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A performer dressed head to toe in bright pink sequins with Flinders St Station and a bright green lit up Christmas tree, on the ground at Fed Square singing

Festive Season at Fed Square

Free
Kids + Families
Music
Performance
This is a past event
Free
Kids + Families
Music
Performance

Dates

25 November 2023-31 December 2023
Various times

Venues

Main Square
Swanston St Forecourt

Access

Lift access
Wheelchair accessible

Getting There

This festive season Fed Square will once again come alive with sparkling lights, gift-wrapping and live carols. It’s the perfect place to meet, shop and celebrate! Fed Square lights up its festive calendar with a colourful program of free activities for all featuring free giftwrapping, choirs, performances and live music.

Expect community choirs and classic Christmas films as well as queer Christmas cabaret and family Christmas celebrations, Koorie-style. Fed Square is also your one-stop shop for retail shopping and free gift wrapping this festive season, where you can pick up locally designed products and exclusive seasonal treats, like the Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters x Four Pillars Christmas cocktail hamper.

Check out the full program below.

Christmas Square

24 November-25 December, all day | Swanston St Forecourt

Enjoy larger-than-life decorations and twinkling lights. ​The famous giant LED Christmas tree will return, with festive soundscape and nightly light show making for a magical visit.

Christmas Choirs

24-26 November, 1-3, 9, 15-17 & 22-23 December, various times | Main Square

Hear the sounds of your favourite Christmas carols ringing out, thanks to our Christmas Choirs program, featuring a diverse range of local choirs, including multicultural, LGBTQIA+ and youth choirs.

An illustration of children sleeping under a Christmas tree with Australian birds flying around the top of the tree
A Christmas Tale

24 November-6 December, 8-10 & 15-24 December, various times | Big Screen

Melbourne-based artist, designer, author and maker Beci Orpin’s original animated Christmas film A Christmas Tale is back this festive season on our famous Big Screen. The 10-minute animation brings to life a playful fusion of Australian Christmas scenes and characters, featuring native flora and fauna.

Free Gift Wrapping Service

25–26 November 2023 & 2–3, 9, 16–17, 23 December 2023, 1pm–6pm & 24 December 2023, 12pm–3pm | The Atrium

Make Fed Square your one stop shop this festive season, by dropping into our free gift-wrapping service.

Christmas films under the stars

20-24 December, 5pm | Big Screen

In the countdown to Christmas, catch your favourite Christmas movies under the stars at Fed Square. With everything from Elf to It’s a Wonderful Life, there’s something for all ages to enjoy this festive season.

Festive Shopping

ACMI shop, NGV design store, shopKoorie, Big Esso by Mabu Mabu & Victoria by Farmer's Daughters

Fed Square is your one-stop shop this festive season for curated art and design products, First Nations-designed jewellery and homewares, speciality pantry staples featuring native ingredients and seasonal hampers. Don’t forget to get your gifts sustainably wrapped at our gift-wrapping stand.

New Year's Eve

31 December, from 6pm | Main Square

Dance the night away with our free DJ program on the Main Stage or plan a curated evening of sparkling celebration at one of our restaurants or bars.

Past Events

An LED Christmas Tree lit up in rainbow colours at Fed Square
Christmas Tree Lighting

24 November, from 6.30pm | Swanston St Forecourt & Main Square

Christmas is coming to Melbourne! Join the celebrations for the official opening of the City of Melbourne’s Christmas Festival for 2023.

Koorie Krismas

2 December, 10am-3pm | Main Square

Experience Christmas, Koorie style, at the annual Koorie Krismas, presented in partnership with the Koorie Heritage Trust. Shop for First Nations-designed and made products at the market stalls, join in a hands-on creative workshop for kids, and enjoy live entertainment from First Nations musicians and dancers. Stick around to meet Koorie Klaus and snap a pic with the man in red and yellow!

A close up on a menorah with Fed Square and a crowd in the background
Pillars of Light – Celebrating Chanukah

7-8 & 10-14 December, various times | Main Square

Over seven evenings, the Jewish celebration of Chanukah will be celebrated at Fed Square, with performances, talks from community and cultural leaders and the lighting of the menorah.

As Camp As Christmas with The Huxleys

16 December, 6pm-11pm | Main Square

Embracing maximalist camp, join Melbourne’s creative duo The Huxleys as they deliver a Christmas celebration sure to make the yuletide gay. Featuring live cabaret, comedy and dance performances, including a performance by the Rainbow Voices Community Choir – Macedon Ranges’ first LGBTQIA+ choir – and a free screening of the Australian classic film, Strictly Ballroom.