Ho Ho Ho: How to Have a Very Merry Christmas in Melbourne

Melbourne comes alive at Christmas, with the city unfolding into a season of light-filled events, markets, high teas, pop-ups and theatre experiences made for celebrating with the people you love. Whether you’re hunting for family-friendly outings, festive dining, neighbourhood markets or after-dark shows, there’s no shortage of ways to make December feel special.

To help you plan your most joyful season yet, here are the best Christmas activities happening across Melbourne — from city favourites to new arrivals worth adding to your festive calendar.

Christmas in Melbourne: Shopping

Dolce&Gabbana Brings an Italian Christmas to Chadstone

Melbourne has scored a little slice of Sicily this season, with the first-ever Dolce&Gabbana Holiday Market arriving at Chadstone. Think panettone tastings, hand-penned gift tags, custom fragrances, and shelves lined with Casa tableware, Bialetti moka sets and Smeg pieces dressed in vivid Sicilian motifs. Add in bronze-drawn pasta, Donnafugata wines and Fiasconaro sweets, and the whole space feels like stepping into an Italian holiday fantasy.

A lively, joy-filled stop for festive shopping that actually feels special.

Chadstone Shopping Centre

Christmas in Melbourne: Theatre & Entertainment

A Christmas Carol

Get ready for a holiday tradition reborn: A Christmas Carol returns to Melbourne for its 2025 season at the Comedy Theatre, with Lachy Hulme stepping into the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Joining him is a stellar cast, including Stephanie Lambourn, Samantha Morley, Natasha Herbert, and others, delivering Dickens’ timeless tale with 12 joyous Christmas carols, candle-lit magic, ghosts, redemption, and more. Think Victorian glamour, immersive staging and festive cheer — the perfect way to embrace the true meaning of the season.

Until 24th December

Book here

Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

The Nutcracker

Ballet’s most iconic festive tale returns to Melbourne this season, with BIG Live bringing The Nutcracker to Princess Theatre. Set to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score, this new production unveils refreshed sets, props and costumes, creating a world of shimmering snowflakes, playful mice and the brave Nutcracker Prince. Clara’s dreamland unfolds through exquisite choreography and world-class dancers, delivering a mesmerising journey for all ages.

A spellbinding way to embrace the Christmas spirit and experience the magic of ballet at its most enchanting.

11th to 23rd December

Book here

Princess Theatre, Melbourne

Vision Australia’s Carols by Candleight

On Christmas Eve, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl transforms into a sea of candles and song for Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight — Melbourne’s most treasured festive tradition. Expect soaring renditions of classic carols, star performances from beloved Australian artists and an atmosphere that feels equal parts joyful and deeply moving. Every ticket helps support children who are blind or have low vision, adding real meaning to the magic.

Sitchu Tip: Can’t make the main event? The final rehearsal on 23rd December offers an early dose of carols, cheer and Christmas spirit.

Tuesday 23rd December, from 4pm (rehearsal night)

Wednesday 24th December, 8pm to 11.30pm (gates open at 4pm)

Book here

Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Linlithgow Avenue, Melbourne

Noël! Noël!

Embrace the season with Noël! Noël!, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Choir’s lively, uniquely local take on Christmas tradition. Set against Melbourne’s balmy summer evenings, this luminous concert weaves beloved carols with unexpected holiday treasures, all delivered with the ensemble’s signature flair.

Expect soaring voices, stirring instrumentation and moments made for gentle sing-along energy. You’ll leave lighter, brighter, and carrying a very healthy dose of Christmas spirit.

Saturday 6th December, 5pm to 6.30pm and 7.30pm to 9pm sessions

Book here

Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt Street, Southbank

See Classic Christmas Movies at the City’s Most Beautiful Cinema

Enjoy a festive night at the beautifully restored Capitol Theatre this December, where family favourites and holiday classics light up the screen. Watch beloved films like The Santa Clause, Home Alone, Arthur Christmas and Elf in one of Melbourne’s most striking cinemas. Doors open an hour before each session, giving you plenty of time to settle in.

Every ticket supports local food-relief initiatives through OzHarvest, The Big Umbrella and West Melbourne Baptist Church — a holiday outing that truly gives back.

The Capitol, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne 

As Camp as Christmas

Fed Square turns up the sparkle for As Camp as Christmas, a gloriously loud and joy-filled cabaret curated by Melbourne icons The Huxleys. Disco energy, wild costumes, drag brilliance and a stage full of queer performers light up the night, with a screening of Can’t Stop the Music setting the tone. Completely free and fabulously over the top, it’s one of the season’s liveliest, most celebratory nights out.

Friday 5th December, 6pm to 10pm

Free event

Fed Square, Melbourne

Christmas in Melbourne: Markets & Foodie Events

A Big, Bright Christmas Night Market Takes Over EBV

East Brunswick Village is throwing a lively Christmas night market, complete with more than 70 stallholders spanning ceramics, jewellery, art, sweets and skincare. The food lineup is a delight — Rocket Society’s fried-eggplant sandwiches, Hagen’s Organics’ Hamwich, panettone from To Be Frank and prosecco from Blackhearts & Sparrows.

