Christmas Events for Kids in Geelong (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

5 min read

For 2026, we confirmed 6 Christmas events for kids in Geelong. The season opens on 21 November with Christmas Festival of Lights and runs until 23 December with Christmas Family High Tea at The Chocolaterie. One of these is free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Australia.

The short version

  • Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Geelong, Winchelsea, Bellbrae and Wallington: 6
  • First: Christmas Festival of Lights, Wallington, 21 November
  • Free events: Christmas Opening Night 2026: Denis Walter's Carols by the Bay

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by suburb, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).

At a glance: Christmas events for kids in Geelong

Kids’ Christmas events
6 confirmed for 2026
Suburbs
Geelong, Winchelsea, Bellbrae and Wallington
Season
21 November to 23 December
Free events
1
Last checked

Christmas events for kids in Geelong

Listed soonest first: 2 confirmed events in Geelong.

Christmas carolsFree

Christmas Opening Night 2026: Denis Walter's Carols by the Bay

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Christmas Geelong 2026 opens on Saturday 21 November at the Steampacket Gardens precinct on Eastern Beach Road. Denis Walter's Carols by the Bay run from 7pm to 9pm, with big screens, roving entertainment, singalongs and special guests on stage, and Santa is part of the night.

The evening ends with the lighting of the Floating Christmas Tree on the bay. The event is free and the council suggests bringing a picnic or buying food from nearby eateries and food trucks. The page does not list parking or accessibility details, so contact the City of Greater Geelong if you need them. Gates and activities are listed from 6.30pm.

Parent tip: Bring a picnic rug. Check the council page for road closures and parking before you travel.

Host
City of Greater Geelong (opens in a new tab)
Where
Steampacket Gardens precinct, Eastern Beach Road, Geelong 3220 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of Greater Geelong (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 5 more Geelong events researched for you.

  • New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Geelong.
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  • Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
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Coming up on this page

  • 4 Santa
  • 3 Shows
  • 2 Lights
  • 2 Crafts
  • 1 Free

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Christmas show

Choose your own Christmas adventure

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The City of Greater Geelong lists Choose your own Christmas adventure for Tuesday 15 December 2026, from 10.30am to 12pm at Bellarine Arts Centre. The council page does not give a price, an age range or a street address.

The same page says more details of Christmas in Geelong 2026 will be revealed later, so check the council page for updates and booking information.

Parent tip: The page gives no price or booking details yet, so check the council's Christmas page before you go.

Host
City of Greater Geelong (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bellarine Arts Centre, Geelong (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of Greater Geelong (opens in a new tab)

New events in Geelong every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Geelong every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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Christmas events for kids in Winchelsea

Listed soonest first: 2 confirmed events in Winchelsea.

Christmas carols

Carols by the Barwon (Winchelsea)

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Carols by the Barwon returns to the banks of the Barwon River at Lions Park in Winchelsea on Saturday 5 December, from 5pm to 8.30pm. Community choirs and local talent perform a mix of traditional and modern carols for all ages.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic rug and chairs, settle in under the summer sky and sing along. Organisers also ask guests to bring their own reusable plate, cup and cutlery to help reduce waste. The listing has a Book now link, but does not state a price, so check the link to see whether tickets or registration are needed.

Parent tip: Bring a rug, chairs and reusable plates and cups. Use the booking link to check whether registration is needed.

Host
Surf Coast Events (Surf Coast Shire) (opens in a new tab)
Where
Lions Park, 1/15 Main Street, Winchelsea 3241 (opens in maps)
Booking
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Surf Coast Events (Surf Coast Shire) (opens in a new tab)

New events in Geelong every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Geelong every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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Christmas market

Winchelsea Community Market: Christmas edition

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The Winchelsea Community Market holds a special Christmas edition on Sunday 6 December from 9am to 1pm at the historic Winchelsea Shire Hall. Alongside the usual producers, makers and food court, the day adds festive stalls, family Christmas photo sessions with Santa and entertainment.

Children can post a letter in Santa's Mailbox and follow the Hidden Elf Christmas Trail through the market. The market has indoor and outdoor stalls, and a skate park and playground are nearby for children who need a run around. The listing does not state an entry price or a photo fee, so check with the organisers if you plan to book a Santa session.

