Festive fun for families in the city
Planning a family day out for Christmas in Brisbane? This easy Brisbane City itinerary brings together festive sights, shopping, kid-friendly activities, places to eat and an overnight stay into one.
Make it a family staycation
Turn your Christmas outing into a family staycation and give yourself more time to experience all the festivities happening in the city. Stay among the action at Hyatt Regency Brisbane, sitting right above Queen Street Mall and inclusive of a rooftop pool, while Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane puts you close to the City Botanic Gardens. If you’re looking for more space, consider one of the many self-contained apartments found in the city. There is a stay fit for every family in Brisbane City, browse Brisbane City accommodation to find the right stay for yours.
Unwrap the Tiny Doors
Begin with a festive treasure hunt through Brisbane City. Christmas Tiny Doors can be found all throughout Brisbane City’s core, grab a map and let the young ones find all 16 doors around Queen Street Mall and surrounds. This is a great way to spend a day exploring everything the city has to offer, so make sure you stop to refuel for your adventures at one of these dining spots nearby.
Tip: Save the official map to your phone before you arrive, pick up a physical version from the Visitor Information Centre or follow the story here and let the kids take turns finding the next stop.
Looking to add even more to the day? Explore more things to do with kids in Brisbane City, from museums and escape rooms to bowling and games.
See the city sparkle
As the afternoon cools and the sun starts to set, make your way to King George Square to see the Brisbane City Christmas Tree and enjoy the festive atmosphere around Brisbane City Hall. It is an easy meeting point for families and a natural place to pause for photos before the evening program begins.
On 27 November, make an evening of the Lord Mayor’s Lighting of the Christmas Tree by starting nearby at The City After Dark Markets. From 4pm to 9pm, Reddacliff Place comes alive with street food, artisan and boutique stalls, live music and a pop-up bar, before the Christmas celebrations continue at King George Square with the tree lighting.
From 4 to 24 December, City Hall Lights transforms Brisbane City Hall with a colourful Christmas story projected across its facade. This year’s show, A Meowy Christmas, follows Grouch the cat on a Christmas adventure, with shows running from 7.30pm until midnight.
On 4 and 18 December, arrive a little earlier and browse the BrisStyle Twilight Markets in King George Square before finding a spot for City Hall Lights. The markets also return on 13 November, bringing local makers, food and festive atmosphere to the square.
Queen Street Mall festivities
Buying presents for the family, yourselves or simply having a browse, Queen Street Mall has hundreds of stores ready for all you Christmas shopping needs. Make sure to take advantage of the extended December trading hours which can make evening and last-minute visits easier.There’s plenty happening between shops too! From 4 December, Queen Street Mall comes alive with family-friendly Christmas entertainment. Christmas on Queen brings festive stage shows and roving performers to the mall from 5 - 24 December, so you might stumble across a performance while ticking off the shopping list. Starz Christmas Spectacular adds high-energy Christmas performances on 4, 11 and 18 - 23 December, while The Magic & Circus Show: Christmas Edition brings circus-inspired festive fun to the mall from 5 - 20 December. The Greatest Time of the Year, running 4 - 24 December, adds another dose of live Christmas entertainment to the program.
Time your shopping trip around a show or performance or simply see what festive entertainment you stumble across as you make your way through the mall.
A merry meal
When hunger hits, keep things simple with a meal near your next festive stop. Found in Albert Lane of Queen Street Mall, Harajuku Gyoza is a crowd pleaser for all things dumplings, sweet and savoury katsu sandos and share plates before more shopping or entertainment, while nearby Comuna Cantina brings colourful Mexican flavours to the table. Pancake Manor is a fun choice for families who want to eat breakfast at any time of the day or night, while Jimmy’s on the Mall offers a broad menu and a front-row view of the festive activity in Queen Street Mall. Browse more family-friendly restaurants in Brisbane City.
Breakfast with cheer
If you stay overnight, keep the next morning flexible with breakfast close to your hotel. Choose a sit-down café if the family needs a slower start, or pick up coffee, bagels or pastries before the next activity. Head to Frankie & George for all-day breakfast, O’Bagel for an easy takeaway option and Nodo for gluten-free treats and specialty drinks. Browse Brisbane City breakfast spots for more ideas.
Christmas fun after dark
As the sun goes down, there’s still plenty of festive fun for families in Brisbane City. On 5 December, pack a picnic and head to Riverstage for the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols, with an evening of Christmas music and entertainment under the stars.
For another night of Christmas magic, make your way to Roma Street Parkland for The Enchanted Garden. Colourful light displays transform the gardens into a festive wonderland after dark, with sessions running until 10pm from 20 November to 19 December. And if you’re visiting on 5 December, there’s even more happening at the parkland, with a free livestream of the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols at The Amphitheatre. Pack a picnic or grab something from the food trucks, with the pre-show beginning at 5.30pm before the main event from 7pm - 9pm.
Finish with a show
Christmas in Brisbane City is set to make lifetime memories with your family this year, with Christmas activities and events happening all throughout the city – there won’t be a dull moment.
