Exams are over. The weather’s heating up. Christmas songs about snow are on the radio – which, you have to admit, is confusing.
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Melbourne, which leaves you with two choices: embrace the spirit of the season, reindeer antlers and all, or… well, basically you’re hiding until January.
Here are a few of our favourite ways to enjoy the holiday season, completely free:
- Celebrate Santa Lucia at the Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar on 2 and 3 December.
- Get into the spirit of the season at Kathleen Syme Library’s multicultural Christmas Party on 6 December.
- Sing your heart out at Santa’s Sleigh Karaoke in Fed Square until 24 December.
- Enjoy movies, music, carols and children’s entertainment within a stone’s throw of campus at the Northside Christmas Picnic on 8 December.
- Get yourself out to Brighton for Bayside Carols in the Park on 12 December.
- Kick back with free concerts every Thursday evening in December at Fed Square.
- Discover Christmases part at the Old Treasury Building until 6 January.
- Join the Blessing of the Nativity at St. Paul’s Cathedral on 13 December.
- Head to Chanukah in the Park and celebrate the Jewish festival of light, with fireworks, rides and kosher food on 17 December.
- Get snap-happy at the giant Christmas bauble in Fed Square, until 25 December.
- Make yourself hungry at the Gingerbread Village in the Town Hall, until 24 December.
- Check out some of Melbourne’s most spectacular Christmas lights at The Boulevard in Ivanhoe, from 16 to 24 December.
- Head to the Queen Victoria Market’s Christmas Festival on 23 December, and enjoy free entertainment and cooking demos.
- Watch the State Library come alive with Christmas projections, every night until 25 December.
- And for the little ones, post a letter to Santa and receive one in return! Head down to the GPO on Elizabeth St before 15 December.
Enjoy!