Parent tip: Check with the organisers about Santa photo session prices and booking before you go.

Host
Winchelsea Community Market (listed on Surf Coast Events) (opens in a new tab)
Where
Winchelsea Leisure Time Centre (Shire Hall), 15 Gosney Street, Winchelsea 3241 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Winchelsea Community Market (listed on Surf Coast Events) (opens in a new tab)

New events in Geelong every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Geelong every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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Christmas events for kids in Bellbrae

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Bellbrae.

Meet Santa

Christmas Family High Tea at The Chocolaterie (Bellbrae)

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Santa and Miss Elf host a family-friendly Christmas high tea at The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road, in Bellbrae near Torquay, on Wednesday 23 December from 11am to 1pm. It is served at private tables in the Pod Cafe.

Adults receive a drink on arrival, followed by petite sweets, scones, ribbon sandwiches and festive pastries, plus unlimited organic teas, barista coffee and real hot chocolates. Children are treated to creative Christmas pastries and savoury treats with endless milkshakes and hot chocolates. The listing shows a children's ticket (ages 3 to 15) at $40. Adult pricing is not shown in the text, so check the booking page before reserving.

Parent tip: Adult ticket price is not shown on the listing, so check the booking page.

Host
The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road (opens in a new tab)
Where
The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road (Pod Cafe), 1200 Great Ocean Road, Bellbrae 3228 (opens in maps)
Booking
Essential
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road (opens in a new tab)

New events in Geelong every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Geelong every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Wallington

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Wallington.

Meet Santa

Christmas Festival of Lights (Wallington)

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Adventure Park's Christmas Festival of Lights returns from 21 November with tickets on sale now. The park describes it as Victoria's largest Christmas lights display, with 3.3 million lights, more than 1000 light installations and a 2.5 kilometre lights trail.

Families can meet Santa, visit the new Santa's Village, enjoy Christmas face painting and use nine theme park rides that are included with admission. The page also covers cabanas, food and drink, accessibility and getting to the park at Wallington. The page does not state the closing date, ticket prices or nightly hours in its main text, so check the official page and book a session before you travel. Allow time for the rides and the light trail, as the park is large.

Parent tip: Book tickets online and check the nightly hours and closing date on the Adventure Park page.

Host
Adventure Park Geelong (opens in a new tab)
Where
Adventure Park Geelong, 1249 Bellarine Highway, Wallington 3222 (opens in maps)
Booking
Essential
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Adventure Park Geelong (opens in a new tab)

New events in Geelong every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Geelong every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

More Christmas events for kids in Australia

A story for the trip home

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Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon.com.au (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Geelong: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Geelong?

For 2026, we confirmed 6 Christmas events for kids in Geelong, each on its host’s own page: Christmas Festival of Lights (Wallington), Christmas Family High Tea at The Chocolaterie (Bellbrae), Winchelsea Community Market: Christmas edition (Winchelsea) and 3 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Geelong?

Yes. One of the 6 events here is free: Christmas Opening Night 2026: Denis Walter's Carols by the Bay. Check the listing in case you need to book or register.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Geelong?

Where to see Santa: Christmas Festival of Lights (Wallington), Christmas Family High Tea at The Chocolaterie (Bellbrae), Winchelsea Community Market: Christmas edition (Winchelsea) and 1 more. Check the listings above for times and booking.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 8 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Christmas events for 2026 are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Geelong

Geelong lights a 25-metre Christmas tree that floats on the water at Steampacket Quay. The city's Carols by Candlelight reached its 62nd year in 2025.

A 25-metre tree that floats at Steampacket Quay

Geelong's best-known Christmas sight floats. The Floating Christmas Tree stands 25 metres tall with 800 lights, and the city calls it Australia's largest floating Christmas tree. In 2025 it sat north of Moorabool Street for the 12th year in a row.

The other long tradition is Carols by Candlelight at Johnstone Park, run by the City of Greater Geelong and the Y Geelong. In 2025 it was in its 62nd year. Denis Walter's Carols by the Bay now opens the season on the waterfront, and on 21 November 2026 it does so again.

