The jolly season of festivities is upon us. If you're a 'bah humbug' kind of person, this is the time of year to lock yourself inside.
However, if you gush over tinsel, fawn for the carols and go Tay Tay-level fan girl/boy for the big man in red, you'll want to get amongst the Christmas cheer at these events around the country.
Season greetings for all at Melbourne's Flinders Street train station (Image: Getty)
Sydney
Few cities in Australia celebrate Christmas better than Sydney. The five-week Sydney Christmas extravaganza includes a rolling procession of festivities right up until Christmas Day.
Choirs fill Pitt Street Mall with Christmas songs, while elaborate light shows paint iconic buildings, such as Sydney Town Hall, the Burberry building and St Mary's Cathedral, in spirited tales.
Led by ambassadors Guy and Jules Sebastian, Sydney's Martin Place is already looking a lot like Christmas with the interactive Christmas tree, dance floor and local singers.
St Mary's Cathedral lights up at night (Image: Getty)
Our favourite Christmas celebrations around town
- Festive high tea at the Shangri-La Hotel and Radisson Blu Hotel
- Christmas shopping on George Street
- Lights of Christmas at St Mary's Cathedral (10-25 December @ 7.30pm)
- Live Nativity Play (11 December @ 7.30pm)
- 'Christmas Fare' artisan food markets (17 December @ 4pm)
- 'The Grounds Winter Wonderland' Christmas dinner (20 & 21 December @ 7pm)
- Carols on Christmas Eve at the Scots Church (24 December @ 2pm)
- Christmas Eve party cruise (24 December @ 7pm)
- 'Skyfest Sydney' student festival (25 December @ 2pm)
Melbourne
There will be no Grinch in Melbourne this year. He'll be running for the hills once he feels that Christmas spirit emanating from the city's streets, shops and dedicated events.
Christmas is in full swing around Federation Square with free entertainment and sights including the Southern Hemisphere's largest LEGO Christmas tree being built until 20 December (or until the bricks run out). There's also an outdoor cinema every Wednesday and interactive video games.
Wonderland Fun Park has been turned into Santa's Magical Wonderland with Christmas treats, Talking Tree and the Santa's Christmas Spectacular show every weekend until 24 December. Visitors can also post letters to Santa and enjoy the usual amusement rides.
The interactive LEGO Christmas tree being built by everyone (Image: That's Melbourne/Facebook)
Our favourite Christmas celebrations around town
- Animated Christmas windows at Myer (until 6 January)
- Projections on Melbourne Town Hall (every night @ 9pm)
- Christmas Square (City Square) with Santa photos, nutcracker soldiers and interactive candy canes
- Awkward Christmas Portraits (Thur-Sun; 1-20 December)
- Southgate Christmas Performers (Sat 1-5pm)
- Christmas at Collins234 (16-24 December)
- Melbourne Made Gift Market (19 December @ 10.30am)
- Carols by Candlelight (24 December @ 8pm)
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Brisbane
Queensland's capital is getting a little jolly this year with The Wonder of Christmas. Four weeks of free Christmas events and performances can be enjoyed in the city centre and around South Bank.
Christmas markets and parades, along with carolling and movie screenings highlight some of Brisbane's best celebrations. Wander King George Square to see the city's giant Christmas tree all lit up with spectacular decorations.
Revellers can also venture south to the Gold Coast where Warner Bros. Movie World is putting on the magical White Christmas. Along with all the usual rides, visitors can experience artificial snow, a nightly Christmas parade, Christmas carol battles and gingerbread man decorating.
The Myer Christmas Parade (Image: Visit Brisbane/Pintrest)
Our favourite Christmas celebrations around town
- Myer Christmas Parade & Pantomime (11-20 December @ 6.30pm)
- City Hall Light Spectacular (11-25 December @ 7.30pm)
- Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols (12 December @ 5.30pm)
- South Bank Christmas Markets (11-23 December @ 11am)
- Christmas Fireworks Spectacular (17-21 December @ 8.15pm)
- Christmas Cinema Series at Streets Beach (17-23 December @ 6.30pm & 8.30pm)
- South Bank Christmas Carols (17-20 December @ 5.45pm)
Perth
Soak up that wonderful feeling around Perth with gorgeous decorations throughout the city that culminate in Forrest Place. The city has erected a magnificent Christmas tree to go along with the Council House Nativity scene and festive lights.
At any moment you might happen upon Santa, who roams the city streets with lollies and plenty of Christmas cheer. There are also markets, movies and the Perth City Christmas Carnival to get the whole family excited.
Santa takes some Christmas wishes (Image: Experience Perth)
Our favourite Christmas celebrations around town
- Scuba Santa at AQWA (1-21 December)
- Christmas Projections on the GPO (3-20 December @ 7.30pm / 21-23 December @ 8.30pm)
- Perth City Christmas Carnival (12-13 December @ 10am)
- Mindarie Marina Christmas Festival (12 December @ 12pm)
- Perth City Festive Flicks (Wed @ 8.30pm & Sat @ 5.30pm until 23 December)
- Symphony in the City (12 December @ 7.30pm)
- Carols by Candlelight (20 December @ 4.30pm)
- Perth City Christmas Nativity (21-23 December @ 6.30pm)
- Twilight Hawkers Market (Fri @ 4.30pm until 23 December)
- Princess May Christmas Market (11 December @ 4pm)
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