Kids & Coffee Open the app

💸 Free Christmas events in Melbourne 2026

Christmas around Melbourne that costs nothing: pageants, carols, lights, library craft and free Santa visits, by date.

🎄 All Christmas🎅 Santa photos · 38🤫 Sensory Santa · 11🕯️ Carols · 29✨ Christmas lights · 109💸 Free Christmas events · 54🎭 Shows and workshops · 23

Also in: Adelaide (75) Sydney (55) Brisbane (84) Gold Coast (25) Sunshine Coast (6) Perth (37)

Updated 9 November 2026 · Open in the app

Thu 12 Nov
🕯️ Gethsemane Clyde Carols by Candlelight, Clyde North
Clyde North · Thu 12 Nov, 4:30pm to 8:30pm · Free, including unlimited kids' rides
Free☕ 1.7km to coffee
Sat 14 Nov
🎅 Santa's Arrival at Chirnside Park
Chirnside Park · Sat 14 Nov, from 10am · Free to watch (no cost listed)
Free☕ 190m to coffee
 🎅 Santa's Arrival Parade at Casey Central
Narre Warren South · Sat 14 Nov, parade and characters 10am to 1pm, face painting 10am to 2pm · Free (Santa photos need a booking)
Free☕ 1.3km to coffee
 🎅 Santa's Arrival Parade at Craigieburn Central
Craigieburn · Sat 14 Nov, parade 11am, free face painting 11am to 2pm · Free
Free☕ 500m to coffee
 🎅 Santa's Arrival Weekend at Greensborough Plaza
Greensborough · Sat 14 Nov 11am to 2pm (parade 11am from Main Street entrance), Sun 15 Nov 11am to 2pm (Level 3, near Target) · Free
Free☕ 140m to coffee
Fri 20 Nov
🕯️ Carols by the Beloved Gathering, Craigieburn
Craigieburn · Fri 20 Nov, 5pm to 9:30pm · Not stated
Free☕ 500m to coffee
Sat 21 Nov
🎅 Santa's Arrival Parade at CS Square, Caroline Springs
Caroline Springs · Sat 21 Nov, Santa arrives 10:30am, characters roam until 1:30pm · Free
Free☕ 90m to coffee
 🎅 Santa's Arrival Parade at Forest Hill Chase
Forest Hill · Sat 21 Nov, 12pm · Free to watch (no cost listed)
Free☕ 60m to coffee
 🕯️ Geelong Christmas Opening Night: Carols by the Bay and Floating Tree lighting
Geelong · Sat 21 Nov, 6:30pm to 9:30pm (carols 7pm to 9pm, tree lighting then fireworks about 9:15pm) · Free
Free
 ✨ Geelong City Hall Christmas projections
Geelong · 2025 pattern: nightly dusk to midnight, 22 November to 7 January. Christmas in Geelong 2026 opens 21 November; projection dates not yet announced. · Free
Free
 ✨ Geelong's Floating Christmas Tree on Corio Bay
Geelong · Lit from Sat 21 Nov; Christmas in Geelong runs to 7 Jan · Free
Free
Tue 24 Nov
✨ Melbourne Town Hall Christmas decorations, Santa's throne and projections
Melbourne · Decorations and Santa's throne 24 Nov to 25 Dec; facade projections nightly 9pm to 11pm from 4 Dec · Free
Free☕ 50m to coffee
Wed 25 Nov
🎁 Christmas Night Market at Queen Victoria Market
Melbourne · Wednesdays 25 Nov, 2 Dec, 9 Dec and 16 Dec, 5pm to 10pm · Free entry; free reindeer petting zoo and Christmas photo
Free☕ 10m to coffee
Fri 27 Nov
✨ 12 Days of Christmas light-up Aussie animal trail, Melbourne CBD
Melbourne · 27 Nov to 25 Dec · Free
Free☕ 100m to coffee
 ✨ Christmas Square at Fed Square: giant tree, bell swings and light shows
Melbourne · Daily 27 Nov to 25 Dec, open all day · Free
Free☕ 100m to coffee
 ✨ Melbourne Christmas decorations trail: big trees, reindeer and laneway lights
