The best things to do with your family at Christmas

Grab your little ones and plan a family day out this holiday season. These free events, fun activities and unique experiences will be loved by young and old.

A family with kids at a Christmas event with a large glowing Christmas tree.

Watch the lighting of the giant sparkling tree

27 November

Join in on the opening celebrations of the Christmas festival! On the last Friday of November, Christmas Square will come alive. Think free face painting, roving entertainment, fun giveaways and performances. Then the countdown will begin for the lighting of Melbourne's festive centrepiece, a 17.5-metre LED Christmas tree.

People walking around a huge LED Christmas tree and Christmas decorations.
Christmas Square at Fed Square

Visit Melbourne's festive hub at Christmas Square

27 November to 25 December

There's plenty more to love at Christmas Square. Marvel at the dazzling tree then explore a Christmas wonderland. See glittering decorations and have a play on the glowing bell swings. Stop by between 9pm and 11pm for a spectacular light and sound show that fills the space with a festive glow.

See a magical Christmas river show

4 December to 25 December

The crowd favourite river show is returning this Christmas! Wander down to Southbank Promenade outside Crown and watch the colourful waterfront show. A Christmassy soundtrack will play as water fountains, lasers and light projections produce the spectacle. Shows will run from 9pm to 11pm every night.

A colourful light show with giant baubles and water fountains floating on a river at night.
Crown Christmas River Show on Southbank Promenade

Get your thrills at the Christmas carnival

11 to 24 December

The Christmas Carnival is back! Bring the whole family to enjoy festive thrills on the banks of the Birrarung as you ride the Ferris Wheel, drive the dodgems or spin 35 meters in the air on top of the Sky Flyer. Try your luck at much-loved carnival games and complete the experience with classic carnival food.

Catch a screening of your fave festive films

19, 20 and 24 December

Get to the iconic Capitol Theatre to see your favourite Christmas movies. See the heartwarming animated flick Klaus or cult classics like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Home Alone 2. Then catch the ultimate holiday comfort watch with a screening of Bridget Jones' Diary on Christmas Eve. Tickets are $10 per person or $5 for kids, seniors and concession holders.

A crowd of people watching Home Alone in a movie theatre with geometric architecture.
Christmas Cinema at Capitol Theatre

Entertain the kids at this hilarious circus comedy

21 and 22 December

Start the summer school holidays with some circus-filled fun. The Splash Test Dummies are coming to town with four shows at the Capitol Theatre. Bring the whole family for an hour of stunts, acrobatics, juggling and side-splitting comedy.

Peer inside the Myer Christmas Windows

Until 5 January

Visit the iconic Myer Christmas Windows to see a festive Christmas scene. This is a cherished Melbourne tradition and while the lines are long, the miniature worlds inside are always worth the wait. This year, join Buzz, Woody and all their pals for a Toy Story takeover! There'll also be a new sparkling light display throughout the mall.

More Christmas inspo

Santa sitting on a throne with two kids.

Best Santa photo spots in Melbourne

Skip the Westfield crowd and get unique Santa photos in Melbourne.

A woman is looking at toys in a toy store

Melbourne's best gifts for kids

Treat the kids in your life to a little something special from Melbourne's best boutiques.

A glowing neon river show at night with Melbourne's city skyline in the background

The best free and cheap family activities

Find family-friendly fun and free events in Melbourne.

An outdoor restaurant by the river with pizza and pasta dishes on the table.

The best family-friendly restaurants in Melbourne

Grab a bite at one of these kid-approved and pram-friendly spots.

More of the best family Christmas events

Santa sitting on his throne with one hand in the air waving.
Until

David Jones Photos with Santa

Make this Christmas one to remember with a magical Santa experience like no other.

Two undecorated Christmas Trees with a large placard in the middle saying Bauble Blast and a child standing in front of the sign.
–

Christmas Magic Mirror

Step inside a magical interactive mirror and watch a larger-than-life advent calendar come to life.

Three large, colourful and shiny gummy bears as part of a Christmas installation inside a shopping mall.
–

Christmas at The District Docklands

Enjoy free festive family fun as the Gummy Bears take over The District Docklands laneways.

Performers dressed as Christmas elves in red and green festive costumes with pointed ears during a holiday stage production or interactive experience.
–

The Lucky Door: A Merry Kidsmas

Merry Kidsmas is an immersive Christmas experience created especially for children and families.

