the festive season while raising funds for Vision Australia's children's services.
December is warm or hot almost everywhere in Australia. Tasmania experiences the coolest temperatures, with average December highs in Hobart of 68° F (20° C).
Average December highs in Adelaide, Canberra, and Sydney are 79° F (26° C), and in Melbourne 77° F (25° C). Perth, despite being on roughly the same latitude as Sydney (but on the opposite coast), is hotter, with average highs around the same as Brisbane, 84° F (29° C). In short, you can expect hot weather in Australia in December, wherever you go.
Carols by Candlelight
Australia is the home of Carols by Candlelight, a tradition started by radio announcer Norman Banks Melbourne's 3KZ in 1937. After Banks saw a woman listening to carols alone by candlelight, he decided to relieve the loneliness and isolation some feel during the holidays.
Christmas Day in Melbourne: Five Additional Activities
A Christmas lunch, when you may indulge in five various types of roast meats, is a must if you want to have a routine Christmas Day. It's unlikely that your go-to coffee shop will be selling coffee, brunch won't be happening, and you won't be able to swing by Woolworths for milk and six packs.
There is nothing to worry about, since all scheduled activities will go on as planned, public transit will run as normal at no additional cost to users, and 7-Eleven will stay available for any emergency needs. Also, as a gift to those who are in town but have nothing to do because they are either bored, do not celebrate Christmas, or just do not care about the holiday, we have put together the following guide.
Inhale A Bowl Of Noodles
Even though there is no special day to celebrate them, Christmas Day is a fantastic time to have a bowl of noodles since they are readily accessible year-round.
Especially because the Russell Street and QV locations of Hakata Gensuke will be open on Christmas Day for your noodle-slurping pleasure. Chinatown is usually busy and full of life, even on Christmas Day, when the rest of the city tends to be quiet.
The North Melbourne Auction Rooms, the Central Business District's Cafe Lafayette, the Fitzroy Bentwood Cafe, and South Melbourne's British Indian pub Mr. Brownie are just some of the many restaurants and bars that will be open and serving food on Christmas Day if noodle or dumpling fare isn't your thing.
Have A Picnic
They can take away our access to things like grocery stores and pizza joints, but they can't take away our right to lounge about in parks. Holiday shopping may be difficult, but most parks, like the Royal Botanic Gardens, are open year-round, so you may enjoy a leisurely picnic whenever you choose.
If the weather is nice on Christmas Day, plan ahead and prepare your picnic lunch or dinner, then bring a picnic blanket and some bubbly and go out to the park, the garden, or one of these other great picnic locations.
See A Movie
Consider the cost of your movie ticket, big popcorn, and Diet Coke as a present to yourself this holiday season. We can't believe how cute it is. You can relax with a wonderful film on Christmas Day thanks to theatres like Cameo in Belgrave, Cinema Nova, Lido in Hawthorn, and more that are open.
If you haven't already, we highly recommend seeing Baby teeth, the subtle adolescent drama that has won several awards, Tenet, Christopher Nolan's mind-bending action-thriller.
Get Close To Animals
The Melbourne Zoo is open later than usual throughout the holidays, giving you more time to see your furry (or scaly) friends. The zoo has some of the prettiest crocodiles, baby elephants, frogs, meerkats, and strange reptiles you've ever seen, making it a wonderful spot to spend the day.
If you've been wanting to check out the luminous jellyfish exhibit at Sea Life Melbourne, you'll get an opportunity to do so on Christmas Day between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy These Hot Springs
If you have nothing to do on Christmas Day, you could go to the Peninsula Hot Springs retreat, which is always open, on the Mornington Peninsula. You could spend the day unwinding in the underground sauna, going to explore the ice cave, or soaking in one of the numerous hot spring pools, based on how you feel.
Since glamping is already available here, you may decide to stay the night because there's a lot to do and see. This includes everything from health and wellbeing treatments and spa services to holistic experiences, dining options, and a broad range of geothermal bathing choices.
