No matter where you are holidaying this Christmas and New Year, there will be plenty of festive spirit to keep you entertained. Australian major cities will feature spectacular shows, events and entertainment to make the most of this special time of year with family and friends. Take a look at the activities and events happening closest to your holiday destinations this summer.
Perth WA
There is something for the whole family in Perth this summer holidays. The city truly comes alive with festive spirit including Christmas festivals, parades, Santa appearances and a bunch of epic New Year’s celebrations from fine dining extravaganzas to party shenanigans.
Festive Land is an exciting holiday carnival coming to the Perth Cultural Centre. This extravaganza of the senses features thrilling carnival rides, sideshow alley, must-have showbags, fun holiday activities and delicious festival delights. The fun doesn’t stop at Festive Land as families enjoy Perth’s ultimate white Christmas with FREE Snowfalls, Christmas Night Markets, Santa’s bauble making, and more. Ends Monday 3 January.
Who doesn’t love a Christmas lights trail? The annual event in Perth is well-known by locals and visitors alike, taking you on a journey through the city streets, brimming with dazzling lights and magic. There are 27 stops on the trail, featuring dynamic light displays, enchanting building projections and joyful street decorations. Roving entertainment keeps the spirit alive every Friday and Saturday night. Ends Sunday 2 January.
New Year’s Eve celebrations can be enjoyed in a variety of locations. Some suggestions to get you started include the iconic Northbridge Festival complete with carnival rides, games and live music; NYE at Si Paradiso, where the courtyard, ampitheatre and dance floor will be in full swing; and The Raft’s White Party, where you can float in style along the Swan River while bringing in the New Year!
There is something for the whole family in Perth this summer holidays. The city truly comes alive with festive spirit including Christmas festivals, parades, Santa appearances and a bunch of epic New Year’s celebrations from fine dining extravaganzas to party shenanigans.
Festive Land is an exciting holiday carnival coming to the Perth Cultural Centre. This extravaganza of the senses features thrilling carnival rides, sideshow alley, must-have showbags, fun holiday activities and delicious festival delights. The fun doesn’t stop at Festive Land as families enjoy Perth’s ultimate white Christmas with FREE Snowfalls, Christmas Night Markets, Santa’s bauble making, and more. Ends Monday 3 January.
Who doesn’t love a Christmas lights trail? The annual event in Perth is well-known by locals and visitors alike, taking you on a journey through the city streets, brimming with dazzling lights and magic. There are 27 stops on the trail, featuring dynamic light displays, enchanting building projections and joyful street decorations. Roving entertainment keeps the spirit alive every Friday and Saturday night. Ends Sunday 2 January.
New Year’s Eve celebrations can be enjoyed in a variety of locations. Some suggestions to get you started include the iconic Northbridge Festival complete with carnival rides, games and live music; NYE at Si Paradiso, where the courtyard, ampitheatre and dance floor will be in full swing; and The Raft’s White Party, where you can float in style along the Swan River while bringing in the New Year!
Where to stay: Ramada by Wyndham VetroBlu Scarborough Beach
This fully self-contained hotel is located in the heart of Scarborough’s entertainment precinct with sweeping views of the ocean. Enjoy the relaxed seaside lifestyle at Perth’s most famous beach.
This fully self-contained hotel is located in the heart of Scarborough’s entertainment precinct with sweeping views of the ocean. Enjoy the relaxed seaside lifestyle at Perth’s most famous beach.
Perth city. Tourism Australia
Brisbane QLD
Brisbane is home to so many parklands and picturesque river-side locations that play host to a series of Christmas and New Year celebrations to suit all ages.
Start the festive season off right and do your Christmas shopping surrounded by a true Christmas spirit with the Queen Street Mall’s Christmas on Queen including daily pop-up performances and roaming entertainment throughout the mall.
If you want a spectacular parklands experience, start with the lighting trail at Roma Street Parklands. The trail is constructed with cutting-edge visual and auditory elements like holograms, LED fields and hundreds of 3D-printed birds, with the 11 unique activations combining nature and technology for an unforgettable immersive journey until Christmas Eve.
