Six must visit places in Melbourne during Christmas for those not going home

STAYING in Melbourne for Christmas? Fear not, Trinity College Foundation Studies students Audrey Cheah, Vivi Chen, Zoe Zhao and Tiffany Xu provide a handy guide to help you navigate your way around the must visit places in Melbourne throughout Christmas time!

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At this time of year, usually people would be spending it with friends and family but not everyone can go home for the holidays. Such is the case for some international students who, rather than purchase an airplane ticket back home for the holidays, are spending it abroad. For some, it’s their first time away from family during the holidays.

If this sounds like you, don’t worry — there’s still plenty of things to do and see around Melbourne during the holidays that hopefully won’t get you too down on not being with family this festive season.

Christmas at Federation Square

To start off the festive season, head over to Federation Square’s free Christmas celebration where music, entertainment and art await. Bring along a friend or two for the highlight of every night leading up to Christmas: the spectacular Christmas Projection Show! Also lighting up the Christmas spirit is a a six metre high bauble, which will become an illuminated beacon for everyone of all ages to marvel at.

Fed Square will host a festive fair featuring a myriad of stalls for your shopping, eating and leisurely needs. True to the joy of giving, local busking talents can be seen at the event to put you in that bright holiday mood.

If you’re looking for something during the evenings for perhaps a date or a quiet evening wind-down, The Big Screen will become an outdoor cinema; screening Christmas favourites like Home Alone, Elf and Rise of the Guardians. On Christmas Eve, enjoy a Christmas family party DJs and local talents alike. Australia’s traditional Carols by Candlelight will also be broadcast on The Big Screen.

For more details, visit the event’s page over at Federation Square’s official website. Christmas at Federation Square is running everyday until December 30. 

Santa’s Magical Kingdom at Caulfield Racecourse

Santa’s Magical Kingdom has been an annual tradition in Melbourne for the past four years and has brought joy and cheer to all of Melbourne’s residents! Packaged into the event are activities and experiences for people of all ages. Essentially a magical Christmas-themed wonderland if you’ve never experienced a white Christmas, you can do so at the Snowland area where you can feel snow falling and even meet Frosty the Snowman!

Haven’t had the time to mail a letter to Santa? Craft one with Mrs Claus who is sure to know just what to say. Meanwhile, the International Christmas Show Spectacular sees amazing performers and circus acts work their magic by putting on a thrilling show.

And when one thinks of Christmas, gingerbread may come to mind. For a quick bite to eat, visit Gingerbread Land to decorate your own gingerbread man. Decorate it just the way you want and finish the creative process by eating it all up!

Santa’s Magical Kingdom is on now until December 23. Tickets vary in price depending on the day you go so for more information, visit the official website.  

Myer Christmas Windows

Photo: Trinh Pham

A Myer Christmas Window Display from years back. | Photo: Trinh Pham

Like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, take a stroll through Bourke Street Mall this Christmas to enjoy the Myer Christmas Windows.

Every year, Myer puts up a special display for Christmas and every year it’s been enjoyed by thousands across Melbourne. The windows each year bring to life a different Christmas story or become variations of stories previously explored in the past. This year’ their story is “One Christmas Eve”.

The exhibition is free and open to the public everyday from now until January 5, 2017.  So grab a hot peppermint chocolate and enjoy a leisurely walk down a Christmas tale! Learn more about the creation of the Myer Christmas Windows over at the official blog for Myer at its website

Christmas Square

After seeing all that there is to offer at the windows, head over to the City Square on Swanston St for more festive decorations as the square transforms into Christmas Square. This year’s theme focuses on a magic forest which will transport visitors to whole new magical world where you can meet nutcracker soldiers, interactive candy canes and even get a free personalised photo with Santa.

At night, there will be a light show to entice you to never leave this magical forest. Come over during the day or even after dinner.

This event is also free to the public. For more information, visit the event page over at That’s Melbourne’s official website

The Boulevard at Ivanhoe

If you’re tired of seeing the city all the time, hope on the train and head out to Ivanhoe for The Boulevard, Melbourne’s biggest and brightest Christmas home light displays! This year will be no exception with the community banding together to sweep you off your feet.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city spectacular light shows, ingenious windows displays and unparalleled garden decorations await you. Bathe yourself in an ocean of gorgeous lighting in this Christmas!

Community barbecues will be held as well, where you can grab a snag at a sausage sizzle and just relax amongst the festivities. This event is currently running from now until Christmas Eve and is best experienced at night between 8.30pm and 11.00pm.

For more information, please visit the event page over at Banyule City Council’s website.

Gingerbread Village by EPICURE

Fill yourself with Christmas spirit and inhale the delicious scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and sugar in a fantastic yummy display of gingerbread. Now in its sixth year, the Gingerbread Village by EPICURE returns to the Melbourne Town Hall, delighting all gingerbread lovers until Christmas Eve.

With more than 500 kilograms of gingerbread, a village has been crafted with 800 miniature Christmas trees. This year’s addition will be a F1 Grand Prix crafted by EPICURE’s award-winning Executive Pastry Chef Deniz Karaca and his talented team who have spent months bringing their Gingerbread Village vision to life.

Unfortunately not for consumption, this artwork of edible display is open to the public daily and has already raised more than $100,000 in donations with this year’s proceeds going towards the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

For more information, visit the event page over at EPICURE’s website

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This story was produced by Media and Communication students at Trinity College Foundation Studies as part of Meld’s community newsroom collaboration. Education institutions, student clubs/societies and community groups interested in being involved can get in touch with us via meld@meldmagazine.com.au.

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