If you can hear the voices of Mariah Carey or Michael Bublé in the distance, it’s because Christmas is just around the corner. And there’s so many holly, jolly activities and decorations coming to town as part of the City of Melbourne’s beloved Christmas celebrations. Look forward to festive displays, including a new 90-metre-long canopy with over 25,000 lights above Bourke Street Mall, as well as dazzling projections and over 600 decorations. The festivities will kick off with the lighting of the 17.5 metre Christmas tree in Fed Square on Friday, November 27.
Christmas in the City of Melbourne 2026
There’s so many wonderful things to look forward to this year, with the Christmas Night Market coming back to Queen Victoria Market after five years, as well as a special Christmas edition of the Makers Market in City Square.
Listen to the new Melbourne Sings program, where community choirs, cultural ensembles, musicians and buskers pop up across the city’s streets and venues for free performances and singalongs, including a Bourke Street Mall Christmas Showcase.
With decorations all across the city, there’s a lot to see, including a trail of native flora and fauna inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas, and festive projections on Melbourne Town Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Other popular events, such as the Christmas Carnival on Birrarung Marr and the Crown Christmas River Show, will make a return this year.
Highlights include:
- Queen Victoria Market Christmas Night Market – find festive food, falling snow, handmade gifts and free professional Christmas photos on Wednesday evenings from November 25. There will also be real deer for you to meet and pat on December 9 and 16.
- Christmas Square – Fed Square will transform into Christmas Square. Celebrate the lighting of the tree with a free program of entertainment on November 27. Throughout the season, you can also expect the Koorie Krismas First Nations celebration, Pillars of Light Channukah Festival and classic Christmas films on the big screen from December 19.
- Myer Christmas Window Display – stroll down Bourke Street Mall and see the annual display. The new theme will be revealed on Saturday, November 7.
- Crown Christmas River Show – Southbank will light up with a nightly display of water fountains, lasers, projections and a festive soundtrack from December 4.
- Christmas Carnival – Birrarung Marr will be packed with thrilling rides, food trucks and family-friendly games from December 11.
- City Square – see a new 10-metre-tall Christmas tree, along with a program of free live music and Christmas markets from November 27.
- Mr Fantastico’s Christmas Rooftop Carnival – Spiegel Haus will host plenty of festive entertainment, interactive performances, creative activities and a Santa experience for the family from December 19 to 23.
- Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight – take part in this beloved tradition at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Christmas Eve.
The festivities will run until Christmas Day on Friday, December 25. To see the program, click here.
