Christmas in Australia isn’t some kind of winter wonderland. Instead, it’s a summer paradise bathed in sunshine. With the holidays happening right in the middle of the summer, the festive spirit takes on a uniquely warm and bright vibe. Many Christmas events in Melbourne combine the traditional holiday charm with summer fun, from dazzling light displays to interactive experiences and fun activities.

Here are some of the best Christmas activities for Melbourne locals and tourists alike looking to spend the most wonderful time of the year.

Note that the event dates and details in this blog are subject to change. Please visit the official website or contact the show organisers for the latest updates.

 

Family-Friendly Christmas Events in Melbourne

1

Step into the Magic of Melbourne’s Christmas Wonderland

Melbourne’s Christmas Wonderland is a three-hour immersive, walk-through exhibit that will captivate the little ones (and the young ones at heart). About 16 different activities are scattered throughout the venue, bringing the spirit of Christmas to life with various magical experiences.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • Write and send off your letter (and Christmas wishes!) to Santa at the North Pole Post Office.

  • Get your skates on and have some rollin’ fun at the roller-skating rink.

  • Be captivated by festive performances from the international circus acts, the Care Bears, Santa, and Mrs Claus.

  • Bring on the fun at the kid-friendly carnival rides, featuring Teacup Ride, Carousel, and Mini-Train.

Dates: November 28 - December 24, 2025

Location: Caulfield Racecourse, Station Street, Gate 21, Caulfield East VIC 3145, Australia

2

Sing Along to Your Favourite Christmas Movie Soundtracks Live in Concert

If you love those iconic movie tunes you belt out every December, this is your moment. Candlelight: Christmas Movie Soundtracks brings together the big screen and a live orchestra for a beautiful fusion of cinema and music.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • Listen to the orchestral renditions of the most beloved Christmas movies, from  The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Polar Express to While You Were Sleeping and Love Actually.

  • Watch the stage lit up with thousands of candles, illuminating the theatre as the music swells up.

Date: December 20, 2025

Location: The Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

3

Relive Your Favourite Holiday Carols at Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight

There’s something deeply heartwarming about listening to Christmas carols as the sun dips and candles flicker, and that’s exactly what Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight offers. More than just music, it supports an incredible cause. Carols by Candlelight aims to fund Vision Australia’s specialist children’s services for kids who are blind or have low vision.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • Live performances from a mix of beloved artists, choirs, children’s entertainers, and comedians.

  • A magical sea of battery-powered candles lights up the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Dates: December 23, 2025 (Rehearsal Night) | December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve)

Location: Arts Centre Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl
 

Set Sail for a Magical Christmas with Searoad Ferries

Make your festive season unforgettable with a scenic cruise across Port Phillip Bay aboard Searoad Ferries. Enjoy the fresh sea breeze at the viewing decks, refreshing drinks and snacks at the onboard cafés and bars, and a relaxing break from the holiday rush as you sail between the Mornington Peninsula and Bellarine Peninsula.

4

Watch The Nutcracker on Stage

Few things evoke the holiday season like Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, and BIG Live brings it to life beautifully on stage. This ballet is one of the classic Christmas events in Melbourne, perfect for children, couples, and anyone who wants to be whisked away into a magical Christmas dreamland.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • The production follows Clara’s magical journey, from her Christmas Eve party to the fantastical Land of Sweets, complete with dancing snowflakes, mischievous mice, and a heroic Nutcracker Prince.

  • Watch as Clara’s story comes to life in harmony with Tchaikovsky’s score, from the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to the Snow Waltz.

  • Expect breathtaking stage design, from snowy landscapes to glittering forests, and elaborate costumes.

Dates: December 11 to December 23, 2025

Location: Princess Theatre, 163 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

5

Experience a Magical Evening at Top Hat Mondays’ Christmas Magic Showcase

For a truly festive night out, Top Hat Mondays’ Christmas Magic Showcase combines illusion, spectacle, and holiday charm. It’s a dazzling event perfect for kids and adults alike, combining classic magic and Christmassy flair.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • A roster of talented magicians from Melbourne and across Australia will perform, each bringing their own style of sleight of hand, stage illusions, and close-up magic.

  • Expect mind-bending tricks, audience participation, and moments that will leave you gasping, laughing, and wondering how they were done.

Date: December 1, 2025

Location: Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club, 407-411 Racecourse Rd, Flemington VIC 3031, Australia

6

Watch Classic Christmas Movies at the Christmas Outdoor Cinema: Naughty or Nice Edition

Over four nights, Fed Square transforms into a free open-air cinema where you can catch festive favourites under the stars. At the Christmas Outdoor Cinema: Naughty or Nice Edition, you can choose your movie night mood. Come early for a wholesome Christmas classic or stay later for a mischievous, cult-classic twist.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • It’s a free, inclusive event, so everyone is welcome to enjoy the movies.

  • Bring blankets, snacks, and your family or friends to watch classic Christmas movies under the stars.

  • Movie lineup includes The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Klaus, Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life, Gremlins, Krampus, and more.

Dates: December 8 to December 11, 2025

Location: Fed Square, Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Romantic Christmas Events in Melbourne for Couples

7

Take a Romantic Walk Around the City as Christmas Decorations Sparkle at Night

There’s something truly magical about Melbourne after dark in December. Stroll hand in hand through glittering streets, soaking up the glow of Christmas decorations, projections, and sparkling nights.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • Visit the giant tree at Christmas Square and soak up the candy-cane wonderland (November 28 to December 25)

  • Watch the festive light projections nightly at Melbourne Town Hall (nightly, from 9 PM to 11 PM)

  • Walk through AC/DC Lane to see the river of colourful lights overhead

  • Cross the Evan Walker Bridge at dusk and admire the giant Christmas star and signage

Dates: Dates and times vary by location

 

8

Sail Past the Glittering City Lights at Christmas Lights Cruise

At the Christmas Lights Cruise, you will sail along the Yarra River where Melbourne’s skyline sparkles with holiday magic. As night falls, the city’s Christmas lights reflect on the water, with the evening cruise providing the best views of the iconic Crown Christmas River Show.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • A one-hour river journey past Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks, illuminated in Christmas décor.

