Christmas in Brisbane

2024

The most wonderful time of the year is here and it's time to celebrate! Christmas in Brisbane is back with a dazzling line up of festivities across Brisbane.

From Brisbane’s most iconic events including the Lighting of the Christmas Tree to City Hall Lights, the captivating Enchanted Garden and a full program of festive events at South Bank to the show-stopping new event at Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, Sono Lumo – Festive Nights of Sound & Light – presented by The Star Brisbane, the city will come alive with a program of festive cheer for all ages.

Combined with dazzling light installations to magical performances, carols and an enchanting tiny doors adventure, there’s something sure to delight the whole family!

Lord Mayor's Lighting of the Christmas Tree

Christmas tree and City Hall clock tower

Join Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner as he officially kicks off the Christmas in Brisbane festivities with the lighting of the spectacular 22-metre Christmas tree. Gather family and friends and come along to spend a jolly evening with Santa and his helpers as they dance around the tree, spreading the joy of the most wonderful time of the year. You'll also be treated to a special performance by Dami Im. The dazzling Christmas tree will continue to light up King George Square throughout the season, providing the perfect backdrop for festive photos in the heart of The City.

King George Square, Friday November 29 from 6.30pm

Christmas crown in King George Square in Brisbane

The magic of Christmas comes to light with Brisbane's iconic City Hall's dazzling display of captivating visuals, festive sounds and a heart-warming Aussie Christmas story that the whole family will love.

This year's enchanting story, SOS: A Christmas Rescue, by Brisbane-based author, Rebecca Sheraton will take you on a magical adventure, which starts when Santa's sleigh crash-lands in Brisbane. Hearing Santa's calls for help, a group of friendly Aussie bush animals come to the rescue, using local ingredients for gingerbread dough to refuel the sleigh and deliver presents all around the world.

King George Square, Dec 6-24 7.30pm-midnight (every 15 minutes)

Take time out from your Christmas shopping to experience the magic of live festive entertainment throughout Queen Street Mall. With Christmas-themed pop-up performances and delightful roaming acts, there's guaranteed fun for the entire family!

Queen St Mall (roving) Dec 6-24 11am-3pm; Dec 6. 13, 20-24 4.30-8.30pm

Adding another layer of magic are the enchanting Christmas-themed tiny doors hidden around Brisbane City! Designed and created by local artist Mace Robertson, these whimsical doors are perfect for a family Christmas hunt. How many will you discover? Be sure you capture the moment and share your Tiny Door adventure on @brisbanecity using #ChristmasInBrisbane for a chance to be featured.

Various locations, December 1-24

Once you've found all the Christmas Tiny Doors scattered throughout The City, you can make your own to take home! Drop by the Queen Street Mall Stage where you can decorate your own tiny door and keep it as a Christmas memento.

Queen Street Mall Stage December 7 & 8; 14 & 15; 21 & 22 10am-2pm Free

Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols Brisbane Riverstage

The iconic event on the Brisbane Christmas calendar, the Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols returns to Riverstage to spread joy to the world once again, with a spectacular night of high kicks, high notes and hijinks. You can also get into the spirit by attending a free live stream at Victoria Park in Herston, where you can bring a picnic or enjoy some delicious fare from the food trucks.

This world-class evening of entertainment, hosted by Queensland’s first lady of song Naomi Price, features an impressive all-Australian line-up of superstars to be announced in November.

The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols is proudly ‘access all areas’ with Auslan interpretation, audio description, tactile tours, accessible viewing platform, dedicated Auslan area, low sensory zone, haptic vests and wristbands, and captions on screen.

Don’t miss this tree-mendous night for the whole family! Tickets essential.

Riverstage, Saturday December 7. Gates open 4pm; Pre-show 5pm; Main concert 7-9pm. A (18yrs+) $5 Ch (under 18) free

Free live stream at Victoria Park, Herston

Crowd near Christmas tree in King George Square Brisbane

The festive season has officially been heralded in with Brisbane City's iconic Christmas tree lighting up King George Square! One of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, Brisbane City's Christmas tree, which stands at 22m tall, continues a cherished tradition dating back to the 1950s.

Be sure to bring the family, snap a photo and admire this magnificent tree on display from 29 November until early January. And do share your Christmas in Brisbane experience on @brisbanecity using #ChristmasInBrisbane for a chance to be featured.

King George Square - From November 29 All day/night

The enchanting Christmas show, A Whimsical, Wonderful Christmas will take you on a magical journey this holiday season at the Queen Street Mall. Dance. Spreading joy and festive cheer to all ages, the heartwarming Christmas spectacle will have the young and young-at-heart dancing and singing along.

