Festive Fun: The Best Things to Do This Christmas in Hobart

We love the festive season. The stores are playing non-stop carols, streets are decked out with Christmas wreaths, baubles and towering trees, and come nightfall, suburban streets transform into twinkling wonderlands with thousands of lights bringing magic to December.

Beyond the decorations and gift shopping, Hobart embraces the fun of this joyful season, hosting markets, parties and activations for all to enjoy. To make the most of the most wonderful time of year, we’ve rounded up the best things to do this Christmas in Hobart.

Christmas Classics by Candlelight

Fever’s candlelight concerts are always a good time, and this Christmas, they’re serving up a mix of old-school favourites as well as modern renditions, performed by a dreamy string quartet. Bliss out as you watch on by the soft glow of candlelight, gearing up for festive season

Looking to achieve a minimal waste Christmas? A voucher makes for a great early Chrissie gift to a music-loving giftee.

From $36, tickets available here

Thursday 18th December, 6:30pm

Hobart Town Hall

Christmas Carols

Supplying a hefty dose of Christmas spirit, a night of carols would be enough to make any Grinch smile, and several events are happening across Hobart.

Hosted by 7HOFM and John X Presents, Variety’s Carols by Candlelight will take place on December 20th in Tolosa Park in Glenorchy. Bring a picnic rug and nibbles, sit back and enjoy an evening of guest stars from radio and TV as they sing the Christmas songs we love.

Beyond that, a string of community carols is run by the City of Hobart, including Carols in the Park at Soundy Park and Carols at John Turnball Oval and Carols at, all hosted on December 6th. 

For a comprehensive list of community carols, click here

Send a Letter to Santa

An activity the kids adore every festive season, a magical red letterbox is set up in Elizabeth Mall, taking letters to Santa from Tassie kids to the North Pole. All you need to do to ensure Santa receives your little one’s letter is find the box (next to the information booth), add their name, address and wishlist and send it off to:

Santa Claus, The North Pole, 9999

Be sure to include an address so Santa knows where to send a letter back!

Elizabeth Mall, drop letters by December 16th 

Joy Drive 2025

Give back to the Tasmanian families doing it tough this Christmas with a donation to the annual Joy Drive in 2025. Thanks to generous Tasmanians and the hard work of Hobart City Mission, families will receive food vouchers, hampers, and gifts to brighten their festive season. These small gestures can mean the world, from fresh socks and toiletries to toys that spark joy.

Donate to the Christmas appeal.

13 Main Road, Moonah

Take it Easy This Christmas with The Dinner Ladies

Cooking up a Chrissie feast isn’t some people’s idea of a good time. Not to worry! This year, The Dinner Ladies are onto it with a delish menu of easy to prep goodies, ranging from canapes to mains.

If you’re after something to impress your guests, minus the hassle, you’ve got plenty to choose from. Our picks? Duck sausage rolls and rosemary biscuit mix with red capsicum tapenade and mascarpone. You can also pick from a bunch of mains, including the star of the show — the Citrus Brined Turkey Crown.

And no, they haven’t forgotten the sides or desserts. We’re talking golden duck fat potatoes, creamy potato gratin, jewel-toned grain salad with goji berries and almonds, Christmas pudding, sticky date pudding and coconut and lime cheesecake with mango coulis.

Available to order until stocks last

See the Mawson Place Christmas Tree

One of the biggest and brightest Christmas trees can be found at Mawson Place, in the middle of Hobart CBD. Make a day of it and squeeze in a spot of Christmas shopping whilst you’re there.

Christmas Tree at Mawson Place, Hobart 

Salamanca Market 

A stroll through this long-running market is the perfect Christmas activity, because this month, it’s a very Merry market indeed. Salamanca Market has been around for over 50 years, and in that time it’s grown to include over 300 stallholders, encompassing locally produced goods from records and woodwork stalls to Leatherwood honey and whisky producers — all of which make great gifts and stocking stuffers. Don’t forget to treat yourself to a festive bite at one of the many food stalls to serve as fuel for more shopping.

8.30am to 3pm, Saturdays

Salamanca Place, Hobart 

Things to do This Christmas in Hobart: Christmas Day Feasts

Buon Natale at Peppina

Outsourcing this year? Book yourself into Peppina for a Christmas feast beyond your wildest imagination. Chef Massimo Mele has popped together an 11-course feast, utilising the island’s finest produce, and the result will have you rolling home. Your meal will move from olives and breads through to antipasti, bowls of pasta and hearty mains before finishing with a decadent dessert. Paired with wines by Peppina’s own sommelier, we can’t think of a more exquisite way to spend Christmas.

$310 per person

2b Salamanca Place, Hobart

Christmas Buffet at Tesoro

Tesoro is kicking you out of the kitchen this Chrissie, so you can sit back, relax and soak it all in. They will be serving up a sumptuous banquet, on top of family-style plates delivered straight to your table. Think slow-roasted local lamb, Tasmanian cheeses, chilled poached prawns, kingfish crudo and more. And for dessert, it’s all about the traditional struffoli, chocolate semifreddo and fresh berries. But before that, a glass of sparkling to set the mood.

$225 per person (children 5-12 $119 each)

28 Elizabeth Street, Hobart

Christmas Day Buffet at Mr Goodguy

Channelling something a little less traditional this year? Mr Goodguy will be putting their South East Asian spin on your usual Christmas Day fare. There will be a dumpling station, charcuterie and dessert corner, as well as a carvery serving deliciously retro pineapple-glazed ham and herb-rubbed lamb rump. This one is popular, so be sure to book early!

Lunch: $185 per person (children 5-12 $99 each)

Dinner: $110 per person (children 5-12 $70 each)

Now that you know all the best things to do this Christmas in Hobart and beyond, continue to embrace the holiday spirit with our guide to gorgeous gifting, or sit back and watch one of the best Christmas movies!