Performers in Elf the Musical during a dance routine with Buddy the elf lifted high in the air.
–

Elf the Musical

Experience the magic of Elf The Musical.

Two runners in Santa red t-shirts, posing for a photograph with Santa and two Elves and two dogs, outside in a park.

Vision Australia's Santa Fun Run

Join hundreds of others as they run, walk, jog or roll for Vision Australia.

A children's themed three-tiered platter of high tea treats, alongside a teddy bear, drinks and Christmas baubles.
–

Le Petit FestiviTea

Little ones can join the festive celebrations with a high tea just for them.

An array of Christmas-themed High Tea sweet and savoury treats on a white table alongside champagne glasses and two red-wrapped presents.
–

FestiviTea

Enjoy three tiers of handcrafted sweet and savoury delights at this Christmas-themed High Tea.

Santa sitting on his throne with two white-gloved hands in the air.
–

Santa Comes to Crown

Celebrate the magic of Christmas with a visit to Santa.

A dramatic stage moment from a production of The Nutcracker ballet, showcasing classic choreography under theatrical lighting.
–

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker returns to Melbourne's Regent Theatre this Christmas with a live orchestra.

A song sheet resting on a dark wooden surface, with christmas bells on top.

Classic Kids: Christmas

Join the MSO for a magical performance perfect for the whole family.

An illuminated Merry Christmas sign on top of a bridge over the Yarra, at night.
–

Christmas Lights Cruise

Sail the Yarra and soak up Melbourne’s festive sparkle on a magical Christmas Lights Cruise.

A young boy in a red woolen jumper looking scared with his hands to his cheeks, two bad men looking through the window behind him.
–

Home Alone in Concert

Experience the beloved comedy classic with John Williams' charming score performed live by the MSO.

A large gingerbread man and various other Christmassy items.

Gingerbread Making Workshop

Build and decorate a festive gingerbread house this Christmas.

Koorie Klaus giving a present to a small boy in Fed Square.

Koorie Krismas

Koorie Krismas is a free, family-friendly event where culture, creativity, and joy come together.

A person wearing a green, inflatable Christmas Tree mascot costume holding hands with a young child in a festive outdoor setting.
–

Mr Fantastico's Christmas Rooftop Carnival

Free Christmas fun with live performances, Santa activities and creative workshops.

A busy outdoor market with colourful tents lining a pedestrian walkway alongside tall palm trees and crowds of visitors.

Christmas Docklands Waterfront Farmers' Market

Celebrate the festive season at the Docklands Waterfront Farmers’ Market this December.

A massive outdoor crowd, many wearing red festive Santa hats gathers for an evening Carols by Candlelight concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl with the city skyline visible behind the illuminated canopy stage.
–

Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight

A cherished tradition featuring live performances on Christmas Eve.

Last updated on Mon 9 Nov 2026

Christmas

Christmas starts only in the city
Start here
A man and woman dancing next to a woman dressed in a Santa outfit who is using a DJ deck.

Christmas things to do

The city’s wrapped and ready with magical moments, twinkling lights and festive fun.

A man and woman sitting at a table full of food with a Christmas tree in the background.

Christmas eat and drink

Savour the city’s festive flavours with rooftop bars and menus made for merry moments.

Two women holding several shopping bags while they walk through a shopping arcade decorated for Christmas.

Christmas shopping

Start ticking off your list in the city’s iconic laneways, arcades and malls.

Start here

Discover more

Santa Claus waving alongside a smiling green Christmas elf in front of a decorated Christmas tree with white and gold ornaments.
–

Santa Photography at Collins Square

Step into the Christmas Village and capture a photo with Santa for a little festive magic.

Two people walking into a Christmas-themed carnival at Melbourne's Birrarung Marr.
–

Christmas Carnival

Thrill rides, carnival games and festive food on the banks of the Yarra.

Coloured pink lights illuminate water sprays high in the air on the Yarra River at night with a crowd watching from the promenade.
–

Crown Christmas River Show

Be dazzled by a spectacular water, laser and light show on the Yarra River.

A view of the illuminated city skyline at night, with a large Christmas star on Evan Walker Bridge.
–

Christmas Decorations

Christmas comes to life around the city with sparkly decorations spreading festive cheer.