With the holiday season now in full swing, it’s easy to forget that for many community members, Christmas and New Year can be a particularly challenging time. As many services shut down over the end of year period, it can be difficult to find out what essential services are still available to support people during this time.
Like other community service organisations across Brisbane, many of Communify’s programs will also be operating with different or reduced hours over Christmas and New Year. However, we want to ensure that no-one in our community misses out on receiving Christmas magic.
Here’s our directory of essential services, food relief and Christmas hampers, and free, fun activities and events to keep you and your family safe, fed and connected over the 2025/26 holidays.
Food Relief
Food relief services available over Christmas/New Year period
Brisbane North/Inner City/West
The Coffee Brigade Breakfast Van – open 7 days/week including public holidays, offers sandwiches, fruit, hot drinks:
- Stop One: 6:30-7am opposite Fire Station, Ivory St, Fortitude Valley
- Stop Two: 7:10-7:25am Just outside the Holman St Ferry Terminal, Kangaroo Point
- Stop Three: 7:40-8:10am Top of Wickham Park (Cnr Wickham Tce & Albert St, opposite Soho building)
- Extra Stop at Bunyapa Park, West End 8:20-8:45am from 26th December-4th January
Rosies – hot/cold drinks and biscuits, hygiene products, social connection:
- Wednesday 24th December: 7:30-9:30pm at Emma Miller Place, 109 Roma St, Brisbane City
- Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day): 7-9pm at Musgrave Park, 91 Cordelia St, South Brisbane
- Friday 26th and Saturday 27th December: 7:30-9:30pm at Emma Miller Place
- Sunday 28th December: 7-8:30pm at Emma Miller Place
- Monday 29th December: 3-5pm at 278 Barry Pde, Fortitude Valley; and 7:30-9:30pm at Emma Miller Place
- Tuesday 30th December: 7-9pm at Musgrave Park
- Wednesday 31st December: 7:30-9:30pm at Emma Miller Place
- Thursday 1st January (New Year's Day): 7-9pm at Musgrave Park
- Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd January: 7:30-9:30pm at Emma Miller Place
- Sunday 4th January: 7-8:30pm at Emma Miller Place
Please note that all Rosies outreach services are subject to availability of volunteers. Call 3396 4267 for more information.
Eddie’s Van Breakfast BBQ – Monday-Friday 6:45am at TCB Stop Three: Top of Wickham Park, cnr Wickham Tce & Albert St. Not open on Christmas Day
3rd Space Cafe – open 27th-31st December, and 2nd-4th January, for normal food service from 8:30am-2pm at 505 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley. Closed public holidays
Andy’s Place – offering lunch from 12pm on Saturday 27th December and 3rd January at St Andrews Uniting Church Hall, cnr Creek St & Ann St, Brisbane City.
Brisbane River City Rotary – offering hot meals, sandwiches and toiletries from 5:30-6:30pm on Sunday 28th December and 4th January at Jeays St Park, 12 Jeays St, Bowen Hills.
Merciful Servants – offering hot meals from 6:15pm Friday 26th December and 2nd January, and Sunday 28th December and 4th January, at Emma Miller Place.
Brisbane South
Rosies (Beenleigh) – hot/cold drinks and biscuits, hygiene products, social connection:
- Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day): 7-9am at Beenleigh Neighbourhood Centre, 10-12 James St, Beenleigh
- Saturday 27th December: 6-8pm at St George's Anglican Church, 10 Tansey St, Beenleigh
- Monday 29th December: 7-9pm at Bob Jane T-Marts carpark, 43 Main St, Beenleigh
- Thursday 1st January (New Years Day): 7-9am at Beenleigh Neighbourhood Centre, 10-12 James St, Beenleigh
- Saturday 3rd January: 6-8pm at St George's Anglican Church, 10 Tansey St, Beenleigh
Rosies (Logan) – Carpark between Station Rd, Wembley Rd & Ewing Rd, Logan Central:
- 7-9pm Friday 26th December and 2nd January
- 7-9pm Wednesday 24th and 31st December
Rosies (Annerley) – 9-11am Tuesday 30th December at Annerley Church of Christ, 459 Annerley Rd, Annerley
Rosies (Yeronga) – 2:30-4pm Sunday 28th December at Brigadoon Boarding House, 119 Park Rd, Yeronga
Please note that all Rosies outreach services are subject to availability of volunteers. Call 3396 4267 for more information.
