Hi all!
Welcome to Blogmas Day 14! Today I am going to be sharing with you Christmas attractions available in my city: Melbourne, Australia. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to participate in anything listed below this year, but I still wanted to make this post for those interested. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
1.) THE MYER CHRISTMAS WINDOWS
Every single year, on Bourke Street in Melbourne CBD, Myer (a gigantic department store) hosts a different Christmas theme on their windows for people to follow. This tradition has been going for 64 years! The theme is unveiled in November and is always the most exciting part. For 2019, Myer featured The Gumnut Babies, which is the work of beloved Australian author May Gibbs. You may have heard of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie? They are very famous characters from the children’s book series.
My dear friend Mabel Kwong, took the image above of the Myer Christmas Windows. It looks magical! This is probably the most famous attraction in Melbourne. Go check it out if you’re able!
2.) CHRISTMAS PROJECTIONS
You can view stunning Christmas projections over three important buildings in the Melbourne CBD this year: the Town Hall, the State Library and for the first time, the Princes Bridge. They look simply magical! The image below was taken from What’s On in Melbourne.
3.) SANTA’S HOUSE
On the corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street, you can get your photo taken with the man in red at Santa’s House. It’s beautifully decorated and each child is guaranteed to leave with a treat!
4.) GINGERBREAD VILLAGE
On Collins Street, you can witness iconic Melbourne landmarks built entirely out of gingerbread! I can’t wait to see this with Abigail next Christmas. There’s also plenty of activities and delicious treats for kids!
5.) CHRISTMAS SQUARE
At Federation Square, you can marvel at the gigantic Christmas tree and enjoy the spectacular night show that begins at 9pm. This is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit.
The image above was taken from What’s On in Melbourne.
6.) CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
Carols by Candlelight is a huge concert that takes place every year on Christmas Eve. It raises money for Vision Australia. Approximately 10,000 attend each year. This event has occurred since 1938 and is broadcasted live on Channel 9. My mum really enjoys watching it.
7.) HOME ALONE IN CONCERT
At Hamer Hall, you can listen to the classic Christmas movie, Home Alone in concert. Conducted by Benjamin Northey and complete with a full choir, experience the beloved comedy classic featuring renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the MSO.
8.) SKATE WITH SANTA
At the Docklands, O’Brien Icehouse is giving everyone in Melbourne the chance to make this Christmas feel like a traditional northern hemisphere Christmas celebration, with all-day skating and the chance to skate with Santa. It may not be Central Park, but the conditions inside are cool and it’s is much closer than New York! Featuring two Olympic size ice rinks, there’s also plenty of parking and public transport, plus the chance to skate with Santa.
9.) CHRISTMAS MAKERS MARKET
Also at the Docklands, come along to the Christmas Makers Market and shop for Christmas gifts. Choose from an array of handmade goodies, homemade homewares, trinkets and jewellery, arts and crafts and everything in between.
10.) ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
St Patrick’s Cathedral Music and Cathedral Brass present a festive program including works for 10 brass, percussion and organ as well as a selection of favourite Christmas melodies. Musicians include some of Australia’s leading brass exponents who have performed extensively within Australia and internationally, both as ensemble and solo artists and as members of Australia’s finest orchestras. The ensemble also includes several wonderful young graduates from the Australian National Academy of Music.
I hope you liked this post and if you’re in the area, get to participate in some of these festive activities/attractions. Let me know what Christmas events take place in your city? I would love to know! Thanks for reading and I’ll see you tomorrow.
Peace & Love xoxo