Melbourne's Free Christmas Events for Families & Children
Melbourne, Australia, has been converted into a winter paradise for the holiday season, complete with a jolly schedule of activities and events for people of all ages.
Christmas Windows At Myer
It seemed like this year's Myer Christmas Windows show in Melbourne, Australia, would not materialise at all, therefore we're really pleased with the theme chosen for its 65th anniversary. Just a word of caution. It's so moving that it'll make you cry.
Myer Santaland
Visit Santa by virtual express train in the underground of Myer after gazing at the store's elaborate holiday window displays. The use of pictures will cost you, and there is a scheduling option available online.
- Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall and Myer Santaland
Magical Christmas Quest
You may rediscover the city by taking part in the Christmas Quest. A new set of five clues will be released every Friday in December, sending you on a merry hunt around the alleys, arcades, and main avenues of Melbourne's CBD to solve the puzzle.
If you can solve all five puzzles, you'll be entered to win weekly $250 city vouchers and a grand prize of the ultimate Melbourne gift bundle for the entire family.
- Melbourne Magical Christmas Quest
Christmas Square
Christmas Square, the heart of the Christmas Festival, is a verdant dream of holiday pleasure. Come check out the Santa's Workshop, the 16-metre-tall Christmas tree, and the dazzling light display that may rival the night sky.
Melbourne's official Christmas destination is open right up to the big day.
- Melbourne's Federation Square, Christmas Square
Piazza Di Natale
The hub of Lygon Street, Argyle Square, has been converted into a glittering winter paradise. Grab some food from one of Lygon Street's many eateries or delis, and then take the kids to the nearby gelato-colored playground.
- Carlton, Argyle Square, and Piazza di Natale
Christmas At Crown
The Atrium at Crown Towers comes alive with a Christmas Spectacular performance and exhibits including animatronic Christmas decorations. Bring the kids on any of the December weekends or on Christmas Eve or Day, and keep an eye out for the wandering Santas who will be visiting the food and drink establishments.
- Whiteman St., Southbank's "Christmas at Crown,"
Make Merry At QV
Take a photo in front of our massive Christmas tree, eat in one of the many restaurants along our pedestrian laneways, and enter to win a $500 QV Gift Card!
- located at Swanston and Lonsdale in Melbourne.
The Melbourne Star Celebrates Christmas
The brightest star in Melbourne puts on a spectacular Christmas-themed performance every night, complete with a brilliant light display and recorded songs to enchant everyone.
The Queen Victoria Market During Christmas
This Christmas, Queen Vic Market is hosting a Festive Food Truck Stop, culinary demos, and eco-friendly seminars so that you may fully immerse yourself in the holiday spirit.
Eco-friendly Christmas Workshop – Come to Erin Rhoads's eco-friendly holiday workshop, hosted by the Sustainability Ambassador at Queen Vic Market. The participants will gain knowledge that will aid them in making environmentally responsible decisions while planning, shopping, wrapping, and decorating.
- Sunday, December 6, 11 a.m. Bookings are required.
The Christmas Cooking Demo – Learn two of Karen Martini, the Queen Vic Market Ambassador's, favourite holiday dishes utilising ingredients from the market. Recipe cards will be provided to all attendees.
- Sunday, December 6, at 12.15 p.m. and 1.45 p.m. Bookings are required.
Queen Victoria Market's Festive Food Truck Stop – The first annual Festive Food Truck Stop will take place in the Market this December, showcasing a stellar lineup of food truck goodies like bao buns, burgers, tacos, and smoky barbeque.
- Wednesday, December 2, 9, and 16, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Santa Visits Santa Claus will land his sleigh in the Market and, accompanied by his trusty elf pals, he will tour the old sheds, greeting shoppers and wishing them a Merry Christmas. Come on by with the kids and let them make their last wish lists in person.
- Tuesday, December 22 and Thursday, December 24, 10 am to 2 pm.
Christmas Projections
Christmas Projections will be shown at three different places across Melbourne this year.