Hampers/food parcels
Brisbane North/Inner City/West
Community Friends – food hampers
- Cnr Thomas St and Vulture St, West End
- Collect between 8am-4pm 7 days a week
- Open over Xmas break
- Contact: 0418 452 067
Wesley Mission Brisbane Relief Hub – Christmas Red Bags (non-perishable food hampers)
- 316 St Pauls Tce, Fortitude Valley
- Distribution begins Monday 8th December until midday Friday 19th December
- Opening hours - 9:30am-12pm, 1pm-3pm, Monday-Friday
- Contact: 3271 3592
- No appointment necessary, though proof of identification and proof of low income (Centrelink card or bank statement) is required.
For Christmas toys for children under 16 years old, applicants must be the parent/ guardian with custody of the children. Proof of identification, proof of low income, and proof of custody (e.g. children listed on Centrelink card) must be presented. Collect toys when Red Bags are being distributed.
Kurilpa Kiosk – hampers for First Nations community members
- 155 Boundary St, West End, across from the big lizard
- Email Kylie before 10th December to register your interest
- Contact: [email protected]
Trinity Pantry – Food parcels with Christmas hampers
- 9 Church St, Fortitude Valley
- Food parcels available while stocks last
- Collect between 11am-2pm Wednesday-Friday until 24th December, Centrelink or Pension card required
- Contact: 3852 1635
Salvation Army Brisbane Streetlevel – food hampers (registration required)
- 97 School St, Spring Hill
- Available for collection on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th December
- Contact: 3075 4120 to reserve your hamper
ADRA Community Food Pantry – food parcels
- South Brisbane Adventist Church, 34 O'Keefe St, Woolloongabba
- Distributed on alternating Wednesdays - 3:30-4:30pm 24th December and 7th January
- Contact: [email protected]
Red Cross Night Cafe – Christmas hampers for 12-25 year olds
- Brisbane City Hall Basement, entry via Adelaide St
- Open 6:30-8:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays until Tues 23rd December, reopening Tues 13 January
- Contact: 0466 317 570
Valley Outreach BBQ/Christmas Feast – Dinner and food hampers
- Wickham Park, Spring Hill
- 5:30pm Friday 19th December
- Contact: 3353 1266
Brisbane South
Citipointe Church Marketplace – emergency hampers
- 336 Scrub Rd, Carindale
- Hampers available until 23rd December
- Collect between Monday-Friday 9am-12pm
- Contact: 3347 5896
Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre – limited Christmas hampers and some gift vouchers
- 38 Thallon St, Sherwood
- Available until 12pm Wednesday 24th December
- Open Mon-Thurs 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-2pm
- Contact: 3379 6963
Yeronga Community Centre – limited Christmas hampers (registrations required)
- 62 Park Rd, Yeronga
- Available until 12pm Friday 19th December
- Open Mon-Fri 8am-1pm
- Contact: 3848 2285
Mt Gravatt Community Centre – food hampers and toys
- 1693 Logan Road, Upper Mt Gravatt
- For eligible families in catchment area only
- Available until Tuesday 23rd December
- Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
- Contact: 3343 9833
Salvos Carindale – Christmas hampers
- 202 Gallipoli Road, Carina Heights
- Open 8am-2pm Mon-Fri to collect
- Please call 3843 0511 to reserve your hamper
Acacia Ridge Neighbourhood Centre by Inala Community House – Christmas hampers
- 29 Chardean St, Acacia Ridge
- Available until Tuesday 23rd December
- Contact: 3372 1711
The Inala Elders – food hampers and toys
- Available to registered local families only
- PCYC Inala, 37 Swallow Street, Inala
- Collect on Wednesday 17th December 10am-2pm
- Contact: [email protected]
Hands of Hope – Christmas hampers and toys for refugee families, children and people at risk of homelessness
- Unidus Community and Conference Centre, 204 Sherbrook Rd, Willawong
- Open Mon-Fri 9:30am-4pm
- Contact: 3714 0315
A4 Community Services – low-cost food hampers
- Collect from 320 Ritchie Road, Pallara
- Closed 25th, 26th, 31st Dec and 1st Jan
- Contact: 0403 645 246
Westside Community Care, Camira Springfield Community Centre – food hampers
- 389 Old Logan Road, Camira
- Closed Public Holidays only
- Contact Yvette: 0407 142 307
Gailes Community House – food hampers
- 30 Karina St, Gailes
- Available on Wednesdays up until 24th December
- Please call 3879 3004 to reserve your hamper and arrange a collection time
- Note: Limited availability, servicing Gailes and surrounding suburbs first
Free Community End-Of-Year Meals
Before Christmas Day
Brisbane North/Inner City/West
Village Mosaix Christmas Community Meal – Thursday 11th December 5:45pm at St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 43 St Pauls Tce, Spring Hill. Contact: 0430 091 922
Soul Purpose Christmas Brekky Under the Bridge – Saturday 13th December 6:30-8am under the Story Bridge, eastern side of Captain Burke Park BBQ area, Kangaroo Point.