Thirty school trees and a six-minute light show

Christmas in Geelong 2025 ran from 22 November to 7 January. Carols by the Bay opened it at Steampacket Gardens, and a child aged 12 or under won the competition to light the tree at 9pm. After that, a six-minute sound and light show ran every 15 minutes until midnight.

Johnstone Park held 30 trees decorated by local primary schools. A new Christmas Performance Trail popped up around central Geelong on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 28 November to 14 December. City Hall carried a new projection each night from dusk.

Reindeer lampposts and a Carousel that hit 41,000 rides

New solar-powered reindeer decorations went on the waterfront lampposts in 2025. The Carousel, the historic ride on Eastern Beach Road, ran Carousel Christmas with Santa sessions from 2 to 23 December that year.

The Carousel counted 41,000 rides in 2023-24, the first time it passed 40,000 since 2005-06, and a ride cost $5. At the end of the 2025 season the tree was towed from Steampacket Quay on 8 January and stored.

Traditions today

  • Floating Christmas Tree: A 25-metre tree with 800 lights at Steampacket Quay, lit at the start of the season with a sound and light show every 15 minutes.
  • Carols by the Bay: Denis Walter's waterfront carols night at Steampacket Gardens, opening the season with Santa and a tree lighting.
  • Carols by Candlelight: A free family night at Johnstone Park, run by the City of Greater Geelong and the Y Geelong. It was in its 62nd year in 2025.
  • School Christmas trees: About 30 trees decorated by local primary schools stand in Johnstone Park until early January.
  • Carousel Christmas with Santa: Santa sessions and Christmas nights with rides and craft at the waterfront Carousel through December.
  • Geelong City Market Christmas edition: A festive edition of the Saturday market at Little Malop Street Central, held on 20 December in 2025.

A fact for kids

Geelong's Christmas tree floats on the water, stands 25 metres tall and has 800 lights.

Questions about Christmas in Geelong

When is Denis Walter's Carols by the Bay in 2026?

Christmas Opening Night 2026 with Denis Walter's Carols by the Bay is on Saturday 21 November 2026 at Steampacket Gardens, Eastern Beach Road, Geelong. The page lists 6.30 to 9.30pm, with the carols running from 7 to 9pm. It is free. Rally Takes the Train's Geelong Christmas events guide has the details.

What time do the Geelong carols end and the floating tree light up?

On 21 November 2026 the carols run from 7 to 9pm and the Floating Christmas Tree is lit after they finish. The whole opening night is listed as 6.30 to 9.30pm.

Is the Geelong Christmas opening night free?

Yes. The City of Greater Geelong lists Christmas Opening Night 2026 as a free family event. Families can buy food and drink from nearby eateries and food trucks, or bring a picnic. The night includes big screens, roving entertainment, Santa, singalongs and special guests on stage at Steampacket Gardens.

How tall is the Floating Christmas Tree in Geelong?

The Floating Christmas Tree at Steampacket Quay is 25 metres tall and has 800 lights. Geelong describes it as Australia's largest floating Christmas tree. A sound and light show plays every 15 minutes in the evening, which is a good reason to stay for the tree after dinner.

How many years has Geelong had a floating Christmas tree?

In 2025 the tree sat north of Moorabool Street for the 12th consecutive year, according to the City of Greater Geelong. A local paper reported that the tree has lit the waterfront for more than 10 years.

Who lit the Geelong Christmas tree in 2025?

A competition winner lit the tree at 9pm on Saturday 22 November 2025, after Carols by the Bay. The council said the competition was open to children aged 12 and under. The tree lighting is the finale of the opening night, so young winners get to flip the switch in front of the crowd.

What is Choose your own Christmas adventure at Bellarine Arts Centre?

It is a Christmas session listed by the City of Greater Geelong for Tuesday 15 December 2026, from 10.30am to 12pm at Bellarine Arts Centre. The council page gives no price, age range or street address yet, and says more Christmas in Geelong 2026 details will be revealed later.

When is Carols by Candlelight in Geelong?

In 2025 Carols by Candlelight was on Tuesday 23 December at Johnstone Park from 6.30pm. It is a free family event run by the City of Greater Geelong and the Y Geelong, and 2025 was its 62nd year. The 2026 date was not confirmed on the pages checked.

