Christmas in Australia is nothing short of spectacular. Sunny summer days (and nights), cold drinks, cool friends, warm family, and endless celebrations. We don’t know of any Aussie city or small country town without a calendar of festive events to enjoy. We’ve put together our top 11 must-do Aussie Christmas events in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast. Enjoy everything our beautiful country and incredible event community has to offer, and stay safe over the holidays everyone!
Christmas events in Sydney
Christmas Wonderland Sydney Showgrounds
Dec 16-24
Sydney Showgrounds transform into a magical Christmas extravaganza! One of the most loved family Christmas events in Sydney includes a winter wonderland with oodles of premium rides, workshops and activities, a spectacular ice skating rink, Winter tube slide, and Santa’s fun snow pit. Sessions are limited so get your tickets, and get ready to make memories!
Sydney Fish Market 36-hour Seafood Marathon – Pyrmont
Sat 23rd Dec – Sun 24th Dec
Seafood is a massive staple on the Aussie Christmas table. Stock up on an enormous variety of some of the best and freshest Australian and New Zealand seafood at the Sydney Fish Market. Need some tips and inspiration? Grab a cuppa and check out Bridget’s to-die-for seafood platter video.
Melbourne Christmas Events
The big Design Market – Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
1st – 3rd Dec
The Royal Exhibition Building will be buzzing 1st to 3rd December with the best in independent and international design. Enjoy three huge days of Christmas shopping, with over 230 stallholders with unique homewares, jewellery and fashion, stationery, lifestyle products, ceramics, and much more. There’s free kids activities, creative workshops, craft beer and gourmet food as well as fantastic showbags and tons of great prizes to be won.
Christmas at Federation Square
24th November – 25th December
Free festive fun for the whole family. Enjoy an incredible light show every night from 9pm from the 16 metre Christmas tree, take a photo with Santa and sing your favourite Christmas carols in the snow dome.
Brisbane Christmas Events
David Jones Christmas Parade
Nightly from 15th – 24th December from Edward street at the end of the Queen St Mall and through the city to King George Square. Part of Brisbane’s free Christmas program, the parade features dozens of performers to entertain audiences of all ages.
Two-day Christmas itinerary for families
Visit Brisbane has put together a fantastic two-day itinerary for families including a visit to the Enchanted garden, Christmas movies in the park, The lord mayors Christmas Carols and fabulous fireworks.
Adelaide Christmas Events
Hahndorf Christkindlmarkt
15th – 17th December – Cnr Main Street & Auricht Rd Hahndorf.
For something a little different, try a European-style Christmas market with over 50 stalls, entertainment, fabulous food and oodles of Christmas spirit.
Santas Workshop Friday 15th or Sat 16th December – Adelaide Convention Centre.
An 18+ Event, Santa’s Workshop is Adelaide’s biggest Christmas Party. 3000 guests converge to enjoy a three course meal and beverage package and a variety of live entertainment, as well as some great giveaways.
Perth Christmas Events
Santa’s Christmas Carnival
Sunday 10th December – Claremont Showground
Perth’s biggest Christmas event with over 100 activities. Enjoy electrifying rides, a water playground, animal nursery, kids carnival, motocross stunt shows and of course, a skydiving Santa.
Santa’s Enchanted Wardrobe
Various dates from 1st Dec – 24th Dec. Ellie Eaton Pavillion, Claremont Showgrounds Station.
This unique event is an immersive theatre experience, where the audience becomes part of the story in a memorable and magical set. You step into a Narnia Winter fantasy world and walk through an enchanted forrest. Outwit the White Witch to complete your quest, and much more.
Gold Coast Christmas Events
White Christmas at Movie World – various dates from 9th December.
Enjoy a huge display of fairly lights in Main Street, a parade under a white snowy sky, and magical live performances. Marvel at a 4-D Movie experience, enjoy some crafty workshops, and have a chat with the big jolly red man. If you’re on the beautiful Cold Coast for Chrissy, White Christmas at Movie Wold is a must.
Canberra Christmas Events
Christmas Carnival in the City will be held over 3 huge days between 1st – 3rd December, in Garema Place and City Walk. There will be carnival rides, food stalls, live music, Christmas lights and a whole lot of fun! This will be the last event for Canberra In The City.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list. We’d love to hear about your favourite festive events in your local area, leave us your comments!
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