The City of Light is well and truly the place to be this Christmas with so many free events and activities for everyone to enjoy.

Until 2 January, the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail is bigger and better than ever before with two illuminated trails featuring 35 installations to explore across Central Perth and Northbridge. 

Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said 29 of the 35 installations this year are new to Perth and bound to draw in Christmas crowds.

“It’s a special time of year to be in our capital and we welcome people from near and far to come and experience the wonder that is Christmas in the City,” Mr Zempilas said. 

The City is playing host to a variety of free, family festive events including the iconic Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant on Saturday 3 December and the Christmas Nativity show on 17 - 18 December in Forrest Place. There’s also a range of Christmas movies playing for free every Saturday at Northbridge Piazza starting at 6pm.

Also free of charge is the WA Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas spectacular at RAC arena and Carols in the City at Supreme Court Gardens. Both events are being held on Saturday, 10 December. The next day at Victoria Gardens, Brass on the Grass will close out the weekend with groovy tunes and tasty food trucks. 

For any last-minute shopping, you won’t want to miss the Christmas Markets in Central Park (7 – 8 December) and the East End Festive Market place in the State buildings (9 – 10 December).

“For so many of us, we look forward to this time of the year where we can be among family and friends, and I want to encourage as many people as possible to come into the city and soak up the festivities, as well as support one of our many local shops, restaurants and bars,” Mr Zempilas said.

Adding Christmas cheer, Santa will be making an appearance every Friday night in the Malls and every Saturday at Council House plus there’ll be snow falling in Forrest Place on December 3rd and 24th.  

Twilight Hawkers Market is a must for a delicious Friday night dinner before checking out the Rio Tinto Lights Trail. And this Friday, 2 December, Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas will be turning on the Christmas Lights at the General Post Office (GPO) building in Forrest Place at 7:30pm – you won’t want to miss it! 

Across the entire festive season, the City of Perth will continue with current CPP parking offers including:

  • Free parking at CPP at all carparks after 6pm
  • Three-hour free parking on weekends and public holidays at CPP Cultural Centre, Pier Street and His Majesty’s.
  • There will also be increased ACROD bays available at City events including Christmas Nativity and New Year’s Eve.

Issued by: Grace Carr media@cityofperth.wa.gov.au

Backgrounder
 
Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail
Until 2 January | Throughout the city | Nightly from 6pm | Free
Everyone's favourite Christmas tradition is back. With a total of 35 stops this year, visitors can choose between two illuminated trails featuring dazzling light displays and joyful street decorations. Plus, there's roving entertainment every Friday and Saturday night.
 
Santa appearances
Every Friday from 19 November, 6 to 9pm | The Malls | Saturday from 6 to 8pm | Council House | Free
Visitors are encouraged to look out for Santa who will be spreading Christmas cheer every Friday night in the Malls and Council House Foyer on Saturday nights.
 
Twilight Hawkers Market
Every Friday until 31 March | Forrest Place 4.30pm to 9.30pm | Free
Perth's original and largest hawkers’ market is back for another round of balmy Friday nights and delectable street food. With live local music and a variety of food stalls, it’s the perfect night out.
 
Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant
3 December | St Georges Terrace | 7.30pm to 9.30pm |Free
Relive your childhood and experience the wonder of the Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant when it returns for its 50th year, bringing Christmas magic to the streets of Perth.
 
East End Festive Marketplace
9 – 10 December| State Buildings Forecourt & Perth Town Hall Undercroft | Free
East End Festive Market is a contemporary market of independent WA designers, makers, purveyors and collectors. Visit Perth’s East End for a festive weekend of unique, sustainable gift shopping, food, and entertainment across the beautiful State Buildings heritage precinct!
 
Elizabeth Quay Fun Fair
9 Dec – 2 Jan | Elizabeth Quay | Ticketed
The ultimate one-stop-shop for festive fun, merry tunes and crazy carnival fare this December, the Fun Fair features rides, sideshow games, Christmas activities and a fireworks display every Saturday night!
 
WASO’S Lotterywest Christmas Spectacular
10 December | RAC Arena | 2pm and 7pm | Free, tickets required
Experience Perth’s largest classical music concert and enjoy a magical night of whimsical and nostalgic Christmas carols.
 
Carols in the City
10 December | Supreme Court Gardens 7.30pm | Free
Gather friends and family for a balmy summer evening with all your favourite carols. Featuring food trucks, a visit from Santa and fireworks finale.
 
Brass on the Grass presents Christmas on the Derbal Yerrigan
11 December | Victoria Gardens | 3pm – 8pm | Free
Relax to music from a variety of acts, including Richard Walley’s Six Seasons, the Steve Hensby Band, City of Perth Brass Band, and the Junkadelic Brass Band. Bring the kids down and grab dinner from the food trucks.
 
Christmas Nativity
17 and 18 December | Forrest Place | 6.30pm to 8.30pm | Free
See the true story of Christmas brought to life on stage by festive performers and much-loved Christmas carols.
 
Christmas on the terrace
19 – 23 December | Perth Concert Hall | 12pm to 7pm
Clara’s Christmas Market and the Nutcracker’s Winter Wonderland combine for Christmas on the Terrace! Experience a traditional European yuletide marketplace with stalls and workshops outside Perth Concert Hall, which will host a ticketed ballet performed by local junior dancers.