Family-friendly Christmas events in Melbourne
Christmas is a time when Melbourne comes to life with festive decorations, visits from Santa, Christmas windows and carols. This year there is uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions. There are many Christmas events in Melbourne that have been cancelled, but not all hope is lost! There are many events that have been saved and will go ahead.
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Here are my top family-friendly Christmas events:
1. Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight
Melbourne’s beloved Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl will go ahead in 2020, this year’s event will look different. There will be all your favourite Christmas Eve songs with amazing artists, but the carols will have no audience. It will be a magical night where families and friends can enjoy from the comfort of their lounge rooms or backyards. The event will raise funds and awareness for Vision Australia, who support kids who are blind or have low vision.
Date: Thursday 24 December 2020
Time: Channel 9 will broadcast the whole show live from 8pm AEST on Christmas Eve, as well as a replay on Christmas Day. 3AW will broadcast live from 6pm until midnight on Christmas Eve.
More information
2. Myer Christmas Windows
The Myer Christmas Windows in Melbourne has been a Christmas tradition for 65 years. This year, with the backdrop of the COVID pandemic lockdown, the Myer Christmas Windows came close to being cancelled. Thankfully they were saved and this year’s theme is titled “Christmas is Uncancelled”, written by award-winning author Corinne Fenton and narrated by Eddie Perfect. It tells the story of how Christmas was saved in Melbourne.
Date: 14 November –24 December 2020
Time: 7.30am –10.30pm
Location: 314–336 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Price: FREE
More information
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3. Christmas Festival
This year’s Christmas Festival will light up Melbourne with a month-long celebration of festive events. The much-loved 16-metre LED Christmas tree is back in Fed Square with Santa’s big workshop. The stunning Christmas projections will be displayed on the Princess Bridge, Melbourne Town Hall and State Library Victoria.
Christmas Square
Located at Fed Square
27 Nov–25 Dec 2020
Christmas Projections
Located at Princes Bridge, Melbourne Town Hall and State Library Victoria
27 Nov–25 Dec 2020
Santa’s Spectacles
Christmas Square, Fed Square
28 Nov–25 Dec 2020
Santa’s Big Workshop
Christmas Square, Fed Square
28 Nov–24 Dec 2020
4. Christmas Markets
There are some charming Christmas Markets coming to Melbourne from the start of December. It’s an opportunity to buy unique gifts from local Victorian creators and producers.
WTC Wharf Pop-up Christmas Market
Located at WTC Wharf, 18-38 Siddeley Street, Melbourne
Sun 5 Dec 2020
Docklands Christmas Market
Located at New Quay Promenade, Docklands
Sun 6 Dec 2020
The District Makers Market – Christmas Edition
Located at The District Docklands, 440 Docklands Drive, Docklands
Sun 13 & 20 Dec 2020
Heide Xmas Markets
Located at Heide Museum of Modern Art Sculpture Park, 7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen
Sat 12 & 19 Dec 2020
Rippon Lea Xmas Market
Located at Rippon Lea Estate, 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick
Sun 20 Dec 2020
Como House Xmas Market
Located at Como House & Garden, Williams Road &, Lechlade Avenue, South Yarra
Sun 13 Dec 2020
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5. Christmas Spectacular
The Christmas Spectacular at The Atrium, Crown Towers is one of the must-see Christmas events in Melbourne. The sound of Christmas carols fills the space and the sparkly oversized Faberge Eggs open to reveal animated puppets moving in time to cheerful Christmas tunes.
Date: 29 Nov 2020–4 Jan 2021
Time: 10am–7pm everyday, 10 minute show plays every 15 minutes
Location: The Atrium, Crown Towers
More information
6. Photo with Santa
This year’s Santa photos will look a little different. Most photo opportunities with Santa will be trying to make a covid-safe environment for all involved.
Eastland Santa Photos
Sessions must be pre-booked
Located at 175 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood
Highpoint Christmas Village Santa Photos
Sessions must be pre-booked
Located at 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong
Myer Melbourne Santaland Photos
Sessions must be pre-booked
Located at 314-336 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Magic Cave Photos with Santa at David Jones
Sessions must be pre-booked
Located at 310 Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne
Westfield Chadstone Santa Photos
Sessions must be pre-booked
Located at 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone
Westfield Plenty Valley Santa Photos
Recommended to book session in advance
415 McDonalds Road, Mill Park VIC
Westfield Southland Santa Photos
Recommended to book session in advance
Located at 1239 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham
Westfield Doncaster Santa Photos
Recommended to book session in advance
Located at 619 Doncaster Road, Doncaster
Westfield Fountain Gate Santa Photos
Recommended to book session in advance
Located at 25-55 Overland Drive, Fountain Gate
Greensborough Plaza Santa Photos
Sessions must be pre-booked
Located at 25 Main Street, Greensborough
We try our best to provide accurate information on kid-friendly events around Victoria, but we do recommend that parents check details directly to confirm dates, times, prices as some details may be subject to change.
