A nightly parade, an exciting light display and new look decorations will join holiday classics as the Christmas in Brisbane celebrations return from 22 November.
The new additions to the beloved Christmas program were revealed today, with a suite of free and affordable festivities for the whole family.
For the first time in five years, Queen Street Mall will feature new Christmas decorations created by local company G&V.
With the opening of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, Christmas in Brisbane festivities will be expanded to the new lifestyle precinct with a free 10-night light and sound experience projected onto the precinct’s façade.
Visitors will also be able to immerse themselves in light installations situated throughout the Queen’s Wharf Precinct, with performances by artists and musicians adding modern twists to Christmas classics.
The Christmas cheer will continue at South Bank Parklands, with new events like The Christmas Maze and a nightly Christmas Parade from the 14th to the 22nd of December on offer, along with the annual Christmas Markets that people know and love.
The annual Brisbane Christmas markets
The Christmas in Brisbane Program will officially launch with the lighting of the Christmas Tree in King George Square on Friday 29 November, headlined by Aussie singing sensation Dami Im.
Further family favourites like the City Hall lights, The Enchanted Garden and the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols will return to provide more affordable fun this holiday season.
The free live broadcast of the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols will also return Victoria Park, so that even more people can enjoy the seasonal spectacular.
For those wanting to celebrate closer to home, families can enjoy more than 55 free events across Brisbane’s 33 libraries, or revel in the festive fun at more than 20 free and affordable community celebrations across the suburbs supported by the Schrinner Council.
Critical funds will once again be raised for the most vulnerable members of the community through the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust Christmas Appeal to help spread Christmas cheer with those who need it most.
To donate to the Christmas Appeal, visit www.LMCT.org.au.
To view the full program of events, visit www.christmasinbrisbane.com.au.
Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols
2024 Christmas in Brisbane Full Program
The Enchanted Garden
When: 22 November – 21 December
Where: Roma Street Parkland
Brisbane’s most anticipated light show, The Enchanted Garden, returns to Roma Street Parkland with a dazzling new experience. Immerse yourself in breathtaking displays of lasers, LED tubes, fairy lights, projections, UV lighting, and festive soundscapes.
Cost: $9 (aged 13+ years) | $7 (aged 3-12 years). Group ticketing available – $30 for a family of four (2 adults & 2 children) + $36 for family of five (2 adults & 3 children). Children aged two and under are free and do not require a ticket.
The Enchanted Garden 2024
Lord Mayor’s Lighting of the Christmas Tree
When: Friday, 29 November, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Where: King George Square
A Brisbane family favourite and the official start of Christmas. Enjoy a jolly evening with Santa and his helpers before lighting the 22m-tall sparkling Christmas Tree. Plus, don’t miss a special performance by Dami Im.
Cost: Free
Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols
When: Saturday, 07 December – Gates open from 4 pm, show starts at 6 pm
Where: Riverstage
The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols return in 2024 to spread joy to the world with a dazzling evening of high kicks and high notes. Hosted by Queensland’s first lady of song, Naomi Price, Tickets on sale Tuesday 12 November via Ticketmaster.
Cost: $5 per person and free under 18 years of age
City Hall Lights
When: 6 – 24 December, 7.30 pm – midnight
Where: Brisbane City Hall, King George Square
Experience the magic of Christmas when Brisbane’s iconic City Hall is transformed into a vibrant display of captivating visuals, festive sounds, and a heart- warming story for the whole family to enjoy.
Cost: Free
Christmas in Brisbane City Hall Lights
Queen Street Mall Christmas on Queen
When: 6 – 24 December, 11am – 3.00pm daily, *4.30pm – 8.30pm during late night trade
Take a break from your Christmas shopping and enjoy the magic of live festive entertainment throughout Queen Street Mall.
Delight in Christmas-themed pop-up performances and captivating roaming acts, offering fun for the whole family!
Cost: Free
A Whimsical, Wonderful Christmas
When: 6, 13, & 20 December 5 pm, 6 pm, & 7 pm
Where: Queen Street Mall Stage, outside Uptown
The Mall’s festive Friday Christmas feature show. Unwrap the joy of the holiday season with an enchanting Christmas show, brimming with holiday cheer and festive fun for all ages to enjoy.
Cost: Free
Roaming entertainment for Christmas in Brisbane 2024
Starz Christmas Spectacular
7 & 8 December Nightly from 14-24 December, 5 pm, 6 pm & 7 pm
5 pm & 6 pm – Queen Street Mall Stage
7 pm – King George Square
Featuring talented local performers in a spectacular celebration of colour and movement, right in the heart of The City!
Cost: Free
BrisStyle Twilight Markets
When: Friday, 6 December, 4 pm – 9 pm
Where: King George Square
Make your way to King George Square and immerse yourself in the unique BrisStyle Twilight Markets, where you can find a delightful array of locally handmade goods from talented local designers.
As you wander through the markets, discover beautifully crafted gifts and treasures, all while experiencing the magical opening night of City Hall Lights, set against the backdrop of the stunning Christmas Tree and City Hall.
Cost: Free
Christmas Tiny Doors
When: 1 – 24 December
Where: Various
Embark on a joyful adventure as you discover tiny Christmas-themed doors sprinkled throughout the city! Each handmade door is a merry tribute to the holiday season offering a delightful, free activity for the entire family.
Cost: Free
Christmas tiny doors across Brisbane
Elf’s Tiny Doors Workshop
When: 7 & 8 Dec, 14 & 15 Dec, 21 & 22 Dec 10 am – 2 pm
Where: Queen Street Mall Stage
You’ve found all the Christmas Tiny Doors scattered throughout The City; now it’s time to create your very own! Drop by the Queen Street Mall Stage to decorate your own tiny door to take home.
Cost: Free
Christmas at Uptown
When: 1-24 December
Where: Uptown, Queen Street Mall
Uptown Brisbane is bringing all the holiday magic and wonder back to the Queen Street Mall with an exciting unveiling of their windows on Friday 8 November.
Sono Lumo – Festive Nights of Sound & Light
When: 4 – 15 December 5 pm-11 pm, Light & Sound nightly show times: 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm & 9:30 pm
Where: Queen’s Wharf, Brisbane & The Star, Brisbane
The first-ever Sono Lumo event, presented by The Star Brisbane, is a show-stopping new, free, and immersive light and sound experience set to modernise Christmas in Brisbane.
Cost: Free
South Bank Christmas Markets
When: 13 – 22 December 10 am – 9 pm
Where: Little Stanley Street, South Bank
Little Stanley Street will be transformed into a bustling festive village lined with Christmas decorations and market stalls. Visitors can browse a variety of unique, handcrafted gifts including stationery, jewellery, homewares and more.
Cost: Free
South Bank Christmas Maze
When: 14 December – 31 January 10 am – 10 pm
Where: The Piazza, South Bank,
An exclusive, creative experience for all ages, where every twist and turn reveals something wonderful! Different versions of the maze offer different experiences – from families seeking fun and adventure to youth and adults looking for an exciting night out.
Free with proof of purchase to ‘Understory’; otherwise, $10 per ticket
Helpful links:
Things to do with kids in Brisbane
Free kids activities
What’s on for kids in Brisbane
School holiday activities in Brisbane
