Hands up if you are excited for some serious festive fun this Christmas? My hand is raised straight up in the air, and my kids are jumping up and down singing “dashing through the snow, on a one horse open sleigh…”
Let’s just say my family and I are slightly obsessed with Christmas. The festive joy, the sparkling lights, the endless cheers, and even the carols. Yep, no grinch to be seen in our house!
And I’m going to let you in on a little secret… Eastland is the place to be this festive season in Melbourne. Ok! I know it’s hardly a secret! You all know I’m a huge fan of getting my shop on at Eastland and the centre is always home to the best holiday activities, but this Christmas, the fever has been STEPPED UP!
Eastland have Christmas activations running throughout all of November and December. Since Santas arrival, the centre has been in full-on celebration mode, with gorgeous decorations jazzing up every corner, and the pop up of little North Pole (aka the Santa Set).
The Santa Set should be the first stop on your Eastland visit for a Santa photo with the kids. AND! Sensitive Santa sessions will also be available before trade on Wednesdays and Saturday for those who require a more peaceful experience prior to the crowds commencing.
This year the set features animated decorations, a range of craft activities, sensory and light decorations, and lots of entertainment (including Mrs Claus and some of Santa’s Elves) to ensure the experience is a sleigh-load of funfor all kids, big and small. Santa Photo’s are running daily, all the way up to Christmas Eve.
2018 Highlights at Eastland this Christmas
Christmas Champagne Bar
Level 2, East Mall, near H&M
Fa La La! What kind of pre-Christmas shopping marathon is complete without a glass of bubble to toast the occasion. Take a break from getting your shop on and enjoy a glass of candy cane champagne, whilst enjoying the ambient sounds of The String Sirens.
Thursday 13 Dec: 5pm – 9pm
Friday 14 Dec: 5pm – 9pm
Monday 17 Dec: 6pm – 10pm
Tuesday 18 Dec: 6pm – 10pm
Wednesday 19 Dec: 6pm – 10pm
Santa’s Workshop
Running until 23 December
Level 1, East Mall opposite Minimax
Santa’s Workshop rotunda is a fun, playful and interactive art and craft experience which will inspire children of all ages this festive season.
At Santa’s workshop, the kids will be entertained with all kinds of fun and educational Christmas crafts, creating their own mini Christmas wreath, Christmas card and Christmas decorations to hang on your tree at home.
Elf Help Gift Wrapping
Running until 24 December
Level 2, East Mall outside Jeanswest and Sheike
The Elf Help kiosk is home to the new suite of new Christmas decorations. The Eastland team will be providing a gift wrapping service for customers with deluxe gift wrapping options available. The service is a gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to support Vision Australia.
The Christmas Carnival
Saturday 8 December
12pm – 10pm
Ringwood Town Square and Melbourne Street
Don’t miss out on our biggest event of the year – the Eastland Christmas Carnival!
The program is jam-packed with activities, carnival rides, roving performers, aerial acrobatics, pop up food treats and more! The night will wrap up with a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate the lighting of the Eastland Community Christmas Tree.
Be sure to book yourself a table at one of the Town Square restaurants to enjoy the show! My top picks are 400 Gradi, Hunter & Barrel, Ang Ang and The Cellar Door.
Eastland is the place to be this festive season for endless family fun and the best Christmas shopping!
Address: 175 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood
Opening Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 9am – 5:30pm
Thursday – Friday: 9am – 9pm
Saturday: 9am – 5pm Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Keep an eye out for extended trading as we get closer to Christmas.
For more information, please call 03 8820 8027 to speak with one of the team’s friendly Valet attendants.
If it’s your first time visiting Eastland, you can have confidence knowing that the centre has heaps of under cover parking (parking is free for up to 3 hours), as well as being accessible by train – just jump onto the Belgrave/Lilydale line and exit at Ringwood Station.
Insider Tip: I always park near the Coles entrance (Entry 8). It’s my go-to for fast entry and exit.
There’s also a Valet Parking service located in the South carpark (Entry 5 or Entry 6) off Warrandyte Road. If you have a baby, their recently upgraded Parents rooms are wonderful for feeding and changing facilities.
This post is brought to you by Kate & Co and Eastland.
Len
How can you guys get the dates so wrong on your website? The correct date for today is Thursday 19 December 2019. According to your website. It states Wednesday 19 December.
Last week I went to Eastland looking for Christmas Decoration for kids. It was not on but according to your flyer, it was on. I called your office, no one seemed to know anything about it. Who ever organized this was very disorganize. There were no communication what so ever. I was very disappointed with the dates and the event was supposed to be on did not happen.
Emily Collie
Hi Len, sorry to hear the confusion. This blog post was published in 2018, hence the outdated days.
Hope your Christmas was fun and you enjoyed the festive activities at Eastland.