CoM Christmas Festival
Photograph: Adam Renyard
Photograph: Adam Renyard

Things to do in Melbourne in December

Melbourne is turning up the heat with plenty of fun events and activities this month

Leah Glynn
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We blinked and suddenly it's December – where has the year gone?! With summer officially here (althought it really doesn't feel like it) and the silly season in full swing, there's no better time to head out and about in Melbourne. And lucky for you, there is plenty of fun and frivolity to enjoy.

The city's festive events are in full swing, with the Christmas Festival running until December 25 – expect carols, a nightly river show and twinkling lights. Over at the Caulfield Racecourse, the family-friendly Christmas Wonderland event is taking place with appearances from Rudolph, the Grinch, Mrs Claus and even the big man in red himself. The beloved Moonlight Cinema is also back this month, with a merry line-up of classic Chrissy flicks like Love Actually, Elf, Home Alone and The Holiday.

It's a big month for Melbourne's arts and culture scene, with the highly anticpated Westwood | Kawakubo arriving as the NGV's major summer blockbuster exhibition. It's set to be a mind-blowing display of punk, tartan and avant-garde design. The brand new Australian Museum of Performing Arts is also opening with its debut exhibiton: Diva – a glittering celebration of the artists who’ve shaped pop culture, music and fashion through imagination, talent and by being a total diva.

The Broadway smash-hit Anastasia will open on December 20; there's mayhem and mischief to discover at Maho Magic Bar; the superstars of the golfing world will feature in the Crown Australian Open; and there are plenty of ripe juicy fruits to devour at the Cherry-Picking Festival. Plus, Melbourne's Metro Tunnel has finally opened, and it's free to ride every weekend across summer.

Phew, it's shaping up to be a red-hot December. Stay cool and we'll see you out there.

Feeling festive? Here's where to see Christmas lights across the city and where to buy a real Christmas tree in Melbourne.

