Your ultimate guide to Toowoomba's Christmas events, carols and Santa photos
December brings an unprecedented Christmas bonanza to Toowoomba with carols, Santa visits and a doubled-size Christmas Wonderland that could break attendance records.
December has arrived, heralding in a slew of festive attractions and Christmas activities across the Toowoomba region for next three weeks for the whole family.
Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald said preparations were well in hand to spread some Christmas cheer around the region in the weeks ahead.
“Council is proud to be associated with numerous community Christmas celebrations in the coming weeks,” he said.
“Council’s sleigh has been through its annual tests and is ready to be backed out of Santa’s workshop for visits to council’s Cecil Plains, Clifton, Pittsworth, Cambooya and Perseverance Hall Christmas celebrations.
“Christmas might be directed at children, but these festivities are planned for all ages.”
Here is the complete guide to community events, Santa photos, Christmas lights and everything in between:
Carols by Candlelight
The famous Toowoomba Mayoral Carols by Candlelight will be held at Queens Park on Sunday December 14, with kids treated to a special visit by Santa.
It will be led by local choirs and performers before ending with a dazzling fireworks finale lighting up the Toowoomba sky.
The carols kick off from 6pm at Frog’s Hollow — bring a picnic rug!
Upcoming community events
Nearly 30 community events and installations have been slated for across the Toowoomba region between now and December 21.
These include small town Christmas parties, Santa drive-bys, markets and carols.
Below is a full table, but for the full details head to the Toowoomba Regional Council’s events page.
Get your Santa photos!
Getting pics of your children (the human and fur varieties) is always a part of the holiday spirit, and luckily Toowoomba shopping centres and other locations are giving families plenty of opportunities to do so.
Grand Central Shopping Centre is hosting Santa and his elves for photos from now until Christmas Eve, with 15-minute slots available during opening hours.
There are also sessions available for pets, babies and people with different sensory needs.
For more information and to book, head to the website.
Speaking of opening hours, Grand Central will be open to shoppers longer from December 18.
The centre also has colouring, donation and giftwrapping stations open now — for the full details, head to the website.
Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre is also offering Santa photos during the holiday season, including for pets and people with sensory needs, until December 24.
While walk-ins are possible, it’s best to book by heading to the website.
The centre will also feature roving performers, including Rudolph, a Walking Present, Frosty, Gingerbread Man and Mrs Claus, from 11am until 2pm each day between December 20-24.
The Women in Harmony choir group will also perform at Clifford Gardens on Wednesday December 17 at 3pm, Saturday, December 20 at 10.30am and Sunday, December 21 at 3pm.
Santa’s mailbox will be located outside The Shingle Inn for kids to post their letters.
Santa Paws Photography is also offering pet photos with Big Red across two Toowoomba locations on Friday from 9am until 12pm and Sunday from 8am until noon.
Santa will also visit the offices of the Aboriginal Family Legal Services Queensland (AFLSQ) on Margaret St in Toowoomba on Tuesday December 16 from 10am.
People can RSVP by ringing 4614 7116 or emailing enquiries@aflsq.org.au.
Residents are also encouraged to drop gifts off to the AFLSQ between now and December 12, with the presents to be distributed by Santa to needy families.
Christmas Wonderland returns
Christmas Wonderland is back for its 16th year at Toowoomba’s Botanic Gardens, with the Lions Club at Toowoomba West expecting the 2025 event to be the biggest yet.
The hugely-popular night-time attraction has doubled in size, with more than 40 volunteers staffing it every night.
The event will be open from 7pm to 10pm from December 6 to December 24, with entry just a gold coin donation.
For more information, head to the website.
Follow The Star: The Christmas Story
Christian Events Toowoomba is running an “immersive, family-friendly journey” through the sights and sounds of the first Christmas.
The free attraction, hosted at the Goods Shed from December 18-21 from 6pm each night, is a live nativity scene where patrons can meet the characters and learn more about the story.
There will also be food stalls and local crafts available.
For more information, head to the Facebook event.
Christmas Together concert
A mother-daughter duo will bring festive cheer Saturday December 6 with their annual Christmas concert, raising funds for cancer patients.
The much beloved Toowoomba Christmas concert Christmas Together, hosted by Kreation Music, will return on Saturday with all proceeds going to support cancer wellness centre Hope Horizons.
Featured in this year’s line-up are local talent Toowoombells Handbell Choir, Bell’Amore, Amity Quartet, Akash Rooney, David Hedges and Camillo Lanzafami Jr – just to name a few.
Tinsel Trail
If you’re out on the roads across the region, you might see some festive sights on rural properties as part of the annual Maclagan and Districts tinsel trail.
Tinsel and other objects can be viewed across Maclagan, Quinalow, Malling, Kulpi, Peranga and Oakey.
You can see the official map on the Christmas Tinsel Trail Facebook page, but we’ve embedded it here:
More Coverage
Originally published as Your ultimate guide to Toowoomba's Christmas events, carols and Santa photos
