Melbourne is the home of Christmas in 2013 and to celebrate, the City of Melbourne has unveiled a month of FREE family entertainment throughout the city.

Christmas arrives on Friday 29 November, when City Square becomes Christmas Square, a dazzling wonderland that is the home of Christmas in Melbourne.

Christmas Square stars our beautifully decorated 9.2 metre living tree and a ‘Where’s Rudolph?’ maze, where children can find Rudolph and his reindeer friends.

Santa takes time out from his busy schedule to meet and have his photo taken with the children of Melbourne for free from his special Christmas Square house every day until December 24. Santa’s Post Box, supported by Australia Post, lets children post Santa a letter with their Christmas wishes.

The heart of Christmas in Melbourne, Christmas Square and Town Hall are the perfect place to get into the spirit of the season and set out to explore a trail of free events and decorations throughout the city.

By day, Town Hall is gift-wrapped and guarded by our famous 3m-tall Nutcracker soldiers. By night, it comes to life with awe-inspiring digital projections to reveal a uniquely Melbourne Christmas tale.

Other highlights of the City of Melbourne’s Christmas include a Nativity Scene blessing and stunning decorations in the central city, Docklands, North Melbourne and Kensington.

Melbourne is also the home of Christmas shopping and the City of Melbourne invites residents and visitors from Victoria, interstate and overseas to enjoy the city’s diverse shopping and dining experiences. There will also be exclusive shopping events such as the Flinders Lane late-night shopping event on Thursday, November 28 and The Big Design Market on 6-8 December at the Royal Exhibition Building.

Social media users can snap their favourite decorations and events using the hashtag #inbetweenxmas. The best images will be shared on our Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Instagram.

A full range of Christmas events, activities, festive offers and a Christmas decorations map will be available from 15 November at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/christmas.

City of Melbourne 2013 Christmas Festival

Where: Christmas (City) Square and various locations around Melbourne central city and inner suburbs

When: Friday 29 November 2013 (official opening event) – Thursday 2 January 2014

Festival highlights

2013 City of Melbourne Christmas Festival launch

Friday 29 November 7.30pm until 9pm

 

Christmas officially arrives in Melbourne when City Square becomes Christmas Square and the lights on our 9.2 metre living Christmas tree are switched on for the first time. Be among the first to enjoy the new tree and our Christmas decorations. To end the evening, Town Hall is be transformed for the premiere of our amazing and uniquely Melbourne projections show. For more information on media opportunities, contact: Tony Faccenda, (03) 8628 9362 / 0411 231 433 / [email protected] www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/christmas

Santa in Christmas Square

Saturday 30 November until Tuesday 24 December

Children are invited to meet Santa and tell him their Christmas wishes every day in December between 10am to midday and 1pm to 3pm. Be sure to bring your camera for this free activity.

Melbourne Town Hall decorations and light projections

29 November to 25 December

By day, Town Hall is gift-wrapped and guarded by 3m-tall toy soldiers. By night, the historic façade becomes a backdrop for for a spellbinding light projection with a festive flavour. Every 10 minutes from dusk until 11pm.

Santa’s Post Box – Presented by City of Melbourne and Australia Post.

11 November to 16 December, Christmas Square

Place your wish for Christmas in Santa’s Post Box, which sends letters direct to Santa. Include your postal address and get a reply from Santa himself. Find Santa’s Post Box on the corner of Swanston Street and Collins Street from Monday 11 November.

Nativity scene blessing

Wednesday 4 December 10.30 am

You are invited to witness a Christian blessing of the Christmas Square Nativity Scene and listen to traditional Christmas carols.

Take a Christmas journey across the city

29 November until 3 January (dates vary)

Experience the festive magic as the city is transformed with Christmas decorations in unexpected places from little laneways to major landmarks. Take a break along the way and enjoy some of Melbourne’s renowned cafes, restaurants and bars along the way.

See Jingle Bells on Bourke Street as Melbourne’s retail heart gets into the Christmas spirit. Bring your Christmas shopping list and buy your presents along the way.

Take a walk along Southbank and stop for a romantic moment under the mistletoe as the Southbank Pedestrian Bridge becomes the Mistletoe Kissing Bridge.

Visit Queen Victoria Market Christmas Hub to meet Santa, find secret elves and take part in free kids’ activities.

Visit the Gingerbread Village by EPICURE at Town Hall, created by award-winning pastry chefs at EPICURE. December 1-24, Town Hall, corner Little Collins and Swanston Street Melbourne

Enjoy dinner in some of Melbourne’s iconic food hubs including Chinatown and Lygon St as they come alive with Christmas cheer.

Visit Docklands, Kensington and North Melbourne to see a variety of stunning Christmas decorations and join in the spirit of Christmas when the entire city gets wrapped up in the sounds and sights of the season. Merry Christmas Melbourne!