City of Melbourne’s Christmas countdown

As Christmas approaches, Melbourne is brimming with festive activities, offering plenty of fun and free events for families to enjoy during the holiday season.

The City of Melbourne’s Christmas Carnival is making its return to the Birrarung, where visitors can experience exciting rides such as the Sky Flyer, Ferris wheel, and dodgem cars, or test their skills at classic carnival games. And of course, there will be plenty of delicious carnival treats to enjoy.

In addition to the carnival, there are even more events planned for the days leading up to Christmas.

Highlights include the Crown Christmas River Show, the North Pole experience at Marvel Stadium, Christmas celebrations at Queen Victoria Market, and stunning light projections on Town Hall and other iconic landmarks.

“Melbourne is the Christmas capital of Australia, attracting more than 2.5 million visitors and generating an economic boost of almost $200 million,” Lord Mayor Nick Reece said.

During November 2023, Melbourne saw a total spend of $960.3 million, 5 per cent higher than both the previous month and the same month last year.

“Melburnians are spending up, with the recent Black Friday sales recording a 74 per cent increase on last year and Christmas shopping in December up more than 26 per cent on 2019. We're expecting this trend to continue into the famed Boxing Day sales,” Cr Reece said.

Popular shopping destinations around Melbourne are also offering shop-to-win promotions.

From November 29, shoppers at Degraves Street, the Block Arcade, the Royal Arcade, Bourke Street Mall, Emporium Melbourne, Melbourne Central, and QV Melbourne can scan a QR code to enter a draw to win one of four prize packs, each valued at $3,000, featuring shopping vouchers and dining experiences.

Melburnians visiting these locations from November 29 can scan a QR code to go into the draw to win one of four prize packs, including shopping gift cards and dining vouchers, valued at $3000 each.

As Christmas draws near, businesses throughout the city are rolling out special offers and activities to spread festive cheer, such as complimentary gift wrapping and bubbly at Craft Victoria, and free Japanese Furoshiki wrapping from Milligram.

“Shoppers are flocking to the city, from bustling Bourke Street Mall to Emporium, Lygon Street to Southbank, eager for that experience that only in-store retail provides.”