Here's your perfect guide to holiday fun in Geelong! Find all the top festive activities and events with us. From Geelong aficionados to curious cats, our guide illuminates the city's seasonal hotspots.
Explore the enchanting Geelong Christmas Market, where you'll find unique gifts and tasty treats to delight everyone on your list. Brighten your evenings with the spectacular Floating Christmas Tree Light Show, showcasing a dazzling display on the waterfront. And definitely don't forget Christmas in Geelong: Santa’s Workshop, a magical experience for families with young children. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Geelong
- Geelong Christmas Market
- Floating Christmas Tree Light Show
- Christmas in Geelong: Santa’s Workshop
- Carols by the Bay
- Christmas Race Day
Geelong Holiday Light Displays
Floating Christmas Tree Light Show
What to Expect:
Massive floating Christmas tree in Corio Bay
Description:
Geelong's Floating Christmas Tree Light Show illuminates Corio Bay with a dazzling display. The 25-meter-tall structure, adorned with over 11,000 LED lights, creates a stunning reflection on the water's surface. This unique spectacle, introduced in 2011, has become a beloved tradition in Geelong. The tree's light sequences are choreographed to music, creating a mesmerizing audio-visual experience. You can capture the perfect photo from various vantage points along the waterfront promenade.
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Floating Christmas Tree Light Show
Geelong Holiday Markets and Shopping
Geelong Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Showcases local artisans and producers from the Geelong region
Description:
The Geelong Christmas Market transforms the historic waterfront into a bustling hub of local creativity. This event spotlights the region's talented artisans and producers, offering a curated selection of handcrafted gifts and gourmet treats unique to the area. The aroma of freshly baked goods wafts through the air as you explore stalls brimming with one-of-a-kind treasures. Visitors can participate in hands-on workshops led by local craftspeople, learning traditional skills. Geelong's rich maritime history is reflected in many of the market's offerings, connecting the present-day celebration to the city's cultural heritage.
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Geelong Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Carols by the Bay
What to Expect:
Waterfront carol singing with local choirs
Description:
Carols by the Bay unites the Geelong community in song along the picturesque waterfront. Local choirs and musicians lead attendees in a harmonious celebration of holiday classics. This event, dating back to the 1960s, has evolved into a cherished tradition that reflects Geelong's strong community spirit. The gentle lapping of waves provides a soothing backdrop to the melodious voices. Join in the singing or simply bask in the joyful atmosphere as the sun sets over Corio Bay.
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Geelong Other Holiday Activities
Christmas in Geelong: Santa’s Workshop
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa's workshop experience
Description:
Christmas in Geelong: Santa's Workshop brings the North Pole to Australia. This interactive experience immerses visitors in the world of Santa's elves, with hands-on toy-making stations and a behind-the-scenes look at holiday preparations. The workshop pays homage to Geelong's manufacturing history, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern holiday cheer. Children can design their own wooden toy to take home, guided by skilled artisans. The workshop's whimsical decor transports you to a snowy wonderland, despite the Australian summer heat.
Website:
Christmas in Geelong: Santa’s Workshop
Christmas Race Day
What to Expect:
Horse racing combined with holiday festivities
Description:
Geelong's Christmas Race Day blends the excitement of thoroughbred racing with holiday celebrations. This unique event brings together sports enthusiasts and festive revelers at the historic Geelong Racecourse. The racecourse, established in 1908, comes alive with holiday decorations and themed entertainment between races. Spectators can participate in a "Best Dressed" competition with a Christmas twist. The day's highlight is the feature race, where jockeys don Santa hats as they thunder down the home straight.
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Nearby Events
Norlane Community Christmas Day Lunch (Norlane)
What to Expect:
Free community lunch for those in need
Description:
The Norlane Community Christmas Day Lunch embodies the true spirit of the season. This heartwarming event provides a free, festive meal to those who might otherwise spend the holiday alone. Volunteers from all walks of life come together to serve and share in the joy of giving. The lunch, which began as a small gathering in the 1990s, now serves hundreds of people annually. You can contribute by donating food items or volunteering your time to help prepare and serve the meal.
