Christmas Season 2024 in Melbourne

When the Christmas season comes to Melbourne, the city turns into a winter fairy tale, although in fact, it's summer in Victoria. December will surprise you with all sorts of festivities from Christmas Festival to traditional Christmas markets across the city.

Christmas Festival (late November–late December 2024)

Melbourne holds a grand Christmas Festival starting in November and marking the beginning of preparations for the holiday. Magic awaits residents at many venues, including the City Square Plaza, Melbourne Town Hall, and Federation Square. For a truly magical experience, stroll down Swanston Street to view Christmas animations at State Library Victoria and static projections on Melbourne Town Hall and Princes Bridge. The Christmas Festival in Melbourne lasts until the end of the Christmas holidays.

Fed Square Christmas (mid-November–late December)

Federation Square is the central place of the holiday where a Christmas tree is put up every year and where theatrical musical performances take place. You can also meet Koorie Klaus, an Indigenous version of the internationally known Santa Klaus. Check out the very first North Pole University, and if you prefer to stay home, join a virtual Christmas workshop, which will be live-streamed from Deakin Edge Theatre. Christmas wonderland at Fed Square also lures visitors to Sky Castle—an interactive sound-and-light installation of inflatable arches that bring colorful symphony across the square.

Melbourne Christmas lights

Some of the most impressive Christmas lights are displayed in the Ivanhoe district. The Boulevard is covered with lights from the ground to treetops. Everything starts shimmering and glowing attracting thousands of spectators after dark. Tennyson Avenue in Preston and Gordon Grove are other spots to enjoy Christmas lights. The computerized system manages over 40,000 lights creating the most beautiful combinations of shows, videos, and carols. Finally, Lebanon Crescent shows off more than 100,000 lights, and also features the Polar Express to take you around.

Christmas markets

From November until late December, Melbourne and surrounding towns feature cozy German-style Christmas markets.

Good Food &Wine Show Christmas Market (December 6-8, 2024)

The annual Christmas Market organized by Good Food & Wine takes place at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre in early December. It's an excellent chance to experience the best in food, wine, and entertainment. About 250 exhibitors bring to the market their best local produce, as well as artisan foods and wines. In addition, visitors can shop for unique gifts, decorations, and sparking inspiration for the holidays. The Good Food & Wine Show Christmas Market is a must see to get into Christmas spirit and prepare for the holiday season.

Christmas Tree Farm Market (November 23-December 8, 2024, on select dates)

Christmas Market Melbourne is a local community market at Forest Green Market in Plumpton, which is an actual Christmas tree farm. Here, you will find lots of local arts and crafts from Christmas decorations to jewelry. For those who get hungry, there will be food trucks. The weekend program promises lots of holiday fun: Santa Claus visit, Polar Express ride, and even a Christmas-tree-cutting experience. The good news is that the entrance is free and pets are welcome.

Carols by Candlelight (December 24)

On the evening of December 24, the famous Christmas concert Carols by Candlelight (carols with candles) is held in Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Starting in the evening, people light millions of candles and, sing their favorite Christmas songs, carols, and listen to performances by popular Australian artists, famous television characters, and local choirs. The concert gathers about 10,000 attendees. The event is the largest annual fundraiser for Vision Australia's children's services, supporting children who are blind or have low vision.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

On December 24th, at 5 pm, all the stores are closed, and people go to celebrate Christmas with their families, friends, and relatives. Christmas is celebrated with a picnic, a homemade dinner or a barbecue; because of the hot weather, few people sit at home on this day. One of the favourite vacation spots on this day is the Royal Botanic Garden where you can play cricket or just sit back and enjoy a peaceful day in the sun. Concerts of chamber music are held here as well. It is worth mentioning that many famous Melbourne attractions remain open on Christmas Day. Therefore, you have a chance to visit the Melbourne Zoo and Aquarium, or go up to the Eureka Skydeck observation deck or ride the Melbourne Star Wheel to enjoy the charming panorama of the Christmas city. Many shops remain open for Christmas.