Melbourne events in December

  • Film
  • Outdoor cinema
  • Melbourne
  • Recommended
It's officially that time of year again when the Moonlight Cinema returns to Melbourne for the summer. There's just something special about snuggling into a bean bag and catching a film under the stars in the Royal Botanic Gardens – with an ice cream or a wine in hand, of course.  Australia's favourite outdoor cinema has dropped its summer screening schedule, with tons of  blockbusters, nostalgic favourites and comedies on the program. Catch Christmas highlights like Love Actually, Elf, Home Alone and The Holiday on the big screen from December 9-23, or enjoy a summer blockbuster like Wicked: For Good and special screenings of Eternity and Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. Kids will love Zootopia 2, Moana 2 and How to Train Your Dragon. To celebrate turning 30, Moonlight Cinema wants you to vote now for your favourite classics like Shrek, Dirty Dancing, The Castle and Jurassic Park – the top picks will star in The People’s Program from January to March. Those looking to splurge can opt for Singapore Airlines' Gold Grass that comes with prime viewing, express entry and food and drinks delivered to your seat. Anothere cool option is the Connoisseur Lounge ticket that includes a bean bed plus a yum Connoisseur ice cream. And did you know the Moonlight Cinema is pooch friendly? For the first time ever you'll also be able to order a doggie bag meal from the food menu thanks to Lyka. Doggy date night, anyone? Screenings kick off at sundown, so bring your picnic rug, your...
  • Southbank
Whether you’re a cheery Who from Whoville or a self-proclaimed Grinch, there’s no denying the festive season is upon us. And to kick things off in true Christmas spirit, Dr. Seuss’ most memorable villain is set to steal the stage at Hamer Hall, as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra brings the holiday classic to life in concert from December 5-6. Across three special performances, revisit the iconic anti-hero on the big screen as Leonard Weiss conducts the sweeping score from James Horner, the Oscar-winning composer behind Titanic, Braveheart and Avatar. The music will be played live-to-picture, giving you the perfect excuse to swap your annual sofa watch for a night at one of Melbourne’s most magical venues.  Directed by Ron Howard, the 2000 live-action film of Dr. Seuss’ 1957 book stars Jim Carrey as the potbellied, green yeti with an attitude problem who ultimately learns the true meaning of Christmas in a wildly imaginative adaptation that honours the Seussian universe. Expect your heart to grow three sizes with a night at Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas in concert. Tickets range from $49 to $134. Get yours here. 
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  • Southbank
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
In exchange for legs, every step The Little Mermaid takes on land is agonising, like walking on broken glass. Too terrified to disappoint her father through failing to sell enough matchsticks, The Little Match Girl freezes to death in an alley. And in The Red Shoes, a girl must dance to her death for deigning to cherish the last gift bestowed by her late mother.  What, exactly, is revered fairytale-spinner Hans Christian Andersen’s beef with young women and their humble desire to merely exist in happiness and safety? Yeah, what's this guy's damage? An excellent question that cabaret goddess and all-round chimerical queen Meow Meow has pondered across a triptych of tantalising works. Each unpicks the thorny crown the dubious Dane imposed on the heart of his not-very-Disney fantasies.  Our voyage began with absurdly comic diva Meow Meow’s 2011 spin on The Little Match Girl. Continuing five years later with The Little Mermaid, it’s been a long road to reach the crowning glory, but by golly was it worth the inordinate, near-decade-long wait. What’s the gist and who’s involved in Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes? Directed by Kate Champion, whose work lives up to that sterling surname, Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes opens on a great big pile of trash. Heaped on the left-hand side of the Merlyn stage by whip-smart set and costume designer Dann Barber, the detritus of capitalism’s ghosts includes boxy TVs, old speakers, an abandoned fridge and a rubbery tyre, all ashen as if this is a...
  • Comedy
  • Melbourne
Silly season is upon us – if you’re ready to pop the Champers, laugh ’til your belly hurts and revel in tricks you didn’t know were humanly possible, strap in for a glittering night at Blanc de Blanc Encore.  The cabaret spectacle lands at Melbourne’s brand-new Spiegel Haus in late October as the headline affair. The pop-up entertainment precinct has set up camp on the rooftop of the Golden Square Car Park on Lonsdale Street ready to dazzle Melburnians.  Blanc de Blanc Encore fuses a delectable mix of circus, cabaret, jazz and comedy (with a couple of bottles of bubbles for good measure) for an effervescent night out – leave the kids at home for this one. Blanc de Blanc Encore is the second instalment of, you guessed it, Blanc de Blanc, when it visited Melbourne in 2017. Don’t fret if you didn’t see the first one – you’ll enjoy the encore every bit as much as a standalone. It’s been a hit internationally, and arrives off the back of extended Brisbane and Sydney seasons. Watch Blanc de Blanc Encore at the Spiegel Haus Melbourne from October 31. Group and special events packages are available just in time for Chrissy party planning. Book your tickets here.
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  • Art
  • Design
  • Southbank
From Marilyn Monroe’s fringed black dress in Some Like It Hot to Elton John’s Louis XIV–inspired birthday suit (complete with the powdered wig and train), the diva has always known how to turn getting dressed into an art form. Enter Diva, the debut exhibition at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA). This is a glittering celebration of the artists who’ve shaped pop culture, music and fashion through imagination, talent – and, of course, by being a total diva. Charting the 19th-century opera goddesses and silent film stars to today’s global megastars, the exhibition will showcase the rise of the diva by going behind the sequins to reveal the cultural power and artistry of some of the world’s most captivating performers.  Presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), this Australian exclusive brings together more than 250 objects, including 60 spectacular costumes, jewellery, photography and handwritten lyrics spanning opera, pop, punk and Hollywood. Expect a red-carpet roll call of icons: Maria Callas, Grace Jones, Cher, Prince, Madonna, Elton John, Tina Turner, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, Billie Eilish and more. Australia’s own legends get their time on the red carpet, too — from Dame Nellie Melba and Peter Allen to Kylie Minogue, Olivia Newton-John, Jessica Mauboy and Amy Taylor of Amyl and the Sniffers. Discover exquisite garments by Bob Mackie, Vivienne Westwood, Maison Margiela, Valentino and Christian Dior,...
  • Performance art
  • Melbourne
