Updated on November 24, 2025
The Ipswich area comes alive every December, with its large markets, festive fairs, and historic venues that host special family programmes.
Here are 12 Christmas and holiday events within easy reach of Ipswich, with information on how to get there, and what to know if you’re bringing small people, older relatives, or carers.
1. Lighting Up the St Nicholas Precinct
Ipswich Festivals present St Nicholas precinct in partnership with Ray White AKG. From 12-21 December, Ipswich’s Nicholas Street Precinct transforms into a dazzling wonderland in the heart of the city.
St Nicholas Precinct is located in the Nicholas Street Precinct, Ipswich. It is a hop, skip, and a jump away from all major transport terminals and road networks, and is home to a dedicated undercover car park with over 1,000 spaces, offering up to 3 hours of free parking on weekdays and free parking on weekends.
There is a wide walkway that is pram-friendly, and a low-sensory evening on Monday 15 December (6:00–9:00 pm) for families seeking a gentler environment. It is a venue that allows wheelchair and pram access, and there’s accessible parking in the undercover car park.
2. Christmas Carols in Brasall (Brasall Christmas in the Park)
The Ipswich favourite and longest-running Christmas event, Brasall Christmas in the Park, is set to return this year for another festive cheer.
The event has over 20 years of history, and this beloved celebration has become a treasured tradition for the Ipswich community. Visitors can look forward to a fantastic evening filled with local performers, a live orchestra, and an array of delicious food trucks offering plenty of options for all tastes.
Make sure to head to Sutton Park (61 Workshop Street, Brassall) for a heartwarming community carols event on the 28th of November.
The Christmas carol is great for kids of all ages, and you are allowed to bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs. For accessibility, there are park access and open lawns, making it accessible to prams and mobility devices.
3. City Christmas Tree Lighting / Santa & Sirens
The Christmas tree in D’Arcy Doyle Place (central Ipswich) is officially lit on Thursday, 27 November 2025, marking a festive kickoff. And on that same evening, there is a Santa & Sirens event that takes place. It is a very special and intimate community moment where emergency service vehicles (police, fire trucks, ambulances) join Santa in a family-friendly display.
It is a powerful cultural symbol where children get to see their local heroes, get photos, and feel connected. There is also a great photo op under the big Christmas tree.
The city square is accessible, and the event is designed for families, with plenty of space for prams, wheelchairs, and carers. They also go all out with lighting up the tree and meeting Santa from siren-equipped vehicles, which ends up being great memories for kids.
Since it’s in the city center, public transport (train or bus) is ideal.
4. Ipswich Handmade Expo
The Ipswich Handmade Expo is hosting a special Christmas edition in the Nicholas Street Precinct. The Handmade Expo is a market that you’ll find over 100 stalls with handmade, artisanal gift items, plus live music, food trucks, and creative kid-friendly zones.
For those who love handcrafted, unique gifts, this market is a treasure. There’s also a joyful community feel, with local artists and makers gathering under festive lights. The Christmas extravaganza has open spaces that allow prams, and it’s very accessible.
There is entertainment for kids like live music, face-painting, crafts, and food trucks that ensure a relaxed, social vibe. It is also pram and wheelchair-accessible.
Pro Tip: It is best to combine this with the light show. Come shop early in the evening, then take a walk around the lighting installations. You’d love it!
5. Enchanted Christmas Twilight Event
On 6 December, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the Ipswich Showgrounds will host a magical Twilight Christmas Event. You’d get to see amusement rides, sparkling Christmas lights, a variety of stalls perfect for gifting, live entertainment, carols, and a special Santa visit.
This event blends the fun of a fair with the warmth of Christmas. You can shop, ride, sing, and soak in the festive atmosphere all in one place. The twilight timing means cooler evening air and a beautiful dusk-to-night experience under lights.
The event allows children rides, free activities, and has amenities like toilets and a parents’ room. There is also onsite parking, and the ground is relatively flat, making it easier for prams/mobility devices. It costs $5 for general admission, while children aged 12 & under are free.
6. Santa’s Arrival Parade – Orion Springfield Central
Orion Springfield Central hosts a Wonder Full Christmas Parade to welcome Santa and Mrs Claus. The parade is always lively, colourful, and very community-oriented, with festive floats and performers.
It’s a joyful, public kickoff to the Christmas season, especially in the Springfield area, and is ideal for families to gather early, wave at Santa, and get into the holiday spirit. They have designed the area with children in mind, so it’s stroller-friendly and has ample sidewalk space. It’s also a calm, inclusive event where carers can easily manage children or older adults.
