Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Bunbury
Bunbury's Christmas in the City began in 2015 when the council brought several events together on one Sunday. In 2018 it drew up to 15,000 people and put a snow dome in Bicentennial Square.
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The story of Christmas in Bunbury
One Sunday in 2015 when the council combined its Christmas events
Bunbury's Christmas in the City began in December 2015, the first year the council combined its Christmas events. The day ran from a 3pm festival and markets at Bicentennial Square to a 5.30pm street parade through the CBD and a 7pm carols concert at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Music Shell, with 50 to 60 singers on stage. The council hoped for about 10,000 people. The City now says Christmas in the City happens on the second Sunday in December.
A kids' dance party and an opera company
Christmas in the City 2025 was on Sunday 14 December at Bicentennial Square. A Christmas DJ Kids Dance Party ran from 4pm to 5pm, and the Christmas Street Parade from 5pm to 6pm. On stage were the South West Opera Company at 6pm, the Bunbury Catholic College Choir at 6.15pm and the Vocal Fusion Youth Choir. At 6.45pm the Mayor opened the night and the carols concert began from 7pm.
Fifteen thousand people and a snow dome
In 2018 up to 15,000 people came to Christmas in the City. A giant inflatable snow dome with artificial snow stood in Bicentennial Square, and more than 40 floats joined the parade. Cross Security won best float with a Santa's Workshop, and Southern Ports was runner-up with the Good Ship Lollypop.
Traditions today
- Christmas in the City: A free day in the CBD on the second Sunday in December, with markets, a street parade and an evening carols concert.
- Christmas Street Parade: Decorated floats travel through the CBD, with 40 or more floats in a big year.
- Carols concert at Bicentennial Square: Choirs and performers take the stage, and the Mayor opens the evening in the square.
- Meeting Santa: Visitors can greet Santa at Christmas in the City before he joins the parade.
- Christmas Trail: A 2020 trail with giant baubles, selfie stations and a tree lighting in Bicentennial Square.
A fact for kids
In 2018 Bunbury put a giant inflatable snow dome in Bicentennial Square, so kids could step into artificial snow in the middle of a Western Australian summer.
Questions about Christmas in Bunbury
When is Christmas in the City in Bunbury?
The City of Bunbury says Christmas in the City happens on the second Sunday in December at Bicentennial Square and the CBD. In 2025 it was Sunday 14 December. The 2026 program has not been announced, so check the City's events page for the date.
What time does the Christmas street parade start in Bunbury?
The 2025 Christmas Street Parade ran from 5pm to 6pm. In 2018 the RAC Street Parade started at 5.30pm at the Bunbury Recreation Ground and finished at 6.45pm opposite the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre. Check the 2026 timetable once the City publishes it.
Where is the Bunbury carols concert held?
The 2025 carols concert began from 7pm at Bicentennial Square. In earlier years, including 2015 and 2018, the concert was at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Music Shell in the CBD. In 2018 the council handed out free carols booklets from its information tent.
How many people go to Christmas in the City in Bunbury?
The South Western Times reported up to 15,000 people at the 2018 event. In 2015, its first year, the council hoped for about 10,000. Thousands also line Victoria Street for the parade in normal years, according to a 2020 report.
When did Bunbury start Christmas in the City?
The 2015 event was the first year the council combined its Christmas events. It started with a 3pm festival and markets at Bicentennial Square, a 5.30pm parade through the CBD and a 7pm carols concert at the music shell.
Is Bunbury's Christmas in the City free?
Yes, the events we read about were free. The Bunbury Herald described the 2015 and 2021 events as free, and the 2018 market, craft, mini golf and carols activities were free as well. Food and market stalls sell their own goods.
What can young kids do at Christmas in the City in Bunbury?
In 2025 there was a Christmas DJ Kids Dance Party from 4pm to 5pm. In 2021 there was cupcake decorating, mocktail making and a sustainable craft zone. In 2018 kids could try Christmas mini golf, craft workshops and a giant snow dome.
What was the giant snow dome at Christmas in the City?
In 2018 an inflatable snow dome with artificial snow sat in Bicentennial Square, and families were encouraged to step inside for photos and tag them #LoveBunbury. A 2018 report called it a popular attraction alongside mini golf and craft activities.
How did Bunbury run Christmas in the City in 2020?
In 2020 the events were split over two weekends to reduce crowds. The Christmas Street Parade was on Sunday 6 December and the carols concert on Sunday 13 December. The parade route was extended so spectators could spread out.
What was the Bunbury Christmas Trail?
The 2020 Christmas Trail was new that year. It had giant baubles, selfie stations, a Christmas inflatable and the lighting of the Christmas tree in Bicentennial Square. A map guided visitors, and the trail included Guppy Park.
Is there a Christmas boat parade in Bunbury?
We have not found a Christmas boat parade on the pages we read, so the street parade, carols and Santa at Christmas in the City are the events to plan around.
Where can kids meet Santa in Bunbury?
At Christmas in the City, visitors could greet Santa before he joined the parade in 2021. In 2017 Father Christmas also visited Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre and Bunbury Centrepoint right up to Christmas Eve. Shopping centre times change each year, so check before you go.
What happened at the official opening in 2025?
At 6.45pm on Sunday 14 December 2025 the Mayor gave an address and there was a Welcome to Country. The carols concert started from 7pm.
Who performed at the Bunbury carols in 2025?
The 2025 stage program at Bicentennial Square included the South West Opera Company at 6pm, the Bunbury Catholic College Choir at 6.15pm and the Vocal Fusion Youth Choir. The carols concert followed from 7pm after the official opening.
Who won best float at Bunbury's Christmas parade in 2018?
Cross Security won best float in 2018 with a Santa's Workshop display, and Southern Ports was runner-up with a Good Ship Lollypop float. More than 40 floats took part, and thousands lined Victoria Street to watch.
How many floats are in the Bunbury Christmas parade?
In 2018 the parade had up to 40 Christmas-themed floats, and a 2020 report said a typical parade has 20 to 40. Community groups, businesses and entertainers walk or ride on them through the CBD.
Where does the Bunbury Christmas parade finish?
In 2018 the parade started at the Bunbury Recreation Ground, ran through the CBD along Victoria Street and finished opposite the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre. In 2015 it ended at Bicentennial Square. Road closures apply before, during and after, so the route can change.
What did families do at Christmas in the City in 2021?
In 2021 there was cupcake decorating, mocktail making and a sustainable craft zone, and visitors could greet Santa before he joined the parade. The Bunbury Herald described the 2021 events as free.
What should I bring to the Bunbury carols concert?
For the 2018 carols the council suggested a picnic blanket and low chairs, and handed out free carols booklets from its information tent. Food trucks and market stalls were nearby. The same ideas suit most evening events in the square.
Where can parents find confirmed 2026 Christmas dates for Bunbury?
The City of Bunbury events page is the official source for Christmas in the City. Rally Takes the Train's Bunbury Christmas events guide will list dates once they are confirmed. At the time of writing we had not found a 2026 program page for Bunbury.
Sources
- Christmas in the City, Sunday 14 December 2025, Bunbury Geographe Tourism
- Christmas in the City draws thousands in festive spirit, South Western Times
- Christmas fun to light up CBD, Bunbury Herald
- Bunbury Christmas in the City celebration to transform CBD with festive cheer, Bunbury Herald
- Festivities set to take over CBD, South Western Times
- Christmas comes to Bunbury, South Western Times
- Only a few more days left to visit Father Christmas, South Western Times
- Christmas in the City, City of Bunbury events