If you’re looking for a magical night out in the city, the neon-lit Maho Magic Bar is back after sold-out shows and rave reviews from their 2023 season in Chinatown, and this time it’s found a new home at Melbourne’s new entertainment hub, Spiegel Haus. Inspired by Japan’s rich history with magic, this immersive 60-minute experience comes from Broad Encounters (the team behind A Midnight Visit) and brings a line-up of magician superstars direct from Japan, performing a mix of brand-new tricks and audience favourites.  From November 25, step into the whimsical cocktail bar and be whisked away to Tokyo where expert magicians perform up-close magic alongside delicious cocktails. There's no stage for the performers here as the intimate show will take place right at your table, where you'll assist the magicians in their bamboozling sleight-of-hand magic. Japan’s best magicians will surprise and delight visitors, incorporating debonair storytelling, mind-blowing illusions and kawaii charm. While you enjoy the show, you can order from a menu of bespoke cocktails mixed by a Japanese master mixologist. Or if you're after a more traditional libation, try authentic Japanese sake, whisky, shochu and rare spirits like umeshu.  If you're prepared to be dazzled, this experience will surely do the trick. Maho Magic Bar is performing multiple shows a day between Tuesdays and Sundays with adult shows (recommended for ages 12+) in the evening and family-friendly matinees. Book a ticket, a...
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  • Kids
  • Fairs and festivals
  • Melbourne
It's beginning to look 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 merry, month-long Christmas Festival. From November 28 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.  The Christmas cheer begins with the lighting of our beloved 17.5 metre tree in Fed Square on November 28. Wander around to see tons of baubles and decorations adorning everything from Bourke Street Mall to Melbourne Town Hall.  The festive fun includes the supersized Crown Christmas River Show lighting up Southbank each night with laser lights and projections; the iconic Myer Christmas Windows at Bourke Street Mall (with a Lego-themed display); Santa and a crew of stand-up paddleboarders making their way down the Yarra; Christmas films and bubble shows at the Capitol; and choirs at City Square every Thursday evening. Our tip: check out the 12 Days of Christmas, a new trail through our laneways with an Aussie twist on a classic carol. Oh, and the best part? Most of the attractions are free, aside from the bubble show and Christmas Cinema. Find out more here.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Looking for more festive activities? These are the best places to Christmas lights in Melbourne.
  • Things to do
  • Fairs and festivals
  • Caulfield East
Ho, ho, ho! Meblbourne's beloved Christmas Wonderland event is back, bigger and more festive than ever. This family-friendly event is running from November 28 to December 24 at Caulfield Racecourse. The tinsel-filled extravaganza will delight the littlies, with a line-up of fun activities to enjoy, including a roller skating rink, carnival games, jumping castles, a craft village, gingerbread house decorating, storytelling and even a live Care Bears show. Kids will also be able to write a letter to Santa, and post it at the North Pole Post Office. There will be all kinds of characters to meet and grab photos with, including elves, Rudolph, the Grinch, Mrs Claus and even the big man in red himself (so you better make sure you've been on his nice list!). This immersive, walk-through experience runs for three hours and refreshements (both hot and cold food) will be available on-site. For more information and to purchase tickets, head to the website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Looking for more ways to celebrate Christmas in Melbourne? Check out this festive guide. 
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  • Drama
  • Melbourne
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
As is Melbourne tradition now, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is returning to the stage once again this festive season. Running until December 24, the smash-hit staging of the timeless holiday story will be playing at the Comedy Theatre.  A Christmas Carol was the most-awarded play of 2021, sweeping the Tonys with five wins. Two Tony Award winners themselves created the magical rendition: director Matthew Warchus (Matilda the Musical) and playwright Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). The production delivers striking staging, moving storytelling and 12 traditional Christmas carols, including ‘Joy to the World’ and ‘Silent Night’. The cast announced for 2025 includes Lachy Hulme as Ebenezer Scrooge, alongside an exceptional cast of talented performers including Stephanie Lambourn and Tony Cogin. 'A Christmas Carol' is showing at the Comedy Theatre until December 24, 2025. For more information and to book your tickets, head to the website. Read our four-star review of the 2023 production here: One of the defining aspects of Christmas that delights and frustrates, depending on your inclination, is its inexorability; it comes around again and again, like the white horse on a carousal. Maybe this will also be the case with the Old Vic production of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, which proved a great success last year and is back to spread its Yuletide cheer around the Comedy Theatre once more. The central change – in fact, the only significant change – is the...
  • Things to do
  • Melbourne
  • Recommended
Love it or hate it, Christmas is almost upon us. And just as you can be sure that Michael Bublé is slowly defrosting and getting ready to croon the festive season away, and Mariah Carey is counting the fat stacks that pile up on cue as ‘All I Want for Christmas’ goes back on high rotation – you know that the battered DVD of one particular British rom-com at your mum’s house will also be back on steady rotation, actually.  Love Actually is the festive flick that never gets old, but if you want to fall in love with it all over again, grab a ticket for this special live viewing experience. Following sell-out tours across the UK and in Australia the last few years, Love Actually in Concert is coming back to Melbourne just in time for Old Saint Nick’s next whip around.  Pack the tissues, as this experience features a full live orchestra performing the hit soundtrack as the film is projected onto a screen. Love (and Christmas) will be all around you, and so the feeling grows. Get ready to question how many lobsters were present at the birth of Jesus Christ, and fire up at Alan Rickman and his saucy secretary all over again (Emma Thompson’s cry to Joni Mitchell will really slap with an orchestral backup, to be fair). Melburnians can get in on the holly jolly action on December 21 and 22 at Melbourne Town Hall. For more information and to grab your tickets, head to the website. Want more? Check out the best of Melbourne theatre and musicals this month.

Or hit the road and explore the state

  • Travel

Victoria is home to snowy mountains, centuries-old forests and pristine coastline – all of which are connected by a network of roads and highways just waiting for you to drive. Hey, your rego partly pays for these tarmac trails so you might as well enjoy them. Here’s our top pick of the best scenic drives in Victoria.

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