Rooftop movies, Christmas lights and free yoga: 11 great things to do in Perth this December.

Did it feel like February when you got up this morning but now you can smell Christmas? Well, that’s motherhood for you – nothing makes time feel quite as elastic as spending it with children.

So with weeks until Christmas quickly dwindling as fast as the seafood buffet on the big day, there’s one city we want to spotlight: Perth.

With new hotels and bars popping up all over the city, Perth is having a huge moment. And at Christmastime, it really does come alive.

Oh, and it’s also free to park in the city for three hours on weekends and public holidays at select carparks. Hear that Sydney and Melbourne? Three hours!

Now, that’s great for taking the family out or gift shopping. But there’s one person you can’t forget during the festive season too… and that’s you. Yes, you deserve some time out too.

So, we’ve put together a guide that has a mix of things to do with your family, friends, or even by yourself if you need some chill time away from the madness.

1. First stop, the shopping.

Perth has it all when it comes to shopping. We’d recommend heading to the iconic Forrest Chase, Perth’s go-to shopping spot for 30 years, which has recently undergone a swanky facelift.

Then there’s the four-storey Myer which is seriously a one-stop shop for everything you need, with Santaland a must-visit if with the kids…. or if you’re just a big kid.

More of a Tiffany and Louis Vuitton girl? Then head to Raine Square, the city’s newest shopping hub, which also doubles-up as great place for a spot of lunch. We’d recommend Hunter & Barrel Raine Square – it gets busy so you might want to book a table beforehand.

2. Bottomless champagne is self-care.

Seriously, after getting gifts for everyone in your family, extended family and your partner’s family, your reward should always be champagne. And luckily for us seriously parched mums, there’s a bottomless champagne lunch at Mayfair Lane every Saturday between 1pm-3pm until early December. For $139 you’ll get free-flowing Veuve Clicquot (only the best for us!) and plenty of seafood.

3. The Christmas Carnival is one for the kids.

OK, you’ve had your childless fun for now, it’s back to being a semi-responsible parent and we’d suggest taking the kids to the Supreme Court Gardens for the Christmas Carnival. There’s amusement rides, mini-golf and games, with Santa taking time out of his busy schedule to visit between 10am and 4pm each day.

The Christmas Nativity play is also a really sweet addition, with the re-telling of the traditional story including more than 100 performers and live animals on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December from 6.30pm.

4. The unmissable Christmas Lights Trail.

This is a pretty special event, with 27 mesmerising Christmas light installations lighting up the city as part of the Christmas Lights Trail.

There’s even incredible projections and festivities lighting up malls, streets and parks, and live performers on the weekends. Think Sydney’s Vivid, but at Christmas!

5. Get to the markets.

Seriously, if an opportunity of no cooking presents itself please, grab at it. In Perth over Christmas that comes in the form of the markets.

Forrest Place is the spot to head to on a Friday for its Twilight Hawkers Market, with food from around the world on offer. Cathedral Square also has a market every Friday which is great for trinkets and gifts.

6. Book the babysitter for a festive bar crawl.

Yes, the Christmas Lights Trail is brilliant for the family but it’s also perfect for when grown-ups want to play sans children. There are so many new and trendy bars that have opened in Perth recently, and it’s possible to check out the trail while also doing a little bar crawl.

We’d recommend Long Chim or Tiny’s for delicious cocktails, a gin at the The Flour Factory or a whiskey at Varnish On King. And food at all of the above also comes recommended.

7. Free food for kids. What?

OK, we love free, especially in the weeks running up to Christmas when we need to save every dollar we can. At Ivy and Jack, found just below the Holiday Inn Perth on Hay Street, two kids eat free as per one main adult meal or breakfast buffet purchase.

8. Kick back with free Christmas movies.

Nothing has the same power of getting us in the mood for Christmas than a festive movie and every Saturday, in December until December 21, Christmas movies will be played on the big screen at Northbridge Piazza from 5.30pm. Best of all? It’s totally and utterly free!

There’s also rooftop movies atop the City of Perth Parking complex in Northbridge, with a bar and panoramic city views. This one’s ticketed – find out more.

9. Find your zen with free yoga.

It happens to us all. There’s just too much going on, too many things to plan and why is it all down to us? Well, breathe and head over to the free outdoor yoga available Wednesdays from 6.30am at Hibernian Place up until December 18. Bring your own mat, leave feeling chilled.

10. And our favourite event….

We know we shouldn’t play favourites but the Lotterywest Christmas Symphony is truly spectacular. Conductor Guy Noble and soprano Emma Pettemerides will run through Christmas classics, finishing with a show-stopping fireworks display. Make it a bit of a date night and book in for dinner at the incredible rooftop restaurant, Wildflower, found on the fourth floor of the five-star COMO The Treasury.

11. Last but definitely not least, New Year’s Eve.

This NYE is set to be a big one in Perth with free live music which isn’t just for the adults, with performers like Sam Perry, but also involves children’s entertainment, street performers and of course, fireworks! There’s three stages across two venues, Yagan Square and the Perth Cultural Centre, for The City at New Year’s Eve event.

See the full roster of Perth’s events over Christmas and the New Year right here.