Add screenings of Home Alone, Mrs Claus storytelling at The Little Bookroom, panettone gelato from Siconi and festive brews from Bridge Road Brewers, and it’s a neighbourhood celebration with genuine spark.

Thursday 11th December, 5pm to 10pm

East Brunswick Village, 127–149 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick

Christmas at the Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market comes alive with festive spirit this December and January. The lively Summer Night Market lights up Wednesday evenings (5pm to 10pm), pairing street-food, artisan stalls and live music under historic market sheds. Mark Saturday 6th December for the CRFT*WRK craft fair — ideal for unique gifts. Through December, special activations include roving Santas, singing reindeer, seasonal wares and occasional entertainment. Worth checking the official events guide for exact dates — magic tends to show up spontaneously.

December

Queen Victoria Market, Queen Street, Melbourne 

Good Food & Wine Show Christmas Market

If your gifting style leans heavily towards edible, drinkable or just hand it over before I nibble it myself, this is your moment. More than 150 producers set up shop at MCEC with artisan treats, boutique drops and clever festive finds. It’s Christmas shopping with snacks — the superior way to shop, really.

5th to 7th December, 4pm to 9pm

Tickets from $15

1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf

Christmas Vegan Market

Whether you’re vegan, veg-curious or simply keen to support local makers and sustainable living, this festive market has plenty to explore. Hosted by Amanda Leigh Walker of Lord of the Fries, the event includes guest speakers and a Q&A offering thoughtful insight into plant-based living. Wander through stalls serving vibrant food, drinks and clever eco-friendly goods. For food lovers, it’s a brilliant way to discover new flavours and champion community businesses this season.

Sunday 14th December, 10am to 4pm

The Edge, Fed Square

Christmas in Melbourne: Lights, Decorations & Festive Fun

Christmas Square 

Feel the joy of Christmas at Melbourne’s festive heart. Rising 17.5 metres above Fed Square, the city’s iconic Christmas tree glows with a choreographed light-and-sound show that draws crowds night after night. Take a swing on the shimmering illuminated bell, wander through the celebrations and soak up the warmth of a city fully in holiday mode. A beautiful, must-see moment in Melbourne’s December calendar.

Federation Square, Melbourne

Crown Christmas River Show

The spectacular river show returns this Christmas to the Birrarung — Yarra River. Head to Southbank Promenade outside Crown Melbourne for a dazzling display of water fountains, lasers, light projections and a festive soundtrack. Shows run every 15 minutes nightly from late November through Christmas. Perfect for families, couples or friends chasing Christmas magic under the city lights — and completely free.

Until December 25th, every day from 9pm to 11pm

Southbank Promenade, Melbourne 

See the city sparkle at night on this Christmas Decorations crawl

See the city sparkle after dark on a Christmas Decorations crawl. Wander through Melbourne’s streets and riverbanks to find dazzling highlights — a giant reindeer glowing over Docklands, a radiant Christmas star on the Evan Walker Bridge, and nutcracker soldiers standing tall across the precincts. Trees, facades and laneways shimmer under thousands of lights, turning the city into a luminous open-air gallery. A beautiful way for families to soak up the season.

Melbourne CBD

The Myer Christmas Windows

Take a peek behind the shopfront magic at Myer’s 2025 Christmas Windows — a full-on LEGO Christmas Story built from nearly half a million bricks, complete with toy-sized Santas, reindeer flights, festive workshops and cheeky minifigures hidden everywhere. It’s free, whimsical, wonderfully Melbourne — and totally worth the queue.

Everyday, 10am to 10pm

Until 6th January

314-336 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Koorie Krismas

Celebrate the return of Koorie Krismas at Fed Square, a vibrant showcase of First Nations talent. Enjoy live music, comedy, and dance performances hosted by Lady Lash, featuring the Djirri Djirri Dancers, ENOKiCurry, and more. Shop unique gifts from local artists like Haus of Dizzy and Kevin Williams, and get creative at workshops with Thelma Austin and ENOKi. The festive fun reaches fever pitch when Koorie Klaus makes a special appearance.

Saturday 13th December, 10am to 3pm

Free event; booking not required

Fed Square, Swanston Street & Flinders Street, Melbourne 

Christmas in Melbourne has arrived in full swing. Immerse yourself in the festive magic that’s lighting up the CBD. From twinkling lights to vibrant displays, the city is alive with holiday cheer. For more Christmastime inspiration, check out our picks for Christmas lunch around the city, or see our gift guides here. 

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

5 December 2025

Kelsey Harrington is a Melbourne-based writer with a sharp eye for the city's ever-evolving food, wine, arts, and culture scene. Her journey into the creative industry took the scenic route—what started as a passion for capturing Melbourne’s energy through a camera lens led her to Sitchu, where she worked her way up to Melbourne Editor. With over four years in the industry, she’s all about uncovering the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Off the clock? You’ll find her diving into a platter of fresh oysters and crudo, gallery-hopping, or sipping an extra dirty martini while plotting her next adventure.