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City of Melbourne Christmas Lights, Projections and Decorations 2025
Christmas in Melbourne 2025 is set to sparkle brighter than ever, with the City of Melbourne Christmas Festival transforming streets, laneways, and landmarks into a festive wonderland. More than 650 decorations will deck the city, including a stunning new 60-metre overhead light display in Bourke Street Mall featuring 25,000 lights. From dazzling Christmas projections to giant decorations across Docklands and the city centre, there’s magic to discover around every corner.
Whether you are visiting the giant golden reindeer at Docklands, spotting the Christmas star on Evan Walker Bridge, or admiring the nutcracker soldiers and native floral displays at Melbourne Town Hall, the city is full of festive joy for families to explore this season.
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Christmas Square & Festival Launch
Kick off the festive season at Melbourne’s Christmas Festival Launch 2025 at Federation Square, a free family-friendly celebration filled with lights, music, and entertainment. The evening begins with community choirs, roving performers, and special guests, leading up to the first lighting of Melbourne’s magnificent 17.5-metre Christmas Tree. Families can enjoy face painting, meet Santa for photos, and join the countdown as the Square comes alive with a spectacular light and sound show. Throughout December, Christmas Square will sparkle with twinkling decorations, candy canes, and nightly on-the-hour light displays.
Christmas Festival Launch
Dates: Friday 28 November 2025
Time: 6.30 pm – late
Location: Fed Square, Swanston St, Melbourne
Price: Free
Christmas Square
Dates: 28 November – 25 December 2025
Time: 8 am – 11:30 pm
Location: Fed Square, Swanston St, Melbourne
Price: Free
Melbourne’s Best Christmas Decorations 2025
The City of Melbourne Christmas Decorations bring festive cheer to every precinct. Here’s where to find this year’s highlights:
Docklands Highlights
• Marvel at an eight-metre-tall golden reindeer, a striking centrepiece that captures the spirit of Christmas on the waterfront.
• See the giant purple Christmas tree shimmering on Harbour Esplanade, creating a beautiful glow along the Docklands skyline.
• Giant Present Boxes — playful oversized installations that make for fun photo moments and festive surprises throughout Docklands.
• Spot the Docklands Pillars, where iconic nutcracker soldiers stand proudly beside new festive elves, bringing extra Christmas cheer to the precinct.
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City Highlights
Evan Walker Bridge
See a shining Christmas star light up the Evan Walker Bridge, adding a cheerful glow to the heart of the city.
Laneway Magic
Melbourne’s famous laneways — including Degraves Street, AC/DC Lane, Hardware Lane, and Centre Place — will sparkle with fairy lights, bells, and glowing decorations, bringing festive charm to every corner.
Bourke Street Mall
The mall lights up with a beautiful new overhead display, featuring 25,000 sparkling lights across 60 metres — a stunning addition to Melbourne’s Christmas celebrations.
Flinders Street Station
Watch Flinders Street Station come alive with nightly Christmas projections from 9–11 pm, featuring festive colours and designs. The projections will run from 28 – 30 November and again from 8 – 25 December 2025, lighting up one of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks.
Melbourne Town Hall Christmas Projections
The Melbourne Town Hall Projections return with a new display of animated festive scenes. Watch as the heritage façade comes alive in light and colour, celebrating the joy and creativity of the season.
Dates: 28 November – 25 December 2025
Times: 9 pm – 11 pm
Location: Melbourne Town Hall, 90-130 Swanston Street
Price: Free
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Crown Christmas River Show
Experience Christmas along the Yarra with the return of the Crown Christmas River Show, a spectacular display of water, light, and laser effects set to a joyful Christmas soundtrack curated by DJ Grant Smillie. Watch as the Birrarung (Yarra River) lights up each evening outside Crown Melbourne, with synchronised water fountains, vibrant projections, and festive music creating a magical atmosphere along Southbank Promenade.
Dates: 28 November – 25 December 2025
Times: 9 pm – 11 pm
Location: Outside Crown between Queens and Kings bridges, Southbank Promenade
Price: Free
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Melbourne Christmas lights and projections start?
The Melbourne Christmas Festival 2025 runs from 28 November to 25 December 2025. Lights and projections begin at dusk each night.
Are the Christmas displays free?
Yes — all City of Melbourne Christmas lights, projections, and decorations are free to enjoy.
Best viewing route:
Start at Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, stroll past Melbourne Town Hall, and Bourke Street Mall, then hop on a tram to Docklands for the giant reindeer and waterfront displays.
Family-friendly?
Absolutely. All sites are family-friendly and accessible for prams and wheelchairs.
Plan your Christmas adventure through Melbourne’s most magical streets and enjoy the twinkling lights, joyful music, and festive spirit that make this city shine each December.
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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.