Melbourne · Most displays 27 Nov to 25 Dec (some laneways and Docklands from mid November) · Free
Free☕ 100m to coffee
 🎪 Christmas Tree Lighting at Fed Square
Melbourne · Fri 27 Nov, 6pm to 9pm · Free, no booking
Free☕ 100m to coffee
Sat 28 Nov
🎄 Frankston's Christmas Festival with parade, tree lighting and fireworks
Frankston · Sat 28 Nov, 4pm to 9pm (parade 4:30pm, tree lighting and fireworks 8:45pm) · Free entry and free activities; rides and food extra
Free☕ 350m to coffee
Mon 30 Nov
🎅 Roaming Santa at Northland (free, no booking)
Preston · Mon 30 Nov, Tue 1, Wed 2, Mon 7, Tue 8, Wed 9 (11am start), Mon 14, Tue 15 Dec, 12pm to 4pm · Free
Free☕ 100m to coffee
Tue 1 Dec
🎅 Santa at Crown Melbourne (free visits in The Atrium)
Southbank · Daily 1 to 24 Dec; 11am to 5pm until 14 Dec, 11am to 7pm 15 to 24 Dec (with breaks) · Free, no booking needed
Free☕ 190m to coffee
 ✨ Step Up inclusive Christmas lights, Ballarat
Ballarat Central · Evenings in December in 2025; 2026 dates not yet announced · Free
Free
 ✨ Bridge Mall Christmas lights, Ballarat
Ballarat Central · Through December in 2025, best after dark; 2026 dates not yet announced · Free
Free
Fri 4 Dec
🕯️ Carols in Harmony Square, Dandenong
Dandenong · Fri 4 Dec, 5:30pm to 8:30pm · Free
Free☕ 20m to coffee
 ✨ Crown Christmas River Show on the Yarra
Southbank · Nightly 4 to 25 December 2026, 9pm to 11pm, a show every 15 minutes · Free
Free☕ 190m to coffee
Sat 5 Dec
🕯️ Carols in Queens Park, Moonee Ponds
Moonee Ponds · Sat 5 Dec, 4pm to 8:30pm · Free (as in past years)
Free☕ 50m to coffee
 🎪 Bunjil Place Festive Celebration and tree lighting, Narre Warren
Narre Warren · Sat 5 Dec, 4pm to 8:30pm (tree lit 6pm, The Grinch screening 6:30pm) · Free
Free☕ 390m to coffee
 🕯️ Hume Carols by Candlelight, Craigieburn
Craigieburn · Sat 5 Dec, activities and markets from 5pm, stage show 6:30pm to 8:30pm · Free, no tickets (optional Eventbrite registration)
Free☕ 500m to coffee
 🕯️ Monash Carols by Candlelight at Jells Park
Wheelers Hill · Sat 5 Dec, 5:30pm to 9:15pm (Christmas market from 3pm, carols 7:30pm, fireworks 9pm) · Free, register on TryBooking
Free☕ 40m to coffee
 🕯️ Carols by the Lake, Coburg Lake
Coburg North · Sat 5 Dec, evening (times not yet published) · Not yet listed
Free☕ 280m to coffee
 🕯️ Maroondah Carols at Town Park, Croydon
Croydon · Sat 5 Dec, 6pm to 10pm (main concert 7:30pm, fireworks about 9:30pm) · Free, no bookings
Free☕ 140m to coffee
Sun 6 Dec
🕯️ Family Christmas at Central Park, Malvern East
Malvern East · Sun 6 Dec, face painting from 4:30pm, carols 5:30pm to 7:30pm · Free
Free☕ 20m to coffee
 🕯️ Carols by Kingston at Bicentennial Park, Chelsea
Chelsea · Sun 6 Dec, 5pm to 9:30pm (kids' show with Santa 6pm, fireworks 9:15pm) · Free. Free rides, face painting and Santa photos. Reserved seats for sale (prices TBA)
Free☕ 50m to coffee
Tue 8 Dec
⭐ Christmas Elf Hunt at Wilson Botanic Park, Berwick
Berwick · Daily 8 to 19 Dec, 10am to 3pm · Free, no booking
Free☕ 360m to coffee
 🕯️ Bayside Christmas Carols in the Park, Dendy Park
Brighton East · Tue 8 Dec, activities from 5:30pm, main stage 7:30pm, fireworks 9:30pm · Not stated on the 2026 page (free entry in past years)
