What's on in December

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Christmas tree and decorations at Fed Square at night.

Discover things to do in Melbourne in December, from a wonderland of free Christmas events to exhibitions, attractions and places to visit.

A girl on her father's shoulders in front of Christmas decorations.

Christmas in the city

See the city light up with dazzling displays, festive events and activities for the whole family.

A view over Melbourne by night, with buildings lit up.

New Year's Eve in Melbourne

From fireworks to fancy dinners and family fun, Melbourne is the perfect place to celebrate NYE.

A large blue LED Christmas tree in the city at night.

What's free in Melbourne this month

Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.

Red fireworks over the city viewed from a floating bar with umbrellas and lanterns.

The best restaurants to book for New Year's Eve

Book a restaurant, find fireworks near you and plan the best New Year's Eve in Melbourne.

A scene from the musical My Fair Lady with Eliza Doolittle in a pink dress and hat and Henry Higgins in a tweed three-piece suit.
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My Fair Lady

Celebrating 70 glorious years since its debut, Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady returns to Melbourne.

A wide shot of a crowd sitting on picnic blankets and bean bags at an outdoor cinema on a grassy lawn during golden hour, with the Melbourne city skyline in the background.
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Moonlight Cinema

Spend summer nights with new releases, cult classics and family favourites under the stars.

A scene from Mrs Doubtfire The Musical with the protagonist dancing with three children.
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Mrs Doubtfire

It's a feel-good musical, poppets.

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.

Aerial view of an interior market with stalls selling clothing and raft, and many people walking around and shopping in the space.

Boho Luxe Market: Christmas Edition

A design market full of handmade, ethically sourced products.

Santa sitting on his throne with two white-gloved hands in the air.
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Santa Comes to Crown

Celebrate the magic of Christmas with a visit to Santa.

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.

Three acrobats in matching orange and yellow striped vintage swimsuits pose against a blue and white striped backdrop, holding swimming paraphernalia.
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Splash Test Dummies

The circus comes to town with a new watery adventure to delight families this holiday season.

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 still from the film, Loving Vincent, showing a painted portrait of Vincent Van Gogh in the style of Van Gogh and painted predominantly with blue.
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Library Cinema at narrm ngarrgu

Each month, watch a movie on the big screen, including contemporary, classic and documentary films.

Three large, colourful and shiny gummy bears as part of a Christmas installation inside a shopping mall.
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Christmas at The District Docklands

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

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.
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Mr Fantastico's Christmas Rooftop Carnival

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

Large crowds of people browsing designer stalls and food carts at the Big Design Market inside the Royal Exhibition Buildings.
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The Big Design Market

A showcase of 280+ independent Australian designers, and three big days of festive shopping.

Participants on the State Library Victoria Unlocked guided morning tour inside the iconic dome at State Library Victoria in Melbourne.
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State Library Victoria Unlocked

Join an exclusive guided tour and experience State Library Victoria before the doors open.

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.

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 stall at a German Christmas Market selling decorations.
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German Christmas Market

A traditional German Christmas Market with beautiful market stalls including foods and drinks.

Looking through the Queen Victoria Market to city buildings in the background, hundreds of people gathered.
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The Christmas Night Market

Old-world Christmas charm, Melbourne style.

Chocolate queen Kirsten Tibballs poses at kitchen bench at a cooking demonstration.
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Good Food and Wine Show: Christmas Edition

Don't miss this Christmas edition with special guests and immersive experiences.

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

Discover an Aussie twist on a favourite carol.

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.

People gathered at Fed Square watching a movie on the large outdoor screen, some in deckchairs, with a blue sky and tall city buildings in the background.
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Christmas Outdoor Cinema

In the lead-up to Christmas Day, enjoy free Christmas and festive films at Fed Square.

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.

A child posing in an alcove in a rainbow mural.
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School holidays

Entertain the whole family over the school holidays with these kid-friendly events and activities.

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

Experience the magic of Elf The Musical.

Novelty wind-up chattering teeth against a yellow background.
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Basement Comedy Club: Weekend Showcase

Bringing you the biggest names and best comedians in the country, and beyond.

Installation view of the Spartans & Anzacs exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance, with people walking around the space, reading panels and looking at displays.
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Spartans & Anzacs

This exhibition invites reflection on the enduring values forged in conflict.

Black and white photograph of a busy Melbourne city intersection with trams, cars, people crossing the road, and buildings, dating from around the 1950s or 1960s.
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Making Modern Melbourne

This free exhibition examines the tumultuous twentieth century in Melbourne.

String section of an orchestra with violins and music stands with score.

Corpus Medicorum: Concert 4

The fourth and final concert of the 2026 Tour de Force Series, featuring Dvorak and Shostakovich.

Four rows of people sitting smiling and laughing.
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Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled

Enjoy stand-up comedy from future stars and celebrity guest headliners.

A close-up, festive shot showing hands reaching toward a central platter of raw oysters served on ice with lemon slices, surrounded by red table decorations, fresh greens, and sliced cured meats.

