Whether you’re after a low-key family day, something hands-on for crafty kids, or a festive blowout with community spirit, these venues have your December sorted.
Here’s your curated guide to the most joyful events happening across QLD this season.
Sunday 14 December | From 12pm
Event: Check it out here
Brighton is kicking off the festive season with a dose of pure Christmas wonder. Kids can team up with the venue’s cheeky elves to craft reindeer wishing dust — essential for guiding Rudolph on his big night.
Then comes the moment every child will talk about for weeks: a meet-and-snuggle with a real baby reindeer, fresh from the “reindeer training academy.” Yes, it’s as cute as it sounds.
Book a table, lean into the magic, and let the festive chaos roll.
Wednesday 24 December | 1pm–3pm
Event: Check it out here
Santa and his helpers are clocking on early this Christmas Eve. Grab the kids, come by for free Santa photos, and watch the joy-levels spike as they whisper last-minute wishes.
Make a day of it with lunch — easy, breezy, festive.
Sunday 21 December | From 12pm
Event: Check it out here
Surfair is bringing a beachside twist to Christmas with another round of elf-led reindeer wishing dust workshops. The star of the show? A baby reindeer who’s ready for photos, pats, and plenty of oohs and aahs.
This one feels like Christmas on holidays — sun, sea breeze, kids making magic.
Christmas Eve | 6pm–7pm
Event: Check it out here
Newnham’s warming up Christmas Eve with a classic: one hour of Santa time for the kids before bedtime excitement takes over.
With dinner running from 5:30–8:30pm, it’s the perfect one-stop festive evening — good food, happy kids, and a sighting of the man in red.
Sunday 21 December | From 12pm
Event: Check it out here
Salt Bar is dialling up the community spirit with an afternoon that feels like a neighbourhood Christmas block party — but with a view.
Expect:
🎅 Free Santa photos
🎁 A giant toy raffle
🎨 Kids’ Christmas activities including bauble-making
🎶 Live music from Pink Zinc
Bring your family, your friends, your sunscreen — this is what coastal Christmas is all about.
Sundays 14 & 21 December | 12pm–3pm
Event: Check it out here
It’s double the Santa this year at Bribie Island Hotel.
Santa will be visiting across two more festive Sundays, ready for all the family photos, kid giggles, and “I know what I want for Christmas!” moments.
Dine in, grab a pic with Santa and his elves, and turn Sunday lunch into a December tradition.
Wednesday 24 December | Shows at 11am & 12pm
Event: Check it out here
If your kids love a bit of theatre, Mansfield Tavern is delivering the most adorable Christmas chaos imaginable.
The story:
Santa has gone missing hours before take-off, and three clumsy elves (plus Baby Rudolph) must save Christmas.
The experience:
✨ Two 30-minute shows
❄️ Snowy surprises
🎶 Silly songs & slapstick fun
🎨 Free craft table
🧚 Meet an elf & Christmas fairy from 11.30am–1.30pm
Kids are $10, adults are free — and you can roll straight into lunch afterwards.
14–25 December
Event: Check it out here
Everton Park is basically running Santa’s workshop with a new surprise every single day.
Here’s the full lineup:
Magic Elf Show – 14 Dec, 1pm
Santa Appearance – 15 Dec, 6pm
Christmas Bauble Styling – 16 Dec, 1pm
Gingerbread Decorating – 17 Dec, 1pm
Christmas Card Making – 18 Dec, 1pm
Grinch Slime Workshop – 19 Dec, 1pm
Christmas Disco – 20 Dec, 6pm
Frozen Snow Party with Elsa – 21 Dec, 1pm
Santa Appearance – 22 Dec, 6pm
Christmas Trivia – 23 Dec, 6pm
Christmas Cupcake Decorating – 24 Dec, 1pm
Christmas Day – 25 Dec
Kids will burn through a full fortnight of school-holiday energy. Parents get to sit down with a cold drink. Everyone wins.
Whether you’re after Santa sightings, kid-friendly fun, real baby reindeers, or a full 12-day calendar of Christmas fun, Queensland has everything you need this Decemeber.
