A girl on her father's shoulders in front of Christmas decorations.
Christmas starts only in the city

Discover things to do this Christmas

A giant illuminated purple Christmas Tree at Federation Square, surrounded by people and view of Flinders St Station and city buildings in the background.
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Christmas Square

Discover a Christmas wonderland featuring the city’s beloved tree.

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

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

Capitol Cinema with red and orange lighting, seated audience in front of large screen with signage.
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Christmas Cinema

See festive films in the stunning Capitol Theatre.

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

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

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

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

Christmas decorations of kangaroos pulling Santa's sleigh.
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12 Days of Christmas

Discover an Aussie twist on a favourite carol.

A scene from the Myer Christmas Windows showing the toys from Toy Story in a child's bedroom.
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Myer Christmas Windows

The beloved Bourke Street tradition will return with a new festive theme for the 71st season.

Lit Christmas tree in Fed Square with crowds of people around it and city buildings against a night sky in the background.

Christmas Tree Lighting

See the city light up as the Christmas celebrations begin.

More Christmas events

Wrap up your Christmas shopping

Hot air balloons flying over the city.

The best Melbourne experience gifts

Give the gift of theatre, foodie workshops and walking tours.

A perfume store with an art deco interior and large arch windows.

Melbourne's most instagrammable shops

Our guide to the best looking shops in Melbourne, guaranteed to light up your Instagram feed.

Two friends are looking at notebooks in a shop.

Christmas gifts under $20

These gifts for $20 or less are guaranteed to get you on the nice list.

A woman walking past a beauty store in a shopping arcade.

The best Christmas gifts under $50

These gift ideas from the city's best small businesses are all home runs.

More Christmas shopping

Find festive food and drink

A restaurant with red bikes parked outside.

Your guide to Christmas Day dining in Melbourne

From fancy fine dining to casual eats, these spots are open on 25 December 2026.

A couple sitting in a bar at night

The best restaurants for group dining in Melbourne

Catch up with friends at these group-friendly local venues.

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.

A couple on a sunny city rooftop bar with a circular window cut out of a brick wall.

Melbourne's best rooftop bars

Schedule in a rooftop sesh at these sun-soaked rooftops.

Santa shaped cake with a reindeer hat.

Miilk Cake Studio

Celebrate Christmas with limited-edition cakes and cookies with Southeast Asian flavours.

Special offer
Three cloth-covered pannettone breads, one in green, one in natural white and one in red.

Saluministi Docklands

Designed in Melbourne, fatto in Italia: classico, cioccolato and pandoro pannettone. $85 each.

Special offer
Open white Haigh's Chocolates advent calendar with red candles and festive decorations.

Haigh's Chocolates

Shop the curated range of chocolate Advent calendars, hampers and gift boxes.

Special offer
A small, round Christmas pudding with a glacé cherry and covered in custard next to a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The Irish Times Pub

Gather family and friends for a proper Irish Christmas feast. 25 Dec, $99pp.

Special offer
More Christmas food and drink

Make the most of the season

A neon light display of Santa's sleigh being pulled by kangaroos.

The ultimate guide to Melbourne's best Christmas lights and decorations

Where to see stunning Christmas trees, the best Christmas lights and more beautiful decorations.

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

The best things to do with your family at Christmas

Rediscover the magic of Melbourne with free events, festive lights and more.

A couple walking in a laneway.

What’s open on Christmas Day in Melbourne

What's open to do, see, eat and drink on Christmas Day in Melbourne.

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.

People are enjoying a carnival with carnival games and a skyflyer ride in the background

The ultimate guide to Melbourne’s best Christmas events

Seek out Christmas movies, festive pop-ups, glittering decorations and more.

A busy market with lanterns in the city.

The ultimate guide to Melbourne's best Christmas markets

Explore Melbourne's iconic markets.

A Ferris wheel in the city at sunset with colourful reflections on the river.

Melbourne’s most Instagrammable experiences

You won't need filters at the city's most photogenic spots.

More Christmas guides

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

Christmas Event Partners

Crown Fed Square Transport Accident Commission

Discover more

The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic orchestra and choir in St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne.
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Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Carols in the Cathedral

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic presents Carols in the Cathedral concerts conducted by Andrew Wailes.

A dining table in a club laden with a Christmas feast including platters of roasted vegetables, ham, roast turkey, salads, and glasses of wine.

Christmas Day Dining at Elevate Club Lounge

Celebrate Christmas Day with a festive buffet above Melbourne.

Transport Bar exterior at Fed Square with multilevel dining.

Christmas Day Dining at Transport Public Bar

Celebrate with a festive roast, cocktails and live music at Fed Square.

A lavish, traditional Christmas feast spread out on a wooden table, featuring a large roasted centrepiece ham surrounded by festive dishes like fresh seafood, salads, desserts, and cherries.

Christmas Day Dining at Bossley

Celebrate Christmas with a festive feast featuring the finest Melbourne produce.