Perth’s traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony has been scrapped, with the city saying it has concerns over the safety of thousands of people who would have attended.

The ceremony, which has heralded the start of Christmas in Perth since the early 1990s, has been replaced by a month-long Christmas Lights Trail throughout the city, starting this Friday.

The 13m high Christmas tree that is usually erected in Forrest Place will be moved to Murray Street Mall and will become an attraction as part of the trail.

Acting Lord Mayor Jemma Green said the city could not ensure the safety of the crowd, which this year was expected to be around 10,000 people.

Camera Icon Officials fear big crowds of more than 10,000 would descend on the CBD. Credit: 7 News

“It’s become a victim of its own success,” she said. “Last year it was very crowded here and we’ve obviously got the works going on with the upgrade to Forrest Chase.

“With the potential for more people to come here we wanted to make sure we could offer something safe and still exciting.

“It had simply outgrown the venue so we couldn’t with the amount of people that are coming we couldn’t ensure the safety of all the people coming down.”

Cr Green said consideration had been given to relocating the ceremony, but no other area had the right atmosphere for families.

The trail will comprise 16 light installations , including a giant LED bauble in Murray Street Mall, a 24m Christmas light tunnel in the Northbridge Piazza and projections onto the facade of the St George’s Cathedral.

Camera Icon The Christmas tree in Forrest Place. Credit: 7 News

“The light installations are really exciting and it means that families will be able to enjoy it without it being too overcrowded which was a concern with the growing numbers in Forrest Chase. It’s going to be a great experience,” Cr Green said.

The light trail will start this Friday from 4.30pm, with a range of free events and activities across the city, including concerts at the Perth Cultural Centre and the Northbridge Piazza, roving and aerial performances, and a Christmas craft market.