And just like that, we’re almost at the end of the year. If you’re feeling anxious about 2024 coming to a close, why don’t you fill the first month of summer with as many memorable experiences as you can? There are so many things to do in Melbourne this December, from outdoor cinema experiences to seeing the fireworks. With Christmas on the way, Melbourne is also shining with with festive magic, with markets, projections, carols and more. Here are some of the best things to see and do around Melbourne and Victoria this December.

Melbourne will be transformed into a bright and colourful wonderland for the Christmas season. See cool projections and twinkling lights, then try some fun Christmas activities around the city. Check it out from November 29 to December 25.

2. Feel the festive season at Fed Square

There’s heaps of things to do at Fed Square this December. Admire the twinkling Christmas tree, have fun on the bell swings, watch Christmas films and more. See what’s happening here.

The Big Design Market is taking over the Royal Exhibition Building from November 29 to December 1. Find over 250 exhibitors at this event, with homewares, ceramics, fashion, kids toys, books, stationary and much more.

4. Grab some Twixmas deals

The post-Christmas deal are beginning with a range of discounts on Fever experiences in 2025, but these discount codes won’t be around forever, so book your spot soon!

🪔 Mindful Glow: Candlelit Sound Bath – 15% off with the code TWIXMAS15
🩰 We Call It Ballet: Sleeping Beauty Dance & Light Show – 15% off with the code TWIXMAS15
🕯 Candlelight: Tribute to Phil Collins – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20
🕯 Candlelight: Best of Pink Floyd – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20
🕯 Candlelight: 80’s Rock Anthems – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20
🕯 Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20
🕯 Candlelight: The Sounds of Soul – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20
🕯 Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay and Imagine Dragons – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20
🕯 Candlelight: Rings & Dragons – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20

If you love Star Wars, then this exhibition is for you. Fly to a galaxy far, far away, and see over 600 items collected by fans, for fans. See sculptures, life-size figures, costumes and more! The Fan Strikes Back exhibition will open at The District Docklands from November 23. Get your tickets here.

6. Watch movies under the stars at Moonlight Cinema

Enjoy the summer nights by watching festive favourites and new releases at Moonlight Cinema. Find it on the lush Central Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens from Friday November 29.

Have a laugh at the adults-only comedy concert, A Very Naughty Christmas. The production includes stand-up comedy, singing, dancing, burlesque, and skits with a salacious edge. After seeing this show, you’ll never hear Christmas carols the same way again. The show will run at the Alex Theatre from December 5 to 15. Get your tickets here.

Embark on a journey through the cathedral at Notre-Dame de Paris, the Augmented Exhibition. With the help of an augmented reality tablet, you’ll journey through the cathedral’s 850-year-history. Notre-Dame de Paris, the Augmented Exhibition will open at Immigration Museum on Friday December 6.

9. Watch a movie at this outdoor beach cinema

The exciting MOV’IN BED Beach Cinema is coming back to Melbourne. Head to the East Car Park of The District Docklands and feel transported to a sandy white beach, decked out with 150 king and queen sized beds. Lie down, get comfy, and watch a movie unfold on the largest outdoor screen in Australia. MOV’IN BED Beach Cinema will run from December 6 to March 30.

10. Check out the Christmas Carnival

Head to the banks of the Birrarung for the spectacular Christmas Carnival. Ride the Ferris wheel, drive the dodgems, play carnival games and munch on classic carnival food. Entry is free and tickets for rides can be purchased on-site. The carnival will run from December 6 to 24.

11. Immerse yourself in a sensory experience at SENSAS

Round up some friends and tackle some fun challenges at SENSAS. Test all five of your senses in some wacky experiences. This playful space in open from December 6. Get your tickets here.

At the Museum of Desire, you’ll find over 20 sensory-rich experiences that explore desire and pleasure. It opens in Collingwood on December 7. Feeling curious? Get your tickets here.

The iconic Summer Night market will return to Queen Victoria Market. Sip on cocktails, feast on delicious food, browse through stalls, enjoy live entertainment and more. It runs on Wednesday nights, starting from November 20 and ending on March 12 in 2025.

