Festive Things To Do on the Mornington Peninsula - Summer 2025
The Mornington Peninsula really comes into its own over the festive season. From late November right through to the end of January, you can move from carols by the bay and twilight markets to beach days, hot springs and long lunches without ever leaving the coast.
This guide focuses on Christmas and New Year 2025 and the 2025–26 summer holidays on the Mornington Peninsula, with a mix of free community events, family-friendly outings and relaxed “grown-up” experiences.
1. Christmas carols and community celebrations
The Peninsula does Christmas carols very well – plenty of live music, kids’ activities and relaxed picnic vibes by the water.
McCrae Lions Christmas Carols – start the season early
Kick things off with the 2025 McCrae Lions Christmas Carols, held on the lawns of McCrae Yacht Club, right beside the lighthouse. Expect live performances from local musicians including the Mornington Big Brass Band and SPUKES uke group, a visit from Santa, a Lions Club BBQ and coffee vendors. It’s a free, all-ages community event, with all funds raised going back into local projects.(Mornington Peninsula Shire)
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When: Sunday 30 November 2025, 5.00 pm–8.30 pm
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Where: McCrae Yacht Club, 690 Point Nepean Road, McCrae
Bring: picnic rug or chairs, a light jacket for the sea breeze, some gold coins for a snag.
Sorrento Christmas Festival and Carols
Head down the coast for the Sorrento Christmas Festival and Carols at David MacFarlan Reserve. Held on the foreshore, it combines carols, local food stalls and a festive community atmosphere – a good one if you like to pair your Christmas music with a stroll along Ocean Beach Road.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
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When: Friday 5 December 2025, 5.00 pm–9.00 pm
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Where: David MacFarlan Reserve, Sorrento
It’s an easy option for multi-generation families: grab an early dinner in the village, wander to the reserve for the music, then finish with a twilight walk.
Mornington Christmas Carols in the park
Closer to home, Mornington Christmas Carols take place in Mornington Park on Schnapper Point Drive, overlooking the harbour. There’s free face painting, music from Westernport Regional Band, school choirs and big band performances – all set up for a family picnic evening.(Mornington Peninsula Shire)
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When: Saturday 13 December 2025, 4.00 pm–8.30 pm
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Where: Mornington Park, Schnapper Point Drive, Mornington
Arrive a little earlier and stroll the Schnapper Point boardwalk, or let the kids burn off energy at the playground before the carols start.
Red Hill Christmas traditions
Red Hill has a long-running Christmas Tree Festival, showcasing trees decorated by local schools, community groups and families, plus kids’ craft, face painting, dress-up parades, a Lions Club BBQ and an evening sing-along.(Mornington Peninsula Shire)
Dates for 2025 will be confirmed closer to the time, but it’s usually mid-December at Red Hill Recreation Reserve. It’s a nice change of pace if you want a hinterland setting instead of the beach.
2. Twilight markets and summer shopping
If you love twilight markets, local makers and food trucks, December and January on the Peninsula are full of options.
Hill & Ridge Community Market, Red Hill
Held at Red Hill Recreation Reserve, the Hill & Ridge Community Market is one of the region’s best-loved markets. You’ll find farm-grown produce, artisan food, art, jewellery, clothing and live music – a real snapshot of local talent and creativity.(Hill & Ridge Market)
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Festive dates:
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Saturday 6 December 2025, 9.00 am–2.00 pm
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Saturday 3 January 2026, 9.00 am–2.00 pm
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It’s a great way to stock up on Christmas table produce, handmade gifts or treats for visiting family.
Soul Night Market – Hastings Foreshore
For a night-time experience, Soul Night Market brings food trucks, live music and boutique stalls to Hastings Foreshore. Think gourmet street food, dessert vans, fashion, homewares and relaxed harbour views.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
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Festive dates: Friday 12 December 2025, from 5.00 pm
Perfect for:
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Casual festive catch-ups with friends
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A low-key Friday night with live music and no cooking
Mornington Racecourse Market
The Mornington Racecourse Market is a big one – more than 300 stalls at peak times, covering produce, plants, homewares, clothing, toys and gourmet food. Over the festive season it becomes a go-to for Christmas shopping and holiday supplies.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
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Festive dates: Sunday 14 December 2025, from 9.00 am
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Plus follow-up markets in January and February 2026
Arrive early to beat the heat, then head down to Main Street or Mills Beach for a swim once you’ve filled the car boot.
