Melbourne Christmas Festival

Overview

In Melbourne, Christmas doesn't just mean present buying and roasting turkeys — the whole city comes alive for this festive occasion with 44 events running from November 29 right through till the big day.

Kicking things off are the nightly Christmas Projections lighting up the State Library Victoria, Melbourne Town Hall and Princes Bridge every night from 9–10.45pm. The library will feature a show written by Aussie writer and TV presenter Marieke Hardy and narrated by the inimitable Lee Lin Chin. These are free to visit — like many of the festive events happening, including the Gravy Day Sing-Along (yes, a mass singing of our national Christmas song: Paul Kelly's 'How to Make Gravy') and the pop-up Christmas cinema in Carlton.

If you're happy to part with some clams, you can visit the Gingerbread Village (which has recreated some Melbourne icons) for a gold coin donation; pick up gifts from the Koorie Krismas Market, selling arts and crafts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; purchase a mini Christmas tree from the banks of the Yarra; partake in the first-ever carols day at the Carlton Baths for just $6.10 a ticket; and, for $75, enjoy a Christmas barbecue lunch on the Holiday Inn's Pool Terrace.

There's plenty where that came from, too, so check out all of the events happening as part of City of Melbourne's Christmas Festival over here.