Who said the North Pole was the home of Christmas? Last week the Queen Street Mall begun its transformation into a Christmas wonderland with the launch of a fabulous and festive events program which will run right through until Christmas Eve.

The flurry of festive activity and countdown to Christmas began last Friday 6 November with the Myer Christmas Parade & Windows and Santaland Launch followed by the David Jones Christmas Concert on Saturday 7 November.

From Friday 27 November to Christmas Eve, a new, festive stage show ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ will take over the Queen Street Mall stage daily, with the exception of Mondays, with performances at 12.30pm and 1.30pm and a 6pm show during Friday late night trade. This favourite Christmas carol will come to life in a collision of puppetry, circus, music, mechanical inventions and Christmas magic.

This period will also see the Queen Street Mall filled with music as choirs and bands spread festive cheer with The Singing Christmas Tree and ‘Pop-up’ Carollers performing for the enjoyment of CBD workers, residents, visitors and Christmas shoppers.

The Lighting of the Brisbane City Christmas Tree, which this year returns to the newly refurbished King George Square, will take place on Friday night 27 November and remain on display until 26 December. The tree will be the world's largest solar powered Christmas tree and feature a sophisticated solar powered lighting system with 16,000 bulbs as well as new foliage and decorations.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said he was delighted the new-look tree would be returned to its much-loved location in King George Square.

"Christmas is a great time of year in Brisbane when we come together to celebrate our family and community and our great city," Cr Newman said.

"This year we’ll be treated to the newly reopened civic space of King George Square, a fun packed program of events, and a refurbished tree which features 250 red opaque baubles, a multicoloured twinkling light system and a giant star made up of solar panels for the tree's top.”

Youth charity rock concert Stuff the Stocking on Saturday 28 November is a must on the Christmas calendar, as well as the IGA Lord Mayor’s Carols in the City and My Little Hilton GINORMOUS Christmas Cooking Class both on Saturday 5 December.

CEO John Aitken of Brisbane Marketing – the agency responsible for promoting the Queen Street Mall with the support of Brisbane City Council – said the Queen Street Mall was the best place to experience Christmas magic firsthand.

“The Queen Street Mall and extended city area will take a new world city approach to Christmas this year with a hive of new festive activities,” Mr Aitken said.

“New initiatives include the solar powered Brisbane City Christmas Tree, Christmas stage show ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’, decorations, a fresh, reworked Singing Christmas Tree and ‘Pop-up’ Carollers. Add to these long standing favourites including the Myer Christmas Windows, the twinkling Christmas lights throughout the CBD, a visit to Santa and festive family tradition Carols in the City.

“We’re aiming to make a trip to the Queen Street Mall at Christmas time a magical experience for the whole family – whether they’re doing Christmas shopping in Queensland’s premier Christmas retail destination or bringing the kids into the bustling heart of the city for magical Christmas entertainment.”

Catch public transport to the Queen Street Mall this Christmas – it’s easier than you think and more importantly, it’s affordable and green.

For a full line up of all the Christmas activities and events in the heart of the city visit www.queenstreetmall.com.