Festive HQ
A festival of joy, wonder and magic in the heart of the city.
This festive season, Fed Square becomes Melbourne’s Festive Headquarters – we’re sprinkling the magic dust to bring you an inclusive celebration of all that makes this most wonderful time of the year all warm and glowy-special.
We’ll play host to big festive-season names, like Koorie Klaus, Santa Claus and the marvellous Huxleys; we’re screening some classic films; we’ve got giveaways and festive workshops and caroling choirs galore; Christmas in the Wizarding World is back for witches, wizards and muggles alike – and we’re thrilled to bring you the annual celebration of Chunukah, Pillars of Light, over six hope and light-filled evenings.
And of course, Fed Square will be lit up, all starlight-starbright, looking glittery and gorge, as we’re once again the home of Christmas Square – with the city’s stunning 16metre-high twinkling tree as our centrepiece.
Check out the full Festive HQ program below to plan your feelgood festival of fun, family and frivolity this silly season.
Saturday 31 December, 6.30pm-12.30am | Main Square
High voltage collisions of music, dance and animation – live for NYE. Bring your friends to catch some of Melbourne’s up-and-coming live music acts and DJs, accompanied by contemporary dance performances – as you watch entrancing animated visuals created to complement the experience, on our famous Big Screen.
PAST EVENTS:
25 November-25 December | Main Square
Make merry at Melbourne’s Christmas wonderland. Christmas comes to life at Christmas Square with festive decorations aplenty and the city’s iconic 16-metre light-up tree. Pop in to visit the big man himself at Santa’s Workshop from 26 November. This is a Christmas Festival event, presented by City of Melbourne with support from the Victorian Government and Fed Square.
26 November-24 December | Western Terrace
Pop in to see Santa in his workshop with his friendly Elves – they’re very busy getting presents ready for Christmas, but they will definitely stop for a photo. This is a Christmas Festival event, presented by City of Melbourne with support from the Victorian Government and Fed Square.
25 November-16 December | Main Stage & Swanston St Forecourt
Feel the soaring voices of choralists ring out across the Square, as a host of Christmas Choirs set your spine a-shivering under the twinkling of magic lights. Featuring a diverse range of choir communities and musical styles, including gospel, Pasifika and LGBTQIA+, this program is sure to bring joy to your world this Christmas!
Sunday 27 November, 3pm | Big Screen
Enjoy free popcorn and bring the family (and tissues) to enjoy this Christmas classic film, widely considered one of the greatest films of all time, featuring James Stewart. When frustrated businessman, George Bailey (Stewart), questions the meaning and value of his life, his guardian angel is sent to him. The angel reveals to Bailey how the lives of those he loves most would have turned out, if he had never existed.
3-4 & 10 December, various times | Atrium and The Edge
Sharing is caring! Bring your favourite person to experience a special hands-on workshop this silly season, and you will head home with a beautiful decoration for your home or gift for someone you love. Featuring jewellery-making, wreath-making and more.
The money raised from ticket sales will be donated to Christmas Box.
Friday 9 December, 4.30pm-10pm | Main Square
Embracing the camp, the magical and the decorative, join sparkle-wonder duo The Huxleys for a Christmas celebration sure to make the yuletide gay. Featuring live performances and a free screening of The Wizard of Oz.
Image credit: The Huxleys and Jo Duck
Saturday 10 December, 10am-4.30pm | Main Square
Kick-off the festive season in Koorie style with Koorie Krismas at Fed Square. Experience the magic of Koorie Krismas with free activities for families throughout the day and performances from local First Nations performers.
15-25 December, 12pm-12.30pm | Big Screen
Stitch together your own carol with our fun new game Knot Your Typical Carol, and send it to your friends. The game can be played any time but if you are in the square between 12pm-12.30pm play the Big Screen version of the game and you might hear your tune played in the Main Square. No Xmas cards? Don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered, simply send your carol via email to a loved one after you have finished.
Friday 16 December, from 4pm | Main Square
Come one, come all – witches, wizards and Muggles – for a truly spectacular celebration of Christmas in the Wizarding World at Fed Square! Featuring trivia, costume competitions, a wand combat class and a free screening of Happy Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Great prizes to be won!
18-23 December, from 6pm | Main Square
Pillars of Light, in celebration of Chanukah, is a multicultural celebration of light, love and hope, focusing on what unites us as a city. Featuring live music and performances across six nights, each evening presents a bespoke program.
Wednesday 21 December, 7.30pm-8.30pm | Main Square
Get in before they ring the last bell and join a flash-mob style choir of Paul Kelly’s iconic ‘How to Make Gravy’ at Fed Square.
Friday 25 November–Sunday 25 December, 9pm–11pm | Flinders Street, opposite Fed Square
Let it glow! Watch a city block come to life with stunning projections taking over five buildings – including the iconic Forum – on Flinders Street, opposite Fed Square. This is a Christmas Festival event, presented by City of Melbourne with support from the Victorian Government and Fed Square.