It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Brisbane – here’s your guide to the city’s month-long festive celebration
The sleigh bells are jingling, the trees are tinselling and lights are glittering – get ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas in Brisbane is back with a series of vibrant events across the city, which is set to come alive with a program of festive cheer for all ages. Expect Brisbane’s most iconic events including the Lighting of the Christmas Tree and City Hall Lights, to the captivating Enchanted Garden, a full program of festive events at South Bank and a show-stopping new event at Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, Sono Lumo – Festive Nights of Sound & Light – presented by The Star Brisbane, to name a few! We’ve made a list and checked it twice to find out all of the naughty and nice festivities happening during Christmas in Brisbane. Secure your spot on the nice list by reading on …
Ring in the season with the lighting of the Christmas tree
For 2024, festivities will be kicking off with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner set to light King George Square’s iconic Christmas tree on Friday November 29. This beloved Brisbane tradition invites festive folk from across the city to mark the start of the silly season with a night of dazzling lights and festive fun. Songstress Dami Im will be lighting up the stage with a medley of Christmas music whilst Santa Claus will be making the rounds with his elves.
Catch Santa Claus’ new adventure at City Hall Lights
The following weekend from December 6, City Hall will transform into a sensational display of captivating visuals, festive sounds and a heart-warming new story. For this year’s City Hall Lights, Brisbane-based author Rebecca Sheraton has penned a brand new twinkling tale, Santa’s SOS: A Christmas Rescue. Kids big and small will adore this magical adventure of friendship and Christmas spirit, told through a mesmerising light show.
Embark on a very merry scavenger hunt with the Christmas-edition Christmas Tiny Doors
City slickers will know well the Tiny Doors that are sprinkled around Brisbane City – and this silly season, they’re decking the halls. Crafted by local artist Mace Robertson, these wee whimsical doors were designed for Brisbane’s fairy populace. From December 1, adventure across The City to try and spy all the Christmas-edition. If you’re feeling inspired, drop by the Queen Street Mall Stage to make your very own. Running every weekend starting on Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, this free workshop event lets you and your little one unleash your creativity and bring your festive creation home.
Mix and a-mingle at Christmas On Queen
Just around the corner, Queen Street Mall will be teeming with Christmas festivities from pop-up performances to captivating roaming acts. From December 6, Queen Street Mall invites you to take a well-deserved break from Christmas shopping and be wowed with its line-up of festive fun. Every day from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and Friday evenings from 4:30 pm, be mesmerised by the merriment Christmas On Queen.
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Light up the night at The Enchanted Garden
Brisbane’s most anticipated light show returns to Roma Street Parkland with a magnificient new experience. This year’s The Enchanted Garden brings you a brand-new story, set to run every 15 minutes from 6:30–9:15 pm. With displays of lasers, LED tubes, fairy lights, projections, UV lighting and festive soundscapes, the inner-city park will erupt into a kaleidoscope of colour and cheer. Whilst you explore The Enchanted Garden, tuck into some delectable treats from the Celebration Lawn’s line-up of food trucks from 5:00 pm and even savour the summer evening with a tipple at the on-site licensed bar. The Enchanted Garden will be helping you get into the festive spirit, kicking off on November 22 and open nightly until December 21.
Sing loud for all to hear at Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols
Can you hear those sleigh bells ringing? It’s because the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols is rolling into Queen’s Wharf with a roster of stars performing your favourite classic carols on Saturday December 7. Hosted by Queensland’s first lady of song Naomi Price, this world-class evening of entertainment features a breathtaking all-Australian line-up of superstars including Conrad Sewell, Ngaiire, Josh Pyke, Queensland Ballet, Jess Hitchcock, Emma Pask, Luke Kennedy, Fatai, Andy Cook, Dean Brady and Waveney Yasso. Audience favourites The Jingle Belles will be joining these stellar singers and entertainers, under the direction of superstar choreographer Kate Wormald. Grab your tickets and celebrate the season with a joyous and magical celebration of Christmas.
Be mesmerised by The Star Brisbane’s audiovisual spectacular – Sono Lumo – Festive Nights of Sound & Light
Christmas in Brisbane is welcoming new precinct Queen’s Wharf to the festive line-up with The Star set to host a captivating new event. As dusk falls, the skyline will transform with the dazzling audiovisual show, Sono Lumo – Festive Nights of Sound & Light. A blend of Christmas traditions and cutting-edge technology, this brand-new event will bring together music, dynamic lighting, curated bars and seasonally inspired cuisine over ten nights. Unlike anything Brisbane has experienced before, Sono Lumo – Festive Nights of Sound & Light will be running December 4 –15 from 5:00–11:00 pm.
Get into the festive spirit with South Bank’s nightly Christmas Parade
From December 14–22, South Bank will be hosting a holly-jolly Christmas Parade, bringing the magic of the season to life. Starting at The Piazza, a cast of beloved festive characters will dance all the way to Stanley Street Plaza, as a heart-warming soundtrack of holiday tunes jingles all the way there. A joyous celebration of Christmas cheer, South Bank Christmas Parade will delight the whole family.
Head on over to the Christmas in Brisbane website for all the details!
This article was written with our friends at The City.