Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail
Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail
Proudly brought to you by the City of Perth, principal partner Rio Tinto and major supporter Lotterywest.
The Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail is back in town, lighting up the City for 31 nights with 22 amazing light installations. You can walk the full trail to see all 22 installations or take the family-friendly route, ‘The Merry Mile’.
Enjoy festive entertainment and performances throughout the City on select nights, including visits from Santa Claus. Be mesmerised as malls, streets and parks across the city brighten with animated lights, projections and lively festivities!
The City of Perth extends its thanks to the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail’s valued Event Partners. Their ongoing support is essential to the continued delivery of this much-loved community event.
Accessibility
The City of Perth is proud to host accessible and include events.
- Promotional materials are available in other formats upon request.
- Each venue is accessible to people who use a wheelchair, walking aids and who are accompanied with a pram.
- A copy of the City’s Disability Access & Inclusion Plan can be found here.
- Whether you’re visiting the City for business or pleasure, check out the City Map for ease of getting around.
The closest parking (including ACROD parking) can be found here:
- CPP: Citiplace Car Park (1 Roe Street, Perth)
- CPP: Roe Street Car Park (68 Roe Street, Northbridge)
- CPP: Pier St Car Park (87-89 Pier Street, Perth)
- CPP: His Majesty’s Car Park (377 Murray St, Perth)
- CPP: Council House Car Park (27 St Georges St, Perth)
- CPP: Convention Centre Car Park (21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth)
Alternatively ACROD bays can be found here:
- ACROD BAY: City of Perth Library, Hay St (East)
- ACROD BAY: Central Park, Hay St (West)
For all the information on Parking in the city, click here.
Rideshare/Taxi
For all the information on Rideshare/Taxi pick up areas in the city, click here.
Please visit Transperth website to plan your journey.
Visitors to the Trail can take the Red or Blue CAT bus to assist with accessing venues around Perth CBD.
The closest accessible toilet can be found at an CPP car park around the city or at the Citiplace Rest Centre at the Perth Train Station.
Alternatively, visitors can check the National Public Toilet Map to find the nearest toilet to you.
For more details on the Citiplace Rest Centre (accessible facilities including toilet, change table and hoist, showers, and lockers), click here.
Audio Described Access Tours
9 and 10 December | 6.45pm and 8pm | Forrest Place
16 and 17 December | 6.45pm | Forrest Place
A DADAA guide will take you, your families and friends on a tour to see the installations on the accessible route ‘The Merry Mile’.
Bookings for these tours are essential, and places are limited. To book, please email DADAA at the details below, and include the following information:
- Number of visitors with disability and access requirements
- Number of support workers or carers
- Preferred date of tour
- Preferred time of tour
- Email and mobile number
Managed by DADAA Access Tours, please contact Jacqueline Homer via email at [email protected] or phone 9430 6616.
Event Showings
28 Nov - 28 Dec 2025
6pm-1am
(projects from 7:45pm)
Price
Free event
Location
Perth CBD – Various Locations
Accessibility
Wheelchair access
ACROD Parking
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The Merry Mile
This 1.6km stretch of the Trail is perfect for families with little legs, those seeking an easy, accessible walk, or anyone short on time.
Winding through the heart of Perth’s CBD, the Merry Mile features a dazzling mix of light projections, towering digital Christmas trees, Western Australia’s favourite marsupials, and more. Taking around an hour at a leisurely pace, it’s the perfect way to soak up the festive magic of the city!
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Santa Claus Visits
Santa Claus at Council House
Council House Foyer | 5 – 24 December | 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Your chance to meet the man himself before he heads off on his journey around the world! Tell Santa what's on your wish list and snap a photo to capture the magic of the holiday season.
Auslan Santa & Friends
Forrest Place | 6, 9, 13, 16, 20 December | 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Join Santa and his helpers as they share Christmas stories with you in Auslan. Fun for all ages, suitable for both families who speak Auslan and those who are learning. -
Entertainment
Visit the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail and enjoy free, festive entertainment and performances throughout the City at our Activation hubs. See below for some of the highlights to look out for!
Roving Entertainers
Various Locations | 28 November to 28 December (excluding Christmas Day)
Discover enchanting roving performers and delightful workshops along the trail. Marvel at fire breathers, whimsical Christmas characters, cheerful carollers, and more as they spread festive cheer along the trail.
Performances
All performances at Forrest Place.
Tuxedo Junction | 30 November and 4, 11, 18, 27 December | 6pm to 7.30pm
Junkadelic Brass Band | 3 and 28 December | 6.15pm to 7.15pm
Symbios Saxophone Quartet | 7 and 12 December | 6pm to 7.45pm
City of Perth Brass Band | 10 December | 6.30pm to 7.15pm
City of Perth Concert Band | 12 December | 6.30pm to 7.15pm
Perth Singing Academy | 13 December | 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Perth Harmony Chorus | 17 December | 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Varley String Quartet | 24 and 26 December | 6pm to 7.30pm
Free Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Walking Tours
Meet at Council House
Every Friday and Saturday night | 5 to 20 December (excluding 6 Dec) | 7pm to 8:30pm.
Join our bespoke Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail Walking 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. This tour is wheelchair accessible. Meet outside Council House at 7pm, bookings are essential by calling 9461 3333.
Audio Described Access Tours
9 and 10 December | 6.45pm and 8pm | Forrest Place
16 and 17 December | 6.45pm | Forrest Place
A DADAA guide will take you, your families and friends on a tour to see the installations on the accessible route ‘The Merry Mile’.
Bookings for these tours are essential, and places are limited. To book, please email DADAA at the details below, and include the following information:- Number of visitors with disability and access requirements
- Number of support workers or carers
- Preferred date of tour
- Preferred time of tour
Email and mobile number Managed by DADAA Access Tours, please contact Jacqueline Homer via email at [email protected] or phone 9430 6616.6.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can I find the map?
A: The event map is available for download here and includes key locations such as trail stops, amenities and car parking options.
Q: Are there any tours available?
A: Yes - Every Friday and Saturday night | 5 to 20 December (excluding 6 Dec) | 7pm to 8:30pm Free Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail Walking Tours are hosted by iCity volunteers. Perfect for families or couples, the tour shares Perth’s history along a special route. Tours depart from Council House at 7pm. No bookings necessary, just arrive five minutes prior. This tour is wheelchair accessible.
Q: Why can’t I view the Forrest Place and St Georges Cathedral projections at 6pm?
A: The projections begin once the sun has set, this is usually around 7.45pm during the dates of the trail.
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:Will there be a Lost Person services at the event?
A: No -
If you lose someone
Please notify the nearest security personnel, police, or event staff.
If you find a lost person
If you find a lost person, please escort them to the nearest Police Station. Alternatively, notify a nearby Police Officer or Security Guard, who can accompany them to the Police Station.
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 3-hour Free Parking on weekends at CPP Cultural Centre, Pier Street and His Majesty’s.Q: Are there any road or water closures for this event?
A: No road or water closures are required for this event.
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: What accessibility and inclusion services are available at the event?
A: The event offers a range of accessibility features including:- Wheelchair Access
- Accessible Toilets
- Changing Place Facilities
- ACROD Parking
- Audio Described Access Tours
- AUSLAN Santa
Visit the Accessibility section of the event website for full details.
Q: Will first aid be available at the event?
A: No – the nearest hospital is Royal Perth, Victoria Square, Perth WA 6000. In the event of an emergency that threatens life or property, dial 000 for emergency response services.
