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City Family Food & Wine

How to Enjoy a Very Special Christmas in Brisbane

Spending Christmas in Brisbane offers a new way to experience the festive season. It doesn’t come with snow or roaring fireplaces; instead, it arrives with warm weather, blue skies, and nights by the river.

The city transforms into an enchanting wonderland filled with twinkling lights and spirited cheer and offers a range of fun-filled events and celebrations for friends, families, and couples to enjoy. Here you’ll find the best activities to do during your holidays.

When looking for places to stay in Brisbane during Christmas, Oaks Hotels offers apartment-style accommodation with room for any type of traveller. You can also visit our offers page to find the best hotel Christmas packages to make the most of your Brisbane stay.

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Christmas with friends in Brisbane

Get the friends together to celebrate in style, as Brisbane is an absolute shoppers’ paradise during Christmas! The famous annual Christmas Markets return each year, filling the South Bank streets with colourful displays, glittering fairy lights, and real-life Christmas trees that tower gracefully above. When Boxing Day swings around, sensational sales can be found amidst the city’s shopping centres, from the bustling Queen Street Mall to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, and the sartorially stellar James St designer district.

Why wait for New Year’s Eve? Brisbane’s nightlife bursts to life throughout the holiday season, so get dressed up and head out to one of Brisbane’s many cocktail bars, such as Antico Bar or the Brooklyn Standard.

If shopping turns into drinks and a late night, staying centrally makes it easy to follow the festive mood wherever it leads. Choose Oaks Margaret Suites or Oaks on Charlotte Suites, located nearby.

Family-friendly Christmas experiences

Christmas in Brisbane brings a jam-packed line-up of entertainment the whole family will love. Head to the annual Parade and Pantomime to see the CBD streets spring to life with dancers, crowd-pleasing music, majestic floating decorations, and of course, Santa Claus and his reindeer.

Next, head down to City Hall to watch the annual Light Spectacular, which features an incredible, animated Christmas story projected straight onto the side of the historic building. Round off the evening with dinner at one of several delicious dining destinations in South Bank. On the way, you just may even glimpse an electrifying fireworks display, sparkling brightly against the night sky.

Choosing the right place to stay in Brisbane at Christmas makes family travel far easier. Apartments like Oaks Brisbane Aurora Suites offer the space families need to unwind after busy days, prepare easy meals, and enjoy the comfort of a central riverside location.

Romantic ways to spend Christmas in Brisbane

Christmas is the perfect time to whisk your significant other away to indulge in a romantic getaway in Brisbane. Pack a picnic rug and head to the Moonlight Cinema to cuddle up under the stars and watch a film on the widescreen.

Head to the antique precinct at Woolloongabba and treat yourselves to an intimate dinner for two at the delectable 1889 Enoteca, then stop by Canvas Cocktail and Wine Bar nearby for a drink or two on your way back.

Take a stroll through the Roma Street Parklands Spectacle Garden, and marvel at the extraordinary lighting display that is The Enchanted Garden. And for a wondrous theatrical experience that embraces all the charming qualities that Christmas has to offer, the Queensland Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is hard to beat.

Brisbane’s warm nights and outdoor experiences give Christmas a slower, more intimate rhythm.

Choose the best place to stay in Brisbane during Christmas

With Oaks as your base, enjoying Christmas in Brisbane is easy. Expect spacious apartments, room to spread out, and the freedom to shape each day as it comes. Whether you’re planning ahead or booking at the last minute, we have special deals throughout the year, with seasonal offers worth checking ahead of the festive season, including our Christmas hotel packages in Brisbane.

You can also join Minor DISCOVERY and enjoy exclusive offers whenever you travel.

FAQs

What should I pack for Christmas in Brisbane?

If you’re expecting to need a jacket and a scarf, good news: you won’t. Christmas in Brisbane calls for lightweight clothing, swimwear, shorts, sun protection, and sunglasses, with a small umbrella handy for the occasional rain.

What is the weather usually like at Christmas in Brisbane?

December is hot, humid, and with plenty of sun, reaching 30°C to 33°C, it’ll feel much more like summer than a classic Christmas. Some rain and thunderstorms are usual during this season, so be ready and carry an umbrella with you.

When do decorations and events start?

The festive season officially begins with the Lord Mayor's Lighting of the Christmas Tree in late November or early December.

Does Brisbane have a Christmas parade?

Take the family or invite your friends to see the Brisbane City Christmas Parade from Queen Street Mall to King George Square.

Where can I see the Brisbane Christmas fireworks?

One of the best places is South Bank Parklands, where you’ll enjoy the Christmas fireworks at their best. To get a great seat to see them, head to Clem Jones Promenade, Streets Beach, or River Quay.

Are Oaks Hotels deals available during the festive season?

Oaks Hotels releases seasonal deals throughout the year, with hotel Christmas packages in Brisbane usually available in the lead-up to the festive period on our offers page. It’s also worth joining Minor DISCOVERY to access exclusive deals.

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