Valley Hearts Christmas Celebration – Monday 15th December 2-6pm at 276 Barry Pde, Fortitude Valley. Contact: 0405 872 963
3rd Space Christmas Lunch – Tuesday 16th December 11:30am-2pm at 505 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley. Contact: 3254 1144
New Farm Neighbourhood Centre Christmas Party – Tuesday 16th December 9am-2pm at 967 Brunswick St, New Farm. Three-course lunch served at midday. Contact: 3358 5600
Street Feed boxed Christmas meal, hot drinks – Tuesday 16th December 5:30pm at All Saints Anglican Church carpark, cnr Ann St & Wharf St, Brisbane City. Contact: 3236 3692
St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church Outreach Service Christmas Feast – Wednesday 17th December 7pm at cnr Roma St & Turbot St, Brisbane City. Contact: 0412 556 271
Trinity Community Table Christmas Lunch – carols and celebrations, Thursday 18th December 12pm at 9 Church St, Fortitude Valley. Contact: 3852 1635
Streetlevel Christmas meal and carols – Thursday 18th December 5pm at 97 School St, Spring Hill. Contact: 3075 4122
Valley Outreach BBQ/Christmas Feast – Friday 19th December 5:30pm at Wickham Park, Spring Hill. Contact: 3353 1266
Emmanuel City Mission Christmas Festival – daily hot breakfast and lunch from 7am-3pm 22nd-25th December at 10A Cordelia St, South Brisbane. Contact: 0459 635 948
Brisbane South
Annerley Community Centre end-of-year party – Tuesday 16th December 10am at Shop 12/478 Ipswich Road, Annerley. Contact: 3130 8220
Yeronga Community Centre Christmas Lunch – Wednesday 17th December 12:30pm at 62 Park Rd, Yeronga. Please call 3848 2285 prior to the event to RSVP your spot.
Elorac Place Christmas community breakfast – Thursday 18th December 9:30-10:30am at 11A Southampton Rd, Ellen Grove. Contact: 0459 640 390
Annerley Baptist Church Christmas Lunch – Monday 22nd December 12:30pm at 560 Ipswich Rd, Annerley. Contact: 3892 2525
Annerley Community Centre Christmas trivia event – prizes up for grabs! Tuesday 23rd December 10am at Shop 12/478 Ipswich Rd, Annerley. Contact: 3130 8220
On Christmas Day (25th December)
Brisbane North/Inner City/West
Community Friends Christmas Day breakfast and lunch – 7am-1:30pm at Bunyapa Park, West End. Contact: 0418 452 067
Andy’s Place Christmas Day breakfast – 8am-10:45am at St Andrews Uniting Church Hall, Brisbane City. Contact: 3108 4644
Village Mosaix Christmas Day breakfast – 8-10am at Kulgun Park, Carraway St, Kelvin Grove. Contact: 0430 091 922
Wesley House: Albert St Uniting Church Christmas Lunch – 12-1:30pm at 140 Ann St, Brisbane City. Free coffee served from front cafe before 12pm.
Antiochian/Greek/Russian/Serbian Orthodox Church Rotating Outreach Service Christmas Dinner – Hot boxed takeaway meals served from 7pm at Emma Miller Place, Brisbane City.
