A Nostalgic Christmas in Brisbane City
Make Christmas in Brisbane City more than a quick visit. This memorable itinerary brings together much-loved traditions, festive shopping, memorable culture and dining, and accommodation that suits everyone so you can take your time and truly enjoy a relaxed city escape.
Gift shopping
Christmas shopping is all part of the tradition, so leave a little room in the itinerary for finding gifts, revisiting favourite stores and perhaps picking up something for yourself along the way.
Start in Brisbane Arcade, where the heritage gallery, independent boutiques and Christmas decorations make gift shopping feel like part of the occasion. Discover standout novelty gift stores like The Pen Shoppe, The Model Shoppe and Keri Craig Emporium, where you’ll find bespoke gifts for someone special.
Continue the Christmas shopping at MacArthur Central, where you can browse jewellery and watches at Paspaley, Longines and TAG Heuer before ticking off a few more gifts throughout the centre. From 2 November to 23 December, Wrapped in Rewards adds a little festive fun to the Christmas shop, with eligible purchases giving you the chance to unwrap a surprise reward.
If luxury gifting is more your style, make your way to QueensPlaza, where Australian and international designers make finding something special all too tempting.
Then let the shopping spill out into Queen Street Mall, browsing familiar favourites like Country Road and Peter Jackson, as you work through the rest of your Christmas list. Need a few more ideas? Our Brisbane City gift guide has plenty more to explore.
Once the shopping is done, there’s plenty of reason to stick around Queen Street Mall. From 4–24 December, expect a lively program of Christmas entertainment, from roving performers throughout the mall to festive shows taking over the main stage. Look out for Starz Christmas Spectacular on 4, 11 and 18 - 23 December, alongside Christmas on Queen and The Magic & Circus Show: Christmas Edition throughout the season.
If the grandkids are coming, turn the entertainment into a full Christmas adventure! Collect a Tiny Doors map at the Visitor Information Centre, see how many of the 16 Christmas Tiny Doors you can discover around Brisbane City.
Check out the full Christmas in Brisbane program and make note of your must-visit experiences.
High tea and a view
Build a slower afternoon around a delicious high tea. Book ribbon sandwiches and scones at Room with Roses, enjoy high tea on the terrace at Customs House, or choose the historic Shingle Inn at City Hall. Explore more options in the Brisbane City high tea guide.
For your culture fix, visit the Museum of Brisbane for exhibitions about the city’s people, history and creative life. Book ahead for free a Clock Tower tour and ride the original hand-operated lift for a city view with genuine old-world character. For the art lovers, you can also follow on with the self-guided Brisbane City Art Trail.
Make time for City Hall Lights
As daylight fades, make your way to King George Square to see Brisbane City’s Christmas Tree. City Hall Lights are a headline tradition but stop by early to snap a photo with the tree before the show starts.
City Hall Lights transforms the iconic building’s façade with projections and festive storytelling, with regular evening sessions making it easy to plan around a meal. Find a comfortable vantage point and settle in for yet another delightful story, this year following an adventure of a cat and dog.
Festive eats
Choose dinner to match the occasion. For heritage character and a river outlook, book Patina at Customs House; for contemporary Chinese in a restored former bank, try Donna Chang; or make the view the main event at Alchemy, Madame Wu or Stilts Dining all found along the riverfront. If dinner with a view is calling, discover more riverside restaurants in Brisbane City.
Whether you choose to linger at one restaurant and watch the sunset and the city lights come to life or stop in at a bar for a night cap, there are plenty of incredible restaurants in Brisbane City to discover. Explore the Brisbane City dining guide for even more places to eat and drink, or, if you’re planning the Christmas Day feast itself, here’s where to eat this Christmas in Brisbane.
For a little extra Christmas cheer after dinner, head to The City After Dark Markets at Reddacliff Place on 27 November. Spend the early evening sampling street food, browsing artisan and boutique stalls, listening to live music or stopping by the pop-up bar. From there, the festivities continue at King George Square with the Lord Mayor's Lighting of the Christmas Tree from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. It’s a lovely excuse to linger in the city as Christmas lights up around you.
Catch the carols
Some Christmas traditions never lose their magic. Pack a picnic and settle in under the stars for the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols at Riverstage on 5 December. Make an evening of the much-loved Christmas tradition, with a line-up of performers bringing festive favourites to the stage and plenty of familiar songs to sing along to.
Where to stay
Turn Christmas in Brisbane into an easy overnight escape with one of Brisbane City’s convenient and beautiful stays. Stay at Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane for the best of both worlds, with the freedom of an apartment stay inside a beautifully restored heritage building. For something equally central, MacArthur Chambers Apartments brings a little history to the stay, with spacious self-contained apartments right in the heart of the city. Royal Albert Hotel adds another dose of old-world character just moments from Queen Street Mall. For a little extra luxury, Sofitel Brisbane Central brings French-inspired style to the stay, with spacious rooms, Bistro Suzette and Stephanies Spa Retreat all under one roof. Or settle into the spacious multi-bedroom apartments at Avani Living Queen’s Wharf Residences, connected to the new dining and entertainment precinct at Queen’s Wharf.
For a stay by the water, Stamford Plaza Brisbane sits on the banks of the Brisbane River beside the City Botanic Gardens, bringing river views, dining and Brisbane City’s Christmas experiences within easy reach.
