What’s new in 2026 in the world of Christmas decorating?
It is hard to keep up, so we have put together a quick summary of the decorating trends coming in 2026. Gathered from the tradeshows such as Christmasworld 2026, London’s many wonderful displays, amazing designers and stylists showcasing their beautiful ideas and styles and of course local suppliers who have curated Christmas ranges to sell in stores around Australia. These trends will be seen in both commercial styling and individual homes this coming Christmas season.
If you want to find out more, and showcase a trend in your decor this year , reach out for a design session for your commercial venue.
Tartan Christmas
Tartan is making a confident return this Christmas, driven by luxury fashion cues and experiential retail, most notably Ralph Lauren’s Chelsea activation for Christmas 2025. Rich, heritage-inspired patterns—particularly classic red and black plaid—are being reinterpreted at scale to create immersive, emotionally resonant environments.
Tartan offers a powerful blend of nostalgia and sophistication. It speaks to tradition, warmth, and storytelling—key drivers of dwell time and customer engagement during the festive period. When executed thoughtfully, as seen in the layered fireplace setting here, tartan becomes more than a pattern; it becomes a unifying design language across touchpoints.
Pairing tartan with deep greens, warm metallics, and soft ambient lighting elevates the aesthetic from rustic to premium. The addition of textured elements—garlands, velvet ribbons, and classic props such as Nutcrackers—creates a curated, editorial feel that aligns with high-end retail expectations.
Check out our blog post on the recent Ralph Lauren’s Chelsea pop up.
Vintage Kitch Christmas
Vintage Kitsch Christmas is emerging as a playful counterpoint to more refined festive styling, drawing heavily on the charm of mid-century décor and the nostalgic appeal of vintage glass ornaments. Think glossy baubles in candy colours, hand-painted details, and a sense of joyful abundance that feels both familiar and refreshingly bold.
This trend offers a highly engaging and family-friendly aesthetic. It taps into emotional nostalgia while delivering strong visual impact—ideal for creating vibrant, shareable moments across retail environments. Layering clusters of oversized ornaments, retro-inspired trees, and whimsical props can transform spaces into immersive festive scenes that appeal across generations. When paired with reflective surfaces and playful lighting, vintage glass ornaments catch and amplify light beautifully, enhancing the overall atmosphere.
Red, Red and Red Christmas
Red Christmas is emerging as a bold, high-impact trend that celebrates the power of a single colour executed with depth and intention. Rather than relying on contrast, this approach layers multiple shades of red—from deep burgundy and oxblood to vibrant cherry and scarlet—to create a rich, immersive environment.
This trend offers a striking and contemporary alternative to traditional festive palettes. When applied across large-scale installations, monochrome red delivers immediate visual cohesion and strong brand presence, making it particularly effective in high-traffic zones and luxury precincts.
The success of this look lies in texture and materiality. Combining matte finishes with gloss, velvet with lacquer, and soft textiles with structured forms adds dimension and prevents the palette from feeling flat. Lighting also plays a critical role—warm illumination enhances the depth of red tones, creating a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere.
From sculptural trees to oversized ornaments and layered drapery, a monochrome red scheme creates a confident, editorial statement—perfect for centres seeking a modern, memorable Christmas identity that stands out both in person and across digital channels.
Disco Christmas
Disco Ball Christmas is emerging as a high-energy, contemporary trend that brings movement, light, and a sense of celebration into festive environments. Inspired by nightlife aesthetics and the growing influence of experiential retail, mirrored ornaments are being used at scale to create dazzling, immersive installations.
This trend offers strong visual impact and exceptional shareability. The interplay of reflection and colour creates a dynamic environment that constantly shifts with foot traffic and lighting conditions—perfect for capturing attention in busy retail centres. The appeal lies in its versatility. Disco elements can be styled to feel playful and vibrant or elevated and sophisticated, depending on the surrounding palette and materials. When combined with focused lighting, the mirrored surfaces scatter light across spaces, amplifying brightness and creating a festive energy that draws customers in.
Bows Christmas
Bows continue to dominate Christmas styling, evolving from a simple decorative accent into a bold, sculptural design feature. Oversized, high-gloss bows—like the striking installation shown here—are being used to anchor entire displays, bringing a sense of drama, polish, and gift-inspired storytelling to retail environments.
