Well 2020 you threw everything you could at us, as a community, but in true North Queensland style, we have come out the other side, prepared to celebrate the festive season, as we always have, with good humour, good will and good cheer. Here I have rounded up all the great ways locals, community groups and council have pulled together to bring us all together, whether in person or online, however you choose to celebrate the festive season, i hope you and your family have a wonderful time!
Northern Lights Trail – Friday November 27 through to Sunday January 3
Townsville’s CBD will come alive with not just the amazing display that will be the first ever Northern Lights Trail
Our council insiders recommend starting at the Christmas Tree that welcomes you on the Palmer Street end of Victoria Bridge, to take in the fairy lights that will adorn Victoria Bridge itself.
This will lead you to the end of the bridge and the Aurora, Audio Soundscape (by locals Neighbourhood Productions). Throw in a fairy light tunnel, Flinders Square projection, Luminescence (Video Art
Installation by Tetrelume), various light displays, Faur Requiem at Flinders Lane and a huge light display bringing a kaleidoscope of colour to our brand new Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The Northern Lights Trail will take place every night until Sunday January 3rd.
Cotters Twilight Market – Friday November 27 & Friday December 11
Two special night markets facilitated by the Cotters Markets team will be located in the city, at Hanran Park.
A number of must-see experiences will occur on these two evenings to coincide with the markets, including additional ground projections, roving stilt performers and pyrotechnic displays.
Wondering where Hanran Park is? The team kindly marked it on the map for us.
Skype with Santa – November 29, December 6 and December 13
Get your photo taken with Santa this year virtually!
Get along to Cotters Market any of the 3 Sundays, to have your family photo with Santa taken for FREE! Due to COVID-19 contact tracing, pre-registration is required. Please note, only one registration is required per family. For your chance to win a $100 Toyworld voucher, simply pre-register for your free Santa photo.
There will be three vouchers to give away every week!
Flick the Switch on Christmas – December 1
Local Tiphane Clark hasn’t just planned for putting up the Christmas Tree on December 1, she has turned 5 Reid Court into The Reid Court Christmas House, her very own Flick the Switch on Christmas is a great example of sharing the Christmas Spirit, thanks Tiphane.
Ray White Townsville + PUFT Events’ Christmas in the Park – December 5
Where there is a will, there is a way! When the team at PUFT Events heard the city’s annual Carols by Candlelight was not to be this year, they took matters into their own hands and have put together Christmas in the Park, which will feature 4 hours of Christmas music, dancing and live entertainment! Free entry with a Christmas market fair, licensed bar, rides for the kids, giveaways and over 30 food-trucks to feed the family!
Ray White’s Christmas in the Park is a COVID safe event
Carols @ Home – December 6
One for the home bodies among us, an event you can stay in your PJs for if you like and take a trip down memory lane with Carols@Home as Steve ‘Pricey’ Price hosts performances over the last five years of Carols by Candlelight reeled into one show. Enjoy the show in front of your smart TV, in the comfort and safety of your own home with your family.This free virtual family-friendly event will be simulcast right here at 6.30pm on Sunday 6 December.
The all-star line-up will include headline acts from the past five Carols by Candlelight events, including singing superstars Kate Miller-Heidke, Justine Clark, Trent Bell and many more!
Home Hill Community Christmas Carols – December 13
Community Christmas Carols has been a great family tradition in the Burdekin for many years.
This year’s Community Christmas Carols will be held on Sunday, 13 December 2020 at the Home Hill High School oval from 5.30pm. (Entry via Twelfth Avenue)
Enjoy LIVE performances by special guests James Blundell and Jade Holland as well as local entertainment from singers and choirs.
You will also be able to purchase tasty food and Christmas treats from local community groups and food vans.
Stable on the Streets – December 18 to 22
This year Stable on the Strand will be taken to the Streets as each one of us are encouraged to either build a Christmas display in our own space or follow a discovery tour and take part in an interactive scavenger hunt trail. You can choose how you take part:
Display Maker – Individuals and corporates alike will be given the opportunity to decorate their own space in whatever way they can dream-up using home-made or pre-purchased props, their voices or other talents.
Display Viewer – From the 18th-22nd of December, Display Viewers will be encouraged to participate by:
Following an interactive map to devise their own route, Follow one of 5 pre-selected routes that capture some of the main displays or take part in the events interactive, family-focused Scavenger Hunt
Thank you to all the local contributors who submitted their festive season event to the Townsville Family Life event calendar, so we can keep our community in the know.
Holding a public event that is family friendly in 2021?
SUBMIT YOUR EVENT to our calendar and let our community of families know all about it.