The Southbank Parklands offer another must-see experience this Christmas with the annual South Bank Christmas Show being held until Christmas Eve. The show will be a nostalgic celebration at the Piazza combing music, dancing, singing and circus as well as a visit from Santa.
With so many restaurants, bars and venues lining the picturesque Brisbane River, you will be spoilt for choice this New Year’s Eve. Book a table at one of the many waterfront restaurants to see in the new year with your loved ones or venture into Fortitude Valley – the city’s nightlife precinct with dozens of nightclubs and bars offering themed end of year celebrations.
For a more family-friendly option, pack a picnic and grab a spot early along the river to catch the spectacular fireworks display light up the night sky and the fabulous Brisbane River.
Brisbane is home to so many parklands and picturesque river-side locations that play host to a series of Christmas and New Year celebrations to suit all ages.
Start the festive season off right and do your Christmas shopping surrounded by a true Christmas spirit with the Queen Street Mall’s Christmas on Queen including daily pop-up performances and roaming entertainment throughout the mall.
If you want a spectacular parklands experience, start with the lighting trail at Roma Street Parklands. The trail is constructed with cutting-edge visual and auditory elements like holograms, LED fields and hundreds of 3D-printed birds, with the 11 unique activations combining nature and technology for an unforgettable immersive journey until Christmas Eve.
The Southbank Parklands offer another must-see experience this Christmas with the annual South Bank Christmas Show being held until Christmas Eve. The show will be a nostalgic celebration at the Piazza combing music, dancing, singing and circus as well as a visit from Santa.
With so many restaurants, bars and venues lining the picturesque Brisbane River, you will be spoilt for choice this New Year’s Eve. Book a table at one of the many waterfront restaurants to see in the new year with your loved ones or venture into Fortitude Valley – the city’s nightlife precinct with dozens of nightclubs and bars offering themed end of year celebrations.
For a more family-friendly option, pack a picnic and grab a spot early along the river to catch the spectacular fireworks display light up the night sky and the fabulous Brisbane River.
Where to stay: Ramada by Wyndham Brisbane Windsor
Full of character and charm, this boutique hotel offers a relaxing experience just a few minutes from the city and close to the Fortitude Valley nightlight, Southbank and Roma Street Parklands.
Full of character and charm, this boutique hotel offers a relaxing experience just a few minutes from the city and close to the Fortitude Valley nightlight, Southbank and Roma Street Parklands.
Brisbane River fireworks. Tourism Australia
Melbourne VIC
Australia’s cosmopolitan city absolutely sparkles during the festive season with fairy lights adorning shop windows, light animations across Melbourne’s iconic buildings and live entertainment galore.
The annual Carols by Candlelight held in Art Centre Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Christmas Eve is Australia’s most famous Christmas event. Featuring live music from some of Australia’s top performers in front of a crowd of 10,000 people will be an everlasting Christmas memory for anyone who is lucky enough to attend.
With Melbourne known as the shopping capital of Australia, what better way to celebrate than with a unique Christmas market. There are several markets across the city including the Queen Victoria Market on 20 December, which features gifts and fresh produce, ideal for your Christmas Day.
Don’t miss a visit to Federation Square which is hosting a range of Christmas activities in partnership with City of Melbourne this year. Looking for the best place to take the kids? Santa’s Workshop is there! New additions to the square include sparkling neon trees, giant bell swings, beautiful baubles and other glittering new decorations until Christmas Day.
Australia’s cosmopolitan city absolutely sparkles during the festive season with fairy lights adorning shop windows, light animations across Melbourne’s iconic buildings and live entertainment galore.
The annual Carols by Candlelight held in Art Centre Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Christmas Eve is Australia’s most famous Christmas event. Featuring live music from some of Australia’s top performers in front of a crowd of 10,000 people will be an everlasting Christmas memory for anyone who is lucky enough to attend.
With Melbourne known as the shopping capital of Australia, what better way to celebrate than with a unique Christmas market. There are several markets across the city including the Queen Victoria Market on 20 December, which features gifts and fresh produce, ideal for your Christmas Day.
