What’s on in Melbourne in December 2025

As the year comes to a close, December in Melbourne is the perfect time to visit the city – before the rush of the school holidays and Christmas period.

This month, like usual, Melbourne’s event calendar is packed. There are Christmas markets that bring a festive atmosphere (and allow you to get your last-minute shopping done) and outdoor events that take advantage of the warming weather.

In this article, I’ll guide you through my top picks for December in Melbourne, including the best Christmas lights and decorations, outdoor activities, theatre shows and how the city celebrates New Year’s Eve.

Here’s a curated selection of the must-dos happening this December in the city.

Melbourne weather in December

Welcome summer! The weather in Melbourne during December is typically warm and inviting, the perfect backdrop for Christmas and New Year’s festivities. Average temperatures hover around 13 to 25 degrees Celsius (55 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit), but can climb to as high as 40 degrees (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

The days are longer and sunnier, although the city’s famous “four seasons in a day” can still make an appearance. This means you might experience occasional showers, but they’re generally short-lived.

Check the upcoming Melbourne weather forecast online, and read my full guide to summer in Melbourne.

Public holidays in Melbourne in December

Christmas means two public holidays – Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December) and Boxing Day (Friday 26 December).

The term 4 summer school holidays kick off on 20 December 2025.

Major events and festivals in December

Check back regularly throughout the month – I’ll keep this page updated as I hunt down more events!

Christmas in Melbourne

There’s so much happening around Melbourne in the lead up to Christmas! My full guide to Christmas in Melbourne includes:

• The best lights and decorations around the city
• Must-do Christmas events
• Where to get your Christmas decorations and ornaments
• Where to eat on Christmas Day
• And… some ideas for what to do on Christmas Day if you don’t celebrate

I’ve also got a guide to the best Melbourne Christmas markets.

New Year’s Eve

Ring in the New Year in Melbourne. There are plenty of events and parties around the city:

• Watch the fireworks – head to one of the free, official Celebration Zones at Docklands, The Shrine, Flagstaff Gardens or Treasury Gardens
• Book a night out at a restaurant

Theatre, film and music

MJ The Musical

Centred around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, MJ the Musical goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of Michael Jackson.

Cats the Musical

Experience the 40th Australian anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical Cats, showing for a limited time.

Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies

The Australian Shakespeare Company puts on this family-friendly show, where the adventurous Tinkerbell meets up with the fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

Candelight Concert Series with Fever

Fever brings their stunning candlelit concerts to venues across Melbourne. There’s everything from the Best of Frank Sinatra and Fleetwood Mac to tributes to Queen and Beyonce.

Darkfield

Step inside a shipping container in COMPLETE darkness and experience the immersive The Invisible Man or Flight (or grab a deal and do both!).

Moonlight Cinema

Catch a flick under the stars in the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens.

Melbourne Magic Show

Have your mind blown by the magic and illusion of Master Magician Luke Hocking.

Museums and art

Westwood | Kawakubo

The NGV’s summer blockbuster exhibition pairs two global icons of the fashion world for the first time: British designer Vivienne Westwood and Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons.

NGV Friday Nights

Music, eating and drinking plus late-night exclusive access to the NGV’s Westwood | Kawakubo exhibition.

Women Photographers 1900-1975: A Legacy of Light

This fascinating exhibition celebrates the wide-ranging photographic practices of more than eighty women artists working between 1900 and 1975.

DIVA

Celebrate legendary divas such as Judy Garland, Joan Crawford, Dame Nellie Melba, Grace Jones, Cher, Prince, Tina Turner, Elton John, Madonna, Adele, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, P!nk, Bjork and Billie Eilish in this dazzling exhibition.

LEGO® Star Wars: The Exhibition

Step into a world of epic battles, gargantuan spaceships and stunning landscapes from a galaxy far, far away. Using over 8 million LEGO® bricks and taking more than 25,000 hours to complete, this is one for fans!

Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard

Travel back in time to early medieval Scotland and discover the unique and mysterious treasure trove of Viking-age treasures, from jewellery, personal heirlooms and one-of-a-kind objects from as far away as Central Asia.

Nocturnal: Museum After Dark

On the second Thursday of each month, experience Melbourne Museum after hours – and child free. Explore the exhibitions, listen to themed talks and tours, or get involved in interactive activities. There’s also DJs and live music, as well as food and drinks.

Game Worlds

Game Worlds features more than 30 video games from the 1970s to today – and you can play many of them!

Titanic: A Voyage Through Time

Experience life on the most famous ship in the world in this interactive, virtual reality journey.

Planetarium Nights

Head to Scienceworks for an adults-only, after dark experience. December’s events include Unveiling the Invisible Universe (about how technology has allowed us to discover the Universe) and Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon (a tribute to the band’s iconic album).

Distraction

Visit Science Gallery Melbourne to experience the playful ways humans devote their time in an increasingly nonsensical world. With a hundred tabs open and endless avenues to explore, how is it possible to harness the cacophony of content and find meaning within it?

Experience the Dome Promenade

One of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings has opened a hidden part that hasn’t been accessible to the public for 100 years.

Food and drink events in December

Summer Night Market

Summer means the return of Queen Vic Market’s Summer Night Market!

Community events, festivals and shopping

Boho Luxe Christmas Market

Browse unique jewellery, art and fashion from Melbourne’s best designers. There are also workshops and psychic readings throughout the day.

Pasko Sa Melbourne

Celebrate Christmas the Filipino way at this “Christmas in our hearts” event. There’s a photo booth, face painting, games and parol (lantern) making.

What are you most excited to see and do in December in Melbourne?