Christmas – it’s the most wonderful time of the year! The festive season is a time for the people you love, and especially to spend some quality time with the older people in your life. Whether you want to dive into the Christmas spirit with amazing light displays and decorations throughout the city, tick off your shopping list for Christmas presents at the many shopping centres and markets, or enjoy themed shows, performances and activities – we have listed down the best things to do in Melbourne this festive season.

Christmas Displays

Christmas Lights

No matter how old you are, there’s always something magical about Christmas lights. As the festive season begins, you will see lots more beautiful light decorations around Melbourne, from large scale installations in the city to the lights people put up on their homes around your own neighbourhood.

A walk to enjoy the Christmas lights is the perfect evening activity to do with your older loved one. It’s fun for the whole family, so you can bring elderly people, kids and friends. You can find local light displays in your suburb on Christmas Light Search, or head into the city for the amazing Giant Reindeer in Docklands.

If your older loved one has some mobility issues, you may like to consider driving down one of the iconic streets of Christmas lights instead.

Myer Windows

The Myer Christmas windows on Bourke St in the CBD are a famous Christmas delight. For sixty-six years, the window display has been enchanting all ages with its beautiful, Christmas themed stories. This year, you can see the classic tale of Peter Rabbit. The Beatrix Potter story will be well known by the older person in your life who probably has some fond memories of reading the books as a child.

The windows are open from 7:30am to 10pm every day until Christmas Eve. There is no cost of admission and no booking required, but be prepared for a queue.

Docklands Christmas Maze

Does your older loved one like a puzzle or a challenge? Then they will enjoy the Christmas Maze at Docklands this holiday season. The present-themed maze features beautiful decorations and huge candy canes to delight children and older people alike. If you successfully make it through, you get to go into the draw to win a Docklands prize pack.

The Christmas Maze is located at NewQuay Central Park, 429-437 Docklands Drive. It is open from 11am to 6pm every day until Christmas Eve. This is a free event and there’s no need to book in advance.

Melbourne Town Hall Projections

Every year, the Melbourne Town Hall on Swanston Street is lit up with an incredible display of Christmas themed lights and projections. If you’re visiting the city at night with your loved ones, make sure you wander past this iconic building and take a moment to watch the display. There’s even a clock to count down to Christmas, so you can start getting excited for the big day!

Christmas Square

Federation Square has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland that is sure to bring a smile to the face of your elderly loved one. Visit the sixteen-metre-tall Christmas Tree, Santa’s Workshop and the Christmas light up sculptures. A walk around the square is an engaging and invigorating activity that is free to do.

Christmas Square is located opposite Flinders Street Station, on the corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets. It’s open all day and night until Christmas Day.

Gingerbread Village

Does your elderly loved one love baking? Then they will be enchanted by the Gingerbread Village at Emporium Melbourne. Hosted by Epicure, this incredible edible installation uses over 600kg of gingerbread to create iconic Melbourne landmarks. Marvel at the biscuit creations of the Shrine of Remembrance, Luna Park, Federation Square and the Royal Botanical Gardens. 

And of course, seeing all that gingerbread without eating any would be just too hard – so Epicure is selling delicious treats as well. Entry is by gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to The Royal Children’s Hospital. You can find Gingerbread Village on Level 3 of Emporium Shopping Centre, on the corner of Lonsdale and Elizabeth Streets in Melbourne.

Christmas Carnival on banks of the Yarra

If your older loved one has fond memories of classic fetes and carnivals, they will love the Christmas Carnival on the banks of the Yarra River. Located on Birrarung Marr, this fun event includes a ferris wheel with views of the city, beloved carnival games, and rides for kids and adults alike.  

The Christmas Carnival runs until Christmas Eve, 11am to 10pm. Entry is free, with tickets available for purchase for each ride.

Shows and Performances

Carols by Candlelight

A beloved annual tradition in Melbourne, your elderly loved one may have been attending Carols by Candlelight at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl since they were a child. The show features exciting local performers singing all our favourite Christmas carols, including David Hobson, Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino, Anthony Callea, Tim Campbell and Denis Walter.

Carols by Candlelight is held on Christmas Eve from 4pm. Adult tickets start at $78, and Pension Cardholders can access tickets from $48. 

Carlton’s Christmas Cinema

Everyone loves Christmas movies, and in the warm summer weather, where better to enjoy them than outside under the stars. Carlton’s Christmas Cinema is located in Argyle Square, which has been styled with festive lights and decorations. Bring snacks and settle in on a deck chair for a Christmas favourite, such as The Polar Express showing at 8:30pm on Saturday 18th December. This is a free event with no booking required, but arrive early to secure your seats.

Love Actually Concert

Love Actually is a favourite Christmas movie for many older people, and now they can see it like never before. Watch the film with a live symphony orchestra playing all the beloved songs on Saturday 18th December, just in time for Christmas. Love Actually in Concert is playing at the Plenary Theatre at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tickets begin from $101 and can be booked via Ticketek online.

Shopping

A big part of Christmas celebrations is shopping for presents. Take your loved one to one of the best shopping destinations in Melbourne to help them get ready for the festive season.

