Christmas and New Year’s in Melbourne: What can you do to celebrate?

IF you’re staying behind for Christmas and New Year’s these holidays, check out some of the events the Trinity College Foundation Studies students have chosen for you to do! Trinity students Tiffany Ma, Ai Matsumoto and Trinh Pham have the details.

With Christmas fast approaching, international students staying in Melbourne for the holidays might want to start making plans for the summer break.

If you have not already booked your flight tickets and are staying in Christmas and New Year we have some great free events that you cannot miss!

Queen Victoria Market’s Suzuki Night Market
Every Wednesday from November 5, 2014 to March 25, 2015 (excluding Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve) (5.00pm – 10.00pm); Queen Victoria Market, Victoria Street

Photo: Trinh Pham

Photo: Trinh Pham

Are you a foodaholic wondering where to spend your Christmas holidays while your friends are away? Check out the Queen Victoria Night Market where you will be served food and drinks and get the chance to see talented musicians, artists, and craftspeople showcased at at the market.

Here, more than 60 vendors will be serving up street food from around the world from some of Melbourne’s favourite Indian, Mexican, Italian and Chinese vendors.

You can also release all your post-exam stress and Christmas shopping fatigue by listening to multicultural live music and getting a body massage!

Myer’s Christmas Windows
November 8 (Any time); Myer, Bourke Street Mall

Photo: Trinh Pham

Photo: Trinh Pham

After a delicious dinner at the Queen Victoria Night Market, if you are looking for an ideal place for hanging out with friends and want to see some sparkling Christmas lighting and decorations, don’t forget to visit Myer at the Bourke Street Mall.

From November 8, the famous and long-standing Myer’s window tradition returns, lighting up this busy part of Melbourne with fabulous decorations and themes. Every year Myer’s windows illustrate one Christmas story, such as “A Christmas Carol”, “How Santa Really Works”, and “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.

This year, with its theme of “Santa Claus and the Three Bears”, the Myer windows will definitely bring you to the world of magic and illusion through their great lighting system and Christmas decorations.

The windows are even more beautiful to view at night, so it would be perfect to have dinner at the Queen Victoria Night Market and then enjoy the Christmas atmosphere by visiting the Myer windows and mingling with the many locals also out to experience a summer Christmas!

The window display will remain until January 5, 2015!

Melbourne Town Hall Christmas Projection
November 28 – December 5 (9.00pm – 11.00pm); Melbourne Town Hall

melbournetownhalllights

Photo: Wolf via Flickr

One of the stunning events that you must not miss in Melbourne this Christmas is the Melbourne Town Hall Christmas Projection, which is held from November 28 to December 5.

Every night from 9,00pm to 11.00pm, Melbourne Town Hall will be transformed with beautiful lighting projections by the specialist Australian lighting company, Electric Canvas. In the past this company has applied lighting art to many public buildings and places around Melbourne and Australia including Flinders Street Station, the National Gallery of Australia and even the Sydney Opera House.

It is recommended that you arrive at Melbourne Town Hall 20 minutes before the start time so that you can have the best spot to enjoy the show. Don’t forget to bring some food or drinks with you and a jumper if it’s one of Melbourne’s cooler nights!

What could be better than watching a free spectacular light performance with your friends?

New Year’s Eve Fireworks
December 31 (9.00pm – 12.00am); Various locations

melbourne-fireworks

Photo: Gav Owen via Flickr

Wondering what to do on New Year’s Eve in Melbourne?

You can’t do any better than the New Year’s Eve fireworks, the largest free public celebration in Melbourne. Head into town with some friends early on Wednesday, December 31 to grab the best vantage spot.

There are two show times, 9.00pm which suits families and children, and 12.00pm for those who want to stay up late and see the new year in.  There are five live sites across the city- Yarra Park, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Docklands, and Kings Domain.

How can you get there and home again? Don’t worry! There is free public transport to and from the city from 6.00pm until regular services resume at 5.00am.

Don’t miss this fabulous event, and the chance to explore the beauty of Melbourne at night!

Boxing Day Shopping
December 26 (Various times); Various locations

boxingdayshopping

Photo: Alpha via Flickr (edited by Tiffany Ma)

Do you like shopping? Do you need something for next year? Or just have your eye on a bargain?

Don’t miss Melbourne’s Boxing Day sales on Friday, December 26, the biggest shopping day of the year. Melburnians love a sale and generations have queued to get first through the doors for the heavy discounts and bargains priced to move.

Shops include the major department stores such as Myer and David Jones, as well as many other city and suburban shops across town. Some shops open as early as 5am and others stay open until midnight.

If you want to save money, and love shopping, this will be your perfect chance!

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