Get festive with friends this silly season

Chelsea Hayes05 Dec '232 min read

Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail

’Tis the season to be jolly - so make time for some fun with friends in December. From Insta-worthy experiences to festive feasts, here’s a roundup of the best things to do in Perth this Christmas season! Gather your group, jump on your sleigh of choice (like a Transperth train or bus) and head into the city for a very merry celebration.

Explore the city

Fill your Insta feed with a walk along the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail, starting at 6pm nightly until Tuesday 2 January. You’ll find 22 light installations across the city from Northbridge to Elizabeth Quay, including Santa’s Christmas Cadillac and the chance to get a different kind of quokka selfie!

Indulge your inner child at the Elizabeth Quay Fun Fair. It’s on until Saturday 6 January with food trucks, carnival rides and sideshow games - plus falling snow and weekend fireworks shows.

City of Perth - Christmas Lights Trail South 2023

Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail

Shop local

The Central Park Christmas Market is the perfect chance to pick up some last minute gifts - or just to have lunch in a Christmas setting - if you work in the city. Grab your work bestie and head down at lunchtime on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 December.

Festive flicks

There are few things better in a Perth summer than a balmy evening at Rooftop Movies. Get in quick to grab the last tickets for their screenings of Christmas classics with the city skyline as a backdrop.

Or, catch the West Australian Symphony Orchestra performing Love Actually in Concert on Saturday 16 December. It’s your chance to see the beloved film on the big screen with the evocative soundtrack performed live.

Rooftop Movies

Other entertainment

Dress up and head to His Majesty’s Theatre for an elegant evening seeing WA Ballet’s The Nutcracker. The dancers, sets and costumes in this classic Christmas show (running until Sunday 10 December) will wow you.

See the traditional biblical tale of Christmas brought to life on stage by talented local performers. The free Christmas Nativity Concert is on in Forrest Place on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December.

Love to sing? Swap your usual karaoke sesh for a feel-good public singalong at Carols in the City, held in the beautiful Supreme Court Gardens on Saturday 23 December as the sun goes down and the stars come out.

Eating out

It wouldn’t be Christmas season without a whole lot of food! Celebrate the season with the plethora of bottomless brunch, long lunch and high tea venues throughout the city. Book in for CRUSH CLUB Christmas at Pirate Life Perth; head to Hearth for fancy festive lunch and afternoon tea options; or book the Festive Buffet Lunch at Firewater Grille in The Duxton.

The Twilight Food Market is back every Friday throughout summer! Head on down from 4.30pm to try cuisines from around the globe, with entertainment on the Forrest Place stage.

For dessert, drop into Chicho Gelato in Northbridge for their special Christmas flavours. Right now it’s Panforte, a vegan chocolate gelato with hazelnut and almond croccante. Delizioso!