Bows offer a highly versatile and visually impactful solution. They instantly communicate the essence of gifting, making them particularly effective in driving emotional connection and reinforcing the retail message during peak trading periods. Whether wrapped around towering trees, suspended in atriums, or integrated into entry statements, bows create strong focal points that elevate the overall experience.
Materiality is key to keeping this trend contemporary. Satin, lacquered finishes, metallics, and even inflated or fabric-wrapped structures introduce scale and texture, while maintaining a clean, cohesive aesthetic. Paired with classic red or extended into broader colour palettes, bows can flex across both traditional and modern schemes.
12 Days Christmas
The “12 Days of Christmas” theme is gaining momentum as part of a broader return to nostalgic, story-led festive experiences. Rooted in tradition and rich symbolism, this trend reimagines the classic carol through layered, highly detailed décor—featuring birds, fruits, florals, and ornate ornaments that evoke a sense of heritage and storytelling.
This approach offers a compelling way to create immersive and sequential customer journeys. Each “day” can be interpreted as a distinct visual moment or activation, encouraging exploration across different zones of a centre and increasing dwell time. As seen in this richly decorated tree, elements like pears, berries, birds, and intricate baubles create depth and visual intrigue, rewarding closer inspection. The palette leans into deep reds, golds, and natural greens, complemented by textured finishes and artisanal detailing.
Ideal for storytelling installations, trails, and interactive experiences, the 12 Days of Christmas trend blends familiarity with discovery—helping centres deliver meaningful, memorable festive environments that connect emotionally while driving foot traffic and engagement.
Check out our blog post on the Chelsea display 2025 – 12 days Christmas
Oriental Bloom Christmas
Oriental Bloom is emerging as a refined and culturally rich Christmas decorating trend, blending traditional festive elements with Asian-inspired motifs, ceramics, and botanical detailing. Drawing on the elegance of blue-and-white porcelain, lacquer reds, and intricate florals, this trend offers a sophisticated alternative to conventional Western styling.
Oriental Bloom presents an opportunity to deliver a globally inspired, design-led Christmas experience that resonates with diverse audiences. As seen in this layered tree, the combination of chinoiserie-style ornaments, vibrant berries, and flowing red ribbons creates a sense of depth and curated luxury. The interplay of cool blues with warm festive reds brings balance, while natural textures add softness and authenticity.
This trend is particularly effective in premium retail precincts and lifestyle centres, where storytelling and aesthetic differentiation are key. It also lends itself well to collaborations with fashion, homewares, and beauty tenants, reinforcing a cohesive visual narrative across the centre.
Holiday Circus Christmas
Holiday Circus is emerging as a bold, theatrical Christmas trend that transforms retail environments into playful, high-energy spectacles. Drawing on vintage carnival aesthetics—striped patterns, oversized stars, festoon lighting, and rich red-and-gold drapery—this theme creates a sense of wonder, movement, and immersive storytelling.
For commercial tenancy marketing managers in Melbourne, Holiday Circus offers a highly experiential approach to festive design. It invites customers into a world of entertainment, making it ideal for centre courts and activation zones where engagement is key. As seen in this installation, layered lighting, graphic patterns, and statement props work together to create a visually dynamic environment that captures attention from multiple vantage points.
The strength of this trend lies in its ability to appeal across all age groups. It evokes nostalgia through traditional circus references while delivering the scale and vibrancy expected in modern retail spaces. Opportunities for integration—such as performances, interactive displays, or themed photo moments—further enhance its impact.
Colour palettes of red, gold, black, and white anchor the look, while illuminated elements add warmth and energy. Holiday Circus delivers a memorable, entertainment-driven Christmas experience designed to increase dwell time and create lasting impressions.
Candy Stripe Christmas
Candy Stripe continues to be a standout Christmas decorating trend, bringing a sense of fun, clarity, and bold visual rhythm to festive environments. Rooted in the iconic red-and-white confectionery motif, this trend has evolved beyond novelty into a highly versatile design language that works across both playful and premium retail settings.
