Christmas Festival Launch

Experience the magic of Christmas in the city, with an evening of free family-friendly fun and entertainment, and the first lighting of the spectacular 17.5m Christmas Tree. 

The City of Melbourne will launch the city’s annual Christmas Festival at Fed Square, and everyone’s invited.

The celebrations will be packed with festive fun, from community choir performances and roving entertainers to special guest appearances.

Families can enjoy festive face painting, snap a photo with Santa, and soak up the atmosphere before the big countdown.

As the tree lights up for the first time, experience the wonder of the dazzling light and sound show, marking the beginning of Melbourne’s Christmas season.

Christmas Square is presented by the City of Melbourne, in partnership with Fed Square. 

Christmas Square and the Christmas Projections are lighting up with 100% wind powered Christmas cheer. 

PROGRAM

6.30pm – Festivities commence with free face-painting, candy cane and cookie giveaways, plus roving entertainment from Santa and friends, and a joyful DJ set starts the night!
7pm – Pop Choir performing all your favourite Christmas hits
7.30pm – Another merry DJ set
8pm – Pop Choir returns with more Christmas tunes
8.30pm – Official Proceedings including Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri man Daniel Ross and introduction to the Christmas Festival by Lord Mayor Nick Reece
8.45pm – Silvie Paladino with musicians from John Foreman’s Australian Pops Orchestra perform classic Christmas carols
9pm – Lighting of the Christmas Tree