What's on across Melbourne's eastern suburbs in December
Events include the story of Victoria’s first serial killer told by his great-great-grandchild and a fundraiser for orphaned bunnies.
Matthew Sims
November 27, 2025
Here’s a list of some of the best events across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in December, including our Christmas carols guide.
Did we miss anything? Let us know by reaching out via [email protected]
Murky Melbourne
The execution record of Robert Burns from September 1883.
Murky Melbourne is a monthly meeting welcoming local aspiring writers looking to develop their skills in writing in the darker genres – including crime and thrillers.
This month’s guest speaker is Julie Mac, who after researching her family’s history discovered her great-great-grandfather Robert Burns was a serial killer, renowned for claiming he had killed eight people to the hangman just before his death.
Numbers are limited so book your place: email [email protected].
When: Wednesday December 3, 6-8pm
Where: Miller’s Homestead, corner of Dorrigo Drive and Melrose Court, Boronia
Cost: Free
Cameo Cinemas Turns 90
To celebrate the 90th anniversary of opening its doors, the team at Cameo Cinemas is offering all tickets for $5 from Thursday December 4 to Wednesday December 10.
The cinema will also screen a 10-film retrospective, with the team picking their favourite movie from each decade that the cinema has been open – including 1935’s David Copperfield (the first film ever screened at the theatre), Pulp Fiction and Back to the Future.
When: Thursday December 4 to Wednesday December 10
Where: Cameo Cinemas, 1628 Burwood Highway, Belgrave
Cost: $5 for all tickets, plus $9 for a medium popcorn and drink combo
Comedy Among the Ferns
Rabbit Run-Away Orphanage president Judi Inglis with some of the bunnies.
Raising funds for the Rabbit Run-Away Orphanage, this event will feature four stand-up comics, a number of live bands and finger food.
Comedians set to jump on stage include Brad Oakes (Totally Full Frontal, The Comedy Company) and CJ Fortuna (Hamish & Andy), while music entertainment will include Firecloud and Paul Pomphrey.
When: Saturday December 6, 2-6pm
Where: Mount Dandenong Hotel, 1451 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Olinda
Cost: $45
Garden of Hope - Open Gardens Victoria
Garden of Hope designer Dr Jacquie Chirgwin.
Created by garden designer Dr Jacquie Chirgwin and her husband Paul Kertes, the Garden of Hope in Templestowe will be opening next month as part of an Open Gardens Victoria event.
Open Gardens Victoria is then welcoming visitors back again in April to give them the chance to see how the garden evolves between summer and autumn.
Chirgwin said while it will be the same garden in April, it will present “an entirely different experience” for visitors.
A portion of the gate takings from both openings will be donated to Breast Cancer Trials.
When: Sunday December 7, 10am-4.30pm
Where: 8-10 Beverly Hills Drive, Templestowe
Cost: Adults $10, free for visitors under 18, $18 for both days
Fawlty Towers Dining Experience
Ever been watching Fawlty Towers and wanted to be part of the dinner disaster?
This spin-off from the West End features a three-course meal and a two-hour interactive show as Basil, Sybil and Manuel improvise their way through a meal, incorporating interactions with the audience and plenty of slapstick.
When: Monday December 8, arrival from 6.30pm, show 7-9pm
Where: The Belgrave Hotel, 1645 Burwood Highway, Belgrave
Cost: $110 for a three-course meal and two-hour interactive show
East Meets West In Motion
Classical Eastern folk dance and ballet featuring iconic Christmas melodies will come together in harmony during this special event.
Local ballet group Fanghua will perform with accompaniment from Melbourne-born pianist and composer Warren Wills and flautist Steph Chen.
When: Sunday December 21, 2-4pm
Where: The Round, 379-399 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading
Cost: $36 adult, $21 child (2-14 years)
Cherry Picking at Cherry Hill Orchards
As the old proverb goes, “the fruit you pick often tastes the sweetest”.