  • A peaceful, romantic escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, perfect for couples wanting a festive evening with a gentle breeze and sparkling reflections.

Dates: December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24, 2025

Location: Berth 2, Southbank Promenade, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia

9

Experience Love Actually in Concert with a Live Orchestra

Relive the romantic magic of Love Actually, but this time with a full live orchestra performing the beloved soundtrack as the film plays on a big screen. Love Actually in Concert is a romantic and emotional evening that will surely tug your heartstrings.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • The film plays on a giant screen while a full orchestra performs Craig Armstrong’s unforgettable score live.

  • A chance to laugh, cry, and sing along in a beautiful concert hall setting, perfect for date night or a special Christmas treat.

Dates: December 21 to December 22, 2025

Location: 90/130 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Fun Christmas Activities in Melbourne

10

Spread the Christmas Cheer as You Paddle Along the Yarra River with SUP Melbourne

If you’re looking for fun summer things to do in Melbourne for Christmas, this special event by SUP Melbourne is for you. This social event brings together experienced paddlers in holiday-themed outfits for a memorable, joy-filled cruise under the city lights.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • Bring your own paddleboard and paddle, wear your favourite Christmas costume, and get ready for stand-up paddleboarding.

  • Depart from Yarra Edge Marina and paddle upstream to Swan St. Bridge and back.

  • Halfway through, you'll pause for drinks and nibbles while taking in the views.

Dates: December 20, 2025

Meeting Point: 104 Lorimer Street, Docklands, Victoria 3008

 

11

Join a Pack of Santas for a Run at Santa Fun Run

Lace up your running (or walking) shoes and join hundreds of Santas for Vision Australia’s Santa Fun Run at Melbourne’s iconic Tan Track. This jolly, all-ages event combines festive fun to raise funds to support children who are blind or have low vision.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • It’s not a competition, so don’t worry about who crosses the finish line first. You can run, walk, push a pram, or use a wheelchair on the course!

  • Choose between the two waves: a two-lap 7.6-kilometre run (Dasher) or a one-lap 3.8-kilometre run (Dancer).

  • Take your dog along for the run. Don’t forget to dress them up as a mini-Santa, too! And remember, they must be on leash and on the trail at all times.

Dates: November 22, 2025

Location: The Tan Track, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne  

12

Pick Up a New Craft at the Big Craft Destash Xmas Edition

For those looking for productive things to do for Christmas in Melbourne, why not pick up a new hobby or refresh your existing craft supplies? Laneway Learning’s Big Craft Destash Xmas Edition is a festive, community-driven event where crafters can swap, donate, and pick up leftover projects and materials just in time for the holidays. It’s a fun, sustainable way to clear your craft cupboard, discover new creative passions, and support local makers, all for a small ticket fee.

What You Can Look Forward To:

  • Exchange unfinished projects or yarn, fabric, and more with other crafters, and choose from a wide variety of free or low‑cost materials.

  • Buy discounted craft supplies and take home samples, jewellery, or pieces made in past Laneway Learning classes.

  • Get help with tricky techniques, whether you need advice on pattern reading, crochet troubleshooting, or how to finish a neglected project.

Dates: December 7, 2025

Location: Level 3 Rooms 14, 15/37 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Extend the Festive Fun With Searoad Ferries

Why not escape the city crowds and experience a quieter, more laid-back summer Christmas? Hop aboard Searoad Ferries and sail to the scenic Mornington or Bellarine Peninsula. From the deck, you’ll enjoy cool sea breezes and a peaceful, seaside festive atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where's the best place to spend Christmas in Victoria, Australia?

While Melbourne itself is dazzling during Christmas, many travellers also head to the Mornington Peninsula or Bellarine Peninsula for a laid-back coastal Christmas. These regions offer beautiful beaches, charming villages, and a slower pace, ideal if you want to soak in a summer Christmas by the sea.

2. Where do families often celebrate Christmas in Victoria, Australia?

Melbourne is a go-to destination for many with its vibrant array of city events, from Christmas markets and light displays to family-friendly concerts and outdoor activities. Beyond the city, many families head to the coast for a traditional Australian Christmas by the beach. Popular Christmas destinations include Sorrento, Geelong, Rye, and Queenscliff, where calm beaches and grassy foreshore areas make Christmas Day both relaxing and family-friendly.

3. Do Australians go to the beach on Christmas Day?

Yes, very often! Since Christmas falls during summer in Australia, many families head to the beaches for a Christmas Day picnic, swim, or barbecue. It’s a beloved tradition for locals and visitors alike.

Travellers rate us 4.5 out of 5 on Trip Advisor
Simple and enjoyable process
Really enjoyed taking the ferry. Not very busy, easy to get on and off with car and nice ship. Comfortable lounge and even had a sandwich. Really like the driving it saved us. Put us in great shape for starting the Great Ocean Road.
Enjoy the drive..Take The Ferry
Why would you bother driving through all that city traffic when you can just hop aboard the ferry to get from one side of the bay to the other?
Excellent way to cross the bay
We took the car over the bay. What an easy trip. No need to book. Boat is in excellent condition and crew were great. High recommended.