Free☕ 980m to coffee
Fri 11 Dec
🎪 Christmas Carnival at Birrarung Marr
Melbourne · Daily 11 to 24 Dec, 2pm to 10:30pm · Free entry. Ride coupons: kids' rides $8, adult rides $12
Free☕ 100m to coffee
 🕯️ Manningham Carols by Candlelight at Ruffey Lake Park
Doncaster · Fri 11 Dec, evening (2026 times not yet published; 2025 ran 6pm to 10pm) · Free (as in past years)
Free☕ 890m to coffee
 🕯️ City of Whittlesea Carols by Candlelight, South Morang
South Morang · Fri 11 Dec, evening (2026 times not yet published; 2025 ran 6pm to 9pm) · Free (as in past years)
Free☕ 270m to coffee
Sat 12 Dec
🎪 Community Christmas at the Diamond Creek Rotary Tram Cafe
Diamond Creek · Sat 12 Dec, 10am to 2pm · Free, including the BBQ
Free☕ 100m to coffee
 🎪 Meet Me On Main This Christmas: Mornington carols move to Main Street
Mornington · Sat 12 Dec, 10am to 6pm (Main Street closed to traffic 7am to 7pm) · No cost stated (public street event)
Free☕ 110m to coffee
 🕯️ Glen Eira Carols in the Park, Bentleigh
Bentleigh · Sat 12 Dec, 4pm to 7:30pm · Free
Free☕ 740m to coffee
 🕯️ Knox Carols at Wally Tew Reserve, Ferntree Gully
Ferntree Gully · Sat 12 Dec, 4:30pm to 9:30pm (main show 7pm, fireworks about 9:30pm) · Free, no tickets
Free☕ 80m to coffee
 🕯️ Banyule Carols by Candlelight, Greensborough
Greensborough · Sat 12 Dec, evening (2026 times not yet published; 2025 ran 5pm to 9:30pm) · Free in past years (2026 cost not yet listed)
Free☕ 270m to coffee
 🕯️ Carols at Rupertswood, Sunbury
Sunbury · Sat 12 Dec, 5pm to 8:30pm · Free
Free
 ✨ LMC Christmas Lights, Chirnside Park
Chirnside Park · 2025 pattern: nightly 12 to 24 December, 8pm to 11pm, with 30 minute shows. 2026 dates not yet announced. · Free
Free
Sun 13 Dec
🕯️ Carols at Como Park, South Yarra
South Yarra · Sun 13 Dec, carols 7:30pm to 9:30pm, pyrotechnics to finish · Free
Free☕ 90m to coffee
Fri 18 Dec
🕯️ Casey Christmas Carols at Cairns Road Reserve, Hampton Park
Hampton Park · Fri 18 Dec, 4pm to 9:30pm · Free, no booking
Free☕ 80m to coffee
 🎪 Christmas on the Foreshore, Tooradin
Tooradin · Fri 18 Dec, 6pm to 10pm · Gold coin donation
Free
 🕯️ Carols by Candlelight, Westmeadows
Westmeadows · Fri 18 Dec, evening (times not yet published) · Not yet listed
Free☕ 140m to coffee
 ✨ The Boulevard Christmas Lights, Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe · Nightly 18 to 24 Dec, 7:30pm to 11pm · Free
Free☕ 1.5km to coffee
Sat 19 Dec
🎪 Mr Fantastico's Christmas Rooftop Carnival with Santa
Melbourne · Sat 19 to Wed 23 Dec, 10am to 3pm, two live shows daily · Free entry (RSVP online)
Free☕ 60m to coffee
 🕯️ Whitehorse Carols at The Round, Nunawading
Nunawading · Sat 19 Dec, rides and activities from 5:30pm, stage 6:30pm to 9:30pm · Free, no booking needed
Free☕ 60m to coffee
Sun 20 Dec
🎁 Diamond Creek Christmas Market
Diamond Creek · Sun 20 Dec, 9am to 2pm · Free entry
Free☕ 100m to coffee
 🎅 Eltham CFA Santa Run: Santa on a fire truck
Eltham · Sun 20 Dec, 12pm to 2:10pm, half-hour stops around Eltham · Free
Free☕ 40m to coffee
 🕯️ Carols in the Park, Diamond Creek
Diamond Creek · Sun 20 Dec, 8pm to 9:30pm · Free, book on Eventbrite
Free☕ 100m to coffee