14. Celebrate Christmas Filipino-style at Queen Victoria Market

Head to Queen Victoria Market for Pasko sa Melbourne. Feel a little festive with lantern making, a Christmas parade, delicious food, live performances and more! It’s free to attend, and is on from 9am to 4pm on Sunday December 8. More info here.

15. Listen to music at Always Live

Always Live is a major event that celebrates contemporary music across the state. Look forward to over 289 artists, performing in over 65 events. Find music all around Victoria, from Gippsland to Bendigo, and in Melbourne and the surrounding suburbs. Always Live will run from now until Sunday December 8.

16. Check out Oz Comic-Con’s Xmas Edition

This fantastic pop culture event is back, and just in time for Christmas. At Oz Comic-Con’s Xmas Edition, you’ll find plenty of fun things to see and do, such as exhibits, cosplay, gaming, an entertainment stage and more. Find it at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 7 and 8. See more here.

Take a journey back in time, and explore the genius of Leonardo da Vinci. Step into the 3,000m², and watch some of the worlds most famous artworks come to life, like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius is on at THE LUME until December 8.

18. Marvel at the spectacular Crown Christmas River Show

Look out onto the Yarra River and admire the fabulous Crown Christmas River Show, complete with water fountains, lasers, light projections and festive tunes. Shows will run every 15 minutes each night. Find it at Southbank Promenade outside of Crown. The show will run from November 29 until December 25.

19. See something incredible at Arts Centre Melbourne

There’s lots of lovely Christmas things to do at Arts Centre Melbourne this festive season. Listen to the annual Christmas Melodies concert in Hamer Hall on December 9. Have fun with the whole family with Classic Kids: A Symphonic Christmas on December 14. And watch The Nutcracker come to life from December 18 to 20. See what’s coming up here.

20. Experience the magic of a Candlelight Concert

The candlelit performances have taken place at venues like The Athenaeum and The Astor Theatre as well as at The Timber Yard, the Meat Market and Fed Square. With more venues being added to the growing list, there’s a Candlelight concert around every corner.

Candlelight concerts in December include a night of Christmas classics, the best of Bridgerton and more. See what’s on here.

21. Get into the holiday spirit by watching A Christmas Carol

Five time Tony Award winner and West End sensation, A Christmas Carol, is playing at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne. This classic Christmas tale by Charles Dickens is a must-see, with interactive elements, merry music, and a message of hope.

Head to the corner of Hosier Lane and marvel at incredible works of art in The Outsiders Melbourne exhibition. Taken from the Sandrew Collection, you can expect a room dedicated to Banksy, as well as pieces from Rone and more. It will run from December 12 to May 25.

23. Immerse yourself in a thrilling Darkfield experience

Step into a shipping container, lose yourself in the darkness and challenge your grip on reality in the immersive Darkfield experiences. Try their most popular experiences, SÉANCE and FLIGHT, on the Forecourt of Arts Centre Melbourne. Check it out from Friday December 13.

24. Watch the award-winning Dear Evan Hansen

The Tony Award-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen, will play in Melbourne this December. Follow the story of a socially anxious highschooler, who is thrust into the spotlight when he unintentionally invents an important role for himself in the centre of a tragedy. See it at the Playhouse in Arts Centre Melbourne from December 13 to February 16. More info here.

25. Explore the Antopia exhibition at Melbourne Museum

Shrink down to the size of an ant and experience a day in the colony at Antopia. This interactive exhibition will feature projections, immersive spaces and more to help you learn about the secrets of ants. Find it at Melbourne Museum from December 14 to March 10. Learn more here.

Journey through the iconic Jurassic World gates and come face-to-face with roaring dinosaurs from the legendary movie franchise. Encounter a brachiosaurus, velociraptors, a Tyrannosaurus Rex and more. Check it out at the Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre in Brunswick. Get your tickets here.

A special screening of the beloved Christmas classic The Holiday will be held at the Plenary in Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre along with a live orchestra this festive season. The Holiday in Concert will take place on Saturday December 14, from 5pm to 7:40pm. Learn more here.

