Looking for the best things to do at Christmas in Perth? Perth celebrates Christmas in flip-flops, not snow boots. While the northern hemisphere bundles up, Western Australia's sunniest capital serves its festive season with beach swims, outdoor cinemas, world-class seafood, and one of Australia's best Christmas light trails.
Most Perth Christmas guides recycle the same short event list. This guide goes further: the iconic Lights Trail, free carols nights with fireworks, summer-only rituals locals swear by, and day trips competitors skip.
On 2026 dates: some events had not published official dates when this was written. Dates marked approximate come from previous years — confirm on the official City of Perth or event websites before you go. Last updated: September 28, 2026

Jump to: City Lights & Festive Displays | Classic Perth Christmas Experiences | Food, Drink & Summer Festivities | Day Trips & Hidden Gems | FAQs | More Christmas Inspiration
City Lights & Festive Displays
Perth's CBD becomes a glowing wonderland every December — almost all of it free.
1. Walk the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail. Perth Christmas's centerpiece: ~22 light installations and projections on a 3.5 km loop through Yagan Square, Forrest Place, Murray Street Mall, and Elizabeth Quay. Usually ~28 Nov–28 Dec, free.
2. Take the Merry Mile with young kids. The full trail takes 1.5–2 hours — too much for little legs. The Merry Mile is a 1.6 km highlights loop of about 45 minutes. Arrive just after sunset (~7:15 p.m.).
3. See Elizabeth Quay's light shows and Christmas tree. Festive projections all December around a big decorated tree, with roving elves and singalong spots. Free parking after 6 p.m. in nearby CPP car parks.
4. Ride a Christmas lights rickshaw tour. A Perth-only twist: a rickshaw chariot pedals you past the best installations, with carols and photo stops wherever you like. Book early in December.

Classic Perth Christmas Experiences
Pageants, carols, and Santa — the big-ticket events that define a Perth Christmas.
5. Watch the Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant. Perth's brightest night: a huge free pageant on the Swan River banks at Langley Park, traditionally early December around 7:30 p.m., with floats, marching bands, food trucks, and Santa's appearance.
6. Hit the Elizabeth Quay Fun Fair. Early December through early January: a summer fun fair with rides (Dodgem Drift, the Dream Swinger), sideshow games, falling snow, and fireworks. Entry is free; pay per ride.
7. Sing along at a free carols night. Santa's Symphony in the Park (Burswood, usually ~12 Dec); Carols in the City (usually ~20 Dec) with 9:15 p.m. fireworks; the Forrest Place Nativity Concert (usually 21–22 Dec) — all free carols under the stars.
8. Get Santa photos — sensory-friendly ones too. Several Perth centers now offer "Sensory Santa" sessions — calm, low-light, music-free photos for kids with sensory processing differences. Book well ahead.
For Families
Pick items 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8 — the Merry Mile, the pageant, the fun fair, carols with fireworks, and Santa photos.
For Couples
Pick items 3, 4, and 12 — the quay lights, a rickshaw tour, and a Christmas movie under the stars in Kings Park.
On a Budget
Pick items 1, 3, and 7 — the Lights Trail, Elizabeth Quay, and the free carols nights.
Food, Drink & Summer Festivities
December averages 30°C+ in Perth, so Christmas dinner here is nothing like a northern-hemisphere roast.
9. Feast on a Western Australian seafood spread. Christmas seafood is practically a religion in WA: fresh crayfish (rock lobster), king prawns, and oysters. Buy direct at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour or the Fremantle Markets the week before Christmas.
10. Book Christmas Day lunch at a beachfront restaurant. Cottesloe, Scarborough, and City Beach venues run lavish Christmas Day lunches with ocean views. They book out weeks ahead; many release menus in October.
11. Graze at the Christmas Twilight Makers Market. Perth Makers Market's Christmas twilight edition at Supreme Court Gardens (usually mid-December, ~6–11 p.m.) brings 80+ WA makers, food stalls, and live music — Kris Kringle gifts and dinner in one stop.
12. Watch a Christmas film under the stars at Moonlight Cinema. Kings Park's open-air Moonlight Cinema runs through summer with Christmas-season holiday classics. Pack a picnic, grab a bean bed, and watch beneath the gum trees with the city skyline below.
Day Trips & Hidden Gems
The experiences most Perth Christmas guides overlook — this is where the local magic lives.
13. Do Christmas morning like a local — swim at Cottesloe. Thousands of locals hit Cottesloe Beach on Christmas morning for a swim before lunch, many in Santa hats. Arrive early for parking — free, joyful, utterly un-snowy.
14. Have a sunset picnic in Kings Park. WA's most beautiful park at its December best: native wildflowers, sprawling lawns, and a sunset view over the Swan River and city lights. Picnic first, then walk down for the Lights Trail. Free.
15. Day trip to Fremantle for its Christmas edition. Just 30 minutes by train: festive Fremantle Markets with artisan gifts, buskers, and food stalls through December, plus the Cappuccino Strip's decorated cafes and harbor-side seafood lunches.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas in Perth
Is Christmas in Perth worth visiting in 2026? Absolutely — if you want Christmas without snow. The Lights Trail, free carols with fireworks, beach swims, and seafood make it one of Australia's most distinctive Decembers.
When does the Perth Christmas Lights Trail run in 2026? Exact dates are confirmed closer to the season; based on previous years, expect roughly 28 November to 28 December. Check the Perth Trails app.
What is the weather like in Perth at Christmas? Hot and sunny — highs average around 30°C (86°F). Pack sunscreen, swimwear, and hats; bring a light jacket for after-dark events.
Are there free Christmas events in Perth? Plenty: the Lights Trail, the Christmas Pageant, the carols nights, the Nativity Concert, and Christmas morning at Cottesloe are all free.
Do restaurants open on Christmas Day in Perth? Some do — beachfront restaurants at Cottesloe and Scarborough and several city hotels run Christmas Day lunches, but they book out early.
Can you swim at the beach on Christmas Day in Perth? Yes — a beloved local tradition. Cottesloe Beach is the classic spot; go early.
Comments
Post a Comment