Perth’s Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail is back for 2025 and it’s a beautiful way to enjoy the city on a warm summer evening. Over 31 nights, the CBD and Elizabeth Quay come alive with 22 glowing light installations, projections and festive displays – perfect for a relaxed stroll, a night out with friends, or a special outing with children and grandchildren.
The trail covers around 3.5km through malls, streets and parks. You can take your time and wander the full route, or choose a shorter section such as the 1.6km Merry Mile, ideal if you prefer a more leisurely walk. Lights are best enjoyed from dusk onwards, and the atmosphere builds as the sky darkens.
For easy navigation, download the free Perth Trails app to your phone. It shows the full Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail, so you can see where you are, plan the order of stops, and decide where you’d like to start and finish.
Highlights in the Heart of the City
A good place to begin is Yagan Square, home to Christmas Tree Lane. This is a 40‑metre illuminated tunnel that you can walk through, surrounded by ever‑changing colours and patterns. It’s flat and wide underfoot, and makes for a striking introduction to the trail.
From there, wander towards Forrest Place and Forrest Chase. This central hub features several of the most impressive displays:
- The City of Perth Christmas Tree in Forrest Place, an elegant 14‑metre tree that has become a traditional city meeting point.
- Santa on a Reindeer in Forrest Chase, a towering seven‑metre illuminated Santa and reindeer that is easy to spot from a distance and very popular for photos.
- Christmas Melody at the GPO building in Forrest Place, where projections dance across the heritage façade in time with Christmas music.
For those who appreciate public art and local culture, Whadjuk Ponar: Seasons of the Land at 140 Perth offers a thoughtful, contemporary interpretation of the Whadjuk Nyoongar seasonal calendar. Later in the trail, Moodjar Sentinels at Barrack Square honours the Moodjar Tree and its significance to Nyoongar people with graceful kinetic flowers and a specially created soundscape.
The city malls are dotted with charming light pieces that are easy to enjoy at a gentle pace. In Murray Street Mall, the cheeky Christmas Quokka brings a touch of Western Australian humour to the trail. Nearby, in Hay Street Mall, you’ll find the elegant Lumina Butterfly and Jolly Corner at the entrance to London Court, which provides a ready‑made festive backdrop for photographs.
Historic Buildings and Light Shows
Several of Perth’s landmark buildings are transformed after dark:
- St George’s Cathedral hosts Journey through Light and Space, a projection show that washes the cathedral in shifting colours and patterns.
- Council House runs a vibrant light show each evening, with colours moving and changing across its glass façade.
- The City of Perth Library is adorned with shimmering Christmas Chandeliers, adding a sophisticated sparkle to the modern building.
These locations are particularly suited to those who enjoy taking their time to watch the patterns evolve and perhaps experiment with night‑time photography. A steady hand or simple phone tripod can help if you like to capture longer‑exposure images.
Rest Spots, Facilities and Accessibility
The trail has been designed to be walkable, but it’s worth planning in a few breaks, especially if you prefer not to be on your feet for too long.
Near Perth Town Hall, the Family Rest Stop offers seating, toilets and a handy place to pause. It’s a good spot to regroup, have a drink of water or a snack, and decide whether to continue further or loop back.
Central city locations such as Raine Square, Enex, and Forrest Chase offer a choice of cafes, food halls and restaurants. These make easy, comfortable stops for a coffee, dessert or light meal before or after you walk. Many venues stay open later during the festive season, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Most of the main trail is on paved, relatively flat surfaces and is suitable for:
- Mobility aids such as walkers and wheelchairs
- People who prefer steady, well‑lit routes
- Prams, if you’re joining with younger family members
If you prefer shorter walks, you may like to focus on either the main CBD section (Forrest Place, Murray and Hay Street Malls, Town Hall, Council House) or the Elizabeth Quay and riverfront section, rather than attempting all 3.5km in one evening.
Meet Santa at Council House
If you’re bringing grandchildren or younger visitors, Santa Claus at Council House is a lovely addition to the evening.
- Location: Council House
- Dates & Times: 6 & 7, 13–24 December | 6:30pm – 8:30pm
You can meet Santa, have a photo taken and enjoy the festive lights all around the building. There’s also a small colouring‑in station, handy for entertaining little ones while waiting. Weeknights and earlier time slots generally tend to be a little quieter than peak Friday and Saturday evenings.
Along the River and Elizabeth Quay
The eastern end of the trail draws you towards the river, where the lights reflect beautifully off the water.
In Supreme Court Gardens, Hexadeca invites people to sit and gently spin, triggering changes in light and colour.
Nearby, at Barrack Square, Moodjar Sentinels and Perth Skyline provide a blend of culture and fun – at Perth Skyline, you can press a button to set off a “fireworks”‑style burst of lights across the city backdrop.
From there, a short stroll brings you to Elizabeth Quay. The Elizabeth Quay Bridge becomes the Bridge of Light, an illuminated tunnel arching over the water with sweeping views of the city skyline. The bridge is wide with a gentle incline, making it very accessible.
Elizabeth Quay is also where you’ll find Elfie Selfie, a lively stop with music, selfie spots and interactive fun that’s popular with children and anyone who enjoys a bit of festive silliness at the end of the night. Cafes, bars and restaurants around the Quay provide plenty of options if you’d like to sit and enjoy the view over a drink or late snack.
A Comfortable Alternative: Rickshaw Tours
If walking long distances is not ideal, or you simply prefer to sit back and relax, Peddle Perth’s Christmas Lights Tour offers a rickshaw‑style ride through the city. In about 45 minutes, experienced riders take you past 22 installations while you enjoy the lights, with Christmas carols playing through onboard speakers.
This can be an excellent option if:
- You’d rather avoid extended walking or standing
- You’re visiting with family members who tire easily
- You’d like someone else to handle navigation and traffic crossings
The riders can also help take photos for you along the way. Tours are available in standard and family‑sized rickshaws. For more details or to book, visit Peddle Perth’s website.
Practical Tips for a Relaxed Visit
A little planning can make the evening more comfortable:
- Timing: Aim to arrive around sunset so you can find your bearings in daylight and then watch the lights come to life as it grows dark.
- Footwear: Wear comfortable walking shoes, even if you’re only planning the shorter Merry Mile section.
- Layers: Even on warm days, the breeze can cool things down in the evening, especially by the river, so a light jacket is useful.
- Hydration and snacks: Bring a bottle of water and a small snack, particularly if you’re walking with grandchildren or doing a longer part of the trail.
- Parking: City of Perth car parks often offer free parking from 6pm; check CPP’s current details before you go.
- Public transport: Perth and Elizabeth Quay train stations, along with the free CAT buses, provide easy access to many points along the trail and reduce the need to drive and park at night.
- Accessibility: If you use a mobility aid, consider focusing on the central CBD or Elizabeth Quay sections, both of which offer smoother surfaces and nearby facilities.
- Maps and updates: For the latest information, entertainment schedules and an up‑to‑date trail map, visit visitperth.com.au.
Dates and Details
The Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail 2025 runs from 28 November to 28 December 2025, giving you a full month of opportunities to visit. You might like to explore one half of the trail on your first evening and return another night to enjoy the rest at a relaxed pace.
Whether you choose to wander the full route, focus on the Merry Mile, or enjoy the lights from the comfort of a rickshaw, the trail is a delightful way to experience Perth in the festive season – sparkling buildings, gentle river breezes and plenty of places to pause and simply soak up the atmosphere.
