The Christmas Festival launch at Fed Square will feature free entertainment and the first lighting of the city's 17.5 metre tree
Fed Square is switching on Melbourne’s Christmas tree for the first time on 28 November.
The Christmas Festival launch will kick off at 6.30pm on the Swanston Street Forecourt with free family-friendly entertainment leading up to the lighting of the 17.5 metre tree. The event is presented by the City of Melbourne in partnership with Fed Square and marks the official start of the city’s annual Christmas Festival season.
The launch caps off a big week at Fed Square that also includes a live PBS broadcast for Ausmusic T-Shirt Day on 27 November. The Breakfast Spread will be broadcast live from the Main Square between 6am and 9am with hosts Milo Eastwood and Claire Dickson celebrating Australian music.
Christmas Festival launch
- 28 November
- 6.30pm till late
- Swanston Street Forecourt, Fed Square
From outdoor cinema to Camp As Christmas
The Christmas Outdoor Cinema returns from 8 to 11 December with the Naughty or Nice edition screening family favourites followed by cult classics over four nights. The popular As Camp As Christmas event is back on 5 December from 6pm, curated by The Huxleys with a screening of the 1980 musical Can’t Stop the Music followed by performances from queer cabaret stars.
At the Koorie Heritage Trust in the Birrarung Building, the exhibition Connie Hart: One Stitch at a Time closes on 23 November. The retrospective celebrates the fibre works of Gunditjmara Elder and master weaver Aunty Connie Hart.
What else is happening at Fed Square
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This weekend Fed Square is hosting the African Music and Cultural Festival across three days from 21 to 23 November. The festival spans the Main Square and Birrarung Marr Walk with live music, traditional and contemporary performances, short films, spoken word, market stalls, drumming workshops and food representing over 40 African nations and community groups.
Following the Christmas tree lighting, Fed Square has a packed festive program including the Taste of Persia market on 29 November in the Atrium. The market runs from 11am to 6pm featuring Persian sweets, nuts, pickles, local artists and businesses, plus traditional dance performances and live music presented by Yarra Foundation.
For more information, head here.
