Christmas in Brisbane City for families is always amazing! Brisbane Kids are so lucky to live in a great city where each year they can experience a truly magical family Christmas adventure. This year, while some events such as the David Jones Christmas Parade are not included in the program, there are still a lot of amazing festive events going ahead!
Listed below are all the highlights of 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 2023
Date: 1 December
Time: 6.20pm – 7.15pm
Location: King George Square and streamed live on Facebook
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. While the official lighting of the Christmas tree takes place at King George Square on 1 December, the tree remains in King George Square and will be sparkling nightly until 8 January for everyone to head into the City and see.
For more information on The Lighting of the Brisbane City Christmas Tree click here.
The Enchanted Garden
Date: 23 November – 20 December
Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Location: Roma Street Parkland
Cost: from $ 7 per person – Pre booked tickets are required
Back again in 2023 due to its popularity, the Enchanted Garden is a not to be missed Christmas activity for all Brisbane families. The whole family can wander through the gardens on a warm summer night and enjoy the series of shimmering gardens, with cutting-edge visual elements like holograms, LED fields and laser lights, combining nature and technology for an unforgettable immersive journey. Food trucks will be onsite from 4pm – 9.30pm as well as the The Garden Room Café, serving specialty bites into the evening. Please note tickets must be pre-booked this year.
For more information on Enchanted Garden click here.
Christmas on Queen
Date: 1 – 24 December
Time: 11am-3pm daily, plus 4.30pm-8.30pm during late-night trade.
Location: Queen Street Mall
Cost: FREE
Enjoy the magic of Christmas in Queen Street Mall with daily pop-up performances and roving entertainment that’s sure to delight all ages. The festive performances and entertainment will feature throughout Queen Street Mall.
For more information on Christmas on Queen click here.
The Lott by Golden Casket City Hall Lights
Date: 8 – 24 December
Time: 7.30pm – midnight (show every 15 minutes)
Location: King George Square, The City
Cost: FREE
Make sure you do not miss the Lott by Golden Casket City Hall Light Spectacular. This amazing and beautiful show will entertain all ages and is guaranteed to put everyone in the festive spirit. Believe us when we say this show is truly magical and once you have seen it, you will want to go back again and again.
For more information on The City Hall Lights click here.
The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols
Date: 2 December
Time: 4pm – 9pm
Location: Riverstage, City Botanic Gardens and live streaming on a big screen at Victoria Park
Cost: FREE for kids 17 years and under, with a paying adult. Tickets for the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols will be on sale at 9am Monday 14 November 2023 via Ticketmaster.
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. This year it will also be live streamed to a big screen at Victoria Park at a family friendly free event for this who cannot secure tickets.
For more information on The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols click here.
Christmas Tiny Doors
Date: 1 – 8 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 the six Christmas-themed tiny doors sprinkled throughout The City! Each handmade door is a merry tribute to the holiday season and promises a delightful, free activity for the entire family to enjoy. Let the magic of the season come alive through these enchanting little surprises throughout December.
For more information on the Christmas Tiny Doors click here.
Brisbane Arcade Markets- Christmas on the Mall
Date: 8 & 9 December
Time: 10am – 6pm
Location: Brisbane Arcade, Queen Street, CBD
Cost: FREE
Experience the holiday cheer as Brisbane City comes alive with delightful Christmas markets. Discover and shop for the perfect gifts from your favourite Brisbane Arcade brands, right in the heart of Queen Street Mall.
For more information on the Brisbane Arcade Markets- Christmas on the Mall click here.
A Whimsical Wonderful Christmas Show
Date: 8, 15 & 22 December
Time: 5pm – 7.30pm
Location: Uptown Brisbane, Queen Street Mall, CBD
Cost: FREE
Join us in Queen Street Mall for a magical journey as we unwrap the joy of the holiday season with an enchanting Christmas feature show, ‘A Whimsical, Wonderful Christmas.’ Mark your calendars for Friday, December 8, 15 and 22 when the Main Stage (outside Uptown) will come alive with festive delight.
For more information on A Whimsical Christmas Show click here.
Starz Christmas Spectacular
Date: 16 – 23 December
Time: 5pm – 6.30pm
Location: Uptown Brisbane, Queen Street Mall, CBD
Cost: FREE
Experience the Ultimate Christmas Extravaganza with Starz Christmas Spectacular! Get ready for a heartwarming celebration of the season, right in the heart of The City! The Starz Christmas Spectacular, featuring sensational local singers and dancers, as they light up your holiday evenings with unforgettable performances every night in Queen Street Mall.
For more information on Starz Christmas Spectacular click here.
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.
Brooke Powell
Hi there,
Sorry, dates have not been released for 2018 Christmas events yet. Please check back in November, when we will be updating these articles.
Many thanks!