Maybe you’ll be spending Christmas apart from your family this year, or perhaps your family is coming out to Australia to visit you. Whether you’ll be spending this festive holiday with new friends, with loved ones coming to visit, or solo exploring your new city, Brisbane has plenty of fun and free activities this December to keep you entertained and get you in the Christmas spirit!
Brisbane is such a fantastic place to be over the holiday season, as there is a buzz of excitement everywhere you go, and the weather is always balmy so you can really make the most of your time off study and work and explore the beautiful city.
Having spent many Christmases in Brisbane, I have handpicked a few of my favourite events taking place throughout December to share with you, in the hopes you can make it along and enjoy yourself too!
Kickstart this magical month by taking a wander through the Enchanted Gardens at Roma Street Parklands – the largest sub-tropical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. The gardens have been brought to life with a beautiful and enchanting light display which will impress people of all ages!
Details: The Enchanted Garden is a free activity and will be taking place every evening from 29 November to 13 December from 6:00pm until 9:15pm at Roma Street Parklands.
There’s no better activity to get you in a festive mood than Christmas carols! The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols is an annual event taking place at the iconic Riverstage, in the City Botanic Gardens and this year will be hosted by Charli Robinson and John Foreman (OAM). Some of Australia’s biggest and brightest stars will be entertaining you throughout the evening. Bring a picnic rug, some snacks and get ready to sing your heart out and enjoy the Christmas cheer!
Details: The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols is a free activity and will take place on Saturday 7 December from 4:00pm – 9:15pm at Riverstage, Gardens Point Road, Brisbane City
The Lights of Christmas at St Stephen’s Cathedral
The Cathedral of St Stephen is a beautiful heritage listed cathedral church located in the centre of Brisbane. Watch the Cathedral come to life with a mesmerising light show, incorporating a chorus of carols you and your friends can sing along too!
Details: The Lights of Christmas at St Stephen’s Cathedral is a free activity and will take place every evening from 11 December to 24 December, from 7:00pm – 10:30pm.
Brisbane City Christmas Parade
Dance your way down Queen Street Mall, alongside hundreds of performers, choirs, professional dancers and the star of the show… Santa Claus! This year’s Christmas Parade features many different floats and will keep you entertained and awestruck. A perfect opportunity to get your Christmas shopping done and get into the Christmas spirit all in one evening!
Details: The Brisbane City Christmas Parade is a free activity and will take place every evening from 13 December to 22 December at 7:00pm, along Queen Street Mall through to King George Square.
Fireworks Spectacular at South Bank Parklands
If Brisbane knows how to do one thing; it’s fireworks! Watch the amazing display of fireworks taking place in the lead up to Christmas at South Bank Parklands. Watching the sky light up in front of Brisbane’s beautiful city skyline is truly a unique Brisbane experience! The best vantage points are the Clem Jones Promenade, Streets Beach and River Quay.
Details: The Fireworks Spectacular is a free activity and will take place every evening from 20 December to 23 December from 8:00pm – 8:15pm.
Carols Extravaganza at South Bank Piazza
Head down to South Bank Piazza in the lead up to Christmas, to watch the amazing Christmas production which will have you hanging on the edge of your seat! The show features acrobatic aerialists, serene ballet compositions and show stopping vocals and of course, a special visit from Santa Claus. The show will be a mix of film, song and dance and will really get you in the Christmas spirit.
The timings of the show coincide perfectly with the Fireworks Spectacular which takes place in between the two performances so you won’t miss out, and can make a night of it at South Bank!
Details: The Carols Extravaganza is a ticketed event, with Adult tickets costing $5 and children go free. It will be taking place every evening from 20 December to 23 December running twice nightly at 6.45pm until 7.30pm and 8.30pm until 9.15pm.
New Year’s Eve in Brisbane City
Brisbane loves to wrap up the festivities for the year with a bang… quite literally! Ring in the New Year with an amazing display of fireworks which will take place along the Brisbane river. The best vantage point is from South Bank Parklands, however Eagle Street, Kangaroo Point and Howard Smith Wharves are also fantastic spots to view the sparkly display of lights. It’s certainly worth getting there early to reserve yourself a good spot, as many Brisbanites come far and wide to view the amazing display of fireworks.
If you prefer to head to a venue there are endless restaurants and bars hosting celebrations across Brisbane, with packages to suit every person’s budget. Click on the link below to view a range of hotspots to kiss goodbye to 2019 in!
Details: The New Years Eve fireworks are a free activity, and will take place on the 31 December at both 8:30pm and 12:00pm, with the show lasting 10 minutes. To view a range of event packages at Brisbane venues, click here.
Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
-Nadia
