Christmas in the City of Melbourne

With Christmas just a sleigh-ride away the City of Melbourne has the festive season all wrapped up with a month of free family entertainment throughout the city.

Christmas arrives early on Friday 28 November when the City of Melbourne launches Christmas Square –  City Square transformed into a magical Christmas hub in the heart of the city on Swanston Street.

Christmas Square is the ideal place to start and end a Christmas journey in the city. The square stars our beautifully decorated 7.4 metre living tree, a fully landscaped Christmas forest, interactive candy canes, daily sound and light shows, Nativity scene and Christmas buskers. Terraced seating gives parents a place to relax while the children explore the square.

Count down the days until Christmas with our illuminated Advent calendar, and visit Santa's House to have a free photo with the man himself every day and Friday evenings until 24 December. Santa's Post Box, supported by City of Melbourne and Australia Post, lets children post Santa a letter with their Christmas wishes.

The heart of Christmas in Melbourne, Christmas Square and Melbourne Town Hall are the perfect places to get into the spirit of the season and set out to explore a trail of free events and decorations throughout the city. Each night from dusk to 11pm, Town Hall steals the show with a stunning digital projection show revealing a unique Christmas tale.

In 2014, the City of Melbourne is unveiling living Christmas trees at The Hub @ Docklands and at the Queen Victoria Market. Other highlights of the City of Melbourne's Christmas Festival include stunning decorations in the central city, Docklands, North Melbourne and Kensington.

Melbourne is also the home of Christmas shopping and the City of Melbourne invites residents and visitors from Victoria, interstate and overseas to enjoy the best of the city's shopping and dining experiences. 

Social media users can snap their favourite decorations and events using the hashtag #melbxmas. The best images will be shared on our Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Instagram accounts.  

A full range of Christmas events, activities, festive offers and a Christmas Gift and Event Guide and Decorations Map will be available from 14 November at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/christmas.