Christmas in Boroondara

Lights, carols, Christmas

It’s a magical time of year when our streets are decorated and so many special events are happening with local businesses, community groups and trader associations in our bustling shopping precincts.

Enjoy community carols, Santa visits, Christmas markets and all you need for the festive season right on your doorstep.

Community Christmas carols

Sing along and enjoy the much-loved tradition of carols in the park with family and friends.

A world-class musical act

Alinta Chidzey is a multi-award-winning performer who wowed audiences in the leading role of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Now joined by an outstanding ensemble band, see Alinta perform some of your favourite Christmas songs and jazzy reimaginings of holiday classics in a special Christmas concert at Hawthorn Arts Centre.

Christmas events in Boroondara

Santa Claus is comin’ to town for family photos and special events! Get out and about to enjoy all the family fun in your neighbourhood.

Festive fun at the library

Come along to Christmas Storytime (3 to 5 years) and for those who love getting crafty during the holidays, join our all-ages activity to design and print your own Christmas cards.

Join our final storytime and craft sessions for 2025. Find dates for all our libraries on our Final children's program dates and Christmas activities for 2025 page.

The top of a Christmas tree and large star against a partly cloudy sky

Decorations for days

This year, you can’t miss 2 stunning Christmas trees that have pride of place outside Camberwell and Ashburton libraries. Nativity scenes are in place outside Camberwell Civic Precinct, Hawthorn Library and Kew Library. Our streets are decorated and festive lights illuminate Hawthorn Arts Centre, Kew Court House and the Camberwell Civic Precinct.

Find the perfect gift

Wrap up your Christmas shopping close to home and spread joy with thoughtful, unique gifts and experiences you’ll find in Boroondara.
Visit the websites below for the high-quality service, stores and venues you’re looking for and see what’s on for Christmas at each shopping centre:

Christmas markets

Check out the Christmas markets in Boroondara for unique handmade gifts, plus the presents the foodies and green thumbs in your life will actually love and use!

Hawthorn Makers Market

The monthly Hawthorn Makers Market at the beautifully restored Arts Centre offers a curated selection of unique, artisan, handmade goods.

Camberwell Fresh Food Market

Find premium produce and a great variety of fresh fruit and veg, butchers and seafood. There’s artisanal cheese, bakery and deli goods and delicious food and coffee to grab and go.

Simple ways to spread joy

Our Book Giving Trees are an easy yet powerful way to give back and build community connection this Christmas.

If you’d like to donate to a local community organisation for Christmas hampers (or at any time of the year), the following organisations welcome donations of non-perishable food and grocery items:

Boroondara Cooks

Our free meal sharing program, Boroondara Cooks, supports residents aged over 60 years old who may experience difficulty preparing a regular home-made meal.

Volunteer cooks deliver home-cooked meals on a regular basis and take the time to say hello. It's not just about the food, its about knowing someone cares.

If you or someone you know would like to sign up as a diner for this program, call us on 03 9278 4777 or visit our Support programs for seniors page.

Share your feedback

We're currently considering options for celebrating Christmas in Boroondara for 2026 and we want to hear from the community about what makes it feel like Christmas.

Complete Christmas event survey

Submissions close Friday 30 January 2026.

Council services over Christmas and New Year

Some of our services are closed or have different hours over the Christmas and New Year Period.

See changes to Council services on public holidays.

Past events

Tudor Choristers: Sing Nowell – 2 December

Card Crafting with Cricut – Ashburton – 2 December

Card Crafting with Cricut – Camberwell – 1 December

Koorie Kristmas Market at Murnong – 29 November