Nearly 200 works by Yayoi Kusama will be take over NGV. This will be the largest Kusama exhibition in Australia. See iconic pieces from her eight-decade career, as well as never-before-seen works. Check it out from Sunday December 15.

The popular NGV Friday Nights are back this summer, in celebration of the upcoming Yayoi Kusama exhibition. Taking place every Friday night from December 20 until April 18, you can expect a massive line-up of pop-up performances, music residencies, food, and plenty of drinks.

30. Wander through Home Truth at NGV

Explore a house within a house at the 2024 NGV Architecture Commission, Home Truth. Designed by architecture studio Breathe, this installation invites you to reflect on how small-scale architecture can encourage more sustainable living environments. It’s free to visit, and open daily until April 2025.

Explore our love for Cats & Dogs in this wholesome exhibition by NGV. See over 250 works of art and design from both contemporary and historical artists. Find it at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia in Fed Square.

Get ready to sing praises to the smash-hit musical comedy, Sister Act. Check it out at the Regent Theatre.

An exhibition inspired by the colour and symmetry of Wes Anderson films is now open in Melbourne. See over 200 curated photos from around the world, explored themed areas and have fun with interactive sets. Find Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition at 360 Bourke Street. Get your tickets here.

34. Check out MPavilion

MPavilion is coming back to Melbourne. Enjoy cultural events, talks, music and more. MPavilion will run from now until March 22, 2025. See the full program here.

35. Experience a tale as old as time with Beauty and the Beast

Feel enchanted by the magical Beauty and the Beast musical. Watch in wonder as your favourite characters perform spectacular songs, like ‘Be Our Guest’, ‘Belle’, ‘Gaston’ and more. This production is now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

The Future & Other Fictions exhibition will feature over 180 works from 19 creative visionaries from around the world. Explore how futures are imagined across film, videogames and screen-based art with sets, props, scripts, costumes and more. The Future & Other Fictions will take over ACMI from now until April 27, 2025.

Have a gander at the development behind the beloved Untitled Goose Game at this free, world premiere exhibition at ACMI. Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition will run from now until February 16, 2025.

38. Lock in plans to check out Alcotraz

In this interactive experience, you’ll smuggle liquor into prison and receive up to four personalised cocktails. Alcotraz is now open in Melbourne. Get your tickets here.

At Le Petit Chef, your table is transformed into a screen, with entertaining performances from a virtual, tiny chef. As he tries to cook, he faces some amusing blunders, but thankfully, the kitchen staff in real life are there to assist before things get too out of hand. Check it out at The Langham Melbourne from Tuesday to Saturday at select times.

40. Have the best time at TINA: the Tina Turner Musical

Celebrate the life and music of Tina Turner at TINA: The Tina Turner Musical. This spectacular show features over 20 of her iconic songs, including Simply the Best and What’s Love Got to Do with It. See it at the Princess Theatre.

Seven Victorian-based artists are sharing what joy means to them with a variety of delightful rooms at the Immigration Museum. Journey back in time to a 90s video store, cuddle up with a gigantic soft toy rabbit and more. The Joy exhibition is now open for you to explore, and will stay in town until August 29, 2025.

Shakespeare Under The Stars is coming back to Royal Botanic Gardens with a production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Sprawl out on Southern Cross Lawn and enjoy the show from December 21 to January 25. More info here.

Feel transported to New York and journey through the history of this beloved franchise. Check out five individual galleries, filled with artwork, collectibles, arcade games and more! The TMNT: Heroes in a Half Shell Exhibition is now showing at The District Docklands. It will stay in Melbourne until Sunday December 22.

After successful runs in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Sydney, the Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” exhibition is now here in Melbourne. This museum-quality exhibition features over 180 Banksy artworks as well as multiple installations. Find it at The District Docklands. Get your tickets here.

45. Play the ‘Among Us’-style game, Saboteurs

Head to The District Docklands and go on a space adventure at Saboteurs. Play with your friends inside converted shipping containers, complete tasks, and eject any suspicious imposters. Get your tickets here.