It is advisable to use public transport if possible to Springfield Central, or park in the shopping centre’s car park.
7. Floral Wreath Workshop
The Floral Wreath workshop takes place at the Trevallan Lifestyle Centre in Brassall. Participants get to use a mix of fresh and dried botanicals to design a 30 cm wreath. And this is considered a creative and calming experience.
It is an intimate, hands-on activity where you can make your own Christmas decoration while relaxing, chatting, and crafting with others. So you can think of it as a memory-making, therapeutic moment.
The event works well for adults, older children, or carers who want a calm, arts-based activity. Its venue is also accessible, with good parking and space for prams/wheelchairs. You can drive or carpool to Trevallan to check for parking. If you’re using public transport, please plan for a drop-off if needed, as this is a more suburban location.
8. Santa, Santa! Where Are You? – A Pantomime
The Incinerator Theatre Complex hosts a children’s pantomime titled “Santa, Santa! Where Are You?” written and directed by Kay McAllan. The Daytime Theatre Troupe hosts a theatrical show crafted especially for young children, ages 3–8, and it is full of playful dialogue, comedy, and a sprinkle of festive magic.
It is mostly aimed at families with little kids, as this pantomime is ideal, interactive, and a joyful experience. The theatre setting makes it comfortable, and the production is light-hearted and age-appropriate.
The theatre is likely to have accessible seating/wheelchair spots. Please check in with the theatre when booking. Carers are allowed to accompany children, and the show times are during the day, which is better for families.
9. Toddler Disco
On Thursday, 27 November, UB’s Milk Bar is hosting a Toddler Disco from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. This means your little ones can dress up, dance under disco lights, stomp bubbles, and giggle with friends, while their carers enjoy a relaxed space to watch or join in.
This event is designed for toddlers and preschoolers, as music and movement are a huge and significant part of their lives. This is a safe and joyful environment designed specifically for them. The venue is cozy, friendly, and perfect for families to connect.
The venue is very stroller and pram accessible. The restaurant-style venue means carers can sit, chat, or supervise easily. All ages are welcome, including babies, toddlers, parents, and grandparents. Entry is free.
10. Hope Delivered – Christmas at Ipswich Uniting Church
The event is running from 1–25 December in the evenings (7–9 pm), at the Ipswich Uniting Church (corner Eileen Street & Glebe Road, Booval), and it becomes a Christmas lights wonderland. On Saturday, 6th December, the Blackstone-Ipswich Cambrian Choir and Ipswich Model Band will perform under the lights.
This is a deeply community-focused event, and it is not just about the lights, but the music, storytelling, and a warm spiritual atmosphere. It’s a perfect gathering spot for reflection, joy, and celebration.
It has outdoor church grounds, which should be accessible for prams and mobility devices. Carers and families can settle down on nearby seating, grounds, or bring blankets/folding chairs. And because it is a night event, families can choose a quieter night to attend.
Booval is a short drive from Ipswich Central, and attendees may have to settle for street parking. Alternatively, you can use public transport and walk in.
11. Rosewood Christmas Festival
Roosewood Showgrounds are hosting their beloved Rosewood Christmas Festival. You can expect market stalls, free rides for kids, community carols, and a Santa visit (arriving in style, perhaps in a firetruck).
This festival gives insight into the rural, country-town feel. It shows the charm, nostalgia, and heart of a close-knit community. It’s different from city lights or big markets, offering a slower, more personal Christmas mood.
It is usually done on the open grounds of the showgrounds, making it easy for families, prams, and carers. Rides are usually scaled for children, and seating and rest areas should be available, as well. To get to Rosewood, you’d most likely have to drive, as that’s the easiest route. There should be onsite showgrounds parking, carpool, or shared lifts to reduce congestion.
12. Christmas Holiday Fun Pack at General Public
General Public is located in Nicholas Street Precinct, Ipswich, and is offering a holiday fun pack for $29 per person. The package includes bowling, arcade games, and other entertainment that are ideal for school holiday downtime.
While most events happen at once, this is a flexible entertainment option for families on holiday. It is a way to mix a Christmas outing with low-key fun across many days. The venue is fully accessible as it is a part of the Nicholas Street Precinct.
Carers, siblings, and grandparents can all join different parts, as there are many activities for everyone. Some may bowl, others may hang out or play arcade games. There is no need to worry about crowds as this is a contained and consistent entertainment space.
It is advisable to use the same access as for the light precinct. Parking in the Nicholas Street Precinct car park (undercover) is a big plus.
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