Queen St Mall Stage, Outside Uptown. Dec 6. 13 & 20. 5pm, 6pm, 7pm

Performers in King George Square Christmas

Experience a Christmas extravaganza like no other with the Starz Christmas Spectacular, a show-stopping celebration of the season, right in the heart of The City! Local performers will light up your holiday evenings with unforgettable performances, every night in Queen Street Mall.

Queen Street Mall Stage, December 7 & 8; 14-24 5pm & 6pm

King George Square December 7 & 8; 14-24 7pm

With the magical opening night of City Hall Lights as a backdrop, the unique BrisStyle Twilight Market will take over King George Square for the ultimate evening of Christmas shopping. Here you'll find an incredible array of handmade goods, including beautifully crafted gifts and treasures from talented local artisans.

King George Square. Dec 6 4-9pm

Get set for a dazzling new Brisbane celebration this festive season at The Star Brisbane's stunning spectacle of light and sound!

Sono Lumo, a blend of Christmas traditions and cutting-edge technology, is presented by The Star Brisbane over ten nights

As dusk falls, a dazzling audiovisual show will transform the skyline as part of an incredible immmersive experience featuring the finest electronically infused music, dynamic lighting, curated bars and seasonally inspired cuisine.

This bold and original holiday celebration is unlike anything Brisbane has experienced before so don't miss it!.

Queens Wharf & The Star Brisbane. December 4- 15 5-11pm Light & Sound Nightly Show 7.30, 8.30, 9.30

Brisbane’s most anticipated festive light show returns to Roma Street Parkland with a spectacular new experience, based on this year’s story, Enchanted Eve, which follows Willow and Marigold on a magical night where dreams come true and the spirit of Christmas shines bright.

Be immersed in spellbinding displays of lasers, LED tubes, fairy lights, projections, UV lighting, and festive soundscapes.

Food trucks will be stationed on the Celebration Lawn from 5pm daily, serving tasty treats alongside a licensed bar where visitors can sip and savour Brisbane’s balmy summer evenings. Sessions run every 15 minutes from 6.30pm to 9.15pm, ensuring a magical experience for visitors of all ages.

Pre-purchasing tickets is essential, as tickets will not be available at the event.

Spectacle Garden, Roma Street Parkland, November 22-December 21 6.30pm- 9.15pm.

Tickets - 13 yrs+ $9; 3-13yrs $7; 0-2yrs Free

BOOK TICKETS HERE

Christmas at South Bank

South Bank Christmas Markets

Soak up the festive atmosphere as Little Stanley Street is transformed into a magical Christmas Village, lined with decorative market stalls of beautiful clothing, sparkling jewellery and delightful homewares, stationery and trinkets.

Litte Stanley Street December 13-22 10am-9pm

South Bank Christmas Maze

The ultimate place to get lost is in the Christmas Maze, where every twist and turn reveals something wonderful! An exclusive, creative experience for all ages, different versions of the maze offer varying experiences, from families looking for a fun adventure to youth and adults after an exciting night out.

The Piazza, South Bank December 14 - January 31 10am-10pm. Free

Join in all of the classic Christmas carols and singalong hits with the stunning backdrop of the City. Bring a picnic or get takeaway from the nearby South Bank restaurants and come together with your loved ones for a joyous and unforgettable evening.

Riverside Green, South Bank December 14-22. Nightly at 5pm. Free

South Bank Nightly Christmas Parade

The dazzling nightly parade will wind its way through South Bank, featuring beloved festive characters and performers, set to a soundtrack of heart-warming holiday music.

The Piazza to Stanley Street Plaza. December 14-22. Nightly at 6pm. Free

As the sun sets, get cosy and enjoy classic Christmas movies under the stars on the banks of the Brisbane River. Grab a seat or bring a picnic blanket. It's the perfect way to unwind and get into the holiday spirit!

Cultural Forecourt, South Bank December 14-22 7pm. Free

Head to the Plaza for some more festive fun, where South Bank's Christmas Tree lights up nightly with festive performers, featuring a duet, string quartet, nutcracker duo and carollers.

Stanley Street Plaza December 14-22. Free

Santa Photos & Mrs Claus Storytime

Snap a festive family photo with Santa and Mrs Claus at the Flowstate precinct, where Santa’s friendly elves are ready to help capture the magic of Christmas with a beach twist.

Flowstate, South Bank December 14-22. Santa 10am-1pm & 2-4.30pm; Mrs Claus 2-4.30pm

Why not make something special for Christmas this year, with these free workshops for kids and adults? Unleash your creativity with your chance to make and take home cookies, wreaths, decorations and much more!

Flowstate, South Bank December 14-22 10am-1pm (kids). December 21-22 7-9pm (adults)

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