Website:
Norlane Community Christmas Day Lunch
Portarlington Christmas Festival (Portarlington)
What to Expect:
Seaside town's unique blend of holiday and beach culture
Description:
Portarlington's Christmas Festival infuses holiday cheer with coastal charm. This seaside celebration features a parade of boats adorned with lights, creating a floating spectacle along the shoreline. The event pays tribute to the town's rich maritime history, blending traditional Christmas elements with beach culture. Visitors can participate in sandcastle-building contests with a holiday twist. The festival's highlight is the arrival of Santa on a vintage lifeboat, a nod to Portarlington's seafaring past.
Website:
Portarlington Christmas Festival
Lara Christmas Festival (Lara)
What to Expect:
Small-town charm with a focus on local talent
Description:
Lara's Christmas Festival showcases the best of small-town Australia during the holiday season. This community-driven event spotlights local talent, from musicians to artisans, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. The festival, which began in the 1980s, has grown while maintaining its grassroots feel. Visitors can enjoy performances by Lara's youth orchestras and choirs. The event's centerpiece is a towering Christmas tree decorated entirely with handmade ornaments crafted by local schoolchildren.
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Bellarine Railway Christmas Trains (Drysdale)
What to Expect:
Vintage train rides with holiday themes
Description:
The Bellarine Railway Christmas Trains offer a nostalgic journey through time and holiday traditions. Passengers board meticulously restored vintage carriages, embarking on a scenic ride along the historic Bellarine Peninsula railway line. This unique experience combines Australia's rich rail heritage with festive cheer. During the journey, you can participate in caroling sessions led by costumed performers. The trains, some dating back to the early 20th century, are adorned with twinkling lights and garlands.
Website:
Bellarine Railway Christmas Trains
Queenscliff Christmas Tree Lighting (Queenscliff)
What to Expect:
Victorian-era inspired tree lighting ceremony
Description:
Queenscliff's Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony transports visitors to a bygone era. This charming event, set against the backdrop of the town's well-preserved Victorian architecture, evokes the spirit of 19th-century holiday celebrations. The ceremony features a grand switch-on of thousands of lights adorning a majestic pine tree. Local brass bands play traditional carols, their melodies echoing through the historic streets. You can join in a lantern-lit procession that winds its way through the town to the tree-lighting site.
Website:
Queenscliff Christmas Tree Lighting
Christmas in the Park Highton (Highton)
What to Expect:
Family-friendly outdoor movie screening
Description:
Christmas in the Park Highton reimagines holiday movie nights under the stars. This open-air cinema experience brings classic Christmas films to life in a picturesque park setting. The event, which started as a neighborhood gathering, now draws families from across Geelong. Visitors can create their own festive picnic spreads to enjoy during the screening. The park's century-old oak trees are illuminated with soft lights, creating a cozy atmosphere for movie-watching.
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Christmas in the Conservatory (East Geelong)
What to Expect:
Tropical plants meet holiday decorations
Description:
Christmas in the Conservatory offers a unique fusion of botanical beauty and holiday decor. The East Geelong Botanic Gardens' historic conservatory is transformed into a lush, tropical Christmas display. This event showcases how diverse plant species can be incorporated into holiday arrangements. Visitors can learn about the origins of popular Christmas plants like poinsettias and Christmas cacti. The conservatory's Victorian-era glass structure provides a stunning backdrop for the vibrant floral displays.
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Teesdale Twilight Farmers’ Market (Teesdale)
What to Expect:
Evening market featuring local produce and artisanal goods
Description:
The Teesdale Twilight Farmers' Market offers a distinctive after-dark shopping experience. This evening event showcases the best of local produce and artisanal goods, all bathed in the warm glow of string lights. The market reflects Teesdale's rich agricultural heritage, connecting urban dwellers with rural producers. Visitors can sample regional wines and craft beers while browsing stalls. Live acoustic performances by local musicians create a laid-back atmosphere as the sun sets over the surrounding farmlands.
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Teesdale Twilight Farmers’ Market