Giant gummy bears take over The District Docklands in Melbourne’s sweetest festive installation yet

The District Docklands has unwrapped what is arguably Melbourne’s most playful Christmas activation this year, with a city-first experience transforming the precinct into a colourful, candy-scented holiday wonderland.

The Great Gummy Bear Escape – a free, immersive installation running throughout December – has taken over the laneways of The District, inviting visitors to step into a storybook world where five giant gummy bears embark on a festive adventure.

The activation is the first of its kind in Melbourne, cementing The District’s reputation as the city’s premier destination for creative and interactive holiday displays.

Across a series of vivid, larger-than-life sets, families can follow the gummy bears as they wander through the whimsical Candy Garden beneath a towering magical candy tree, slip through the glittering Candy Portal, stop at Grand Central Bear Station and explore the majestic Gummy Bear Castle before reaching the grand finale at the luminous Candy Fountain. The entire journey has been designed to be fully immersive, with a sweet festive aroma – reminiscent of warm Christmas spices and gummy bears – infused throughout the space.

There aren’t many festive displays where you can truly interact and become part of the story,” The District Docklands director of precinct Jonathon Codman said. “We’re thrilled to bring such a unique festive experience to the city – and something special for Docklands residents. It’s immersive, inclusive and captures the magic of the season.

The activation is already attracting strong interest from families, tourists and social-media hunters eager for colourful photo moments. But for Docklands locals, it marks another step in The District’s growing evolution as an entertainment precinct that prides itself on “only here” experiences.

With Melbourne Star set to return in 2026 and the precinct continuing to expand its offering, The District is positioning itself as a major destination for summer outings and school holiday entertainment.

Alongside The Great Gummy Bear Escape, visitors can take advantage of The District’s extensive line-up of attractions – including Archie Brothers, Imaginator, ArtVo, O’Brien Icehouse, Dreamscape, Prison Island and more – making the precinct one of the most concentrated entertainment hubs in the country. Ninety minutes of free parking and its position within the free tram zone ensure easy access for families arriving from across Melbourne.

The gummy bear activation will run until early January, giving visitors plenty of time to wander through the sets, breathe in the sweet festive scents and soak up the colour and creativity lighting up the precinct. •