Christmas Market at Cruden Farm
For something a little different, the Christmas Market at Cruden Farm (Langwarrin) offers stalls on the lawns of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s former home – a lovely garden setting with room to spread rugs out and wander.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
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Festive date: Sunday 14 December 2025, 10.00 am–4.00 pm
If you’re hosting Christmas on the Peninsula, this is a nice place to pick up table décor, preserves and locally made gifts.
Emu Plains Market & other summer markets
Emu Plains Market at Balnarring delivers a classic bush-setting market with live music, food trucks and design stalls. In December 2025 there’s a market on Saturday 20 December (9.00 am–2.00 pm), and there are more dates through January and March.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
Add to that:
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Mount Martha Briars Markets and twilight events in early January 2026
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Point Nepean Portsea Market and Mt Martha South Beach Market later in summer
All up, you can easily plan a different market each weekend of the holidays.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
3. New Year’s Eve 2025 – Peninsula-style
New Year’s Eve at Dromana 3 Drive-In
The premiere New Year’s Eve event on the Mornington Peninsula is shaping up again at Dromana 3 Drive-In on 31 December 2025. Expect:
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Double-feature movies on the big screens
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Midnight fireworks over the drive-in
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Lawn games and amusements
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On-site diner and family-friendly atmosphere
The event is listed as family-friendly, with café, parking, EV charging and accessible facilities.(Visit Victoria home)
For locals, it’s an easy way to celebrate NYE without heading into the city or dealing with crowded foreshores.
Low-key New Year’s Eve ideas
If fireworks and crowds aren’t your thing, you can still enjoy the festive feeling:
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Book an early dinner at a local winery or coastal restaurant, then home before the roads get busy
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Enjoy a sunset picnic at Mills Beach, Safety Beach or Mount Martha and watch the lights come on across the bay(exploreshaw.com)
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Stay in and host a backyard BBQ – many downsizers find this the most relaxed way to see in the year
4. Beach days and coastal walks
You can’t talk about a Mornington Peninsula festive season without mentioning the beaches.
Swim-friendly bay beaches
The Peninsula has a long run of sheltered Port Phillip Bay beaches, ideal for older family members and young grandchildren alike.(exploreshaw.com)
Good options include:
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Mills Beach, Mornington – calm water, sand, colourful bathing boxes and patrolled over summer; one of the top local choices for families.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
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Mount Martha – a long stretch of white sand with bathing boxes and clear water, backed by scenic cliffs.(exploreshaw.com)
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Safety Beach & Dromana – flat, shallow water and easy parking; ideal for paddleboarding or a gentle swim.(exploreshaw.com)
Remember to swim between the flags on patrolled beaches and check local conditions before heading to the back beaches.
Ocean beaches and rock pools
If you prefer a bit more surf and drama:
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Sorrento Back Beach – loved for its rock pools at low tide and surf culture; patrolled over summer with a kiosk on site.(theninch.com.au)
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Portsea Surf Beach & London Bridge – ocean-facing with walking tracks and lookouts for impressive views.(exploreshaw.com)
These are great for strong swimmers and walkers; for a safer option, visit at low tide to explore rock pools rather than surf.
Scenic walks and lookouts
Add some gentle exercise between festive meals:
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Mornington Peninsula Walk – a 100 km network that can be broken into shorter coastal or bush sections.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
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Point Nepean National Park – walk or cycle to Fort Nepean, explore World War I and II fortifications and tunnels, and enjoy sweeping views over Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
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Devilbend Reservoir – often overlooked, but a locals’ favourite for peaceful walking trails, birdlife and water views.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
These free activities are especially handy once Christmas is over and you’ve got several weeks of school holidays still to fill.
5. Free and low-cost family activities
If you’re hosting family or just watching the budget after Christmas, the Peninsula offers plenty without big ticket prices.