Brisbane South
Gailes Community House Christmas Feast – 11am start at 18/49 Bellwood St, Darra. Please call prior to the event to register your spot. Contact: Jess 0450 608 955; Soffie 0431 267 798; Sol 3736 0339
Stepping Stone Coorparoo Christmas Day Lunch – 11am-3pm at Unit 9, 61 Holdsworth St Coorparoo. Lunch is for members only, however, membership is free. Call the centre on 3847 1058 to join or drop in for a tour
Essential services
Beyond DV, The Hope Hub
-
Information, warm referrals, and emotional support for DFV, mental health, and other social issues
Drop-in service, no appointment required - Location: Westfield Carindale, Creek Rd, Carindale (L1 Amenities Corridor near Rockwear)
- 10am-2pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday. 4pm-8pm on Thursday. 11am-3pm on Sunday
- Contact: 0434 851 964
- Closed 25th December and 1st January
Housing Support
Emmanuel City Mission Night Sanctuary – Overnight crisis accommodation available on Wednesday 10th December, 17th December and 24th December at 10A Cordelia St, South Brisbane.
- Doors open for registered visitors only at 5pm. Doors close at 5.30pm, curfew from 6pm until 7am Thursday.
- Registration on Wed morning from 10am to 12pm
- Max capacity of 50 guests to sleep overnight
- Dinner served at 6pm, followed by shower and bed
- Supervised, safe sleeping environment with separate men and women's sleeping quarters
- Closed Fri 26 Dec to Sat 3 Jan 2026
- Contact: 0459 635 948
HART4000 (closed public holidays) – (07) 3004 0100
Sustaining Tenancies (closed public holidays) – (07) 3510 2789
Micah Projects 24/7 Home For Good helpline – (07) 3036 4444
Homeless Hotline (24/7) – 1800 474 753
Murri Watch Diversionary Centre (24/7) – 1300 692 824
Home In Place (Compass Housing Services) 24/7 emergency tenancy and maintenance issues – 1300 333 733
Brisbane Youth Service – (07) 3620 2400
BRIC Housing (closed public holidays) – (07) 3230 5555
Health Services
Brisbane North/Inner City/West
Medicare Urgent Care Clinic – Level 4, 20 Cornwell St, Woolloongabba. Open every day including Christmas Day from 8am-8pm. Free service.
- For non-life-threatening conditions only
- Some access to GPs, no scripts issued
- No appointment necessary, bulk billing available
- Recommended latest arrival time - at least an hour before service closes
- Call 3346 1315 for more information
Micah Projects Nurses – after hours nursing support provided at Emma Miller Place, 109 Roma St, Brisbane City, every night from 6pm-8:30pm.
Brisbane City Nurse-led Walk-in Clinic – 316 Adelaide St, Brisbane City. Open Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, but closed Christmas Day. Free service.
- For non-life-threatening conditions only
- No Medicare card needed
- Recommended latest arrival time - at least an hour before service closes
Inner North Medicare Mental Health Centre – 566 Lutwyche Rd, Lutwyche. Open 9am-4pm Monday-Friday, closed public holidays. Free service.
- Mental health support for anyone 18 years and over
- No appointment or referral required
- Call 3510 2777 for more information
Safe Space Bardon – afterhours, peer-led support for people experiencing distress, located at 180 Jubilee Tce, Bardon.
- A holistic alternative to emergency departments
- Available over the Xmas break - open from 5pm-9pm Monday-Friday, and 9am-1pm on weekends
- Call 0420 698 783 or email [email protected] for more information
Brisbane South
Our Medical Annerley – 364 Ipswich Road, Annerley
Open every day including Christmas Day from 8am-10pm
(07) 3155 6000
For non-life-threatening conditions only. Full GP service including issuing scripts. No appointment necessary, bulk billing available. Recommended latest arrival time – at least an hour before service closes.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinic Oxley – 169 Seventeen Mile Rocks Rd, Oxley (within the Canossa Hospital complex)
Open every day including Christmas Day from 8am-10pm
(07) 3483 1501
Medicare Urgent Care Clinic Logan – 2/10 Grand Plaza Drive, Browns Plains (within Browns Plains Medical & Dental Centre)
Open every day including Christmas Day from 8am-10pm
(07) 3380 0150
Free Family Activities and Events
Brisbane North/Inner City/West
City Hall Lights – Nightly until 24th December, 7:30pm-11:55pm at King George Square
Christmas Dreamscape – Free performance by Paradox Dance Company. 5pm, 6pm and 7pm from 12th-14th December and 19th-21st December at Queen St Mall stage
Brookfield Bush Christmas – Friday 12th December 4-9pm at Brookfield Showgrounds, 550 Brookfield Rd, Brookfield
Christmas Fest @ St Lucia – Saturday 13th December, 3-6pm at Guyatt Park, 19 Hiron St, St Lucia. Free community event with outdoor activities and games for kids. Each child attending will receive a free gift upon registration For more info – https://www.handsofhope.org.au/christmas-fest/
Christmas Family Fun Day Taringa – Saturday 13th December, 2pm-6pm. Family friendly event with rides, face painting, jumping castle, food trucks, entertainment, giving tree, games and prizes Taringa Playground Park, Moorak St, Taringa Free to attend, please RSVP at elizabethwatsonbrown.com/xmasfun
Bands in Parks: Government House Christmas Lights – 7-8pm from 13th-18th December at Government House, 168 Fernberg Rd, Paddington. Free live music from SEQ Symphonic Winds and light show.
