The festive spirit is building to a joyful peak in Perth, with a diverse program of events blending sacred traditions and secular celebrations to cater to every age and interest. The city's calendar is bursting with activities, ensuring the weeks leading up to Christmas Day are filled with music, community, and holiday cheer.
Kickstarting the Festive Season: Parades and Sacred Music
The serious celebrations commence on Saturday, December 6, with the vibrant Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant lighting up the Terrace from 7pm to 9pm. With no competing events at the Perth Concert Hall this year, the parade promises an abundance of festive floats, lively bands, and dancers, culminating in a special appearance by Santa Claus himself.
For those seeking a more classical start to the season, OpusWA presents Handel's iconic Messiah this very weekend. Performances are scheduled for Friday at 7pm at St Joseph's in Subiaco and Sunday at 3pm at St Patrick's in Mt Lawley. This masterpiece will also bookend the festive period, with the Perth Symphonic Chorus offering a final performance on Sunday, December 21, from 5pm at His Majesty's Theatre, though this show is already listed as sold out.
Before the pageant on Saturday, The Ellington Jazz Club hosts A Charlie Brown Christmas and Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas from 1pm. Alternatively, the Royal Schools of Music Club presents a Choral Christmas Celebration with the UWA Choral Society at the Callaway Auditorium from 5pm.
A Week of Diverse Celebrations: Jazz, Fundraisers, and Symphony
The festive momentum continues unabated through the following week. Sunday, December 7, features a Festive Fundraiser for the Homeless at Fremantle Town Hall from 3pm, presented by the Fremantle Chamber Orchestra. That same afternoon, Music on the Terrace showcases jazz doyenne Ali Bodycoat and her band on the Government House Lawns from 4pm, while the South Perth Esplanade hosts Carols at Sunset from 5.30pm.
The Ellington Jazz Club remains a hub of activity with Nativity in Song, Christmas Carols with a Twist! on Monday, December 8, and Bringing Back Bacharach: Christmas pop music on the Tuesday and Wednesday.
A major highlight for families arrives on Saturday, December 13, with the WA Symphony Orchestra's Santa's Symphony in the Park at Burswood Park. Food trucks open from 4pm, pre-show music begins at 5.45pm, and the full orchestra, under associate conductor Jen Winley, takes the stage at 7pm for a free concert under the stars.
The Final Countdown: Spectaculars, Carols, and New Year's Eve
As Christmas draws nearer, the events become even more spectacular. The WA Symphony Orchestra teams up with Lotterywest for the Christmas Spectacular at RAC Arena on Saturday, December 20, with two shows at 2pm and 7pm. Featuring conductor Jen Winley, host Genevieve McCarthy, and a lineup of vocalists, this event promises a grand production involving 150 artists.
For traditional music lovers, the Giovanni Consort and Australian Baroque collaborate for Christmas at St Mary's in South Perth on Wednesday, December 17, with performances at 5.30pm and 7.30pm. Freeze Frame Opera also returns for its eighth annual Christmas at the Quarry in Bold Park, offering four nights of operatic favourites from December 18 to 21.
On Sunday, December 21, the UWA Choral Society fills Winthrop Hall with music from 4pm, performing Mozart's Coronation Mass and works by John Rutter, plus highlights from Handel's Messiah. For a relaxed evening, St George's College hosts Christmas in the Quad, a picnic concert featuring Emma Matthews and the West Coast Philharmonic, on Monday, December 22.
Finally, to ring in 2026 with style, the Vienna Pops Orchestra will perform under maestro Mark Coughlan on New Year's Eve at the Perth Concert Hall, with a matinee at 2pm and evening celebrations from 9.30pm.