For commercial tenancy marketing managers in Melbourne, candy stripes offer immediate recognisability and strong wayfinding potential. The graphic nature of stripes—whether spiralled, vertical, or oversized—creates movement and draws the eye through a space, making it ideal for guiding customer flow and activating key precincts. As reflected in this vibrant installation, pairing stripes with illuminated elements, sculptural forms, and rich festive colours elevates the look from whimsical to immersive.
Candy Stripe is particularly effective in family zones, food precincts, and interactive activations, where its upbeat energy enhances engagement. Bright, nostalgic, and highly photogenic, it delivers a festive atmosphere that feels both familiar and contemporary—perfect for driving foot traffic and social sharing.
Candy Joy Christmas
Candy Joy is emerging as a vibrant, sensory-driven Christmas decorating trend that leans into indulgence, colour, and playful storytelling. Inspired by confectionery and festive treats, this look celebrates oversized sweets, pastel accents, and layered textures—creating an environment that feels joyful, immersive, and irresistibly shareable.
For commercial tenancy marketing managers in Melbourne, Candy Joy offers a powerful way to engage families and younger audiences while delivering strong visual impact. As seen in this richly detailed installation, elements like striped baubles, cupcakes, candy canes, and sprinkled donuts combine to create a whimsical, “good enough to eat” aesthetic. The layering of reds, pinks, whites, and soft metallics adds depth while maintaining a cohesive, high-energy palette.
This trend thrives on abundance and detail. The more there is to discover, the longer customers linger—making it ideal for centre courts, food precincts, and interactive photo moments. It also aligns seamlessly with retail categories such as confectionery, gifting, and lifestyle, creating opportunities for cross-promotion.
Bright, nostalgic, and unapologetically fun, Candy Joy transforms Christmas into a multi-sensory experience—driving foot traffic, encouraging social sharing, and delivering a memorable festive atmosphere.
Retro Traditions Christmas
Retro Vintage Christmas continues to resonate as a timeless decorating trend, blending nostalgia with a refined, heritage aesthetic. Inspired by mid-century styling and traditional European ornamentation, this look celebrates delicate glass baubles, warm metallics, and softly glowing lights that evoke a sense of familiarity and comfort.
This trend offers a sophisticated way to connect emotionally with shoppers. As seen in this intimate vignette, layered ornaments in gold, cream, and classic red tones—paired with soft lighting and intricate detailing—create a warm, story-led environment that encourages pause and reflection. It’s less about scale and more about atmosphere, making it particularly effective in boutique precincts, window displays, and quieter experiential zones.
Texture and craftsmanship are key. Etched finishes, antique-inspired metals, and traditional shapes add authenticity, while subtle movement from hanging decorations enhances the sensory experience.
Retro Vintage Christmas is ideal for centres looking to balance commercial impact with emotional storytelling—creating spaces that feel personal, memorable, and quietly luxurious, while still delivering the visual appeal needed to drive engagement and seasonal visitation.
Sustainable paper Christmas
Honeycomb paper Christmas trees and decorations are emerging as a leading sustainable trend, offering a stylish and environmentally conscious alternative to traditional festive décor. Defined by their sculptural, folded forms, these pieces deliver visual impact while significantly reducing material waste and storage requirements.
This trend aligns strongly with growing ESG priorities and customer expectations around sustainability. As seen in this minimalist installation, honeycomb structures create elegant, architectural silhouettes that feel both contemporary and refined. Their lightweight design allows for easy installation across multiple zones, while their collapsible nature makes them highly efficient for storage and reuse year after year.
The versatility of honeycomb décor is a key advantage. Available in a range of colours, scales, and finishes, it can be styled to suit both premium and family-focused environments. When paired with simple lighting and restrained palettes, the result is a clean, modern aesthetic that stands out in contrast to more traditional, dense decorations.
Sustainable, cost-effective, and visually distinctive, honeycomb paper décor enables centres to deliver impactful Christmas experiences while demonstrating a clear commitment to responsible design.
And to see more Commercial Christmas decorating trends for 2026, lets look at Shopping Centre specific decorating and experience trends. Making a connection in 2026 can be so much fun.
