Top Christmas Things To Do in Melbourne in 2026
Melbourne does Christmas in a big way, with carols, markets, lights and plenty of free events across the CBD and the suburbs. Here is our guide to the best Christmas things to do in Melbourne in 2026. We have only given dates we could confirm. Where a 2026 program has not been announced yet, we say so and tell you where to check.
1. Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight (Thursday 24 December 2026)
Carols by Candlelight is an Australian Christmas Eve institution, held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the Kings Domain Gardens. The 2026 concert is on Thursday 24 December, with a rehearsal night on Wednesday 23 December. Tickets go on public sale through Ticketek from 9 October, with prices ranging from about $55 to $279 depending on seat type and ticket category. The event raises funds for Vision Australia. Official details: carols.visionaustralia.org.
Getting there: the Music Bowl is a short walk from Flinders Street Station and Southbank, and trams stop on St Kilda Road. Allow plenty of time, as the crowds are big.
2. Free Christmas Day Picnic in Queen Victoria Gardens
The City of Melbourne’s Christmas Day guide lists a free festive picnic in Queen Victoria Gardens on 25 December, hosted by the Melbourne Social Club. It is a friendly option if you are visiting, living far from family, or just want to meet people on the day. Details change each year, so check the City of Melbourne Christmas Day guide for the latest information and any registration requirements.
3. Federation Square Christmas
Federation Square usually turns into a Christmas hub from mid to late November, with a big tree, Santa’s workshop and family activities. The 2026 program had not been published when we wrote this. Check fedsquare.com for the dates.
4. Christmas at Docklands
Docklands is a popular spot for festive family outings, with seasonal attractions along the waterfront. Dates for 2026 are not confirmed yet, so check the Docklands website for the program.
5. Christmas Markets and Festivals Around Melbourne
Queen Victoria Market normally runs a Christmas night market on selected evenings in late November and December, and councils across the city run their own festivals. For example, the Frankston Christmas Festival was held on Saturday 29 November in 2025. Dates for 2026 are not confirmed yet. Check qvm.com.au and your local council’s events page for this year’s dates.
6. Play Christmas Indoors with VR Escape Rooms
Melbourne’s December weather can swing from hot to wet in one afternoon, so keep an indoor plan handy. Our free roam VR escape rooms, like Pirates Plague and Time Travel Paradox, are team games where you work together against the clock. See all our VR escape room and challenge games too. Entermission Melbourne is at Level 1, 164 Bourke Street, right in the CBD, close to the city’s Christmas windows and lights.
You can book online for friends, family or a work Christmas event. Looking for a date-night idea? Take a look at our Christmas date ideas in Melbourne.
We update this guide as official 2026 programs are announced. Last updated October 2026.