The annual Christmas forecasts in Melbourne are back. You can watch moving pictures at the State Library Victoria if you go along Swanston Street, and you can see beautiful static displays at Melbourne Town Hall and Princes Bridge. State Library Victoria has projected a thank you to some of Melbourne's first responders.
Fed Square Christmas
Do not miss the first-ever North Pole University, a live-streamed Christmas workshop extravaganza from Deakin Edge Theatre.
Fed wants to hook up with you. Like the moment from the movie Love when everyone gathers on the front porch. Send us your (unrequited) declarations of friendship, love, or pleasure, and we'll show them on the big screen in front of everyone.
In addition, Koorie Kristmas, with the help of Koorie Klaus, has returned for the delight of young and old alike. Explore the Koorie Heritage Trust's art, archives, and history to learn about the rascally Australian character.
Sky Castle is a dreamlike interactive music and light installation made up of a group of inflatable arches that stretch colourfully over Fed Square and is a great way to round off your trip.
Santa’s Spectacles
With this AR digital experience, your smartphone may serve as a portal to Santa's enchanted realm, which lies just below the surface of our own.
Santa's Spectacles is a family-friendly virtual reality experience set among some of Melbourne's most recognisable landmarks, including Bourke Street Mall, Federation Square, and the State Library of Victoria. Meet penguins that love to ice skate, snowmen who tell stories, elves who fling snowballs, and even Santa himself who loves to take selfies by using your smartphone.
If you want to have a fun Christmas trip with your kids, just get a map, gather the kids, and seek for clues on lampposts at each stop.
Santa's Big Workshop
Santa will be hard at work producing presents in his Melbourne workshop, so be sure to stop by and see him. At this time of year, Santa is much too busy in his workshop to take the time to have a casual chat with the youngsters. Don't panic! Santa is more than eager to wave and grin for photos as he stands in the background.
Conclusion
Christmas-themed events, pop-up shops, and storewide discounts will be happening throughout Melbourne from November 12th to December 25th. The holidays are best celebrated with drinks at a rooftop bar and a candlelit meal under the twinkling tree. Seek a place to get a real tree for the holidays. Myer has been putting out elaborate Christmas window decorations since 1958. The chefs at Epicure have built a gingerbread hamlet with subtle references to Melbourne.
The Salvation Army will have a group of carolers perform at Southgate Mall every Saturday in December. In addition, the largest Lego Christmas tree in the Southern Hemisphere may be seen in Melbourne. Until December 23rd, the centre cone and shooting tower will be illuminated in a festive display. If you're craving some noodles on Christmas Day, both Hakata Gensuke and Chinatown will be open. In Melbourne, Australia, you may find a wide variety of dining and drinking options available on Christmas Day.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, like other parks, are accessible all year, making any time of the year perfect for a picnic. You'll have extra time to see the animals at the Melbourne Zoo during the holiday season since it will be open later than normal. Until Christmas Day, you may visit Melbourne's official Christmas destination. Argyle Square, in the centre of Lygon Street, has been transformed into a glittering Christmas wonderland. There will be a Festive Food Truck Stop, cooking demonstrations, and eco-friendly talks at Queen Vic Market.
Queen Vic Market hosts an eco-friendly holiday workshop. The Market will have a holiday food truck stop in December. In appreciation of the work done by Melbourne's first responders, the State Library of Victoria has projected a thank you onto its facade. Deakin Edge Theatre's North Pole University is a webcast Christmas workshop. It's Koorie Kristmas again, courtesy of Koorie Klaus, and everyone, young and old, is thrilled.
Family-friendly virtual reality adventure Santa's Spectacles takes place in and around famous Melbourne sites. In this book, you'll meet penguins who like ice skating and snowmen who enjoy telling tales.
Content Summary
- Christmas-themed events, pop-up shops, and storewide discounts will be happening throughout Melbourne from November 12th to December 25th.
- Rooftop bars and dinners beneath the Christmas lights are the ideal ways to celebrate the season.
- Find out where you can obtain a real holiday tree, where the greatest Christmas decorations are, and where you can get one-of-a-kind gifts.
