Overview
When the end of the year arrives — the merriest time of year, too — some folks like staring at luminous lights and dazzling decorations. Others enjoy hitting up every single festive market around town. Or, you could prefer soaking in as many Christmas-themed activities as you can find, such as Christmas rollerskating and a Christmas maze.
Whichever fits, Melbourne has the answers this festive season — specifically from Friday, November 25–Sunday, December 25. For an entire month, the Victorian capital is welcoming back its Melbourne Christmas Festival, because Christmas in this city doesn't just mean buying gifts and roasting turkeys.
The fun starts early, with Christmas paraphernalia beginning to deck out Melbourne far and wide from Monday, November 7, and the Myer Christmas Windows also unveiled; however, the fest itself still doesn't kick off until a month before the big day. So, from the end of November, you can make a date with spectacular projections and a whole heap of excuses to get shopping, among other festivities.
Those nightly Christmas projections are a clear drawcard, and they'll beam across, Melbourne Town Hall and and Flinders Street station, with the latter spanning a whopping 142 metres. You'll be able to see it when you hang out at Federation Square's Christmas Square, and it'll compete for your attention with a 16.5-metre LED Christmas tree. Yes, things will be bright as well as jolly.
Adam Renyard
Other highlights around town include the Christmas-themed roller-skating rink at Carlton's Argyle Square; Queensbridge Square's pop-up playground with bell swings, a giant dance floor and an interactive orchestra; and a 'How to Make Gravy' show featuring Melbourne's best indie voices echoing in Fed Square. Or, there's the Christmas maze at Docklands and a ten-day Christmas carnival at Birrarung Marr — including dodgems and a ferris wheel.
Elsewhere, a floating sleigh and enchanted dolphins will take over the Yarra River nightly, as part of a 27-metre-long floating art installation called Row Ho Ho that's best viewed from Northbank. Also, Queen Victoria Market's Monday-night String Bean Alley Christmas Night Market returns in December. Still on markets, The District Docklands is hosting one, as are River Studios and Testing Grounds. And, in the Royal Exhibition Building for the first time, so is the team behind the Good Food & Wine Show.
Adam Renyard
Plus, Section 8 is getting in on the market action, then following it up with an eight-night Christmas-themed festival with live music and DJs.
There's also the Koorie Krismas Market, selling arts and crafts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; Blender Studios putting on a lights and arts festival; a day of treasure hunts; and roaming drag Santa performances in Flinders Lane and Degraves Street.
Simon Shiff
Or, embrace festive traditions from around the world thanks to the Japanese Christmas Festival, Little Korea Christmas Festival and Nordic Christmas celebrations — including a corridor of live spruce and fir trees that you can wander through.
There's more where that came from, too; 'tis the season to spend a month feeling the Christmas spirit all throughout the City of Melbourne, obviously.
Melbourne Christmas Festival runs from Friday, November 25–Sunday, December 25. For further information, head to the City of Melbourne website.
Top images: Adam Renyard.