Melbourne’s Christmas Wonderland is taking over Caulfield Racecourse with multiple themed zones, festive characters and fun activities. Find it under the Big Top from Friday November 29 to Tuesday December 24.

See your favourite Christmas romantic comedy like never before, with a live orchestra playing along to the movie. This will play at Hamer Hall on December 23 and 24.

What better way to embrace the Christmas season than to listen to some merry carols? Head to Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Christmas Eve and take part in the beloved Melbourne tradition of Carols by Candlelight.

49. Feel mesmerised by the Van Gogh exhibition at THE LUME

THE LUME Melbourne is bringing back their dreamy Van Gogh exhibition. This immersive experience broke attendance records two years ago, and attracted 1.8 million visitors across Australia and New Zealand. For its return season, you can expect familiar spaces like the bright Sunflower Room, as well as the world premiere of a shared virtual reality experience, Finding Vincent. The Van Gogh exhibition will reopen at THE LUME on Boxing Day.

A kawaii pop-up cafe dedicated to Hello Kitty has come to Chadstone. This pop-up cafe celebrates the 50th anniversary of the beloved Sanrio character. The cafe is open from now until December 31.

Hit the dancefloor, sip on free-flowing drinks and count down to midnight at some fun New Year’s Eve parties around Melbourne. Start planning here.

Stay in the city for New Year’s Eve and watch the fireworks. We’ll keep you updated on the best places to watch them as the end of the year approaches.

Drive roughly three hours away from Melbourne to the off-grid town of Licola. There, you’ll feel thrown back into the ’90s for three fun-filled days, in the immersive festival known as The Town. Back for its seventh year, this imaginative village will feature all sorts of cool spots, like a video store, a Big Brother House and more. The Town festival is on from Friday November 29 to Monday December 2.

From December 1 to June 30, camping will be free in every national park and state forest in Victoria. Not sure where to go first? See our recommendations here.

55. Take a trip on a Twilight Train at Puffing Billy

Puffing Billy has launched a dreamy new timetable that’s perfect for night owls. Hop aboard the Twilight Train, and ride through the Dandenong Ranges at dusk. This new experience is a 3.5 hour return journey, and will take you from Belgrave to Lakeside. The Puffing Billy Twilight Train will run on Thursdays, from now until December 12.

CherryHill Orchards are throwing a delightful Cherry Picking Festival. Wander through rows of trees in either Wandin East or Coldstream, eat as many cherries as you like straight from the tree, and pack some cherries to take home. During the festival, there will also be food trucks, cherry ice cream, cherry drinks and special experiences. The festival in Coldstream is on from now and until late December, while the event in Wandin East will start on November 25 and end in early January.

57. Dazzle your senses with the stunning Christmas Festival of Lights at Adventure Park

Head to Geelong, and bask in the glow of 3.3 million lights at this gorgeous festival. Wander down enchanting trails and glittering bridges in this 50-acre wonderland. On top of the glistening lights, there’s plenty of Christmas activities and entertainment for the family. This special Christmas Festival at Adventure Park is on from November 16 to January 25.

Drive out to the Yarra Valley and relax at this festive outdoor cinema in Tokar Estate. Watch Home Alone and The Polar Express the weekend before Christmas, while enjoying local wines and delicious food. Cinema in the Vines will take place on Saturday December 21 and Sunday December 22.

Spanning over 14 acres, Blue Lotus Water Garden contains over 40 different ponds, lakes and water features. Here, you’ll find the biggest display of lotus and waterlily flowers in the Southern Hemisphere. This dreamy garden will reopen to the public for the summer season on December 26.

60. Take a dip in the About Time bathhouse

Travelling down the coast for the summer holidays? Take a moment to relax in the new wellness destination, About Time. It’s expected to open from December 26 onwards, and bookings are open now.

During the hotter months, some stunning lavender farms around Victoria are open for you to explore.

End the year in style at Beyond the Valley. Head to Barunah Plains, and listen to an incredible mixture of local and international acts, including FISHER, Ice Spice, Tinashe and more. It’s all happening from December 28 to January 1.