Don’t miss a visit to Federation Square which is hosting a range of Christmas activities in partnership with City of Melbourne this year. Looking for the best place to take the kids? Santa’s Workshop is there! New additions to the square include sparkling neon trees, giant bell swings, beautiful baubles and other glittering new decorations until Christmas Day.
Where to stay: Wyndham Hotel Melbourne
Located in the heart of this cosmopolitan city, the hotel offers a vibrant atmosphere surrounded by arts and culture. The hotel is a short stroll from cafes and restaurants as well as Federation Square.
Located in the heart of this cosmopolitan city, the hotel offers a vibrant atmosphere surrounded by arts and culture. The hotel is a short stroll from cafes and restaurants as well as Federation Square.
Melbourne during Christmas. Tourism Australia/Time Out Melbourne
Sydney NSW
With so many magical Christmas installations lighting up the city of Sydney and its surrounds, it would be difficult to see them all, so here are just a few ideas to get you started.
In the heart of the city, the festive spirit is returning in 2021 with the centrepiece event Deck the Harbour being held in Darling Harbour until 26 December. This spectacular festival features back-to-back Christmas events and family attractions throughout the iconic precinct with the Giant Bauble, Sky Castle interactive light installation, Christmas pedal boats, underwater dining experiences and so much more!
Elsewhere, there will be canopies of light in Pitt Street Mall, the Martin Place Christmas tree, The Rocks Christmas markets and of course the annual Carols in the Domain on 18 December, which features some of Australia’s top entertainers.
For a truly iconic New Years’ experience, you can’t go past the world-famous Sydney Harbour fireworks display. There are plenty of vantage spots around the harbour to watch the city skyline shine as we bring in the new year in style.
With so many magical Christmas installations lighting up the city of Sydney and its surrounds, it would be difficult to see them all, so here are just a few ideas to get you started.
In the heart of the city, the festive spirit is returning in 2021 with the centrepiece event Deck the Harbour being held in Darling Harbour until 26 December. This spectacular festival features back-to-back Christmas events and family attractions throughout the iconic precinct with the Giant Bauble, Sky Castle interactive light installation, Christmas pedal boats, underwater dining experiences and so much more!
Elsewhere, there will be canopies of light in Pitt Street Mall, the Martin Place Christmas tree, The Rocks Christmas markets and of course the annual Carols in the Domain on 18 December, which features some of Australia’s top entertainers.
For a truly iconic New Years’ experience, you can’t go past the world-famous Sydney Harbour fireworks display. There are plenty of vantage spots around the harbour to watch the city skyline shine as we bring in the new year in style.
Where to stay: Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Sydney Cabramatta
Enjoy all that the greater Sydney area has to offer by staying in the cultural heart of Cabramatta. This modern hotel is a short drive across the Harbour Bridge into the city and Homebush Olympic Stadium.
Enjoy all that the greater Sydney area has to offer by staying in the cultural heart of Cabramatta. This modern hotel is a short drive across the Harbour Bridge into the city and Homebush Olympic Stadium.
New Year's Eve, Sydney Harbour. Tourism Australia
Visit christmasinaustralia.com.au for a full list of activities and attractions.
With a Wyndham Hotels & Resorts property in or around most capital cities, there will be the ideal launchpad for you to stay while you explore your summer holiday experiences.
Plan your holiday a little longer this season with your loved ones. Enjoy more discounted nights of Best Available Rate as you stay longer at participating hotels by Wyndham across the Asia Pacific. Get 10% off with one night stay, 15% off for two consecutive nights, or 20% off for three or more consecutive nights stay. Book direct by February 28, 2022, and complete your stay by March 1, 2022. Find out more at wyndhamhotels.com
Plan your holiday a little longer this season with your loved ones. Enjoy more discounted nights of Best Available Rate as you stay longer at participating hotels by Wyndham across the Asia Pacific. Get 10% off with one night stay, 15% off for two consecutive nights, or 20% off for three or more consecutive nights stay. Book direct by February 28, 2022, and complete your stay by March 1, 2022. Find out more at wyndhamhotels.com
Plus, Wyndham Rewards Members get rewarded. Not a member yet? Visit wyndhamrewards.com to join for free.