Your guide to all this year’s big Christmas events in Melbourne’s north

Check out this list of big Christmas events happening across Melbourne’s northern suburbs this year, so you can enjoy the festive spirit.

The festive season is finally here and families across Melbourne’s north are excitedly gearing up for Christmas celebrations.

Leader has put together a list of the biggest Christmas events happening across the northern suburbs, including carols, Christmas lights and markets, so you can enjoy the festive spirit as much as possible.

Get into the Christmas spirit with your neighbours and who knows – you might even get to see Santa.

Whittlesea Community Christmas Tree Extravaganza

Noon - 9pm, December 9 – 23

Local community groups will compete for the best Christmas tree decorations, displaying their work to create a winter wonderland for all to enjoy. Attendees can vote for their favourite tree and take family photos, with a gold coin donation required for entry. The event will be held at the Whittlesea Agricultural Society building.

Whittlesea Carols by Candlelight

6pm – 9pm, Friday, December 9

Whittlesea Council will host a carols event at the Civic Centre Terrace Lawns in South Morang to celebrate the festive season. Complete with a twilight market and kids activities, locals are encouraged to bring their picnic rugs and best singing voices.

Darebin Carols in the Park

3pm – 6pm, Saturday December 10

Darebin council invites residents to celebrate Christmas with an afternoon carols event, including a free petting zoo and jumping castle for kids. The event will be held outdoors at the Aboriginal Advancement League in Thornbury.

Residents across Melbourne’s north are excited for the return of one of the biggest Christmas events in Melbourne, the Boulevard Christmas lights in Ivanhoe. Picture: Jason Edwards

Twilight Christmas Festival

2pm – 8pm, Saturday, December 10

Enjoy Christmas shopping, delicious food and live music at Left Bank in St Andrews. Local artisans will showcase their goods in a maker‘s market and the CFA will pay a visit to entertain the kids.

Merry Everything at Preston Market

11am - 3pm, Sunday, December 11

Celebrate the holiday spirit at Preston Market, with live carols, cocktails, street food and handmade crafts on offer. There will be food trucks serving up a variety of tasty dishes, as well as all the regular market traders. In addition, attendees can enjoy free festive activities and entertainment that cater for the whole family.

Banyule Carols by Candlelight

5pm – 9pm, Saturday, December 17

Greensborough War Memorial Park will be lit up with festive cheer as it holds the Banyule council’s Carols by Candlelight event, with special guest and popular radio presenter Denis Walter hosting the event. The carols will feature local and established acts, including Irish theatre star Bobby Fox.

Whittlesea Christmas Festival

4pm – 9pm, Saturday, December 17

Enjoy an afternoon of festive fun at this free event, held at the Whittlesea Agricultural Society building. There will be market stalls, live music, carols, food, classic cars and kids activities as an event that will be Christmas fun for the whole family.

Macleod Village Christmas Fair

11am – 4pm, Saturday, December 17

Celebrate Christmas with a festive carnival, including loads of rides, an animal farm, live music, market stalls, a visit from Santa and more. Kids can get an unlimited ride pass for $10. The fair will be held at the Macleod Village Rotunda on Aberdeen Rd.

Boulevard Christmas Lights

6.30pm - 11.30pm, December 20 – 24.

The long-awaited full return of the magical Boulevard Christmas lights in Ivanhoe is finally here. This resident-led event is known far and wide as the best Christmas lights spectacle in Melbourne, attracting big crowds. Drive or walk along The Boulevard to experience this festive attraction.