Just minutes from the centre of Fremantle, Pier 21 is the perfect place to spend the Christmas and New Year period. Here’s what’s on this holiday period.
Take in the festive atmosphere of Christmas in Fremantle
If you’re after a more laid-back Christmas, Fremantle is the place to be.
Fremantle Christmas lights and beachside celebrations
Much like at home, the City of Fremantle gets its decorations out each year. And driving down South Terrace, you can see all the best Christmas lights Fremantle has to offer, threading their way along the busy cappuccino strip. It truly feels like Christmas has come to Fremantle.
But that’s not the only place that’s illuminated this December. Fremantle Prison comes alive with its annual Christmas light projections. The theme this year is ‘Get Stitched Up!’, with the projections taking on a nostalgic motif of cosy knitted sweaters, vintage Christmas cards, and stained glass windows. Held over seven nights, the Prison Gatehouse lights up at 7:45pm on the following dates:
- Wednesday 10 December
- Friday 12 December
- Saturday 13 December
- Wednesday 17 December
- Friday 19 December
- Saturday 20 December
- Tuesday 23 December
If the beach is more your Christmas vibe, there’s no better place to celebrate than at Bathers Beach. This Christmas period, on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14, you can experience A Very (Beachy) Freo Christmas. From 12pm – 4pm you’ll find a range of fun activities for the whole family. There are kite-building workshops, interactive sand sculptures, mini train rides, and mermaids – and even a visit from Santa himself.
Explore the Fremantle Christmas Markets for gifts & local goods
As December rolls around, the Fremantle Markets become the Fremantle Christmas Markets. Open every weekend in the lead up to the big day, head inside to find a range of local artisan products that go beyond the ordinary. Or stock the fridge with local produce and get ready to whip up a storm.
Open Friday, Saturday, and Sundays in December:
- The Yard is open 8am to 6pm
- The Hall is open 9am to 6pm
Enjoy a relaxed Christmas Day in Fremantle
With a warm Christmas coming up, you can expect the perfect conditions to head out for an early morning walk around the river. Or perhaps sink into the calm water of Leighton Beach, Bathers Beach, or South Beach, and have a relaxing morning swim before the day heats up.
Discover the best hidden beaches in Freo on our blog.
If you’re staying at Pier 21, start your day off right with a hot buffet and continental breakfast. Available from 06:30am-09:00am weekdays and 07:00am-09:30am weekends and public holidays, you’ll find scrumptious brekky favourites, including a range of vegetarian options and fresh barista-made coffee; it’s a moment of calm before you head out to do Christmas Day in Fremantle.
Where to find Christmas lunch in Fremantle
While many venues close their doors, there are still some restaurants that are welcoming guests for their Christmas lunch in Fremantle.
Tradewinds Hotel is hosting a delightful buffet lunch, featuring mouthwatering meats, seafood, salads, and desserts, and of course, their beautiful views out over the Swan River.
Or head to The Old Courthouse, which is preparing an unforgettable Christmas luncheon. Discover a three-course feast, with a grazing table for entree, followed by a full roast dinner, succulent steak, or gorgeous red emperor as mains, and then a selection of indulgent desserts to round it off.
In the heart of Fremantle, Sail and Anchor are dishing up classic Christmas fare: all your favourites and none of the hassle of cooking or cleaning yourself. Top it off with a drink on the balcony for pure Freo Christmas bliss.
Or for intrepid adventurers, catch a ferry over to Rottnest for the day and book your table at Hotel Rottnest or Lontara. Both are open for a decidedly different Christmas lunch.
NYE in Fremantle
After Christmas, Fremantle picks up again for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Where to catch Fremantle NYE fireworks
While NYE fireworks in Fremantle aren’t an event in itself, there’s still the opportunity to see them. If you head to Bathers Beach – or any beach along the coast – you can catch the Rottnest Island fireworks. It’s a truly special sight to see them flashing and twinkling out over the ocean as you ring in the New Year.
NYE parties in Fremantle
To see out 2025, there is a range of exciting Fremantle NYE events to choose from.
The NYE on the Beach – Port Beach Festival takes over Port Beach from 6pm to 1am. Discover six pop-up bars, food trucks, a silent disco, and celebrations spread across four stages. Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick as it’s sure to be an epic night.
Up at Port Beach Brewery, lose yourself at Ritual NYE 2025, cranking out afro house, melodic techno, and indie dance tunes all night long.
Bathers Beach House hosts the ultimate seaside celebration. Ring in 2026 in the sand, with roving canapes, delicious food, a generous drinks package, and plenty of live entertainment.
The Honky Tonk Blues Bar lets you part in a different style with their New Year’s Eve hoedown: enjoy live music and line dancing, and no entry fee, up until 2am. Or celebrate once more at The Old Courthouse, with a funky disco-themed throwback party – there’s even prizes for the best dressed!
For something a little more low-key, Tradewinds Hotel is hosting a family-style New Years Eve dinner. Enjoy a feast of seasonal food, beautiful drinks, and entertainment for the kids, before capping off the evening at 9pm with the Sydney fireworks on the tele.
This year, spend Christmas and NYE in Fremantle
Escape the chaos and noise of the city, and head to Fremantle for a more laid-back, more relaxed holiday period. Get ready to see in 2026 in style and book your stay at Pier 21.