Christmas Festival in the City of Melbourne

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here in Melbourne, and to help us ring in the festive season, the City of Melbourne has announced the return of its epic, month-long Christmas Festival. From November 29 to December 25, our city will come alive with family-friendly (and mostly free!) events that are sure to turn any Grinch into a believer. 

This year, you can look forward to exciting attractions like a magical recreation of the North Pole at Marvel Stadium; a special Christmas themed bubble show; sound and light shows nightly at Christmas Square; and a festive line-up of flicks showing at the Capitol Theatre.

You won't want to miss the return of the Crown Christmas River Show, which will illuminate Southbank every night, dazzling onlookers with water fountains, lasers, lights and projections set to a soundtrack of festive tunes.

Christmas Carnival will return to the banks of the Yarra River with treats, rides and arcade-style games. Plus, Santa will be making special visits at all the festive spots as he roams around the city. 

And it wouldn't be the Christmas Festival without the return of the iconic 17.5 metre Christmas tree at Fed Square, so rest assured that it'll be lit up and on display, with the official lighting ceremony on the first day of the festival. 

Oh, and the best part? Most of the attractions are free, aside from ticketed rides at the Christmas Carnival, the bubble show and Christmas Cinema. Find out more here. 

Looking for more festive activities? Check out our guide to celebrating Christmas in Melbourne. Plus, these are the best places to Christmas lights in Melbourne.