Cherry Hill Orchards will open up its gardens to the public this month to come grab cherries for two hours and munch away while you work.
When: Every day to December 24 in Coldstream and every day from to January 4 – excluding Christmas Day – in Wandin East
Where: 474 Queens Road, Wandin East and 739 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream
Cost: $25 for adults, $15 for children aged four to 13 on weekends and $22.50 for adults and $13 for children on weekdays
Our guide to carols across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs
Monash Carols by Candlelight
Hundreds of people fill out Jells Park every year as part of Monash Council’s Carols by Candlelight event. Image Credit: Victoria Police
While the official entertainment kicks off at 5.30pm, families can rock up from 3pm to enjoy the Christmas market, with more than 30 local artists and food and drink retailers setting up shop throughout the evening.
The big man himself will be available for photos with children from 5.30 to 6.30pm, with workshops open for kids to make Christmas cards, wrap presents or write their letters to Santa.
The main concert will begin from 7.30pm, with Lucy Durack and Mark Wilson leading the show alongside the Monash Carols by Candlelight Band – a collaboration between the Monash Concert Band and Oakleigh Brass and the All Star Carols Band.
If the young ones can keep their eyes open long enough and weather is suitable, the fireworks are scheduled to launch into the air from 9pm.
Attendees are encouraged to register online.
When: Saturday December 6, 5.30-9.15pm
Where: Jells Park, Jells Road, Wheelers Hill
Maroondah Carols
This free event will feature pre-show entertainment, food vendors, a kids activities zone and a firework show and a visit from Santa Claus, one of his elf helpers and Frosty the Snowman.
Performers will include Lucy Holmes as MC, the Maroondah Carols Band, Samantha Du Rennes (U’Ren), Jonathan Guthrie-Jones, Lauren Neivandt and Julian Dunham.
When: Saturday December 6, 6-10pm
Where: Town Park, 20 Civic Square, Croydon
Manningham Carols by Candlelight
Hosted by performer Lucy Durack and local Carols soloist Richard Thomas, the event will kick off at 6pm with pre-show entertainment from Code One – consisting of former Victoria Police members – and the Veneto Club Choir.
The main show will begin at 7.15pm, with artists including 12-year-old singer-songwriter Leyla Sabo, operatic tenor Stephen Coutts and Manningham local talents Katrina Couroyannis, Bianca Baykara and Catherine Bolzonello.
Weather permitting, an eight-minute fireworks show will be held from 9.30pm.
When: Friday December 12, 6pm to 10pm
Where: Ruffey Lake Park, 99 Victoria Street, Doncaster East
Cost: Free
Knox Carols
Australian actor Bernard Curry will be the MC on the night, with performances including Christmas classics played and sang by members of the Royal Australian Navy Band.
Kids activities will run from 4pm to 7pm, including rides and roving Christmas performers.
The main show will begin with Australian actor Bernard Curry as the evening’s MC and other performers including Shannen Wick, Briana Bishop, Harry Targett, Halo Vocal Ensemble, Jack Casslyn and Amelia Reynolds Billing and the Royal Australian Navy Band.
Two free shuttle buses will be running on a regular loop to and from the Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully train stations, as parking on side streets will be limited.
When: Saturday December 13, 4-9.30pm
Where: Wally Tew Reserve, 6 Lyndale Court, Ferntree Gully
Whitehorse Carols
Rhonda Burchmore and David Hobson will be among the performers at the Whitehorse Carols event.
Grab a pic with Santa, complete your festive look at the face painting booth or jump on a ride or two from 5.30pm, with the main event getting underway from 6.30pm.
Highlights on the night will include Matt Hetherington as MC and carols from Rhonda Burchmore, Johanna Allen, David Hobson and Dale Burridge.
When: Saturday December 13, 6.30-9.30pm
Where: Whitehorse Civic Centre Precinct, 379-399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading