Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail

Introducing for the first time at the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail, The Merry Mile. This 1.6km route along the Trail is great for families with short legs, those who prefer an easy, leveled walk, or for those who only have limited time. 

The Merry Mile will take visitors through the heart of Perth’s CBD and showcase a variety of displays from large-scale projections to the Mooditj Yongas (Solid Kangaroos) on Council House lawn.

Taking approximately one hour, traverse this journey at your leisure and enjoy the sights along the way! 

Download your Trail Map to help you find your way. 

Visit the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail and enjoy free, festive entertainment and performances throughout the City every Friday and Saturday night from 17 November to 23 December. See below for some of the highlights to look out for! 

Performances
The Real Sing Choir | Saturday 18/25 Nov and 9 Dec | Forrest Place & CBD Malls
Immerse in the harmonies of The Real Sing Choir; a mixed voice male and female acapella choir, singing traditional and modern Christmas carols and spreading the festive cheer. 

Perth Harmony Choir | Saturday 2, 9 and 23 Dec | Forrest Place and CBD Malls
Perth Harmony Chorus is an exciting, award-winning Chorus performing four-part a cappella harmonies in Barbershop style; this group will fill everyone with joy and inspiration.

Perth Singing Academy | Saturday 16 December | Council House
Composed of talented and passionate singers of various ages, Perth Singing Academy is a vocal training program that offers music lessons for kids, teens and adults in various genres and styles. 

Free Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Walking Tours
Meet at Council House
Every Friday and Saturday night | 1 to 23 December | 7pm to 8:30pm
Join our bespoke Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail Tours delivered for free by iCity volunteers. This special route is great for families or couples out on the town and looking to learn about Perth’s history along the way. Meet your guide outside Council House at 7pm, and don’t forget to pop into the Foyer for a photo with Santa before you go!.

Signing Santa and Friends
Forrest Place
Saturday 2 and 16 December| 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Join Signing Santa and his helpers as they share Christmas stories with you in AUSLAN signs. Fun for all ages and suitable both for families who use AUSLAN and those who are learning.

Christmas Markets in the Park
Central Park
6 & 7 December | 11am to 2pm
Wander around an outdoor market of Christmas gifts, artisan delicacies, festive eateries and even a personalised scented candles & bauble station. Food stalls, an ice cream bar, plus a white Christmas-themed seating area to enjoy the live music, entertainment and games. Plus, in the festive spirit of giving, Central Park will be giving away 250 scoops of ice cream and 100 personalised candles – first come, first serve.

Christmas Choir 
WA Museum Boola Bardip, Perth Cultural Centre 
13 December | 5.30pm to 7.30pm | Ticketed $12 - $15
Join Abbe May and the WA Bad Ass Gospel Choir for a festive edition of Boola Bardip's community choir featuring Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You’. It's a safe and welcoming space for everyone families, intergenerational groups and anyone looking to sing their hearts out.

A Children’s Christmas
St George’s Cathedral
16 December | 11am | Free
A special Christmas service for the whole family and a chance for the kids to dress up as their favourite nativity character (any costume is fine).  Especially for kids, noise won’t be an issue for this Christmas cracker of a service.  Don’t be a Grinch – come along and find out what Christmas is really about.

Carols on the Lawn
Cathedral Square
17 December | 7.30pm | Free
Bring your picnic blanket and enjoy a feast of Christmas music, well-loved carols and Bible readings live on the Cathedral Square lawn on an outside screen with your family and friends.  A perfect immersion into the Christmas spirit before the great services of Christmas itself.

Christmas at the Cathedral
St George’s Cathedral
22 December | From 6pm | Free
Come and explore Christmas at St George's Cathedral during the Rio Tinto Christmas Light Trail. You can expect your favourite carols, cold drinks, and a warm Christmas welcome in the cool of the Cathedral.

Q: Where can I find the map?
A: Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail maps can be downloaded via visitperth.com.
Alternatively, you can collect a map in person at City outlets including the iCity Information Kiosk in Murray Street Mall or City of Perth Library on Hay Street during opening hours. It will also be included in a special edition of the West Australian Newspaper mid-late November.

Q: Can the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail be completed in one night?
A: The full trail is approximately 4.5km in length and can take up to and over two hours. The Merry Mile is approximately 1.6km in length and can be done within approximately one hour. 

