Wollongong City Centre will come alive with Christmas spirit on Thursday 24 November with the official lighting of the city’s new nine-metre Christmas tree and the singing of Christmas carols in the centre of Crown Street shopping precinct.
This free family event incorporates the carolling of favourite Christmas songs and promotes the City of Wollongong’s Christmas Giving Tree appeal. All Wollongong community members are invited to attend this special night with their family and friends.
The Christmas festivities will begin on the stage at 6pm with carolling by the Wollongong Harmony Chorus and dance performances by students from Joanne Grace School of Dance. The evening will include special guest appearances by Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbury OAM and the man of the season, Santa, who will arrive at 7pm on a Harley Davidson.
The new nine-metre Christmas tree has been is ornately decorated with Christmas colours of red, silver and turquoise blue. At 8pm, Santa and one lucky child from the community will turn on the Christmas tree lights illuminating the city centre.
With Christmas just a month away, citizens can also take advantage of late night shopping hours to find presents from the 350 plus speciality stores in the Wollongong City Centre precinct.
Tourism Wollongong’s General Manager Greg Binskin said this official tree lighting ceremony will get everyone in the Christmas spirit. “Following this much anticipated event, the city can expect an excellent line-up of Christmas shows and activities the whole community can take part in,” Mr Binskin said.
Councillor Bradbury said the simple act of lighting a Christmas tree will bring the Festive season to the city centre.
“In the lead up to Christmas we now have a festive city centre that offers a fun atmosphere for people wishing to enjoy the experience of shopping, dining, or entertainment in our city.”
Wollongong will be full of Christmas cheer this festive season with an excellent line-up of Christmas shows, activities and entertainers. Entertainment includes:
- Performances by local school choirs and band every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 12 to 2pm
- Live Christmas music by acclaimed bands and orchestras every Thursday evening from 5 to 8pm
- A Christmas Jazz Music Show on Saturday 3 December at 12 noon
- A magical show, Christmas Wishes, on Sunday 11 December from 12 to 2pm
- In the last week before Christmas, you can all experience a truly spectacular White Christmas Show on Monday 19 December from 12 to 2pm