City

Melbourne city offers lots of great options for shopping. The city is small enough that is it easy to get around by walking, and trams also offer a good transport option for older people. Make sure you visit the traditional department stores such as Myer and David Jones on Bourke Street, as well as more modern shopping centres like Melbourne Central and Emporium. You will be sure to find everything you need to cross off the gifts on your shopping list! 

Shopping Centre

For a more contained shopping experience, consider going to one of the major shopping centres in Melbourne. Shopping centres offer the convenience of lots of shops in one place, plus they are indoors and air conditioned so your loved one doesn’t need to worry about getting too warm in the summer weather. There’s also plenty of room for a sit down and a rest, or something to eat.

Popular options include:

• Chadstone (eastern suburbs)
• Highpoint (western suburbs)
• Northland (northern suburbs)
• Eastland (eastern suburbs)
• Southland (south-eastern suburbs)

Queen Victoria Market

For a more unique shopping experience, check out Queen Victoria Market in the north of the city. Known as ‘Melbourne’s Marketplace’, this historical market is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. It has been open for over 100 years and your older loved one likely has some memories of shopping there. At Queen Victoria Market you can pick up locally grown produce and meat for Christmas Day lunch, as well as homemade and quirky objects for gifts.

The market is open every day except Monday and Wednesday and located on Queen St in Melbourne.

Handmade Markets

If you’re looking to support local and find something unique for your Christmas gifts, look for handmade markets in your area. These pop-up markets open for Christmas and showcase the wares of local designers and creators. You can find beautiful and different gifts for the whole family. These markets have a relaxed vibe that make them a very pleasant shopping experience for older people.

Activities

Buy a Christmas Tree

Does your older loved one always buy a real tree for Christmas? Buying a Christmas tree is a beautiful holiday tradition to share with family. You can go straight to a Christmas tree farm on the edge of the city, or look for local suppliers. A real tree provides a lovely pine smell in your loved ones’ home, and having greenery indoors has been shown to improve mental health and mood. Some places to buy trees in Melbourne include:

• Melbourne Xmas Trees, Burnley
• Real Christmas Tree Elves, Williamstown
• Coburg Christmas Trees, Coburg
• J Horrigan Firewood, Malvern
• Christmas Tree Farm, Narre Warren

Christmas Lunch

Want to skip the cooking and the clean up this Christmas Day? Plan a fancy lunch out with your elderly loved one. There are plenty of Melbourne restaurants that put on a special Christmas Day event. Enjoy a delicious feast that caters for any dietary requirements that your older person may have. Afterwards, you can all go home and have a nap!

Find some popular restaurant options here.

Gingerbread House Decorating Lesson

Gingerbread houses are beautiful and delicious desserts that make a stunning centrepiece on the dining table at Christmas lunch. If you and your loved one have always wanted to try creating your own decorated creation, book in for a Gingerbread House Decorating Class. Participants are provided with the handmade gingerbread pieces, so there’s no difficult baking – just fun piping for construction and then adding your favourite sweets for a unique gingerbread house!

Classes are run for both adults and children, with adult tickets costing $85 each.

Polar Express Puffing Billy

Puffy Billy Railway has been a favourite tourist destination for generations. It’s more than likely that your older loved one has some fond memories of rides along the iconic line weaving through the mountain track from Belgrave to Menzies Creek and Lakeside.

This year, for the first time, the Puffing Billy train is being transformed into the Polar Express for the Christmas season. Inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s Christmas picture book and the animated movie, The Polar Express tells the story of a Christmas Eve train ride to the North Pole. From 11th to 23rd December, travellers can enjoy the special Christmas train ride from 9am. Puffy Billy departs from Belgrave Station in Belgrave.

Cherry Picking

If you’re looking for an active day that also involves some yummy healthy treats, take your elderly loved one cherry picking. These delicious berries are currently in season and the taste is sure to get you into the festive spirit. As you’re picking cherries, you are welcome to eat as many as you like! At the end, cherries you take home with you are charged per kilogram.

Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a relaxed day in the sunshine surrounded by beautiful cherry trees. Prices at Cherry Hill Orchard start at $19.50 for adults, and you can choose to visit their Wandin East or Coldstream locations, both one hour from the Melbourne CBD.

Festive Morning Tea 

The City of Melbourne is hosting a special morning tea for older people at the South Yarra Senior Citizens Centre. On Thursday 16th December, all elderly people in Melbourne are welcome to join in at the 11am morning tea, which includes tea, coffee, snacks, and lots of festive decorations. It’s a great opportunity for the older person in your life to socialise and make new friends, as well as reminiscing about their favourite Christmas traditions and the way they like to celebrate with friends and family. The event is free, but bookings are required.

Find the Right Care for Your Elderly Loved One

There are so many ways to celebrate Christmas this year with loved ones. Remember that it’s not about what you do or where you go – it’s about making memories with the most important people in your life.

If you need a helping hand with caring for an elderly loved one, Homage has got you covered. Homage’s team of support workers can help you with a wide range of tasks around your home such as light cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, shopping and more.