Melbourne is such a beautiful place during the Festive Season as the City comes alive with an enchanting Christmas atmosphere. Despite the rushing about and frenzied shopping, Christmas is a universal celebration of good will and a great time to take a minute or two to douse oneself in Melbourne’s magical end of year ambiance and its favourite traditions.

From the beginning of December to Christmas Eve be sure to visit the Nativity Wall at City Square and the Advent Calendar in Federation Square where each evening from 9pm a new window will open with a visually stunning display of animations, multimedia and aerial performers. The special Christmas Eve finale at 11:30pm is a must.

Santa in the City will be waiting at the City Square next to the spectacular Christmas Tree from 10am to 1pm daily from December 8 to pose for happy snaps that you can take with your own camera. Don’t miss seeing the Myer Christmas Windows either, since 1956 they have delighted generations of children with their beautiful Christmas window themes.

Christmas in Melbourne is undoubtedly the place to be unless you are at Waterfront City Piazza enjoying the roving entertainment and nightly light shows at the new Southern Star observation wheel from 9-11:30pm up until Christmas. Otherwise catch Santa at Harbour Town shopping precinct from 7:30 to 10pm ready to meet and greet with candy canes, balloons and plenty of Christmas cheer.

Warm up your voice and prepare to join the Docklands Community Choir as they recite your favourite carols at Victoria Green next to 825 Bourke Street from 7pm on Thursday 11th of December for an exciting evening of carolling, special guest appearances from comedy act Tripod and the cast of Billy Elliott and plenty of prizes too.

For Christmas activities of a different kind, check out the Santa Vs the Snowman 3D movie at IMAX Cinemas or book a nice restaurant to catch up with friends at Waterfront City. Everyone loves the special Christmas experience of Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight and you’ll be helping out a very worthy cause too. Whatever you decide to do, be safe, be merry and be giving of kindness this Christmas..……and then get ready to party like it’s 2009!!!

Once Santa has trekked back to the North Pole, Docklands will bring in the New Year with an explosion of excitement, fine foods, music, entertainment and spectacular fireworks to prepare you for a great new year.

Two spectacular fireworks shows will highlight New Years Eve starting at the family friendly time of 9:15 and again to welcome the New Year at midnight. If it’s fine food you are after book yourself a place at one of the amazing Waterfront City restaurants or cafés as roving entertainment, live music and a spectacular Southern Star observation wheel lightshow sets the scene.

Family fun at the movies is on the itinerary so find your spot at Victoria Harbour Promenade from 7pm until the wee hours as entertaining movie selections including Runaway Vacation, Dan in Real Life and Made of Honour are briefly interrupted by firework spectaculars, be sure to BYO popcorn!

Southgate celebrates with live music and entertainment on the move. The licensed food court and all of the great restaurants will be open so it may be best to book in advance.

Alexandra Gardens is alive with festivities this NYE. Enjoy live performances including Roger Hargreaves’ classic character Mr Happy as well as Rhythm Island and the Kazoos and Djordi Tsar. Pack your picnic blanket and goodies basket!

The banks of the Yarra always invite a celebratory vibe, so get on down and put your dancing shoes on for Franklin James , Mosiak, Mista Savona and the Nudist Funk Orchestra for a night of grooving at Birrarung Marr.
Keep in mind that NYE celebrations are about having fun and celebrating in style, so please respect that public areas are alcohol free zones and this will be enforced. Take advantage of public transport and enjoy all the free entertainment.

Most of all have fun, bid a hearty farewell to the year passing and celebrate to the fullest for a year ahead filled with memorable and happy occasions. Be well and be happy, our best wishes to you all the team at 3008 Docklands Magazine, as we look forward to a big 2009!