12 Days of Christmas at Dandenong Market

Free festive fun for families – crafts, music, Santa photos & more!

Celebrate the magic of Christmas with 12 days of family-friendly activities at Dandenong Market! On Market days from Tuesday 2 December to Sunday 21 December, the Market will come alive with festive cheer, creative workshops, and joyful entertainment for kids of all ages. Whether you’re a local or visiting from across Melbourne, this is your chance to make unforgettable holiday memories – all for free!

In partnership with the Dandenong Community & Learning Centre, our 12 Days of Christmas program is packed with hands-on fun. Including Christmas crafts, cookie decorating, face painting, sing-alongs, and even digital DIY tutorials you can enjoy from home. Plus, don’t miss your chance to meet Santa himself and post your letter straight to the North Pole!

📍 Where: Dandenong Market – Corner Clow & Cleeland Streets, Dandenong
📅 When: Every Market day from Tuesday 2 December to Sunday 21 December
🕙 Time: 10AM – 2PM (unless otherwise stated)
💰 Cost: 100% FREE!

What’s On – 12 Days of Christmas Activities

Tuesday 2 December – DIY Tree Ornament
Design and decorate a beautiful wooden ornament made from recycled branches. A unique keepsake to hang on your tree and treasure for years to come.

📍Meat, Fish & Deli Hall opposite Nesh’s Deli | 🕙 10AM – 2PM

Friday 5 December – Pinecone Christmas Tree
Craft a festive pinecone tree using paint, colourful mini pom poms and other Christmas decorations.

📍Meat, Fish & Deli Hall opposite Nesh’s Deli | 🕙 10AM – 2PM

Saturday 6 December – Santa Letterbox Mailbox
Bring your letter to Santa from home and post it in our special Santa Mailbox. All wishes will be sent straight to the North Pole until Sunday 21st December.

📍The Bazaar (next to the playground) | 🕙  until Sun 21 Dec

Sunday 7 December – Photo with Santa
Meet Santa and capture a magical moment with a festive photo. No bookings needed, but be prepared to queue as this is a free event and the line may close prior to 2pm.

📍The Bazaar (next to the playground) | 🕙 10AM – 2PM

Tuesday 9 December – Christmas Finger Puppets
Create your own Christmas-themed cardboard finger puppets! Choose from Santa or cheerful reindeers and decorate yours with vibrant colours to bring them to life.

📍Meat, Fish & Deli Hall opposite Nesh’s Deli | 🕙 10AM – 2PM

Friday 12 December – Decorate Your Own Christmas Cookie
Get creative with our cookie decorating station! Use icing, sprinkles, and festive toppings to decorate your very own delicious cookie. Fun for all ages!

📍Meat, Fish & Deli Hall opposite Nesh’s Deli | 🕙 10AM – 2PM

Saturday 13 December – Make a Deli Wreath
Get creative in the kitchen with our DIY Deli Wreath! Using fresh market ingredients, learn how to make an edible Christmas wreath that’s perfect for entertaining.

📍Online Tutorial | 🕙  Follow on Social Media

Sunday 14 December – Christmas Face Painting
Get into the holiday spirit with festive face painting! Please be prepared to queue as this is a popular activity and note that the line may close prior to 2pm.

📍The Bazaar (next to the playground) | 🕙 10AM – 3PM

Tuesday 16 December – Hair Braiding
Add a touch of holiday sparkle with colourful braiding. Please be prepared to queue as this is a popular activity and note that the line may close prior to 2pm.

📍Meat, Fish & Deli Hall opposite Nesh’s Deli | 🕙 10AM – 2PM

Friday 19 December – Festive Music Circle
Sing along to Christmas favourites while playing percussion instruments. A joyful, hands-on experience that brings festive tunes to life! Fun for all ages!

📍Meat, Fish & Deli Hall opposite Nesh’s Deli | 🕙 10AM – 2PM

Saturday 20 December – Christmas Sing-along
Join our in-house entertainer, Jemma, for a joyful Christmas sing-along! Enjoy all your favourite festive tunes in a fun and lively atmosphere.

📍The Bazaar (next to the playground) | 🕙 10AM – 2PM

Sunday 21 December – Make a Mini Fruit Santa
Get creative in the kitchen with our DIY Fruit Santas! Using fresh strawberries, grapes and bananas from the market, learn how to make an edible Christmas Santa.

📍Online Tutorial | 🕙  Follow on Social Media

Each Tuesday and Friday, kids can also enjoy:

• Christmas Card Making Station – Design your own festive greetings
• Santa’s Colouring Station – Colour in your favourite holiday scenes

This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy family-friendly Christmas events in Melbourne without breaking the bank. With something new each Market day, there’s always a reason to come back and experience the festive spirit again and again.

🎁 Don’t miss out – plan your visit today!
👉 Follow us on social media for digital tutorials & updates