Where can kids see decorated Christmas trees in Geelong?

Johnstone Park holds about 30 Christmas trees decorated by local primary schools. In the 2025 season they stood from 22 November to 7 January. Kids can look for their own school's tree and then walk on to the waterfront to see the Floating Christmas Tree after dark.

What is Carousel Christmas with Santa in Geelong?

It is a December session series at the historic Carousel on Eastern Beach Road, where children meet Santa and ride the Carousel. In 2025 it ran from 2 to 23 December and needed tickets. The Carousel also held Christmas nights with rides and craft. The 2026 sessions were not confirmed on a dated page.

How much does a Geelong Carousel ride cost?

A ride cost $5 for children, adults and concession holders in the council's November 2024 article, and the price had not changed for five years. Prices can change, so check the council before you visit. The Carousel counted 41,000 rides in 2023-24, the most since 2005-06.

What happens to Geelong's floating tree after Christmas?

In 2025 the tree was towed from Steampacket Quay on Thursday 8 January, weather permitting, then taken apart and stored. Christmas in Geelong officially ended on 7 January.

What is Windows of the World in Geelong?

Windows of the World is a display of illuminated windows celebrating community diversity at the Yarra Street Window Gallery in Market Square. In the 2025 season it ran from 3 December to 7 January, and the council said the gallery stays open until 27 January. It is a calm, free thing to see after the carols.

What are the City Hall Christmas projections in Geelong?

Geelong City Hall carries a Christmas animation projected each night from dusk to midnight for the whole season. The 2025 animation was new and carried the message of peace and happiness to all, under the theme We are One, We are Many. It is easy to see on the way to the waterfront.

Where can families see Christmas lights with rides near Geelong?

Adventure Park at Wallington ran its Christmas Festival of Lights from 29 November to 24 December in 2025, with about 3.3 million lights, 1,000 installations, rides, performances and Santa for 4.5 hours each night. Visit Geelong Bellarine did not list prices, so check the park for 2026 dates.

Is there a Christmas market in Geelong?

Geelong City Market runs on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm at Little Malop Street Central, between Yarra and Moorabool Streets. A festive edition ran on 20 December 2025, the last market before Christmas. Local prawns and oysters were also on sale for Christmas Day. The 2026 market dates were not confirmed.

Where can kids see Santa on a Geelong beach?

In 2025 Santa visits were held across the region, including on the sand at Ocean Grove, according to a local paper. Santa also joined Carols by the Bay and the Carousel sessions. The pages checked did not give 2026 dates for the beach visits, so check local listings closer to December.

What was the Christmas Performance Trail in Geelong?

It was a new feature in 2025. Three performances popped up at rotating central Geelong locations every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 28 November to 14 December. It suited families wandering the city with a pram. The council has not confirmed a 2026 trail on the pages checked.

When does Christmas in Geelong start and finish?

The 2025 season ran from Saturday 22 November to Wednesday 7 January 2026. The 2026 season opens with Christmas Opening Night on Saturday 21 November 2026. The council says more details of Christmas in Geelong 2026 will be revealed later, so Rally Takes the Train's Geelong Christmas events guide will add them.

What was Christmas at the Shed in Geelong?

Christmas at the Shed was a free family evening on Friday 19 December 2025, from 6 to 8.30pm, with singalongs, films, games and a visit from Santa. It was part of the council's Christmas in Geelong program. The pages checked did not confirm a 2026 date, so check the council for updates.

Sources

  1. Christmas Opening Night 2026: Denis Walter Carols by the Bay, City of Greater Geelong
  2. Christmas Geelong 2025 full program unwrapped, City of Greater Geelong
  3. Floating tree and Christmas Geelong wraps season, City of Greater Geelong
  4. A real festive buzz, Geelong Independent
  5. Christmas Geelong launches with carols and lights by the bay, City of Greater Geelong
  6. Christmas in Geelong: family events, lights and things to do, Visit Geelong Bellarine
  7. Carousel achieves record breaking numbers, City of Greater Geelong
  8. Joy to Geelong, Geelong Independent
  9. Christmas events, City of Greater Geelong
Kelsey Cecil
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