Christmas in Brisbane City for families is always amazing and 2024 is no different! Brisbane Kids are so lucky to live in a great city where each year they can experience a truly magical family Christmas adventure.
Listed below are all free activities in the Christmas in Brisbane program. We are pretty sure you will have a hard time choosing which of these events to attend and will end up seeing many, if not all of them, by the time Christmas Eve arrives!
The Lighting of the Brisbane City Christmas Tree 2024
Date: 29th November
Time: 6.30-7.30pm
Location: King George Square
Cost: FREE
The Christmas in Brisbane extravaganza kicks off with the official lighting of the beautiful Brisbane City Christmas Tree, which stands 22m tall in the centre of the city for all to see. On top of witnessing the switching on of Queensland’s biggest Christmas tree, there will be a special Christmas musical performance to add to the festive atmosphere including a performance by Dami Im.
Christmas at Uptown
Date: 1 – 24 December
Location: Queen Street Mall
Cost: FREE
Uptown Brisbane is bringing all the holiday magic and wonder back to the Queen Street Mall with an exciting unveiling of their windows on Friday 8 November.
Christmas on Queen
Date: 6 – 24 December
Time: 11am – 3pm daily (4.30pm – 8.30pm during the night trade)
Location: King George Square, The City
Cost: FREE
Take a break from your Christmas shopping and enjoy the magic of live festive entertainment throughout Queen Street Mall. Delight in Christmas-themed pop-up performances and captivating roaming acts, offering fun for the whole family!
As part of Christmas on Queen families can look forward to the following shows
A Whimsical, Wonderful Christmas
The Mall’s festive Friday Christmas feature show. Unwrap the joy of the holiday season with an enchanting Christmas show, brimming with holiday cheer and festive fun for all ages to enjoy. 6, 13, & 20 December 5pm, 6pm, & 7pm. Queen Street Mall Stage, outside Uptown
Starz Christmas Spectacular
Featuring talented local performers in a spectacular celebration of colour and movement, right in the heart of The City! 7 & 8 December Nightly from 14-24 December 5pm, 6pm & 7pm.
5pm & 6pm – Queen Street Mall Stage 7pm – King George Square
The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols
Date: 7 December
Time: 4pm – 9pm
Location: Riverstage, City Botanic Gardens
Cost: $5 per person and free under 18 years of age
Every Australian capital city holds a major, not-to-be-missed televised Christmas carol showcase, and The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols is Brisbane’s signature event. The carols will have Brisbane families singing along to all their favourite Christmas songs as some of Australia’s most talented singers perform live on stage. Acts this year include a range of popular Australian artists leading the carols for all to enjoy. The stage will be full of dancers, colour and fun, and everyone is sure to have themselves a merry little Christmas after witnessing this joyous event. Hosted by Queensland’s first lady of song, Naomi Price, tickets on sale Tuesday 12 November via Ticketmaster.
Christmas Tiny Doors
Date: 1 – 24 December
Time: 24 hours
Location: Locations include: King George Square, Queen Street Mall, Burnett Lane, Edward Street, Elizabeth Arcade
Cost: FREE
Embark on a joyful adventure as you discover tiny Christmas-themed doors sprinkled throughout the city! Each handmade door is a merry tribute to the holiday season offering a delightful, free activity for the entire family.
There is an additional elf tiny doors workshop in the Queens Street Mall 7 & 8 Dec, 14 & 15 Dec, 21 & 22 Dec, 10am – 2pm where kids can decorate and take home their own tiny door.
Victoria Park Satellite Event
Date: Saturday Dec 7
Time: Gates open at 4.30pm live stream from 7pm – 9pm
Location: Victoria Park – Entry via Gilchrist Avenue, Herston
Cost: FREE (registrations required)
This Victoria Park free event (registrations required) will feature pre-show entertainment, food trucks and a whole lot of family-friendly fun. Pack a picnic basket and blanket and round up your family and friends for a night of Christmas singing and celebration under a starry Brisbane summer sky.
City Hall Lights
Date: 6 – 24 December
Time: 7.30pm – midnight (show every 15 minutes)
Location: King George Square, The City
Cost: FREE
Experience the magic of Christmas when Brisbane’s iconic City Hall is transformed into a vibrant display of captivating visuals, festive sounds, and a heart-warming story for the whole family to enjoy.
South Bank Christmas Markets
Date: 13-22 December
Time: 10am – 9pm
Location: Little Stanley Street South Bank
Cost: FREE
Little Stanley Street will be transformed into a bustling festive village lined with Christmas decorations and market stalls. Visitors can browse a variety of unique, handcrafted gifts including stationery, jewellery, homewares and more.
Nightly Christmas Parade South Bank
Date: 14 December – 22 December
Time: Nightly at 6pm
Location: Starts at The Piazza to Stanley Street Plaza South Bank
Cost: FREE
Beloved festive characters will feature in a parade through South Bank, dancing alongside performers, set to a soundtrack of heart-warming holiday music.
South Bank Nightly Christmas Carols
Date: 14 December – 22 December
Time: Nightly at 5pm
Location: Riverside Green, South Bank
Cost: FREE
A magical holiday celebration featuring classic Christmas carols and singalong hits to warm your heart and create cherished festive memories
Christmas Characters in the Plaza South Bank
Date: 14 December – 22 December
Time: Time not given
Location: Stanley Street Plaza, South Bank
Cost: FREE
South Bank’s Christmas Tree lights up every night with festive performers, featuring a duet, string quartet, nutcracker duo and carolers.
Christmas Workshops – Kids & Adults South Bank
Date: 14 December – 22 December
Time: Kids 10am-1pm Adults 7pm-9pm (20 Dec & 21 Dec only)
Location: Flow State, South Bank
Cost: FREE
Unleash your creative side and make something special for Christmas. Cookies, wreaths, decorations and much more.
Christmas Open Air Cinema
Date: 14 – 22 December
Time: 7pm
Location: Cultural Forecourt South Bank
Cost: FREE
Grab a seat or bring a picnic blanket and watch Christmas movie classics under a summer sky on the banks of the Brisbane River.
BrisStyle Twilight Markets King George Square
Date: Friday 6th December
Time: 4pm – 9pm
Location: King George Square
Cost: FREE
Make your way to King George Square and immerse yourself in the unique BrisStyle Twilight Markets, where you can find a delightful array of locally handmade goods from talented local designers.
As you wander through the markets, discover beautifully crafted gifts and treasures, all while experiencing the magical opening night of City Hall Lights, set against the backdrop of the stunning Christmas Tree and City Hall.
Sono Lumo – Festive Nights of Sound & Light Queens Wharf
Date: 4 -15 December
Time: 5pm-11pm Light & Sound nightly show times: 7:30pm, 8:30pm & 9:30pm
Location: Queen’s Wharf Brisbane & The Star Brisbane
Cost: FREE
The first ever Sono Lumo event, presented by The Star Brisbane, is a show-stopping new, free, and immersive light and sound experience set to modernise Christmas in Brisbane.
For more information on any of these events go to https://visit.brisbane.qld.au/christmas
Brisbane Kids hopes that you take advantage of all these fantastic Christmas events in Brisbane City and that these events become not only part of your Christmas memories, but also part of your annual Christmas traditions.