Christmas Day Lunch at Pascale Bar & Grill

Enjoy three courses of Christmas indulgence, bottomless bubbles and live entertainment.

People milling around a bar that's illuminated with red lights.
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Thursday Linguas Melbourne Language Exchange and Social

Meet new people and practise speaking another language.

A group of smiling participants in a studio workshop setting, holding glass-domed terrariums.
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Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.

Jazz musicians performing including guitarist, percussion, trumpet and double bass.
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The Jazz Alchemists

These virtuosos explore the boundless realms of improvisation.

Cropped image of a Christmas tree with fairy lights and large red bows against a deep red background.

Christmas Lunch at Blackbird

Celebrate Christmas Day in true Blackbird style with a three-course festive banquet.

Four women standing and holding up small mosaic lamps in front of a circular neon sign.
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Mosaic Art Classes Melbourne: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop

Cartoon of Charlie Brown and Snoopy standing outside in the snow in front of a small Christmas tree, with Snoopy's kennel in the background covered in festive decorations.

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Mina Yu Trio with Miss George

A night of jazz paying tribute to the nostalgic innocence of Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

A green linocut of a flower and foliage printed on paper and a fabric tote bag.
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Tote Bag Block Printing Workshop

Style your bag just the way you like it with block printing in this beginner's workshop.

Woman wearing a Regency gown, cap and wrap, with arms outstretched.

Christmas with Jane Austen

This special festive afternoon features a costumed lecture with Lise Rodgers.

Smiling photography teacher and participants standing in a graffitied laneway in Melbourne.
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DJB Photography Class: Full Manual Mode

Bring along your DSLR or mirrorless camera on this highly rated beginner photography course.

A comedian holding a microphone in front of a small audience in a darkened venue.
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Working It Out

Watch pro comics working new material for you for free on a Monday night.

A twilight view of the rooftop pool area at Le Meridien Melbourne.

New Year's Eve at Le Méridien

A tribute to the legendary Metro nightclub, with free-flowing drinks and all-you-can-eat canapés.

A young child wearing a dressing gown, looking at an open picture book in her lap, blurred twinkling lights behind her.
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Bedtime Storytime

Hop into your pyjamas, grab your favourite teddy and enjoy bedtime stories.

Four cabaret performers surrounded by pink and yellow feather fans.
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Cabaret Ridiculous

An hour of variety entertainment that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

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

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

Abstract acrylic painting with a blending texture of deep purples, blues, dark browns, and vibrant splashes of fiery red across the canvas.
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Yolanda Scholz Vinall: Echoing Paths (revised)

Echoing Paths explores the evolution of artistic practice through changing ideas and methods.

Electronic music pioneer Suzanne Ciani on an outdoor stage, with a red spotlight creating a silhouette behind her.

Mess in Conversation: Suzanne Ciani

Join singular electronic music pioneer Suzanne Ciani in conversation.

A digitally altered photo of a man in a dark suit, white shirt, and red tie with orange skin and stylized yellow-blonde hair, raising his right hand against a blue background.

FAGA: The Trump Cabaret!

The critically acclaimed political satire that's taken Australia by storm.

Three entertainers in formal attire in front images of the Melbourne skyline and fireworks.
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Australian Pops Orchestra New Year's Eve Gala Concerts

With Caroline O'Connor and Mark Vincent, plus John Foreman and the Australian Pops Orchestra.

Ice hockey players on the ice during a match.
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Melbourne Ice Women: Australian Women's Ice Hockey League

The Australian Women's Ice Hockey League takes over O'Brien Icehouse in a formidable on-ice battle.

A group of friends playing the board game dungeons and dragons at Fortress Tavern Melbourne, with a Dungeon Master dressed in a witch's costume leading the game.
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Dungeons and Flagons

Forge friendships through adventure at Dungeons and Flagons at Fortress.

A woman with two red plaits and a white cap holds up a picture book in a kids library area.
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Stompers

Bring your child to Library at The Dock on Tuesdays for a lifelong love of books.

An outdoor open-air cinema featuring queen- and king-sized beds set up under the stars.
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Mov'in Bed Cinema

In bed under the stars, Melbourne, get ready for the comfiest movie night you've never had.

The 60 Four, an Australian vocal quartet and tribute act, all wearing matching silver grey suits, white shirts and black ties, posed with Christmas bauble decorations hanging around them.

Christmas Proms by The 60 Four

The 60 Four bring their acclaimed Christmas Proms to Melbourne for one festive performance.

A gold-coloured metal pendant with a circular top section and a rectangular bottom section, featuring embossed abstract patterns, with blurred people working at a craft table in the background.

Tokens, Talismans and Tamata

Create your own ornaments inspired by historic offerings and imagery in this festive workshop.

See all events in December

Discover more

Large crowd of people watching a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
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What's on in January

Things to do in Melbourne in January, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.

Young kid sitting on the shoulders of an adult in a large crowd of people watching a show.

Melbourne for free

Discover free things to do in Melbourne, including galleries, museums, events and festivals.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.

Young child, in front of an artsy background, looking up at something.

Family and kids

Find things to do with the kids, from family-friendly events to fun attractions and workshops.