Looking for fun things to do with the kids?
Explore our kid-friendly directory
Christmas in the City – 2023 Melbourne Christmas Festival
Experience the magic of Christmas in the city at the 2023 Christmas Festival. The 4-week festival features a brand new water and laser show on the Yarra River, Christmas decorations and projections, laneway takeovers, interactive pop-ups and Santa’s Workshop has a brand-new home in Howey Place.
The festivities will commence with the lighting of the iconic 17.5-meter Christmas Tree at Christmas Square on Friday, 24 November 2023.
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Christmas Square
Begin your Christmas celebrations at Christmas Square, where a 17.5m Christmas tree will come to life with festive lights and sound shows.
Date: 24 Nov – 25 Dec 2023
Time: 10 am – 12.30 am
Location: Federation Square, Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne
Price: FREE
Melbourne Christmas Walk
Explore the Christmas decorations around the city at your own pace with a self-guided city walk. Choose a daytime walk for a family outing or explore at night. Maps are available from the Melbourne Visitor Hub at Town Hall or the Melbourne Visitor Booth on Bourke Street.
Date: 24 Nov – 25 Dec 2023
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Santa’s Workshop
Santa and his elves are busy at work in his Melbourne workshop, creating toys and gifts for Christmas day. Come and meet Santa, share your Christmas wishes, and take a free photo. Santa has set up his residence in Howey Place this year, which has been transformed into a Christmas laneway. You can access Howey Place via Collins Street (at 234 Collins Street), Swanston Street (through the Capitol Arcade), or from Little Collins Street.
Date: 24 Nov – 25 Dec 2023
Time: 10 am – 5.50/7.30 pm
Location: Howey Place, Melbourne
Price: FREE
Christmas Decorations & Projections
The city will come to life during Christmas, with breathtaking Christmas Decorations that span from Collins Street to Docklands, Carlton to Kensington. Be sure to visit the giant reindeer in Docklands, the dazzling Christmas star on Evan Walker Bridge, and the beloved nutcracker soldiers that stand throughout the city.
The city will also present stunning Christmas Projections transforming the State Library Victoria and Town Hall with colourful themes.
Date: 24 Nov – 25 Dec 2023
Time: 9 pm – 11 pm
Price: FREE
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Christmas River Show
The NEW Christmas River Show is a free event perfect for families and kids. Head to Southbank near Evan Walker Bridge to enjoy a magical Christmas River Show featuring water fountains, laser lights, projections, and festive music. Shows will run every 15 minutes each night.
Date: 24 Nov – 25 Dec 2023
Time: 9 pm – 11 pm
Location: Between Princes Bridge and Evan Walker Bridge, Southbank
Price: FREE
Docklands Christmas Maze
Santa’s elves have gone missing! Will you be the one to help locate them?
Navigate through this enormous present-themed maze, filled with enjoyable interactive games, and embark on a quest to discover all the hidden elves. Exciting prizes are waiting for those who succeed.
Date: 24 Nov – 25 Dec 2023
Time: 11 am – 5 pm
Location: NewQuay Central Park, 429-437 Docklands Dr
Price: FREE
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The Listies Ruin Xmas
The Listies Ruin Xmas offers a riotous twist on the traditional holiday pantomime. Its ultimate goal? To ensure that families are left in stitches with laughter.
Back by popular demand, the celebrated comedic duo unleashes a jolly holiday extravaganza, brimming with all the things that kids adore, including cheeky humour, snow machines, and playful inflatable Santa suits.
Date: Fri 22 Dec 2023
Time: 10.30 am – 11.30 am & 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm
Location: Melbourne Town Hall, 90/130 Swanston St, Melbourne
Price: $10 (50% of proceeds from ticket sales go to Make Room, a project assisting people out of homelessness).
Christmas Carnival
The Christmas Carnival by Birrarung River will feature a Ferris wheel, dodgems the Sky Flyer and classic carnival games. Entry is free, and you can buy ride tickets on-site.
Date: 14 – 24 Dec 2023
Time: 2 pm – 1 pm
Location: Birrarung Marr, Melbourne
More Christmas events in Melbourne city
Christmas Roller Rink – Christmas has come to Carlton with a pop-up roller skating rink in Argyle Square.
Christmas Cinema – series of festive films at the stunning Capitol Theatre.
Christmas Quest – collect a map and answer sheet from The Royal Society of Victoria and see how many checkpoints you can reach.
Myer Christmas Windows – this year’s Myer Christmas Windows have teamed up with the beloved Australian animated series, Bluey, and the endearing Heeler family.
Watch our Christmas Festival Video
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We try our best to provide accurate information on kid-friendly events around Victoria but do recommend parents check details directly to confirm dates, times, prices as some details may be subject to change.