- Most of Melbourne's most recognisable monuments, such as the Melbourne Star, State Library, Arts Centre, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Royal Exhibition Building, will be decked up for the holidays during December.
- The Giant Theremin has returned for the holidays, only to be taken down again at the end of January.
- Since 1958, Myer has celebrated the Christmas season with extravagant window displays.
- This year's Christmas displays are inspired by the Australian children's book Christmas Wish and the Little Dog.
- In this project, the artists spent a whole year painstakingly recreating 1950s Melbourne as the setting for the story of a missing dog.
- For the seventh year in a row, Epicure's chefs have constructed a gingerbread village, this time filled with subtle allusions to Melbourne and tasty, sweet delights.
- This year's Melbourne Grand Prix is focused on culinary delights.
- From December 1st to the 24th, you may check it out at Melbourne's Town Hall.
- At the entrance, we'll collect gold coins for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
- Melbourne is hosting the Southern Hemisphere's biggest Lego Christmas Tree this year.
- On the other hand, you may get in the Christmas spirit without engaging in any form of retail therapy at all.
- Until December 23rd, between 8 and 10 p.m. nightly, the shooting tower and the centre cone will be lit up in a holiday light show.
- Even though there is no special day to celebrate them, Christmas Day is a fantastic time to have a bowl of noodles since they are readily accessible year-round.
- Especially because the Russell Street and QV locations of Hakata Gensuke will be open on Christmas Day for your noodle-slurping pleasure.
- Holiday shopping may be difficult, but most parks, like the Royal Botanic Gardens, are open year-round, so you may enjoy a leisurely picnic whenever you choose.
- Consider the cost of your movie ticket, big popcorn, and Diet Coke as a present to yourself this holiday season.
- You can relax with a wonderful film on Christmas Day thanks to theatres like Cameo in Belgrave, Cinema Nova, Lido in Hawthorn, and more that are open.
- The Melbourne Zoo is open later than usual throughout the holidays, giving you more time to see your furry (or scaly) friends.
- Melbourne, Australia, has been converted into a winter paradise for the holiday season, complete with a jolly schedule of activities and events for people of all ages.
- It seemed like this year's Myer Christmas Windows show in Melbourne, Australia, would not materialise. Therefore, we're pleased with the theme chosen for its 65th anniversary.
- You may rediscover the city by taking part in the Christmas Quest.
- The hub of Lygon Street, Argyle Square, has been converted into a glittering winter paradise.
- Please take a photo in front of our massive Christmas tree, eat in one of the many restaurants along our pedestrian laneways, and enter to win a $500 QV Gift Card!
- Eco-friendly Christmas Workshop – Come to Erin Rhoads's eco-friendly holiday workshop, hosted by the Sustainability Ambassador at Queen Vic Market.
- The participants will gain knowledge that will aid them in making environmentally responsible decisions while planning, shopping, wrapping, and decorating.
- The Christmas Cooking Demo – Learn two of Karen Martini, the Queen Vic Market Ambassador's favourite holiday dishes utilising ingredients from the Market.
- Queen Victoria Market's Festive Food Truck Stop – The first annual Festive Food Truck Stop will take place this December, showcasing a stellar lineup of food truck goodies like bao buns, burgers, tacos, and smoky barbeque.
- Christmas Projections will be shown at three different places across Melbourne this year.
- Do not miss the first-ever North Pole University, a live-streamed Christmas workshop extravaganza from Deakin Edge Theatre.
- Explore the Koorie Heritage Trust's art, archives, and history to learn about the rascally Australian character.
- Sky Castle is a piece of dreamlike interactive music, and light installation made up of a group of inflatable arches that stretch colourfully over Fed Square and is a great way to round off your trip.
- Santa's Spectacles is a family-friendly virtual reality experience set among some of Melbourne's most recognisable landmarks, including Bourke Street Mall, Federation Square, and the State Library of Victoria.
- If you want a fun Christmas trip with your kids, get a map, gather the kids, and seek clues on lampposts at each stop.
- Santa will be hard at work producing presents in his Melbourne workshop, so stop by and see him.
