Where to See the Best Christmas Lights in Melbourne

In between gift shopping for loved ones and cooking up a storm, few things can conjure joyous wonder like a dazzling Christmas light display. Whether it’s a towering tree amongst the hustle and bustle, nostalgic picture windows at a department store, or a stunning light show on a suburban street, there’s no shortage of festive lights illuminating the city this year.

Hop in the car and see some for yourself with our edit of the best Christmas lights in Melbourne.

City of Melbourne Christmas Festival

Countdown to Christmas with the incredible projections at Melbourne Town Hall, the State Library and Flinders Street, which are a much-loved yearly tradition. Four fabulous treatments will light up the Town Hall façade, splashing native floral wreaths, a koala climbing a candy cane, singing reindeer and penguins, plus the famous nutcracker soldiers standing guard as the building is all wrapped up with a festive bow.

90-130 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Christmas Square

Start your Christmas story at Melbourne’s home of Christmas, the sparkling Fed Square. There’s nothing more Christmassy in Melbourne than a visit to its iconic 17.5 metre tree. Experience the spectacular light and sound shows and soak up the festive decorations and atmosphere, before discovering everything the city has to offer at Christmastime. 

Federation Square, Melbourne

Melbourne Christmas Walk

Discover dazzling Christmas decorations with a self-guided walk throughout the city. In the lead up to Christmas, this is the perfect activity to bring out your festive cheer. By day, it’s the ultimate family fun activity (be sure to make a stop at Santa’s Workshop), but if you explore at night, you’ll really get to see the city sparkle.

Pick up a map from the Melbourne Visitor Hub at Town Hall or the Melbourne Visitor Booth on Bourke Street, or download here.

Various locations including the Melbourne Visitor Booth in Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne

Myer Christmas Windows

Myer’s much-loved storey windows are a 68-year-old Christmas tradition that continue to delight new generations. This year’s windows follow Ace the Eagle and the iconic Irwin family in a delightful, true blue Aussie Christmas story. 

After checking out the windows, be sure to go up the elevator to level 6 at Myer’s Mural Hall for a wildlife show by Terrapin Puppet Theatre, running from the 17th to 24th December.

10.00am to 10.00pm daily, until 5th January

314/336 Bourke Street, Melbourne

5 Molesworth Street, Coburg

This huge display of Christmas lights in Melbourne can be found tucked away in Coburg, with tens of thousands of lights covering a 3-storey home. There’s a nativity scene, Christmas tree, huge inflatable Santa, snowman and reindeer ready to be enjoyed, as well as a lit up walkway as you enter the display. 

8th December to 7th January, 8.00pm to 12.00am

Boyd Close, Mooroolbark

This Christmas wonderland has roof decorations, inflatables and lights, including a life-size Santa sleigh, 3-metre inflatable reindeer and a snow machine. If you visit on Fridays and Saturdays at 8.00pm, there’ll even be Christmas carols and snowfall. It’s all in support of the Mooroolbark CFA too.

1st December to 25th December, 7.30pm to 11.00pm

Rawdon Court, Boronia

With over 500,000 lights covering Rawdon Court from the highest peak of the roofline to the tiered garden, this Christmas display is as dramatic as it is dazzling. Fun, festive inflatables surround you as you make your way up the driveway, serving as the perfect backdrop for a Christmas photo. Brett, the heart and soul behind the court’s Christmas light display, puts so much effort into it that it has won numerous awards for best Christmas display!

You can purchase children’s Christmas hats, headbands or light wands for $5 to support the The Royal Children’s Hospital foundation.

1st December to 25th December, 7.30pm to 10.30pm (until 11.59pm on Christmas Day)

29 Shaftsbury Street, Coburg

The whimsical Christmas wonderland at 29 Shaftsbury Street will delight young and old alike. Over December, this pretty Coburg cottage is adorned with twinkling wreaths, giant bears and koalas, walk-in displays and countless magical scenes rendered with impeccable detail. Each year they raise thousands for Tour de Cure and this year will be no different. Check their Facebook page for opening dates, as they work hard over the start of December to get up and running in time for Christmas!

4 Yalta Court, Clayton South

As sweet and charming as always, the Christmas lights at Clayton South’s 4 Yalta Court go beyond just a typical glittering facade. That’s right—there’s plenty of reindeer, trees and small hidden gems all around this fantastic display; so buckle up, because it’s worthy of a drive out to see them. Make a game of counting each and every reindeer that you find. 

30th November until 3rd January, 9.00pm to 11.00pm

2 Pepperbush Circuit, Cranbourne 

This Cranbourne gem offers a lovely dose of bedazzling native Australian fauna, a large kangaroo and koala, all dressed up in festive wear in preparation for Santa’s arrival. The garage is decked out in small Christmas treasures and there’s a snow machine for all to enjoy. Its on each night until Christmas, with carols being sung on Sunday the 17th December for those who want to join. 

8.00pm to 10.30pm

Adventure Park Geelong Christmas Festival of Lights

You need to make Victoria’s largest Christmas lights festival part of your family tradition this year. 

See the magic of Christmas and fairy tales brought to life at Adventure Park, in 3.3 million lights over 1000 dazzling light installations and displays, with theme park rides, performances, even a real-life Santa Claus.

Be bedazzled by the Candy Cane Tunnel, enamoured with the 4 metre tall reindeer, struck gold by the angels floating up way above, and experience the 8 metre long Ice Castle. 

Entertainment wise, there’s a high-flying Elf Trapeze Show and a life-sized, animated musical singing show with Polar Bear characters, Santa’s Reindeer, a magic tree and more. Plus, meet Santa and capture a magic memory, with professional photography available.

A glowing wonderland full of enchanting trails, glistening paths, magical glittering bridges and dazzling displays, Adventure Park is not to be missed this Christmas! 

Select dates only, see website to purchase tickets and for further details

1249 Bellarine Highway, Wallington

Stay busy during the holiday season with our roundup of the best things to do in Melbourne this month and must-try new restaurants Stuck on Kris Kringle gift ideas? We’ve got you covered for that too.

Kelsey Harrington, Juliana Yu

4 December 2024