Parks, playgrounds and picnics
The region is full of parks, playgrounds and BBQ spots designed for families, from Rosebud and Mornington to smaller reserves scattered through the suburbs.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
Pack a picnic, let the kids loose on the play equipment and enjoy being outside without needing to book or spend much.
Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery
On very hot (or very windy) days, duck into the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. It’s the largest public gallery in south-east Victoria and entry is free, making it a good option for a cool, quiet couple of hours between beach trips.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
The Briars, Mt Martha
The Briars offers walking tracks, wildlife, big lawns and BBQs – plus school holiday games on the green. It’s ideal for multi-generation get-togethers where some want a stroll and others just want to sit under a tree.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
Fishing off the piers
Try your luck off the piers at Mornington, Rye or other foreshore spots; they’re popular casting points for locals. Just remember adults need a Victorian fishing licence (available online or at visitor centres).(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
6. Food, wine and long festive lunches
The Peninsula is packed with wineries, breweries, distilleries and farmgates – many offering special menus or live music across the festive season. Regional tourism resources highlight Wine, Food, Farmgate experiences as one of the major pillars of “things to do” here.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
Ideas:
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Book a Christmas catch-up lunch at a winery in Red Hill, Main Ridge or Merricks
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Build a DIY Peninsula hamper from farmgate stops – cheeses, berries, olive oils, small-goods and baked treats
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Work your way along a brewery or distillery trail if you prefer craft beer or gin to wine
These outings work well when you’ve got visiting adult children or friends staying – another way to showcase what living on the Peninsula is really like.
7. Hot springs, day spas and wellness days
After the rush of Christmas and New Year, locals often look for a quieter way to reset. The Peninsula is well-known for its hot springs and wellness escapes.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
Peninsula Hot Springs
Peninsula Hot Springs in Fingal offers more than 70 geothermal bathing and wellness experiences, including pools, saunas, private baths, massage treatments and even accommodation in eco lodges for an overnight stay.(Peninsula Hot Springs)
Book a:
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Morning or twilight soak to avoid peak heat
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Wellness package with guided activities, spa treatments or glamping if you want the full retreat feel
Alba Thermal Springs & Spa
Nearby, Alba Thermal Springs & Spa is a newer, luxury wellness sanctuary with 31 thermal pools (rain pool, botanical pools, forest pools and more) set in landscaped gardens, private rooftop pools and a spa offering indulgent treatments.(Alba Thermal Springs & Spa)
Ideal for:
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A special festive-season treat
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A gift voucher for adult children or parents
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A couples’ day out while family mind the grandkids
8. Easy adventures and day trips
Arthurs Seat Eagle
Ride the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola from Dromana up to the summit of Arthurs Seat and take in panoramic views over Port Phillip Bay towards Melbourne.(Arthurs Seat Eagle)
You can:
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Make it a half-day outing with coffee at the top and a short walk
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Combine it with a drive through Red Hill and a winery lunch
Point Nepean Discovery
Spend a day at Point Nepean National Park, wandering the fortifications, Quarantine Station and coastal tracks with views over both bay and ocean. It’s historically significant and visually impressive – and a good way to show visiting friends why locals love this end of the coast.(Visit Mornington Peninsula)
For a different style of stay, Discovery Tents at Point Nepean offer simple pre-pitched canvas tents near the beach – often surprisingly good value during the summer season.(The Daily Telegraph)
9. Making the most of the 2025 festive season
Whether you’re a long-term local or you’re thinking about moving or downsizing to the Mornington Peninsula, the 2025 festive season is a great time to experience everyday life here:
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Free carols, parks and beaches if you’re watching the budget
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Markets and foreshore events when you want atmosphere without going into the city
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Hot springs and long winery lunches when you’re ready for something more relaxed
If you’re starting to picture yourself living here full-time – in a lower-maintenance home closer to the beach, family and services – that’s exactly what we help people with every week.
When you’re ready to talk about buying, selling or downsizing on the Mornington Peninsula, you’re welcome to get in touch with our friendly team at McNeill Real Estate for a local, practical chat about your options.