Christmas Family Fun Day Keperra – Sunday 14th December, 2pm-6pm. Family friendly event with rides, face painting, jumping castle, food trucks, entertainment, giving tree, games and prizes Heiner Park, Blaker Rd, Keperra Free to attend, please RSVP at elizabethwatsonbrown.com/xmasfun
Village Mosaix Christmas Carols and Fete – Sunday 14th December, 5pm-8pm Free food, kids activities, music, entertainment. St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 43 St Pauls Tce, Spring Hill 0430 091 922.
Lunchtime Christmas Carols – 12pm and 1pm from 15th-24th December at Queens St Mall stage. Free classical carols performances from the Underground Opera.
STARZ Christmas Spectacular Free Christmas performances – 5pm and 6pm from 15th-24th December at Queen St Mall.
Brisbane South
12 Days of Christmas – Bush Kindy – 10-10:45am, Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th December at Karawatha Forest Park and Discovery Centre, 149 Acacia Rd, Karawatha. Playtime in nature – suitable for children aged 3-5 years, must be accompanied by an adult
Wakerley Carols – 3pm-8:30pm, Saturday 13th December at Wakerley Park, 74 Dianthus St, Wakerley. Family friendly event with rides, face painting, animal farms, food trucks, entertainment, carols and fireworks.
12 Days of Christmas – Fast fun and funky Christmas – Wednesday 17th December, 10am-2pm at Karawatha Forest Park and Discovery Centre, 149 Acacia Rd, Karawatha. Christmas activities and games suitable for kids aged 4-17.
Bayside Carols – Saturday 20th December, 2pm-8:15pm at George Clayton Park, 298 The Esplanade, Manly. Family friendly event with rides, food trucks, entertainment, carols and fireworks.
Gailes Community House Christmas with the Community – Saturday 20th December, 2pm-6pm at 2 Bruce Lane, Camira. Free jumping castle, petting zoo, photo booth, Xmas craft, popcorn, fairy floss, sausage sizzle and games. All registered children receive a gift bag from Santa. Call 3879 3004 or email [email protected]
Kummara Inala Christmas Celebration – Friday 20th December, 10am-12:30pm at 59-61 Lorikeet St, Inala. Contact: (07) 3128 0949
St Marks Lutheran Church Free Family Movie Night – Saturday 28th December, starts 6:30pm at 71 Newnham Rd, Mount Gravatt East. BBQ sausage sizzle also available for purchase. Contact: (07) 3349 9512
Emergency Contacts
Australia-wide
- Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance) - 000
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
- PoliceLink – 13 14 44
- Suicide Callback Service – 1300 659 467
- Gambling Helpline – 1800 858 858
- Anglicare Women and Youth Homeless Shelters – 1300 610 610
- Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
- Griefline – 1300 845 745
- National Debt Helpline – 1800 650 890
Queensland only
- Family Drug Support (24/7 helpline) - 1300 368 186
- DV Connect - Womensline - 1800 811 811
- DV Connect - Mensline - 1800 600 636
- DV Connect - Sexual Assault - 1800 010 120
- Homeless Hotline – 1800 474 753
- Multicultural Connect Line – 1300 079 020
- Mental Health access line (1300 MH CALL) - 1300 642 255
- QLD Government 13Family Hotline – 13 32 64