Q: Where are the live performances or children’s activities along the Trail? 
A: Every Friday and Saturday night between 6pm and 8.30pm at key activation precincts, the Trail will be active with roving entertainers, choir performances and kids’ workshops such as bubbleology and hula hoop workshops. Visit Northbridge Piazza, Forrest Place, CBD Malls and Council House to join in on the fun. See the More than Lights section on this webpage for further details. 

Q: Are there any tours available?
A: Back by popular demand, there will be free walking tours available, conducted by our iCity Volunteers every Friday and Saturday evening (from 1 to 23 Dec, excluding 2 Dec). 
Commencing at Council House at 7pm, the walking tour will encompass installations in Central Perth, returning to Council House at approximately 8.30pm (90 min duration).

Q: How many stops are on the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail and how many are new to 2023?
A: There are 22 stops on the Rio Tino Christmas Lights Trail with 18 new installations and 4 favourite's returning.

Q: Why can’t I view the Forrest Place and St Georges Cathedral projections at 6pm?
A: To ensure visibility of the projections on the GPO Building and St Georges Cathedral, the projections start later around 7.45pm, to give the sun more time to move below the horizon and allow the visual display to be more vibrant.

Q: Why does Symphony of Lights only run between 7pm and midnight?
A: To ensure maximum visibility of the show and to be considerate of businesses and residents within this area, Symphony of Lights will only run between 7pm and midnight. We encourage you to visit Barrack Square during this time to ensure you don’t miss out on this fabulous show. 

Q: How do I recover lost items during the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail?
A: If you have lost an item or belonging when visiting the Trail, visit the local Police Station at 2 Fitzgerald Street, (corner of Roe Street) Northbridge WA 6003 or call (08) 9422 7111.

Q: How do I report a lost child/person during the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail?
A: There are no medical or lost person posts during this event. Security personnel will be present at installation sites throughout the night and can assist with calling Citywatch Surveillance Centre (08 9461 3333) and WA Police (000) if you require. 

Q: Where is the closest parking?
A: You can visit the City of Perth Parking website to determine the closest parking locations for the Trail you’d like to traverse. The website displays real time bay availability, parking fees and ACROD parking. There is free parking after 6pm at all CPP Car Parks.
There is also 3-hour Free Parking on weekends at CPP Cultural Centre, Pier Street and His Majesty’s.

Q: Are there any road closures for this event?
A: No, not for the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail, however other events/works within the City may implement road closures. To determine what roads will be closed within the City, the City of Perth website has a Public Notice page that advertises road closures and displays a map of the weekly infrastructure works, events and obstructions.

Q: Where can I find a toilet?
A:Public toilet facilities can be found in a variety of locations across the city with most available during business hours seven days a week and those in parks between sunrise and sunset. Locations of other toilets can be identified through the National Public Toilet Map.

The Citiplace Rest Centre operated by the City of Perth provides supervised toilet and related facilities - toilets (including toilet facility for people with high support needs – change table and hoist), showers, luggage storage for visitors and locals. This facility is situated in the Perth Railway Station Complex, upper level walkway on the corner of Barrack and Wellington Streets, Perth.

Q: Is the event suitable for people with a disability?
A: Yes, the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail is suitable for people of all ages and abilities, and everyone is encouraged to attend. Please view the accessible map on the VisitPerth website for seating and rest spots, safe crossing locations, drinking water, parking and toilet locations. 

Q: How do I provide feedback?
A: While visiting the Trail you may see staff from Culture Counts, engaging with visitors to obtain feedback on their experience at the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail. Please feel free to approach one of these staff members when they are available, so you can provide your feedback. 
Alternatively, the City of Perth welcomes your constructive feedback via email at info.city@cityofperth.wa.gov.au.

Some installations contain flashing lights, music and other light or noise disruptions that may affect people who have sensitivities, or for medical reasons such as epilepsy and autism. Please be aware, moving and flashing lights will be found at the following displays:

• Symphony of Light – Barrack Square
• Constellation Labyrinth – Cathedral Square
• City Beats – Northbridge Piazza
• Projection towers with high light beams are used in Forrest Place, Perth Town Hall, St George’s Cathedral and 140 Perth